Miller Energy Resources : Reports First Quarter Results

KNOXVILLE, TN--(Marketwired - Sep 9, 2014) - Miller Energy Resources, Inc. ("Miller") (NYSE: MILL) reported its results today for the first quarter of fiscal 2015, which ended July 31, 2014.

First Quarter Highlights

• Average net production increased by 144% year-over-year and 8% quarter-over-quarter, with 3,313 boe/d in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to 1,360 boe/d for the first quarter of 2014 and 3,070 boe/d for the fourth quarter of 2014.
• Total revenue increased by 95% year-over-year and 15% quarter-over-quarter, with $25.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to $13.0 million for the first quarter of 2014 and $22.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2014.
• Closed $250.0 million revolving credit facility led by KeyBank, with an initial borrowing base of $60.0 million, priced at LIBOR plus 300 to 400 basis points.
• Successfully brought WMRU-2B sidetrack online, with an IP rate of 630 boe/d.
• Announced planned acquisition of Savant Alaska, LLC on the North Slope, including existing production, substantial midstream assets, and exploration leases.
• Purchased a 2,400 HP rig ("Rig 36") from Baker Process, Inc., our third owned rig in Alaska, and entered into a purchase agreement to acquire a fourth rig ("Rig 37") from Teras Oilfield Support Limited.
• Announced plans to fully divest Tennessee assets.
• Announced plans to drastically reduce G&A, by $5.0 million, by the end of the current fiscal year.

"We have begun fiscal 2015 by appreciably growing production and revenue, highlighted by an increase in our total proved PV-10 from $360.9 million at April 30, 2014 to $447.6 million at July 31, 2014, as reported by Ryder Scott," commented Scott M. Boruff, CEO of Miller Energy. "During the quarter, we substantially increased production at North Fork and successfully completed our WMRU-2B sidetrack, bringing it online with an IP rate of 630 boe/d. These increases in net production resulted in strong quarter-over-quarter revenue growth. Our year-over-year growth is even more impressive, having approximately doubled our revenues and production."

"Closing our $250.0 million revolving credit facility led by KeyBank was another major milestone for Miller. Along with adding this banking relationship, we announced our plans to acquire Savant Alaska, LLC on the North Slope, including its existing production, substantial midstream assets, and exploration leases. After quarter end, we also announced that Miller was the successful bidder for an exploration license on an additional 168,000 acres on the Iniskin Peninsula, on the west side of the Cook Inlet. All told, we believe we are on target to meaningfully expand our footprint in Alaska and establish Miller Energy as one of the State's preeminent E&Ps."

First Quarter Results

Average net production increased by 144% year-over-year and 8% quarter-over quarter, with 3,313 boe/d in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to 1,360 boe/d for the first quarter of 2014 and 3,070 boe/d for the fourth quarter of 2014. The production increase was attributable to our WMRU-2B well and increased production at North Fork.

Total revenue increased by 95% year-over-year and 15% quarter-over quarter, with $25.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to $13.0 million for the first quarter of 2014 and $22.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2014. The increase in revenue was as a result of increased production.

Lease operating expense increased by 17% year-over-year and 34% quarter-over quarter, with $6.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to $5.6 million for the first quarter of 2014 and $5.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2014. The increase in operating costs was related to our increase in production.

Transportation costs increased by 377% year-over-year and 16% quarter-over quarter, with $3.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to $0.6 million for the first quarter of 2014 and $2.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2014. The increase in transportation costs was related to our increase in production, particularly at North Fork. Of the transportation costs, $1.8 million were associated with the North Fork transportation tariff paid to Anchor Point Energy ("APE"). The acquisition of APE closed in August 2014, and this tariff will no longer be incurred.

General and administrative costs paid in cash increased by 13% year-over-year and decreased 20% quarter-over-quarter, with $5.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to $4.8 million for the first quarter of 2014 and $6.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2014. The decrease in general and administrative costs quarter-over-quarter is a result of reduced professional fees.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense increased by 198% year-over-year and 52% quarter-over quarter, with $17.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to $5.7 million for the first quarter of 2014 and $11.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2014. The increase in depreciation, depletion and amortization expense was related to an increase in production and changes in the estimated volumes of our proved reserves between periods.

Adjusted EBITDA increased by 1,073% year-over-year and decreased 47% quarter-over quarter, with $14.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to $1.2 million for the first quarter of 2014 and $26.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2014. The year-over-year increase in adjusted EBITDA was related to increases in production. The decrease in quarter-over-quarter adjusted EBITDA primarily related to the NOL tax credits applied for in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Loss before income taxes, our most directly comparable GAAP performance measure to adjusted EBITDA, increased by 66% year-over-year and increased 14% quarter-over quarter, with $19.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to $11.5 million for the first quarter of 2014 and $16.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2014. The change in quarter-over-quarter net loss relates to changes in various expenses, including, but not limited to, changes in depreciation, depletion and amortization expense and NOL tax credits offset by a fourth quarter 2014 loss on debt extinguishment.

Cash expenditures for capital projects and equipment increased by 190% year-over-year and 5% quarter-over quarter, with $46.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to $16.0 million for the first quarter of 2014 and $43.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2014. The increase in capital expenditures relates to our increase in drilling activity over prior periods.

Operations Update

Redoubt Unit: We are in the process of completing and bringing online RU-9. Following RU-9, we will begin drilling RU-12, which will be drilled from the same leg of the platform as RU-9 using Rig 35.

West McArthur River Area: We are in the process of upgrading Rig 36 for drilling our Sabre #1 well and are evaluating joint venture offers for participation in the project. We completed WF-3 and encountered prospective pay zones, but some water intrusion into the well. We are in the process of running a tracer to determine the wet zones and will then pull the completion and implement a cement squeeze to isolate the water.

North Fork: We are in the process of upgrading Rig 37 to begin drilling PUD targets. North Fork production continues to be strong.

Badami (Savant): We are in the process of obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals and expect to close the acquisition in December. We are evaluating a drilling program at Badami for this winter.

Other: We are currently drilling our Olson Creek gas target with the Patterson 191 rig.

Tax Credits: We received tax credit certificates for a total of $31.2 million during the month of August and expect to receive the funds in cash in the next several weeks.

Investor Conference Call
Mr. Scott Boruff, CEO, and Mr. John Brawley, CFO, will host Miller's fiscal 2015 first quarter earnings call. To attend the call, please use the dial in information below. When prompted, ask for the "Miller Energy Resources Q1 2015 conference call".

Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Time: 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time US
Conference Line (U.S.): 1-888-438-5448
International Dial-In: 1-719-457-2645
Conference ID: 2289750
Webcast: http://public.viavid.com/indox.php?id=110881

Please dial in at least 10 minutes before the call to ensure timely participation.

A playback of the call will be available until 7:30 p.m. ET on September 10, 2014 to 11:59 p.m. ET on September 24, 2014. To listen, call 1-877-870-5176 within the United States or 1-858-384-5517 when calling internationally. Please use the replay pin number 2289750.

About Miller Energy Resources

Miller Energy Resources is a high growth oil and natural gas exploration, production and drilling company operating in multiple exploration and production basis in North America. Miller's focus is in Cook Inlet, Alaska and in the heart of Tennessee's prolific and hydrocarbon-rich Appalachian Basin including the Chattanooga Shale. Miller is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee with offices in Anchorage, Alaska, Houston, Texas, and Huntsville, Tennessee.

Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this press release and elsewhere by Miller Energy Resources¸ Inc. are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve the implied assessment that the resources described can be profitably produced in the future, based on certain estimates and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by Miller Energy Resources, Inc. and described in the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, the potential for Miller to experience additional operating losses; material weaknesses in Miller's internal control over financial reporting and the need to enhance Miller's systems, accounting, controls and reporting performance; potential limitations imposed by debt covenants under Miller's senior credit facilities on Miller's growth and the ability to meet Miller's business objectives; debt costs under Miller's existing senior credit facilities; the ability of Miller's lenders to redetermine the borrowing base under the First Lien RBL; Miller's ability to meet the financial and production covenants contained in the First Lien RBL and/or Second Lien Credit Facility; whether Miller is able to complete or commence its drilling projects within its expected time frame or expected budget; Miller's ability to recover proved undeveloped reserves; Miller's ability to successfully acquire, integrate and exploit new productive assets in the future; whether Miller can establish production on certain leases in a timely manner before expiration; Miller's ability to complete the work commitments required as terms of its Susitna Basin Exploration Licenses; Miller's experience with horizontal drilling; risks associated with the hedging of commodity prices; Miller's dependence on third party transportation facilities; concentration risk in the market for the oil and natural gas Miller produces in Alaska; Miller's ability to perform under the terms of its oil and gas leases, and exploration licenses with the Alaska DNR, including meeting the funding or work commitments of those agreements; uncertainties related to deficiencies identified by the SEC in our Form 10-K for 2011; the impact of natural disasters on Miller's Cook Inlet Basin operations; the effect of global market conditions on Miller's ability to obtain reasonable financing and on the prices of Miller's common stock, Series C Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock; limitations placed on Miller with respect to the issuance and/or designation of additional preferred stock; litigation risks; the imprecise nature of Miller's reserve estimates; risks related to drilling dry holes or wells without commercial quantities of hydrocarbons; fluctuating oil and gas prices and the impact on Miller's results from operations; the need to discover or acquire new reserves in the future to avoid declines in production; differences between the present value of cash flows from proved reserves and the market value of those reserves; the existence within the industry of risks that may be uninsurable; the potential for shortages or increases in costs of equipment, services and qualified personnel; strong industry competition; constraints on production and costs of compliance that may arise from current and future environmental, FERC and other statutes, rules and regulations at the state and federal level; the potential to incur substantial penalties and fines if Miller fails to comply with all applicable FERC administered statutes, rules, regulations and orders; new regulation on derivative instruments used by Miller to manage its risk against fluctuating commodity prices; the impact that proposed federal, state, or local regulation regarding hydraulic fracturing could have on Miller; the effect that future environmental legislation could have on various costs; the impact of certain provisions included in the FY2015 U.S. federal budget on certain tax incentives and deductions Miller currently uses; that no dividends may be paid on our common stock for some time; cashless exercise provisions of outstanding warrants; market overhang related to outstanding options, and warrants; the impact of non-cash gains and losses from derivative accounting on future financial results; risks to non-affiliate shareholders arising from the substantial ownership positions of affiliates; the effects of the change of control conversion features of the Series C and Series D Preferred Stock on a potential change of control; the junior ranking of the Series C and Series D Preferred Stock to the Series B Preferred Stock and all of Miller's indebtedness; Miller's ability to pay dividends on the Series C or Series D Preferred Stock; whether Miller's Series C or Series D Preferred Stock is rated; the ability of Miller's Series C or Series D Preferred Stockholders to exercise conversion rights upon a change of control; fluctuations in the market price of our Series C or Series D Preferred Stock; whether Miller issues additional shares of Series C or Series D Preferred Stock or additional series of preferred stock that rank on parity with the Series C and Series D Preferred Stock; the very limited voting rights held by the Series C and Series D Preferred Stockholders; the newness of the Series D Preferred Stock and the limited trading market of the Series C and Series D Preferred Stock; and risks related to the continued listing of the Series C and Series D Preferred Stock on the NYSE. Additional information on these and other factors, which could affect Miller's operations or financial results, are included in Miller Energy Resources, Inc.'s reports on file with United States Securities and Exchange Commission including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2014. Capitalized terms used above but not defined above are defined in Miller's Annual Report. Miller Energy Resources, Inc.'s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward- looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in its periodic reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its Web site (www.sec.gov). All forward-looking statements attributable to Miller Energy Resources or to persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change unless otherwise required under securities law.

Regulation G Disclosure - Discussion of Non-GAAP Financial Data and Reconciliation to GAAP

This press release contains non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G and Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K, as promulgated by the SEC. The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, including that in our public filings.

To supplement the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements, which statements are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we use non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA, or adjusted Earnings Before Income Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization, as a measure to evaluate earnings by excluding certain non-cash expenses as set forth in the table below. The Company uses this non-GAAP financial measure for financial and operational decision making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. Management believes that this non-GAAP financial measure provides meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company's performance and liquidity. The Company believes that both management and investors benefit from referring to this non-GAAP financial measure in assessing performance and when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods. This non-GAAP financial measure also facilitates management's internal comparisons to historical performance and liquidity as well as comparisons to competitors' operating results. The Company believes this non-GAAP financial measure is useful to investors both because (1) it allows for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in its financial and operational decision making and (2) it is used by our institutional investors and the analyst community to help them analyze the health of the business.

Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliations