HOUSTON, April 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwestern Energy Company (NYSE: SWN) today announced its financial and operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, along with other recent developments. Highlights include:


    --  Net cash provided by operating activities of $312 million and net cash
        flow of $318 million, compared to total capital investments of $290
        million;
    --  Net income attributable to common stock of $281 million, or $0.57 per
        diluted share, and adjusted net income attributable to common stock of
        $87 million, or $0.18 per diluted share;
    --  Total net production of 204 Bcfe, including 123 Bcfe from the
        Appalachian Basin where the exit rate for the quarter grew 12% from
        December 31, 2016;
    --  Proved reserves as of March 31, 2017 (unaudited) of over 10 Tcfe with
        approximately $3 billion in PV10, nearly doubling from year-end 2016
        reserves;
    --  Susquehanna County initial EUR increase of over 25% from historical well
        results driven by recent changes to completion intensity and flowback
        methods;
    --  Enhanced economics and de-risked inventory resulting from successful
        delineation results in Tioga, Wyoming and Susquehanna including:
        --  ­Two wells placed to sales in Tioga County with an average 30-day
            rate of 13 MMcf per day per well with compression to be installed
            later in 2017;
        --  ­Continued strong performance from the Company's southern-most pad
            in Wyoming County with the Dimmig 2H averaging over 15 MMcf per day
            in its first six months of production;
        --  First sales from the western portion of our Susquehanna acreage,
            which was acquired in 2015, with the two producing wells currently
            producing at an average rate of 15 MMcf per day per well after
            almost one month of initial production;
    --  Seven-well Moorefield pad confirmed the productivity of the targeted
        zone and exceeded the Company's expectations with an estimated EUR of
        6.5 Bcf per well;
    --  Initial results from the first Company-drilled Utica well indicates a
        top quartile well with early EUR estimates of 2.5 to 3.0 Bcf per
        thousand lateral feet;
    --  Improving guidance for full year 2017 natural gas discount to NYMEX
        including transportation to  $0.80 - $0.90 per Mcf due to improving
        basis differentials in the Appalachian basin associated with pipeline
        construction progress and expected in-service dates;
    --  Realized C3+ NGL prices of $30.91 per barrel, or 60% of West Texas
        Intermediate (WTI), and realized total NGL prices of $13.28 per barrel,
        or 26% of WTI (all net of transportation costs); and
    --  Today announced the call of its bonds due in 2018 utilizing cash on
        hand, reducing total debt by $316 million when combined with debt
        retired during the first quarter of 2017 and the expected retirement of
        its bonds due in the fourth quarter of 2017 as they mature.

"We are off to a very strong start in 2017, building upon the momentum from 2016 and continuing our practice of delivering on commitments," said Bill Way, President and Chief Executive Officer of Southwestern Energy. "We invested well within cash flow during the first quarter and delivered value-adding production growth within our guidance range. The results achieved this quarter demonstrate our position as a market leader, and we anticipate providing additional highlights of our operational excellence throughout the remainder of the year as we progress our development plan and multiple innovative initiatives being tested throughout the portfolio."




    First Quarter 2017
     Financial Results

    Southwestern Energy
     Company and
     Subsidiaries

                         For the three months ended

                                  March 31,

                                               2017         2016
                                               ----         ----

    (in millions, except
     per share amounts)

    Operating income
     (loss)                                            $266       $(1,100)

    Adjusted operating
     income (loss) (non-
     GAAP measure)                                     $266           $(2)


    Net earnings (loss)
     attributable to
     common stock                                      $281       $(1,159)

    Adjusted net income
     (loss) attributable
     to common stock
     (non-GAAP Measure)                                 $87          $(32)


    Earnings (loss) per
     diluted share                                    $0.57        $(3.03)

    Adjusted earnings
     (loss) per diluted
     share (non-GAAP
     measure)                                         $0.18        $(0.08)


    Net cash provided by
     operating
     activities                                        $312            $92

    Net cash flow (non-
     GAAP measure)                                     $318           $147



    Exploration and
     Production First
     Quarter 2017
     Financial Results   For the three months ended

                                  March 31,

                                               2017         2016
                                               ----         ----

    Production

    Fayetteville (Bcf)                                   81            103

    Northeast Appalachia
     (Bcf)                                               87             94

    Southwest Appalachia
     (Bcfe)                                              36             40

       Total production
        (Bcfe)                                          204            237

       % Natural Gas                                    90%           90%


    Average unit costs
     per Mcfe

    Lease operating
     expenses                                         $0.89          $0.88

    General &
     administrative
     expenses                                         $0.21          $0.19

    Taxes, other than
     income taxes                                     $0.12          $0.08

    Full cost pool
     amortization                                     $0.40          $0.49



    Realized Prices      For the three months ended

                                  March 31,

                                               2017         2016
                                               ----         ----

    Natural Gas Price:

    NYMEX Henry Hub
     Price ($/MMBtu)(1)                               $3.32          $2.09

    Discount to NYMEX(2)                            $(0.59)       $(0.65)
                                                     ------         ------

    Average realized gas
     price per Mcf,
     excluding hedges                                 $2.73          $1.44

    Gain (loss) on
     settled financial
     basis derivatives
     ($/Mcf)                                        $(0.01)         $0.02

    Gain (loss) on
     settled commodity
     derivatives ($/Mcf)                            $(0.15)         $0.02
                                                     ------          -----

    Average realized gas
     price per Mcf,
     including hedges                                 $2.57          $1.48


    Oil Price:

    WTI Oil Price
     ($/Bbl)                                         $51.91         $33.45

    Discount to WTI                                 $(8.17)      $(14.80)

    Average oil price
     per Bbl                                         $43.74         $18.65


    NGL Price:

    Average net realized
     NGL price per
     Bbl(3)                                          $13.28          $4.98

    Percentage of WTI                                   26%           15%



    (1)              Based on last day settlement
                     prices from monthly futures
                     contracts.

    (2)              This discount includes a basis
                     differential, physical basis
                     sales, third-party
                     transportation charges and fuel
                     charges and excludes financial
                     basis hedges.

    (3)              Includes $0.02 per Bbl of realized
                     hedge gains for the first quarter
                     of 2017 and the impact of
                     transportation costs

First Quarter of 2017 Financial Results

E&P Segment - The operating income from the Company's E&P segment improved to $225 million for the first quarter of 2017, compared to an operating loss of $1.2 billion during the first quarter of 2016, primarily due to a $1.0 billion impairment of natural gas and oil properties and $61 million in restructuring charges during this period last year. Beside the lack of impairments or restructuring charges in the first quarter of 2017, the increase in operating income was primarily due to higher realized natural gas and liquids pricing and lower operating costs partially offset by decreased production. The average price realized for our NGL production, including the effects of derivatives, increased 167% to $13.28 per barrel, or 26% of NYMEX WTI, for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to $4.98 per barrel, or 15% of NYMEX WTI, for the same period in 2016. The Company expects NGL prices to remain strong with additional ethane cracker demand and incremental export capacity over the next three years.

Midstream Segment - Operating income for the Company's Midstream segment, comprised of gathering and marketing activities, was $41 million for the first quarter of 2017, compared to $60 million for the same period in 2016, which included $3 million in restructuring charges. The decrease in operating income was largely due to a decrease in volumes gathered, resulting from lower production volumes in the Fayetteville Shale.

Capital Structure and Investments - At March 31, 2017, the Company had total debt of approximately $4.6 billion and $3.2 billion in net debt. In the first quarter, the Company repurchased $25 million of its 7.50% Senior Notes due February 2018. Additionally, the Company today announced its plans to retire the remainder of the 2018 notes and also expects to pay the $40 million outstanding of its notes due in October 2017 when they mature.

During the first quarter of 2017, Southwestern invested a total of $290 million. This included approximately $283 million invested in its E&P business, $6 million invested in its Midstream segment and $1 million invested for corporate and other purposes. Of the $290 million, approximately $28 million was associated with capitalized interest and $25 million was associated with capitalized expenses.

Hedging Update

As of April 25, 2017, the Company had approximately 429 Bcf of its remaining 2017 forecasted gas production protected at an average swap or purchased put strike price of $3.03 per Mcf. Including the protected volumes, the Company retained upside exposure on approximately half of its remaining forecasted 2017 volumes. Additionally, the Company had approximately 336 Bcf of its 2018 forecasted gas production protected at an average swap or purchased put strike price of $2.98 per Mcf, with upside exposure on approximately 80%, or 268 Bcf, of those protected volumes up to $3.38 per Mcf. The Company also had approximately 99 Bcf of its 2019 forecasted gas production protected at an average purchased put strike price of $2.95 with upside exposure up to $3.31 per Mcf.

A detailed breakdown of the Company's natural gas derivative financial instruments as of April 25, 2017 is shown below. Please refer to our quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for complete information on the Company's commodity, basis and interest rate protection.




                                    Weighted Average Price per MMBtu
                                    --------------------------------

                   Volume     Swaps                       Sold Puts     Purchased       Sold Calls
                    (Bcf)                                                  Puts
                    ----                                                   ----

    Financial
     protection on
     production

    2017
    ----

       Fixed price
        swaps             262                      $3.07              $               -             $     - $      -

       Two-way
        costless
        collars            65                          -                             -                2.92      3.34

       Three-way
        costless
        collars           102                          -                          2.29                 2.97      3.30
                          ---

    Total                 429

    2018
    ----

       Fixed price
        swaps              68                      $3.02              $               -             $     - $      -

       Two-way
        costless
        collars            23                          -                             -                2.97      3.56

       Three-way
        costless
        collars           245                          -                          2.39                 2.97      3.37
                          ---

    Total                 336

    2019
    ----

       Three-way
        costless
        collars            99       $                  -                         $2.50                $2.95     $3.31
                          ---

    Total                  99


    Sold call
     options

    2017(1)                64       $                  -             $               -             $     -    $3.54

    2018                   63                          -                             -                   -     3.50

    2019                   52                          -                             -                   -     3.50

    2020                   32                          -                             -                   -     3.75
                          ---

    Total                 211



    Note: Amounts may not sum due to rounding.

    (1)              Excludes $5 million in premiums
                     paid related to certain call
                     options recognized as a
                     component of derivative assets
                     within current assets on the
                     unaudited condensed
                     consolidated balance sheet.  As
                     certain call options settle,
                     the premium will be amortized
                     and recognized as a component
                     of gain (loss) on derivatives
                     on the unaudited condensed
                     consolidated statement of
                     operations.

As of April 25, 2017, the Company had also taken steps to mitigate the volatility of basis differentials by protecting basis on approximately 296 Bcf of its 2017 forecasted natural gas production at a basis differential to NYMEX natural gas prices of approximately ($0.73) per Mcf, which includes the impact of both physical and financial basis hedges. A detailed breakdown of the Company's financial basis positions as of April 25, 2017 is shown below:




    Financial
     basis
     positions         Dominion South            TETCO M3               Total

    (excludes
     physical
     positions)


                Volume   Basis Diff              Volume   Basis Diff                  Volume Basis Diff
                 (Bcf)    ($/MMBTU)               (Bcf)    ($/MMBTU)                   (Bcf)  ($/MMBTU)
                  ----    ---------                ----    ---------                    ----  ---------


    2017                              85 ($1.13)                     53       ($0.90)                   138  ($1.04)

    2018                              18 ($1.19)                      2         $0.79                     20  ($0.95)

E&P Operational Review

The Company's proved reserves (unaudited) increased to over 10 Tcf in the first quarter of 2017 based on average prices from the first day of each month from the previous 12 months for Henry Hub natural gas of $2.73 per MMBtu for natural gas, West Texas Intermediate oil of $44.10 per barrel of oil and $10.17 per barrel of total NGLs, adjusted for differentials. Proved undeveloped reserves accounted for approximately 35% of total reserves compared to 1% at December 31, 2016. Additionally, Appalachian reserves attributed to approximately 67% of total reserves compared to approximately 43% at year-end 2016. Proved reserves as of March 31, 2017 had a PV10 value of approximately $3.0 billion and are projected to increase throughout the year based on forward strip pricing.

During the first quarter of 2017, Southwestern invested a total of approximately $283 million in our E&P business, and participated in drilling 33 wells, completed 49 wells, and placed 49 wells to sales.




    First Quarter
     2017 E&P
     Division
     Results         Appalachia         Fayetteville
                     ----------

                     Northeast            Southwest  Shale
                     ---------            ---------  -----

    Production
     (Bcfe)                          87                         36        81

    Gross
     operated
     production
     as of March
     31, 2017
     (MMcfe/d)                    1,273                        668     1,342


    Capital
     investments
     ($ in
     millions)

    Exploratory
     and
     development
     drilling,
     including
     workovers                      $97                        $73       $33

    Acquisition
     and
     leasehold                        4                         16         -

    Seismic and
     other                            1                          -        -

    Capitalized
     interest and
     expense                         10                         32         6
                                    ---                        ---       ---

       Total capital
        investments                $112                       $121       $39


    Gross
     operated
     well count
     summary

    Drilled                          17                          8         8

    Completed                        20                         16        13

    Wells to
     sales                           24                         13        12


    Realized
     Price

    NYMEX Henry
     Hub Price
     ($/MMBtu)                    $3.32                      $3.32     $3.32

    Discount to
     NYMEX
     ($/Mcf) (1)                $(0.42)                   $(0.46)  $(0.80)
                                 ------                     ------    ------

    Average
     realized gas
     price,
     excluding
     hedges
     ($/Mcf)                      $2.90                      $2.86     $2.52



    (1)              This discount includes a basis
                     differential, physical basis
                     sales, third-party
                     transportation charges and fuel
                     charges and excludes financial
                     basis hedges.

Northeast Appalachia - In the first quarter of 2017, the Company placed 24 wells to sales that had an average lateral length of 5,836 feet and an average cost of $5.6 million per well. The average rate for the first 30 days for the 15 of these wells that were online for at least 30 days was 14.8 MMcf per day. In Susquehanna County, the 5-well TNT pad was placed to sales using tighter stage spacing and, after 60 days of production, the average EUR of these wells is expected to be approximately 40% higher than offset wells. To date, the Company has placed 39 wells to sales using increased completion intensity and optimized flow techniques which have resulted in a cumulative production increase of over 200% in the first 30 days over offset wells. In addition to the acceleration of volumes resulting from these completion and production method changes, the Company also believes these changes are improving the average EUR by over 25% compared to historical well results in Susquehanna County, creating significant incremental value for shareholders.

In the first quarter of 2017, the Company placed 7 delineation wells to sales in Susquehanna, Tioga, and Wyoming Counties. In Susquehanna County, the Company placed the Webster 4H and Webster 5H to sales with an average lateral length of 10,110 feet and combined maximum rate of 38.2 MMcf per day. These wells are the first wells drilled on the acreage previously acquired in 2015 and are outperforming offset production by over 100%. Based on these results, the Company plans to drill three additional wells which are expected to come online in the third quarter of 2017. Additionally, the Company continued its delineation efforts in Tioga County, where it holds over 20,000 net acres, placing two wells to sales in the first quarter of 2017 and drilling three additional wells. The Lepley pad, placed to sales in January, continues to exhibit strong results. The two Lepley wells had an average rate for the first 30 days online of 13.3 MMcf per day and are expected to continue to improve as compression is added later in the year. The Company also continues to test its acreage in Wyoming County by placing three wells to sales in first quarter of 2017, observing encouraging results on its southern-most pad in the area. Due to the successful results in each of these delineation areas, the Company plans to continue its delineation efforts throughout the year.

Southwest Appalachia - In the first quarter of 2017, Southwestern brought online 13 wells in Southwest Appalachia with an average lateral length of 7,819 feet and an average cost of $7.2 million per well.

The Company continues to perform additional analysis on the O.E. Burge 501H, but early results indicate that this well is in the top quartile of the industry for wells targeting the deep Upper Point Pleasant formation. Based on current assumptions, the EUR is estimated to be in the range of 2.5 to 3.0 Bcf per thousand feet of lateral completed. The O.E. Burge is currently flowing flat at 17 MMcf per day with 8,531 psi of casing pressure and the Company plans to hold the well at this rate to continue its pressure management program.

Additionally, Southwestern placed 5 wells to sales at the end of January that tested tighter stage spacing and increased proppant loading. Three of these test wells were on the GW Rentals pad with two completed at 140' stage spacing and 3,500 pounds of proppant per foot and one completed at 100' stage spacing and 5,000 pounds of proppant per foot. The other two test wells were on the William Ritchea pad and were tested with 140' stage spacing and 3,500 pounds of proppant per foot. Early indications show all five wells performing better than their closest offsets completed with a wider stage spacing and lower pounds of proppant per foot. To date, the well results show the 140' and 100' stage spaced wells performing similarly and the Company will continue to monitor these wells to determine if there are long-term performance enhancements at the tighter stage spacing. The completion testing program and the accelerated learnings from these tests are expected to create significant value for future development activity.

Fayetteville Shale - During the first quarter of 2017, the Company placed 12 wells to sales, which included 7 wells from a Moorefield pad. These seven wells had an average lateral length of 6,442 feet and estimated average EUR of 6.5 Bcf with an average cost of $3.8 million per well. These wells had an average initial production rate of 6.8 MMcf per day and an average 30(th) day rate of 5.1 MMcf per day. These results confirm the Company's understanding of the play and demonstrate the Moorefield's potential to improve economics in the play. The Company plans to place an additional 8 Moorefield wells to sales through the remainder of 2017.

Explanation and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). However, management believes certain non-GAAP performance measures may provide financial statement users with additional meaningful comparisons between current results, the results of its peers and of prior periods.

One such non-GAAP financial measure is net cash flow. Management presents this measure because (i) it is accepted as an indicator of an oil and gas exploration and production company's ability to internally fund exploration and development activities and to service or incur additional debt, (ii) changes in operating assets and liabilities relate to the timing of cash receipts and disbursements which the Company may not control and (iii) changes in operating assets and liabilities may not relate to the period in which the operating activities occurred.

Additional non-GAAP financial measures the Company may present from time to time are net debt, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA and its E&P and Midstream segment operating income, all which exclude certain charges or amounts. Management presents these measures because (i) they are consistent with the manner in which the Company's position and performance are measured relative to the position and performance of its peers, (ii) these measures are more comparable to earnings estimates provided by securities analysts, and (iii) charges or amounts excluded cannot be reasonably estimated and guidance provided by the Company excludes information regarding these types of items. These adjusted amounts are not a measure of financial performance under GAAP.

See the reconciliations throughout this release of GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP financial measures for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, as applicable. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the Company's reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP.




                             3 Months Ended March 31,
                             ------------------------

                                                 2017       2016
                                                 ----       ----

                                   (in millions)

    Net income (loss)
     attributable to common
     stock:

    Net income (loss)
     attributable to common
     stock                                             $281      $(1,159)

    Add back:

    Participating securities
     - mandatory convertible
     preferred stock                                     30             -

    Impairment of natural
     gas and oil properties                               -        1,034

    Restructuring charges                                 -           64

    (Gain) loss on certain
     derivatives                                      (146)           21

    (Gain) loss on sale of
     assets                                             (1)            -

    Loss on early
     extinguishment of debt                               1             -

    Adjustments due to
     inventory valuation                                  -            3

    Adjustments due to
     discrete tax items(1)                            (134)          431

    Tax impact on
     adjustments                                         56         (426)
                                                        ---          ----

    Adjusted net income
     (loss) attributable to
     common stock                                       $87         $(32)
                                                        ===          ====


    (1)              Primarily relates to the
                     exclusion of certain discrete
                     tax adjustments associated
                     with the valuation allowance
                     against deferred tax assets.
                     The Company expects its 2017
                     income tax rate to be 38.0%
                     before the impacts of any
                     valuation allowance.



                             3 Months Ended March 31,
                             ------------------------

                                                 2017        2016
                                                 ----        ----


    Diluted earnings (loss)
     per share:

    Diluted earnings (loss)
     per share                                         $0.57      $(3.03)

    Add back:

    Participating securities
     -mandatory convertible
     preferred stock                                    0.06            -

    Impairment of natural
     gas and oil properties                                -        2.70

    Restructuring charges                                  -        0.17

    (Gain) loss on certain
     derivatives                                      (0.30)        0.05

    (Gain) loss on sale of
     assets                                           (0.00)           -

    Loss on early
     extinguishment of debt                             0.00            -

    Adjustments due to
     inventory valuation                                   -        0.01

    Adjustments due to
     discrete tax items(1)                            (0.27)        1.13

    Tax impact on
     adjustments                                        0.12       (1.11)
                                                        ----        -----

    Adjusted diluted
     earnings (loss) per
     share                                             $0.18      $(0.08)
                                                       =====       ======



    (1)              Primarily relates to the
                     exclusion of certain discrete
                     tax adjustments associated
                     with the valuation allowance
                     against deferred tax assets.
                     The Company expects its 2017
                     income tax rate to be 38.0%
                     before the impacts of any
                     valuation allowance.



                   3 Months Ended March 31,
                   ------------------------

                                       2017                  2016
                                       ----                  ----

                         (in millions)

    Cash flow
     from
     operating
     activities:

    Net cash
     provided
     by
     operating
     activities                                $312                    $92

    Add back:

    Changes in
     operating
     assets
     and
     liabilities                                  6                     33

     Restructuring
     charges                                      -                    22
                                                ---                   ---

       Net Cash
        Flow                                   $318                   $147
                                               ====                   ====


                   3 Months Ended March 31,
                   ------------------------

                                       2017                  2016
                                       ----                  ----

                         (in millions)

    Operating
     income
     (loss):

    Operating
     income
     (loss)                                    $266               $(1,100)

    Add back:

    Impairment
     of natural
     gas and
     oil
     properties                                   -                 1,034

     Restructuring
     charges                                      -                    64
                                                ---                   ---

       Adjusted
        operating
        income
        (loss)                                 $266                   $(2)
                                               ====                    ===


                   3 Months Ended March 31,
                   ------------------------

                                       2017                  2016
                                       ----                  ----

                         (in millions)

    E&P
     segment
     operating
     income
     (loss):

    E&P
     segment
     operating
     income
     (loss)                                    $225               $(1,160)

    Add back:

    Impairment
     of natural
     gas and
     oil
     properties                                   -                 1,034

     Restructuring
     charges                                      -                    61
                                                ---                   ---

       Adjusted
        E&P
        segment
        operating
        income
        (loss)                                 $225                  $(65)
                                               ====                   ====


                          March 31,                 December 31,
                          ---------                 ------------

                                       2017                  2016
                                       ----                  ----

                         (in millions)

    Net debt:

    Total debt                               $4,630                 $4,653

    Subtract:

    Cash and
     cash
     equivalents                            (1,382)               (1,423)
                                             ------                 ------

    Net debt                                 $3,248                 $3,230
                                             ======                 ======

Southwestern management will host a teleconference call on Friday, April 28, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern to discuss its first quarter 2017 results. The toll-free number to call is 877-407-8035 and the international dial-in number is 201-689-8035. The teleconference can also be heard "live" on the Internet at http://www.swn.com.

Southwestern Energy Company is an independent energy company whose wholly-owned subsidiaries are engaged in natural gas and oil exploration, development and production, natural gas gathering and marketing. Additional information on the Company can be found on the Internet at http://www.swn.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to future events and anticipated results of operations, business strategies, and other aspects of our operations or operating results. In many cases you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "project," "estimate," "continue," "potential," "should," "could," "may," "will," "objective," "guidance," "outlook," "effort," "expect," "believe," "predict," "budget," "projection," "goal," "forecast," "target" or similar words. Statements may be forward looking even in the absence of these particular words. Where, in any forward-looking statement, the Company expresses an expectation or belief as to future results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. However, there can be no assurance that such expectation or belief will result or be achieved. The actual results of operations can and will be affected by a variety of risks and other matters including, but not limited to, changes in commodity prices; changes in expected levels of natural gas and oil reserves or production; operating hazards, drilling risks, unsuccessful exploratory activities; limited access to capital or significantly higher cost of capital related to illiquidity or uncertainty in the domestic or international financial markets; international monetary conditions; unexpected cost increases; potential liability for remedial actions under existing or future environmental regulations; potential liability resulting from pending or future litigation; and general domestic and international economic and political conditions; as well as changes in tax, environmental and other laws applicable to our business. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements include other economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting our business generally as set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Unless legally required, Southwestern Energy Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors - The SEC permits oil and gas companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only proved, probable and possible reserves. We use the term "EUR" in this release that the SEC's guidelines prohibit us from including in filings with the SEC. The quarterly reserves data included in this release are estimates we prepared that have not been audited by our independent reserve engineers. U.S. investors are urged to consider closely the oil and gas disclosures in our Form 10-K and other reports and filings with the SEC. Copies are available from the SEC and from the Southwestern Energy Company website.




    OPERATING STATISTICS
     (Unaudited)

    Southwestern Energy Company and
     Subsidiaries


                                    For the three months ended

                                           March 31,

                                        2017                 2016
                                        ----                 ----

    Exploration & Production
    ------------------------

    Production

    Gas production (Bcf)                         183                213

    Oil production (MBbls)                       519                607

    NGL production (MBbls)                     3,008              3,376

       Total production (Bcfe)                   204                237

    Commodity Prices

    Average realized gas
     price per Mcf,
     including
     derivatives                                 $2.57              $1.48

    Average realized gas
     price per Mcf,
     excluding
     derivatives                                 $2.73              $1.44

    Average realized oil
     price per Bbl                              $43.74             $18.65

    Average realized NGL
     price per Bbl                              $13.28              $4.98

    Summary of Derivative Activity
     in the Statement of Operations

    Settled commodity
     amounts included in
     "Gain (Loss) on
     Derivatives" (in
     millions)                                   $(30)                $8

    Unsettled commodity
     amounts included in
     "Gain (Loss) on
     Derivatives" (in
     millions)                                    $145              $(18)

    Average unit costs per Mcfe

    Lease operating
     expenses                                    $0.89              $0.88

    General &
     administrative
     expenses (1)                                $0.21              $0.19

    Taxes, other than
     income taxes (2)                            $0.12              $0.08

    Full cost pool
     amortization                                $0.40              $0.49

    Midstream
    ---------

    Volumes marketed (Bcfe)                      245                279

    Volumes gathered (Bcf)                       129                165



    (1)              Excludes $58 million of
                     restructuring charges in 2016.

    (2)              Excludes $3 million of
                     restructuring charges in 2016.



    STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

    Southwestern Energy
     Company and
     Subsidiaries


                                               For the three months ended

                                                      March 31,

                                                2017                      2016
                                                ----                      ----


    Operating Revenues

    Gas sales                                                   $503                          $315

    Oil sales                                                   23                            11

    NGL sales                                                   40                            17

    Marketing                                                  253                           198

    Gas gathering                                               27                            38
                                                               ---                           ---

                                                               846                           579
                                                               ---                           ---

    Operating Costs and
     Expenses

    Marketing purchases                                        251                           196

    Operating expenses                                         147                           165

    General and
     administrative
     expenses                                                   50                            54

    Restructuring charges                          -                              64

    Depreciation,
     depletion and
     amortization                                              106                           143

    Impairment of natural
     gas and oil
     properties                                    -                           1,034

    Taxes, other than
     income taxes                                               26                            23
                                                               ---                           ---

                                                               580                         1,679
                                                               ---                         -----

    Operating Income
     (Loss)                                                    266                       (1,100)
                                                               ---                        ------

    Interest Expense

    Interest on debt                                            58                            53

    Other interest charges                                       2                             2

    Interest capitalized                                      (28)                         (41)
                                                               ---                           ---

                                                                32                            14


    Gain (Loss) on
     Derivatives                                               116                          (14)

    Loss on Early
     Extinguishment of
     Debt                                                      (1)                            -

    Other Income (Loss),
     Net                                                         2                           (3)
                                                               ---                           ---


    Income (Loss) Before
     Income Taxes                                              351                       (1,131)

    Provision for Income
     Taxes

    Deferred                                       -                               1
                                                 ---                             ---

                                                   -                               1
                                                 ---                             ---

    Net Income (Loss)                                          351                       (1,132)

    Mandatory convertible
     preferred stock
     dividend                                                   27                            27

    Participating
     securities -
     mandatory convertible
     preferred stock                                            43                             -
                                                               ---                           ---

    Net Income
     (Loss)
     Attributable
     to Common
     Stock                                                      $281                      $(1,159)
                                                                ====                       =======


    Income (Loss) Per
     Common Share

    Basic                                                      $0.57                       $(3.03)
                                                               =====                        ======

    Diluted                                                    $0.57                       $(3.03)
                                                               =====                        ======

    Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

    Basic                                              493,068,000                   382,870,847
                                                       ===========                   ===========

    Diluted                                            494,494,995                   382,870,847
                                                       ===========                   ===========



    BALANCE SHEETS
     (Unaudited)

    Southwestern Energy
     Company and
     Subsidiaries


                                   March 31,
                                     

    2017                 December 31,

                                                                   2016
                                                                   ----

                                 (in millions)

    ASSETS

    Current assets                                   $1,789                 $1,872

    Property and equipment                           24,784                 24,489

    Less: Accumulated
     depreciation,
     depletion and
     amortization                                  (19,641)              (19,534)
                                                    -------                -------

       Total property and
        equipment, net                                5,143                  4,955

    Other long-term assets                              264                    249
                                                        ---                    ---

       Total assets                                   7,196                  7,076
                                                      =====                  =====


    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

    Current liabilities                               1,121                  1,064

    Long-term debt                                    4,364                  4,612

    Pension and other
     postretirement
     liabilities                                         47                     49

    Other long-term
     liabilities                                        386                    434
                                                        ---                    ---

       Total liabilities                              5,918                  6,159
                                                      -----                  -----

    Equity:

    Common stock, $0.01 par
     value; 1,250,000,000    495,248,369 as of
     shares authorized;      December 31, 2016
     issued 502,497,469
     shares as of March 31,
     2017 (does not include
     3,346,865 shares
     issued on April 17,
     2017 on account of a
     dividend declared on
     March 21, 2017) and                                  5                      5

    Preferred stock, $0.01
     par value, 10,000,000   December 31, 2016,
     shares authorized,      conversion in January
     6.25% Series B          2018
     Mandatory Convertible,
     $1,000 per share
     liquidation
     preference, 1,725,000
     shares issued and
     outstanding as of
     March 31, 2017 and                                   -                     -

    Additional paid-in
     capital                                          4,687                  4,677

    Accumulated deficit                             (3,374)               (3,725)

    Accumulated other
     comprehensive loss                                (39)                  (39)

    Common stock in
     treasury, 31,269
     shares as of March 31,
     2017 and December 31,
     2016                                               (1)                   (1)
                                                        ---                    ---

       Total equity                                   1,278                    917
                                                      -----                    ---

       Total liabilities and
        equity                                       $7,196                 $7,076
                                                     ======                 ======



    STATEMENTS OF CASH
     FLOWS (Unaudited)

    Southwestern Energy
     Company and
     Subsidiaries

                             For the three months ended

                                     March 31,

                                                   2017        2016
                                                   ----        ----

                                    (in millions)

    Cash Flows From
     Operating
     Activities:

    Net income (loss)                                     $351      $(1,132)

    Adjustments to
     reconcile net income
     (loss) to net cash
     provided by
     operating
     activities:

       Depreciation,
        depletion and
        amortization                                       106           143

       Impairment of natural
        gas and oil
        properties                                           -        1,034

       Amortization of debt
        issuance costs                                       2             2

       Deferred income taxes                                 -            1

       (Gain) Loss on
        derivatives, net of
        settlement                                       (146)           21

       Stock-based
        compensation                                         6             9

       Restructuring charges                                 -           42

       Loss on early
        extinguishment of
        debt                                                 1             -

       Other                                               (2)            5

    Change in assets and
     liabilities                                           (6)         (33)
                                                           ---           ---

    Net cash provided by
     operating activities                                  312            92
                                                           ---           ---


    Cash Flows From
     Investing
     Activities:

    Capital investments                                  (340)        (196)

    Proceeds from sale of
     property and
     equipment                                               2             -

    Other                                                    4             -
                                                           ---           ---

    Net cash used in
     investing activities                                (334)        (196)
                                                          ----          ----


    Cash Flows From
     Financing
     Activities:

    Payments on short-
     term debt                                            (25)            -

    Payments on revolving
     credit facility                                         -        (864)

    Borrowings under
     revolving credit
     facility                                                -        2,600

    Payments on
     commercial paper                                        -        (242)

    Borrowings under
     commercial paper                                        -          242

    Change in bank drafts
     outstanding                                             6          (19)

    Preferred stock
     dividend                                                -         (27)

    Other                                                    -          (4)
                                                           ---          ---

    Net cash provided by
     (used in) financing
     activities                                           (19)        1,686
                                                           ---         -----


    Increase (decrease)
     in cash and cash
     equivalents                                          (41)        1,582

    Cash and cash
     equivalents at
     beginning of year                                   1,423            15
                                                         -----           ---

    Cash and cash
     equivalents at end
     of period                                          $1,382        $1,597
                                                        ======        ======



    SEGMENT INFORMATION (Unaudited)

    Southwestern Energy
     Company and
     Subsidiaries

                                    Exploration            Midstream
                                                           Services  Other      Eliminations      Total
                                        and
                                    Production
                                    ----------

                                                    (in millions)

    Three months ended March
     31, 2017
    ------------------------

    Revenues                                       $563                    $858              $  -       $(575)      $846

    Marketing purchases                               -                    765                 -        (514)       251

    Operating expenses                              181                      27                 -         (61)       147

    General and
     administrative expenses                         43                       7                 -            -        50

    Depreciation, depletion
     and amortization                                90                      16                 -            -       106

    Taxes, other than income
     taxes                                           24                       2                 -            -        26

    Operating income                                225                      41                 -            -       266

    Capital investments (1)                         283                       6                 1             -       290


    Three months ended March
     31, 2016
    ------------------------

    Revenues                                       $336                    $621              $  -       $(378)      $579

    Marketing purchases                               -                    503                 -        (307)       196

    Operating expenses                              209                      27                 -         (71)       165

    General and
     administrative expenses                         45                       9                 -            -        54

    Restructuring charges                            61                       3                 -            -        64

    Depreciation, depletion
     and amortization                               127                      16                 -            -       143

    Impairment of natural
     gas and oil properties                       1,034                       -                -            -     1,034

    Taxes, other than income
     taxes                                           20                       3                 -            -        23

    Operating income (loss)                     (1,160)                     60                 -            -   (1,100)

    Capital investments (1)                         120                       2                 -            -       122



    (1)              Capital investments includes
                     decreases of $52 million and
                     $78 million for the three
                     months ended March 31, 2017 and
                     2016, respectively, relating to
                     the change in accrued
                     expenditures between periods.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/southwestern-energy-announces-first-quarter-2017-financial-and-operating-results-300447635.html

SOURCE Southwestern Energy Company