California Resources Corporation, a subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY), announced net income of $188 million for the third quarter of 2014, compared with $235 million for the third quarter of 2013. Net income for the first nine months of 2014 was unchanged from the same period of 2013 at $657 million.

In announcing the results, Todd Stevens, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "As we near separation from Occidental, California Resources Corporation has posted robust third quarter 2014 results, including record oil production of 100,000 barrels per day and strong earnings and operating cash flow from our world class resources. Our record oil production is a result of our strategic focus on drilling for high margin oil to maximize shareholder value."

In October, California Resources Corporation raised $5 billion through a senior notes offering and distributed the net proceeds to Occidental. The company also secured a term loan for $1 billion and a revolving credit facility of up to $2 billion and will make another distribution to Occidental of approximately $1 billion prior to the spin-off. Mr. Stevens noted that "The spin-off is expected to be completed as planned on November 30, 2014. We are completely focused on developing our diverse portfolio to increase shareholder value." Once separated from Occidental, California Resources Corporation will become an independent publicly traded company on the NYSE under the symbol CRC. Occidental will initially distribute to its shareholders at least 80.1 percent of CRC common stock with the remaining up to 19.9 percent to be disposed of within eighteen months.

QUARTERLY RESULTS

Net income was $188 million for the third quarter of 2014, compared with $235 million for the third quarter of 2013. The current quarter reflects higher oil volumes and higher realized gas prices offset by lower realized oil prices and increased production costs. Excluding increases due to higher volumes, production costs increased on a dollar per barrel of oil equivalent (BOE) basis mostly due to higher costs for natural gas used in our steam flood operations and other higher energy costs. EBITDAX for the third quarter of 2014 was $648 million compared with $721 million for the third quarter of 2013.1

Daily oil and gas production volumes averaged 160,000 BOE in the third quarter of 2014, compared with 153,000 BOE in the third quarter of 2013. Average oil production increased 11,000 barrels per day, or by 12 percent, from 89,000 barrels per day in 2013 to 100,000 barrels per day in 2014, reflecting our focus on high margin oil drilling. NGL and natural gas production decreased by 2,000 barrels and 11 million cubic feet (MMcf) per day respectively.

Realized crude oil prices decreased ten percent to $96.27 per barrel for the third quarter of 2014 from $107.20 per barrel for the third quarter of 2013. The decrease reflects the drop in oil prices during this period and widening differentials to Brent. NGL prices decreased three percent to $47.20 per barrel in the third quarter of 2014, from $48.46 per barrel in the third quarter of 2013. Natural gas realized prices increased 17 percent in the third quarter of 2014 to $4.24 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf), compared with $3.61 per Mcf in the third quarter of 2013.

NINE-MONTH RESULTS

Net income for the first nine months of 2014 was unchanged from the same period of 2013 at $657 million. Higher oil production and higher realized natural gas and NGL prices in 2014 were offset by lower realized oil prices for the 2014 period and increased production costs, depletion rates, taxes other than on income and selling, general and administrative costs. Excluding increases due to higher volumes, production costs increased due to higher natural gas and other energy costs. EBITDAX for the first nine months of 2014 was $2.1 billion, compared with $2.0 billion for the first nine months of 2013.

For the first nine months of 2014, daily oil and gas production volumes averaged 157,000 BOE, compared with 153,000 BOE in the first nine months of 2013. Average oil production increased 9,000 barrels per day, or by 10 percent, from 88,000 barrels per day in 2013 to 97,000 barrels per day in 2014. NGL and natural gas production decreased by 2,000 barrels and 15MMcf per day, respectively.

Realized crude oil prices decreased five percent to $100.94 per barrel for the first nine months of 2014, compared with $105.89 per barrel for the first nine months of 2013. NGL prices increased nine percent to $52.26 per barrel for the first nine months of 2014, from $48.09 per barrel for the first nine months of 2013. Natural gas prices increased 21 percent in the first nine months of 2014 to $4.53 per Mcf, compared with $3.75 per Mcf in the first nine months of 2013.

CURRENT MARKET CONDITIONS

We are closely monitoring the recent volatility in the commodity markets, in particular the recent drop in oil prices. In line with our stated goal of self-funding our operations, we are developing plans to adapt to changes that are occurring in the marketplace. Our 2015 plans will include a variety of spending levels affording us the flexibility to respond rapidly as the commodity price environment dictates.

OPERATIONS

We continued progress on our development and operating plans during the third quarter. In the San Joaquin basin, our third quarter production averaged 113,000 BOE per day, which was an increase of five percent from the prior year quarter. Almost all of this increase in production came from oil, which increased by 7,000 barrels per day or 12 percent. During the third quarter we operated 19 rigs and drilled 200 wells. We continue to emphasize oil drilling, in particular steamfloods where the favorable oil-to-gas price ratio provides attractive returns. Our third quarter capital was $379 million in the basin and we expect our activity to remain at similar levels in the fourth quarter.

In the Sacramento basin, we produced 56MMcf per day of gas in the third quarter, compared to 65 MMcf per day in the third quarter of last year. We did not perform any new drilling during the quarter in this predominantly gas basin. However, we are monitoring gas prices closely and continuing to build our project inventory to take advantage of a more favorable product price environment in the future.

In the Los Angeles basin, our operations continued to emphasize development of our waterflood opportunities. Our third quarter production was 29,000 BOE per day compared to 25,000 BOE per day in the prior year quarter. We operated seven rigs in the basin last quarter and drilled 29 wells. Our third quarter capital was $117 million in the basin and we expect our activity in the fourth quarter to remain similar to third quarter levels.

In our Ventura basin operations, production remained flat for the third quarter of 2014, compared to the third quarter of last year. We continue to invest in oil projects in the basin, and drilled six wells during the quarter with one rig. Our third quarter capital was $42 million in the basin and we expect our activity in the fourth quarter to be similar to third quarter levels.

1 For an explanation of how we calculate and use EBITDAX (non-GAAP) and a reconciliation of net income (GAAP) to EBITDAX (non-GAAP), please see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations” below.

About California Resources Corporation

California Resources Corporation will, following the spin-off from Occidental Petroleum Corporation, be an independent publicly traded oil and natural gas exploration and production company and the largest combined oil and natural gas producer in California on a gross-operated basis. The Company operates its world class resource base exclusively within the State of California, and uses integrated infrastructure to gather, process and market its production. Using advanced technology, California Resources Corporation’s workforce of over 8,000 employees and contractors focuses on safely and responsibly supplying affordable energy for California by Californians.

About Occidental Petroleum

Occidental Petroleum Corporation is an international oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in the United States, Middle East/North Africa and Latin America. Headquartered in Houston, Occidental is one of the largest U.S. oil and gas companies, based on equity market capitalization. Occidental’s midstream and marketing segment gathers, processes, transports, stores, purchases and markets hydrocarbons and other commodities in support of Occidental’s businesses. The company’s wholly owned subsidiary OxyChem manufactures and markets chlor-alkali products and vinyls.

Forward-Looking Statements

Portions of this press release contain forward-looking statements and involve risks and uncertainties that could materially affect expected results of operations, liquidity, cash flows and business prospects. Actual results may differ from anticipated results, sometimes materially, and reported results should not be considered an indication of future performance. Factors that could cause results to differ include, but are not limited to: commodity pricing fluctuations; supply and demand considerations for California Resources Corporation's products; higher-than-expected costs; the regulatory approval environment; any delay of, or other negative developments affecting, the spin-off of California Resources Corporation; not successfully completing, or any material delay of, field developments, expansion projects, capital investment, efficiency projects, acquisitions or dispositions; lower-than-expected production from development projects or acquisitions; exploration risks; general economic slowdowns; liability under environmental regulations including remedial actions; litigation; disruption or interruption of production, processing or marketing or facility damage due to accidents, labor unrest, weather, natural disasters or cyber attacks; changes in law or regulations; or changes in tax rates. Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “expect,” “aim,” “goal,” “target,” “objective,” “likely” or similar expressions that convey the prospective nature of events or outcomes generally indicate forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Unless legally required, California Resources Corporation does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Material risks that may affect California Resources Corporation's results of operations and financial position appear in “Risk Factors” in our Form 10.

Attachment 1
 
SUMMARY OF RESULTS & SELECTED PRO FORMA ITEMS
                     
 
Third Quarter Nine Months
($ millions) 2014 2013 2014 2013
 

Income Statement Data:

Revenues
Oil and gas net sales to related parties $ 421 $ 1,040 $ 2,560 $ 3,027
Oil and gas net sales to third parties 630 20 678 63
Other revenue   41     47     115     115  
  1,092     1,107     3,353     3,205  
 
Costs and other deductions
Production costs 262 244 780 717
Selling, general and administrative expenses 87 73 243 212
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 304 288 886 853
Taxes other than on income 56 32 163 141
Exploration expense 25 41 71 81
Other expenses   39     37     109     106  
  773     715     2,252     2,110  
 
Income before income taxes 319 392 1,101 1,095
Provision for income taxes   (131 )   (157 )   (444 )   (438 )
Net income $ 188   $ 235   $ 657   $ 657  
 
 
 
Effective tax rate 41 % 40 % 40 % 40 %
EBITDAX $ 648 $ 721 $ 2,058 $ 2,029
 
 
 

Cash Flow Data:

Net cash provided by operating activities $ 657 $ 726 $ 1,891 $ 1,903
Net cash used by investing activities (a) $ (600 ) $ (447 ) $ (1,638 ) $ (1,215 )
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities (b) $ 48 $ (279 ) $ (148 ) $ (688 )
 

(a) Includes capital expenditures of $566 million for 3Q 2014, $443 million for 3Q 2013 and $1.6 billion for

nine months 2014 and $1.2 billion for nine months 2013.

 

(b) Amounts represent contributions from / (distributions to) Occidental Petroleum Corporation.

 
 
 

Balance Sheet Data:

As of September 30, 2014
Actual Pro Forma (c)
Total current assets $ 897 $ 897
Property, plant and equipment, net $ 14,725 $ 14,725
Total current liabilities $ 852 $ 852
Long-term debt, net $ - $ 6,065
Total net investment $ 10,869 $ 4,869
 

(c) The pro-forma adjustments reflect the issuance of notes and expected borrowings under our new credit facilities as well as distributions to Occidental.

 

 
 
Attachment 2
 
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES AND RECONCILIATIONS
 
We define EBITDAX as earnings before interest expense; income taxes; depreciation, depletion and amortization;
and exploration expense. Our management believes EBITDAX provides useful information in assessing our
results of operations and cash flows and is widely used by the industry and investment community. The amounts
included in the calculation of EBITDAX were computed in accordance with GAAP. This measure is provided in
addition to, and not as an alternative for, income and liquidity measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
 
The following tables present a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure of EBITDAX to the GAAP financial
measures of net income and net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
Third Quarter Nine Months
($ millions) 2014 2013 2014 2013
 
Net income $ 188 $ 235 $ 657 $ 657
Provision for income taxes 131 157 444 438
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 304 288 886 853
Exploration expense   25     41     71     81  
EBITDAX $ 648   $ 721   $ 2,058   $ 2,029  
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 657 $ 726 $ 1,891 $ 1,903
Cash income taxes 47 86 182 241
Cash exploration expenses 5 14 19 30
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (60 ) (90 ) (12 ) (103 )
Other, net   (1 )   (15 )   (22 )   (42 )
EBITDAX $ 648   $ 721   $ 2,058   $ 2,029  
 
 
Attachment 3
 
NET INCOME VARIANCE ANALYSIS
($ millions)
 
 
2013 3rd Quarter Net Income $ 235
 
Price (74 )
Volume 62
Production cost rate (25 )
DD&A rate (8 )
Property taxes (22 )
SG&A (15 )
Income tax 26
All Others   9  
2014 3rd Quarter Net Income $ 188  
 
 
 
2013 Nine Months Net Income $ 657
 
Price (35 )
Volume 162
Production cost rate (61 )
DD&A rate (22 )
Property taxes (12 )
SG&A   (32 )
2014 Nine Months Net Income $ 657  
 
 
Attachment 4
 
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
 
 
Third Quarter Nine Months
($ millions) 2014 2013 2014 2013
 
Capital Expenditures:
Conventional $ 367 $ 307 $ 1,041 $ 800
Unconventional 171 104 443 315
Exploration 22 32 79 65
Corporate and Other   6     -     6     -  
$ 566   $ 443   $ 1,569   $ 1,180  
 
 
Attachment 5
 
PRODUCTION STATISTICS
 
 
Third Quarter Nine Months
  2014 2013 2014 2013
Net Oil, Gas and Liquids Production Per Day
 
Oil (MBbl/d)
San Joaquin Basin 65 58 63 57
Los Angeles Basin 29 25 28 25
Ventura Basin 6 6 6 6
Sacramento Basin   -     -     -     -  
Total 100 89 97 88
 
NGLs (MBbl/d)
San Joaquin Basin 18 20 18 20
Los Angeles Basin - - - -
Ventura Basin 1 1 1 1
Sacramento Basin   -     -     -     -  
Total 19 21 19 21
 
Natural Gas (MMcf/d)
San Joaquin Basin 182 180 179 182
Los Angeles Basin 2 2 1 2
Ventura Basin 9 13 11 13
Sacramento Basin   56     65     55     64  
Total 249 260 246 261
 
Total Barrels of Oil Equivalent (MBoe/d)   160     153     157     153  
 
 
Attachment 6
 
PRICE STATISTICS
 
 
Third Quarter Nine Months
2014 2013 2014 2013
Realized Prices
Oil ($/Bbl) 96.27 107.20 100.94 105.89
NGLs ($/Bbl) 47.20 48.46 52.26 48.09
Natural gas ($/Mcf) 4.24 3.61 4.53 3.75
 
 
Index Prices
WTI oil ($/Bbl) 97.17 105.83 99.61 98.14
Brent oil ($/Bbl) 103.39 109.71 107.02 108.57
NYMEX gas ($/Mcf) 4.17 3.62 4.46 3.66
 
 
Realized Prices as Percentage of Index Prices
Oil as a percentage of WTI 99 % 101 % 101 % 108 %
Oil as a percentage of Brent 93 % 98 % 94 % 98 %
NGLs as a percentage of WTI 49 % 46 % 52 % 49 %
NGLs as a percentage of Brent 46 % 44 % 49 % 44 %
Natural gas as a percentage of NYMEX 102 % 100 % 102 % 102 %
 
 
Attachment 7
 
FOURTH QUARTER GUIDANCE
 
 
The following guidance is provided using the following anticipated realizations against the prevailing
index prices:
 
Oil 94% of Brent
NGLs 55% of Brent
Natural Gas 105% of NYMEX
 
 
Production 162 to 165 Mboe per day
Capital (a) $575 million to $590 million
Production Costs $16.25 to $16.80 per boe
Selling, general and administrative expenses $5.95 to $6.05 per boe
Depreciation, depletion and amortization $20.40 to $20.80 per boe
Taxes other than on income $57 million to $62 million
Exploration expense $40 million to $45 million

Interest expense

$75 million to $80 million

Income tax expense rate

40%
Cash income tax rate 15% to 18%
 
(a) Subject to further revisions as needed, based on the prevailing commodity market conditions.
 
 
Pre-tax Quarterly Price Sensitivities On Income (b)

On Cash (b)

 

$1 change in Brent index $9 million

$9 million

 

$1 change in NGLs $1 million

$1 million

 

$.50 change in NYMEX gas $8 million

$8 million

 

 

 
Quarterly Volumes Sensitivities
$1 change in the Brent index (b) 125 Boe/d
 
(b) Includes the effect of production sharing type contracts in our Long Beach operations.
 
 
Anticipated number of shares outstanding immediately after the spin
No more than 387 million shares