HOUSTON, July 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (NYSE: COG) ("Cabot" or the "Company") today reported financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2016.

"Cabot's 2016 operating plan was designed to provide modest production growth while generating positive free cash flow despite a lower commodity price environment," said Dan O. Dinges, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our second quarter results delivered on this plan as the Company grew equivalent production 10 percent relative to the second quarter of last year while generating operating cash flow that exceeded our capital expenditures, pipeline investments, and dividends." Dinges added, "We anticipate significantly more positive free cash flow generation in the second half of the year based on the current commodity price outlook."

Second Quarter 2016 Financial Results

Equivalent production in the second quarter of 2016 was 151.8 billion cubic feet equivalent (Bcfe), consisting of 144.3 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas, 1.1 million barrels (Mmbbls) of crude oil and condensate, and 113,000 barrels (Bbls) of natural gas liquids (NGLs). The Company estimates that unscheduled downtime related to infrastructure maintenance negatively impacted natural gas production for the quarter by approximately 3.3 Bcf, or 36 million cubic feet (Mmcf) per day. "While our daily equivalent production for the quarter was in line with the mid-point of our guidance, the Company would have surpassed the high-end of our guidance range had we not experienced this unexpected downtime during the quarter," stated Dinges.

Cash flow from operating activities in the second quarter of 2016 was $85.2 million, compared to $171.2 million in the second quarter of 2015. Discretionary cash flow in the second quarter of 2016 was $97.6 million, compared to $183.2 million in the second quarter of 2015. Net loss in the second quarter of 2016 was $62.9 million, or $0.14 per share, compared to net loss of $27.5 million, or $0.07 per share, in the second quarter of 2015. Excluding the effect of selected items (detailed in the table below), net loss in the second quarter of 2016 was $30.2 million, or $0.07 per share, compared to net income of $14.6 million, or $0.03 per share, in the second quarter of 2015. EBITDAX in the second quarter of 2016 was $127.3 million, compared to $203.9 million in the second quarter of 2015. See the supplemental tables at the end of this press release for a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures including discretionary cash flow, net income (loss) excluding selected items, EBITDAX and net debt to adjusted capitalization ratio.

Natural gas price realizations, including the impact of derivatives, were $1.63 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) in the second quarter of 2016, down 24 percent compared to the second quarter of 2015. Excluding the impact of derivatives, natural gas price realizations for the quarter implied a $0.40 discount to NYMEX settlement prices compared to a $0.89 discount to NYMEX settlement prices in the second quarter of 2015. Oil price realizations, including the impact of derivatives, were $40.30 per Bbl, down 28 percent compared to the second quarter of 2015. NGL price realizations were $12.43 per Bbl, down 29 percent compared to the second quarter of 2015.

Operating expenses (including financing) decreased to $2.22 per thousand cubic feet equivalent (Mcfe) in the second quarter of 2016, a 12 percent improvement compared to $2.52 per Mcfe in the second quarter of 2015. Cash operating expenses (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization; stock-based compensation; exploratory dry hole cost; and amortization of debt issuance costs) decreased to $1.19 per Mcfe in the second quarter of 2016, a 12 percent improvement compared to $1.35 per Mcfe in the second quarter of 2015.

Cabot drilled seven net wells and completed 11 net wells during the second quarter of 2016, incurring a total of $70.9 million in capital expenditures associated with activity during this period.

Year-To-Date 2016 Financial Results

Equivalent production for the six-month period ended June 30, 2016 was 312.1 Bcfe, consisting of 297.4 Bcf of natural gas, 2.2 Mmbbls of crude oil and condensate, and 205,000 Bbls of NGLs.

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2016, cash flow from operating activities was $147.2 million, compared to $438.6 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015. Discretionary cash flow was $168.8 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2016, compared to $423.4 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2016, net loss was $114.1 million, or $0.25 per share, compared to net income of $12.7 million, or $0.03 per share, for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015. Excluding the effect of selected items, net loss was $85.6 million, or $0.19 per share, compared to net income of $64.0 million, or $0.15 per share, for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015. EBITDAX for the six-month period ended June 30, 2016 was $228.3 million, compared to $483.3 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015.

Natural gas price realizations, including the impact of derivatives, were $1.55 per Mcf for the six-month period ended June 30, 2016, down 33 percent compared to the six-month period ended June 30, 2015. Oil price realizations, including the impact of derivatives, were $34.06 per Bbl, down 32 percent compared to the six-month period ended June 30, 2015. NGL price realizations were $10.09 per Bbl, down 29 percent compared to the six-month period ended June 30, 2015.

Operating expenses (including financing) decreased to $2.24 per Mcfe for the six-month period ended June 30, 2016, a seven percent improvement compared to $2.41 per Mcfe for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015. Cash operating expenses (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization; stock-based compensation; exploratory dry hole cost; and amortization of debt issuance costs) decreased to $1.18 per Mcfe for the six-month period ended June 30, 2016, a nine percent improvement compared to $1.30 per Mcfe in the six-month period ended June 30, 2015.

Cabot drilled 17 net wells and completed 32 net wells during the six-month period ended June 30, 2016, incurring a total of $162.5 million in capital expenditures associated with activity during this period.

Operational Highlights

Marcellus Shale

During the second quarter of 2016, the Company averaged 1,535 Mmcf per day of net Marcellus production (1,798 gross operated Mmcf per day), an increase of 14 percent compared to the second quarter of 2015. During the second quarter, the Company drilled seven net wells, completed eight net wells and placed 12 net wells on production including a four-well pad that was placed on production 10 days prior to the quarter-end and had minimal impact on second quarter production as the wells were still cleaning up in line.

Cabot is currently operating one rig and recently added a second completion crew in the Marcellus Shale. "Based on continued efficiency gains, lower service costs and our improved outlook for natural gas price realizations, we are increasing our activity levels in our high-return Marcellus asset beginning with the addition of a second completion crew." Dinges added, "Cabot is the lowest cost producer in Northeast Pennsylvania and generates rates of return over 100 percent under current price expectations so we plan to opportunistically increase our market share during 2017 as we await the in-service of our new infrastructure projects beginning in late-2017."

Eagle Ford Shale

Cabot's net production in the Eagle Ford Shale during the second quarter of 2016 was 14,312 barrels of oil equivalent (Boe) per day, an increase of 10 percent sequentially compared to the first quarter of 2016. Net oil production during the quarter was 12,360 Bbls per day, an increase of four percent sequentially compared to the first quarter of 2016. During the second quarter, the Company did not drill any wells; however, Cabot completed and placed on production three net wells.

Cabot plans to drill two Eagle Ford wells during the third quarter and will not complete or place on production an additional Eagle Ford well until the fourth quarter.

Financial Position and Liquidity

As of June 30, 2016, Cabot had total debt of $1.5 billion and cash on hand of $517.5 million. The Company's net debt to adjusted capitalization ratio and net debt to trailing twelve months EBITDAX ratio were 26.2 percent and 1.8x, respectively, compared to 50.1 percent and 2.5x as of December 31, 2015.

Total commitments under the Company's revolving credit facility remain unchanged at $1.8 billion, with approximately $1.7 billion currently available to the Company. The Company currently has no debt outstanding under the credit facility, resulting in approximately $2.2 billion of liquidity.

Third Quarter and Full-Year 2016 Guidance

Cabot has provided third quarter net production guidance of 1,575 to 1,600 Mmcf per day for natural gas; 10,000 to 10,500 Bbls per day for crude oil and condensate; and 1,200 to 1,250 Bbls per day for NGLs. The Company expects its natural gas price realizations (before the impact of derivatives) to average between $0.80 and $0.90 below NYMEX settlement prices for the third quarter based on the assumption of an average NYMEX settlement price of approximately $2.80. "Despite a widening of basis in the third quarter due to higher NYMEX prices, our natural gas price realizations before the impact of derivatives are forecasted to be over 25 percent higher than our second quarter realizations based on the mid-point of our differential guidance,'' commented Dinges.

Cabot has increased its 2016 capital budget from $325 million to $345 million to reflect the incremental capital for the completion of an additional 15 to 20 net wells during the second half of the year, partially offset by efficiency gains and cost savings realized throughout the year. Since the production impact from these additional wells will not be realized until early 2017, the Company's 2016 production growth guidance range of two to seven percent remains unchanged. For further disclosure on Cabot's natural gas pricing exposure by index and updated unit cost guidance for the third quarter, 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 29, 2016, at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss second quarter 2016 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 derivative 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 website 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                    Six Months Ended
                                     June 30,                          June 30,
                                     --------                          --------

                              2016              2015              2016                  2015
                              ----              ----              ----                  ----

    PRODUCTION VOLUMES

    Natural gas (Bcf)        144.3                     128.4                          297.4         290.2

    Crude oil and
     condensate (Mbbl)     1,139.3                   1,447.9                        2,248.9       2,875.5

    Natural gas liquids
     (NGLs) (Mbbl)           112.9                     164.2                          205.0         330.1

    Equivalent production
     (Bcfe)                  151.8                     138.0                          312.1         309.4


    AVERAGE SALES PRICE

    Natural gas, including
     hedges ($/Mcf)                     $1.63                              $2.15                   $1.55        $2.32

    Natural gas, excluding
     hedges ($/Mcf)                     $1.55                              $1.75                   $1.52        $2.02

    Crude oil and
     condensate, including
     hedges ($/Bbl)                    $40.30                             $56.10                  $34.06       $50.00

    Crude oil and
     condensate, excluding
     hedges ($/Bbl)                    $40.51                             $56.10                  $34.16       $50.00

    NGL ($/Bbl)                        $12.43                             $17.44                  $10.09       $14.23


    AVERAGE UNIT COSTS
     ($/Mcfe)

    Direct operations                   $0.17                              $0.26                   $0.17        $0.23

    Transportation and
     gathering                           0.71                               0.71             0.70         0.71

    Taxes other than
     income                              0.06                               0.08             0.05         0.07

    Exploration                          0.02                               0.04             0.03         0.05

    Depreciation,
     depletion and
     amortization                        0.97                               1.10             0.99         1.06

    General and
     administrative
     (excluding stock-
     based compensation)                 0.09                               0.08             0.10         0.09

    Stock-based
     compensation                        0.05                               0.06             0.06         0.05

    Interest expense                     0.14                               0.18             0.15         0.15
                                         ----                               ----             ----         ----

                                        $2.22                              $2.52                   $2.24        $2.41
                                        =====                              =====                   =====        =====



    WELLS DRILLED

    Gross                        7                        44                             17            87

    Net                          7                        37                             17            78

    Gross success rate        100%                     100%                          100%         100%



    WELLS COMPLETED

    Gross                       11                        36                             32            75

    Net                         11                        33                             32            72




                                                        CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

                                                                 (In thousands, except per share amounts)


                                              Quarter Ended                                               Six Months Ended
                                                 June 30,                                                     June 30,
                                                 --------                                                     --------

                                      2016                   2015                      2016                     2015
                                      ----                   ----                      ----                     ----

    OPERATING REVENUES

       Natural gas                          $223,232                                          $224,806                         $450,811    $584,997

       Crude oil and condensate     46,156                             81,233                                76,833              143,791

       Gain (loss) on derivative
        instruments               (27,184)                           (6,819)                              (8,190)              27,304

       Brokered natural gas          2,596                              3,813                                 5,776                8,640

       Other                         2,016                              3,264                                 3,527                6,330
                                     -----                              -----                                 -----                -----

                                   246,816                            306,297                               528,757              771,062

    OPERATING EXPENSES

    Direct operations               26,477                             36,112                                52,513               72,129

    Transportation and gathering   107,560                             98,295                               217,213              219,531

    Brokered natural gas             2,021                              2,885                                 4,587                6,624

    Taxes other than income          8,973                             11,611                                14,967               22,891

    Exploration                      3,738                              5,298                                10,121               14,030

    Depreciation, depletion and
     amortization                  147,533                            152,513                               309,420              328,009

    General and administrative
     (excluding stock-based
     compensation)                  12,946                             11,354                                30,715               27,972

    Stock-based compensation(1)      7,301                              8,624                                17,906               14,535
                                     -----                              -----                                ------               ------

                                   316,549                            326,692                               657,442              705,721

    Earnings (loss) on equity
     method investments               (73)                             1,512                                 1,935                2,933

    Gain (loss) on sale of assets    (878)                              (79)                                  477                   59
                                      ----                                ---                                   ---                  ---

    INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS (70,684)                          (18,962)                            (126,273)               68,333

    Loss on debt extinguishment      4,709                                  -                                4,709                    -

    Interest expense                21,963                             24,168                                46,338               47,734
                                    ------                             ------                                ------               ------

    Income (loss) before income
     taxes                        (97,356)                          (43,130)                            (177,320)               20,599

    Income tax expense (benefit)  (34,446)                          (15,622)                             (63,216)               7,852
                                   -------                            -------                               -------                -----

    NET INCOME (LOSS)                      $(62,910)                                        $(27,508)                      $(114,104)    $12,747
                                            ========                                          ========                        =========     =======

    Earnings (loss) per share -
     Basic                                   $(0.14)                                          $(0.07)                         $(0.25)      $0.03

    Weighted-average common
     shares outstanding            465,068                            413,713                               448,455              413,530


            (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,                    December 31,
                                               2016                              2015
                                               ----                              ----

    ASSETS

    Current
     assets                                             $659,238                          $144,786

     Properties
     and
     equipment,
     net
     (Successful
     efforts
     method)                              4,762,680                           4,976,879

    Other
     assets                                 148,552                             131,373

                                                      $5,570,470                        $5,253,038
                                                      ==========                        ==========


    LIABILITIES AND
     STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Current
     liabilities                                        $228,490                          $235,552

    Long-
     term
     debt,
     net
     (excluding
     current
     maturities)                          1,519,849                           1,996,139

    Deferred
     income
     taxes                                  745,085                             807,236

    Other
     liabilities                            199,447                             204,923

     Stockholders'
     equity                               2,877,599                           2,009,188
                                          ---------                           ---------

                                                      $5,570,470                        $5,253,038
                                                      ==========                        ==========




                                                                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

                                                                                        (In thousands)


                                                     Quarter Ended                                               Six Months Ended
                                                        June 30,                                                     June 30,
                                                        --------                                                     --------

                                             2016                   2015                      2016                     2015
                                             ----                   ----                      ----                     ----

    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    Net income (loss)                             $(62,910)                                        $(27,508)                      $(114,104)    $12,747

    Deferred income tax
     expense (benefit)                   (35,322)                           (7,921)                             (64,294)               7,160

    (Gain) loss on sale
     of assets                                878                                 79                                 (477)                (59)

    Exploratory dry hole
     cost                                      18                                 16                                    18                  178

    (Gain) loss on
     derivative
     instruments                           27,184                              6,819                                 8,190             (27,304)

    Net cash received
     (paid) in settlement
     of derivative
     instruments                           11,305                             51,045                                11,305               88,730

    Income charges not
     requiring cash                       156,465                            160,694                               328,140              341,948

    Changes in assets and
     liabilities                         (12,464)                          (12,014)                             (21,534)              15,191
                                          -------                            -------                               -------               ------

    Net cash provided by
     operating activities                  85,154                            171,210                               147,244              438,591
                                           ------                            -------                               -------              -------


    CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    Capital expenditures                 (67,162)                         (250,001)                             (159,399)            (645,092)

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

    Proceeds from sale of
     assets                                     -                              (79)                               49,828                3,002

    Investment in equity
     method investments                   (6,519)                           (5,036)                             (18,171)            (10,114)
                                           ------                             ------                               -------              -------

    Net cash used in
     investing activities                (73,681)                         (271,265)                             (127,742)            (668,504)
                                          -------                           --------                              --------             --------


    CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    Net increase
     (decrease) in debt                  (64,000)                           118,000                             (477,000)              243,000

    Sale of common stock,
     net                                        1                                  -                              995,279                    -

    Dividends paid                        (9,300)                           (8,274)                             (17,582)            (16,537)

    Stock-based
     compensation tax
     benefit                                    -                             2,049                                     -               5,486

    Capitalized debt
     issuance costs                             -                           (7,838)                              (3,223)             (7,838)

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

    Net cash provided by
     (used in) financing
     activities                          (73,299)                           101,338                               497,474              224,190
                                          -------                            -------                               -------              -------


    Net increase
     (decrease) in cash
     and cash equivalents                         $(61,826)                                           $1,283                         $516,976    $(5,723)
                                                   ========                                            ======                         ========     =======




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

                                                                 (In thousands, except per share amounts)


                                             Quarter Ended                                               Six Months Ended
                                                June 30,                                                     June 30,
                                                --------                                                     --------

                                    2016                    2015                      2016                     2015
                                    ----                    ----                      ----                     ----

    As reported -net income
     (loss)                               $(62,910)                                        $(27,508)                                   $(114,104)                $12,747

    Reversal of selected items:

    (Gain) loss on sale of
     assets                          878                                  79                                 (477)                             (59)

    (Gain) loss on derivative
     instruments (1)              38,489                              57,864                                19,495                            61,426

    Loss on debt
     extinguishment                4,709                                   -                                4,709                                 -

    Drilling rig termination
     fees                              -                                 69                                 3,188                             5,153

    Stock-based compensation
     expense                       7,301                               8,624                                17,906                            14,535

    Tax effect on selected items         (18,647)                             (24,553)                                      (16,268)                 (29,836)
                                          -------                               -------                                        -------                   -------

    Net income (loss)
     excluding selected items             $(30,180)                                          $14,575                                     $(85,551)                $63,966
                                           ========                                           =======                                      ========                 =======

    As reported -earnings
     (loss) per share                       $(0.14)                                          $(0.07)                                      $(0.25)                  $0.03

    Per share impact of
     reversing selected items       0.07                                0.10                                  0.06                              0.12
                                    ----                                ----                                  ----                              ----

    Earnings (loss) per share
     including reversal of
     selected items                         $(0.07)                                            $0.03                                       $(0.19)                  $0.15

    Weighted average common
     shares outstanding          465,068                             413,713                               448,455                           413,530


             (1)    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                                              Six Months Ended
                                        June 30,                                                    June 30,
                                        --------                                                    --------

                             2016                  2015                      2016                     2015
                             ----                  ----                      ----                     ----

    As reported -net
     income (loss)                $(62,910)                                       $(27,508)                      $(114,104)    $12,747

    Plus (less):

    Deferred income tax
     expense (benefit)   (35,322)                          (7,921)                             (64,294)               7,160

    (Gain) loss on sale
     of assets                878                                79                                 (477)                (59)

    Exploratory dry hole
     cost                      18                                16                                    18                  178

    (Gain) loss on
     derivative
     instruments           27,184                             6,819                                 8,190             (27,304)

    Net cash received
     (paid) in
     settlement of
     derivative
     instruments           11,305                            51,045                                11,305               88,730

    Income charges not
     requiring cash       156,465                           160,694                               328,140              341,948
                          -------                           -------                               -------              -------

    Discretionary cash
     flow                  97,618                           183,224                               168,778              423,400

    Changes in assets
     and liabilities     (12,464)                         (12,014)                             (21,534)              15,191
                          -------                           -------                               -------               ------

    Net cash provided by
     operations                     $85,154                                         $171,210                         $147,244    $438,591
                                    =======                                         ========                         ========    ========




                                                             EBITDAX Calculation and Reconciliation

                                                                         (In thousands)


                                          Quarter Ended                                             Six Months Ended
                                             June 30,                                                   June 30,
                                             --------                                                   --------

                                  2016                  2015                     2016                     2015
                                  ----                  ----                     ----                     ----

    As reported -net income
     (loss)                            $(62,910)                                      $(27,508)                      $(114,104)    $12,747

    Plus (less):

    Loss on debt
     extinguishment              4,709                                -                                4,709                    -

    Interest expense            21,963                           24,168                                46,338               47,734

    Income tax expense
     (benefit)                (34,446)                        (15,622)                             (63,216)               7,852

    Depreciation, depletion
     and amortization          147,533                          152,513                               309,420              328,009

    Exploration                  3,738                            5,298                                10,121               14,030

    (Gain) loss on sale of
     assets                        878                               79                                 (477)                (59)

    Non-cash (gain) loss on
     derivative instruments     38,489                           57,864                                19,495               61,426

    (Earnings) loss on equity
     method investments             73                          (1,512)                              (1,935)             (2,933)

    Stock-based compensation     7,301                            8,624                                17,906               14,535
                                 -----                            -----                                ------               ------

    EBITDAX                             $127,328                                        $203,904                         $228,257    $483,341
                                        ========                                        ========                         ========    ========



                          Net Debt Reconciliation

                               (In thousands)


                    June 30,                    December 31,
                          2016                           2015
                          ----                           ----

    Current
     portion
     of
     long-
     term
     debt                             $20,000                              $20,000

    Long-
     term
     debt,
     net             1,519,849                                1,996,139
                     ---------                                ---------

    Total
     debt                          $1,539,849                           $2,016,139

     Stockholders'
     equity          2,877,599                                2,009,188
                     ---------                                ---------

    Total
     capitalization                $4,417,448                           $4,025,327


    Total
     debt                          $1,539,849                           $2,016,139

    Less:
     Cash
     and
     cash
     equivalents     (517,490)                                   (514)
                      --------                                     ----

    Net debt                       $1,022,359                           $2,015,625


    Net debt                       $1,022,359                           $2,015,625

     Stockholders'
     equity          2,877,599                                2,009,188
                     ---------                                ---------

    Total
     adjusted
     capitalization                $3,899,958                           $4,024,813


    Total
     debt to
     total
     capitalization
     ratio               34.9%                                   50.1%


    Less:
     Impact
     of cash
     and
     cash
     equivalents          8.7%                                      -%



    Net debt
     to
     adjusted
     capitalization
     ratio               26.2%                                   50.1%

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SOURCE Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation