Rhino Resource Partners Announces First Quarter 2013 Financial And Operating Results

LEXINGTON, Ky., May 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Rhino Resource Partners LP (NYSE: RNO) ("Rhino" or the "Partnership") announced today its financial and operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. For the quarter, the Partnership reported Adjusted EBITDA of $13.1 million and a net loss of $0.2 million, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $22.2 million and net income of $9.0 million in the first quarter of 2012.  Diluted earnings per unit were $(0.01) for the quarter compared to $0.32 for the first quarter of 2012.  Total revenues for the quarter were $74.7 million, with coal sales generating $67.4 million of the total.  (Refer to "Reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA" included later in this release for reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures).

On April 22, 2013, the Partnership announced a cash distribution of $0.445 per common unit, or $1.78 per unit on an annualized basis.  This distribution will be paid on May 15, 2013 to all common unitholders of record as of the close of business on May 2, 2013.  No distribution will be paid on the subordinated units.

Dave Zatezalo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rhino's general partner, stated, "We delivered positive cash flow during the quarter despite the ongoing price weakness and lower volumes in both the met and steam coal markets.  We expect cash flow from our Utica Shale joint venture investment to ramp up as takeaway capacity comes on line in the next few months.  On April 5^th we received $10.5 million from the sale of our royalty interest from property we owned in the Utica, which provides an enhancement to our liquidity.  This liquidity will benefit us while we are in a transition period as we expect earnings from our Utica Shale investment to increase and as we construct the Pennyrile mine, which will add to our portfolio of stable and predictable cash flow generators.  While the quarterly results reflect a weaker coal environment, we feel we have done a good job of managing our costs with reduced volumes.  We have managed our inventories to low levels and we have rejected business that did not justify bringing capacity back on line.

"At our coal operations, we continue to focus on safety while controlling operating costs.  We have reduced production to align it with projected sales until market conditions improve.  Any significant incremental sales will have to be done at prices that will justify adding workers.  Our growth capital outlays are focused on the Utica Shale, where we expect significant returns, and Pennyrile, which we expect to be a long term cash contributor.

"We have commenced earthwork development on our Pennyrile property in western Kentucky and production remains on target for mid-2014.  While our initial 800,000 ton contract will justify opening the mine, we are encouraged by the potential customers' responses and continue to work on additional sales.  Pennyrile is located on the navigable Green River in western Kentucky and provides unique low cost access to a large customer base, including export markets.  We anticipate this project will generate long term, stable and predictable cash flows similar to our Hopedale and Castle Valley operations once it is at full production.

"The quarterly results reflect reductions in volumes and prices from contract expirations.  These were incorporated in the guidance which was issued at year-end and which is being reaffirmed.  In Northern Appalachia, unit prices improved and costs declined as Hopedale remains fully contracted through 2014, while volumes declined at Sands Hill.  Our Rhino Western operations at Castle Valley experienced higher unit costs, and we were deeply saddened by the accidental death of one of our colleagues during the quarter.  While sales volumes were down in our Central Appalachia operations, we were pleased that our unit costs rose only slightly.

"As the gathering and processing infrastructure is constructed, we expect to receive significant cash flows from our Utica Shale investment.  Three wells were producing during the first quarter and an additional six wells began production at various times during April.  An additional five wells are planned to come on-line in the second quarter of 2013.  We believe the cash flow from our Utica Shale investment will provide a significant contribution to the overall cash flow of the Partnership, as shown in our forward guidance." 

Further, Zatezalo stated, "At Rhino Eastern we continue with development work on the Eagle #3 mine.  Production at Rhino Eastern has been reduced to contracted sales levels as we do not want to participate in sales at current prices.  Quarterly results were negatively impacted by sharply lower prices, as well as our portion of a $0.9 million non-cash inventory write-down."

Coal Operations Update

Pennyrile

• Initial development commenced in late Q1 2013 with production on target to begin in mid-2014.
• Signed initial five year sales contract with a regional utility customer for 800,000 tons per year while continuing discussions with additional customers.
• Large contiguous fully permitted, proven reserve of 32.5 million tons located on the navigable Green River in western Kentucky, with unique low cost access to large customer base, including export markets.

Northern Appalachia

• Year over year coal revenues per ton increased $2.95 to $58.09 while cost of operations costs per ton fell by $1.79 to $40.01. 
• Sales volume fell by approximately 100,000 tons to 349,000 tons, primarily due to contract expirations at Sands Hill.  Hopedale remains sold out through 2014.
• Sands Hill reduced its production to align with committed sales.  While Rhino has seen increased sales inquiries, prices have not been sufficient to justify increasing production.  Limestone sales continue to be strong.

Rhino Western

• Year over year coal revenues per ton decreased $0.57 to $40.50 while cost of operations per ton rose by $3.80 to $31.96.  Volumes were approximately flat at 237,000 tons.
• Rhino has seen an increase in inquiries for spot sales of coal from its Castle Valley mine and has taken advantage of these opportunities in limited cases.

Central Appalachia

• Year over year coal revenues per ton decreased $3.15 to $89.32 while cost of operations per ton rose by $1.07 to $68.21.  Year over year sales volumes increased by 43,000 tons to 420,000 tons, while year over year production volumes fell by 181,000 tons to 388,000 tons.  Inventories are now at low levels, and with the sharp decline in production, Rhino was pleased at keeping a lid on unit costs.
• Rhino's high-wall miner was moved to the Remining 3 surface mine.  The miner is expected to return to the Grapevine mine in the third quarter.
• Rhino continues to make limited spot met sales and steam sales at both the Tug River and Rob Fork complexes.
• A non-cash charge of $1 million was incurred due to the loss of a continuous miner at Access Energy.

Eastern Met

• Year over year coal revenues per ton decreased $74.31 to $121.30 while cost of operations per ton rose by $28.12 to $148.34.  Year over year sales volumes decreased by 28,000 tons to 51,000 tons, while year over year production volumes fell by 69,000 tons to 37,000 tons. Again, with the sharp reduction in production, Rhino continues to work diligently to limit unit costs.
• Eagle #3 mine began production in the third quarter of 2012.  While Eagle #3 is expected to have a capacity of 490,000 tons per year, activity has been severely curtailed due to limited contracted sales and low spot prices.
• Rhino recorded its portion of a non-cash inventory value charge of $0.9 million during the quarter to reflect the current market value of Rhino Eastern's met coal inventory.

Oil and Gas

• Utica Shale Joint Activities with Gulfport Energy
  • Rhino co-invested with Wexford Capital and Gulfport Energy ("Gulfport"), with Gulfport acting as the operator, and Rhino currently has a 5% interest in a portfolio of approximately 137,000 gross acres (6,850 net acres).
  • Three wells were in production in the first quarter of 2013 and Rhino recorded its initial proportionate revenue for the quarter.
  • Six additional wells began production at various times during April 2013, including the two Shugert wells which tested with the highest Boe/d rates per the table below.
  • Five additional wells are expected to be in production by the end of Q2 2013 for a total of fourteen producing wells.
  • The average initial production rate of the first ten wells drilled by Gulfport was 3,630 BOEPD consisting of 798 barrels of condensate per day, 10.0 MMCF of natural gas per day and 1,166 barrels of NGLs (see note (1) in table below).
  • Test results of Gulfport's wells are listed in the following table.

• Utica Shale Owned Acreage – In April 2013, Rhino closed on an agreement with a third party to sell the 20% royalty interest on its owned Utica Shale property for approximately $10.5 million. The Partnership utilized the proceeds from the sale to reduce debt, which provides further liquidity to Rhino for the development of its new Pennyrile mine in western Kentucky.
• Services Group – Rhino's services company, Razorback, has completed construction of its fourth drill pad in the Utica Shale.  Rhino expects the pace of pad construction to accelerate as drilling in the region increases.

Capital Expenditures

• Maintenance capital expenditures for the first quarter were approximately $1.7 million.
• Expansion capital expenditures for the first quarter were approximately $4.4 million, which consisted primarily of Rhino's continuing investment in the Utica Shale, along with other internal development projects.

Sales Commitments

The table below displays Rhino's committed steam coal sales for the periods indicated.

Credit Facility

In April 2013, the Partnership entered into an amendment if its $300 million credit facility.  The amendment provides for an increase in the maximum allowed investments in coal-related entities outside of the Partnership (i.e. joint ventures) under the credit facility from $25 million to $40 million. The amendment also increases the maximum leverage ratio of the credit facility to 3.75 from April 1, 2013 through March 31, 2015, then steps the maximum leverage ratio down to its previous level of 3.0 by December 31, 2015.  The Partnership took the proactive step to alter its credit facility to assure the necessary liquidity was available to develop its Pennyrile mine in the event the weak coal markets did not improve during the construction of Pennyrile.

Evaluating Financial Results

Rhino management uses a variety of financial measurements to analyze the Partnership's performance, including (1) Adjusted EBITDA, (2) coal revenues per ton and (3) cost of operations per ton.

Adjusted EBITDA.  Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before deducting interest expense, income taxes and depreciation, depletion and amortization, including Rhino's proportionate share of these expense items from its Rhino Eastern LLC joint venture, while also excluding certain non-cash and/or non-recurring items. Adjusted EBITDA is used by management primarily as a measure of the Partnership's operating performance. Because not all companies calculate Adjusted EBITDA identically, the Partnership's calculation may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to net income, income from operations, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP.  (Refer to "Reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA" included later in this release for reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures).

Coal Revenues Per Ton.  Coal revenues per ton sold represents coal revenues divided by tons of coal sold. Coal revenues per ton is a key indicator of Rhino's effectiveness in obtaining favorable prices for the Partnership's product.

Cost of Operations Per Ton.  Cost of operations per ton sold represents the cost of operations (exclusive of depreciation, depletion and amortization) divided by tons of coal sold. Rhino management uses this measurement as a key indicator of the efficiency of operations.

Overview of Financial Results

Results for the three months ended March 31, 2013 included:

• Adjusted EBITDA of $13.1 million and a net loss of $0.2 million compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $22.2 million and net income of $9.0 million in the first quarter of 2012. The 2013 and 2012 figures include $1.2 million of net loss and $2.1 million of net income, respectively, from the Partnership's joint venture, Rhino Eastern LLC, which also contributes to the Partnership's consolidated Adjusted EBITDA. 
• Basic and diluted net income/(loss) per common unit of $(0.01) compared to $0.32 for the first quarter of 2012. 
• Coal sales were 1.0 million tons compared to 1.1 million for the first quarter of 2012.
• Total revenues and coal revenues of $74.7 million and $67.4 million, respectively, compared to $81.9 million and $69.6 million, respectively, for the same period of 2012.
• Coal revenues per ton of $67.00 compared to $65.11 for the first quarter of 2012, an increase of 2.9%. 
• Cost of operations of $54.8 million compared to $57.1 million for the same period of 2012. 
• Cost of operations per ton of $54.50 compared to $53.41 for the first quarter of 2012, an increase of 2.0%.  

Total coal revenues decreased approximately 3.1% primarily due to a decrease in tons sold due to ongoing weakness in the met and steam coal markets.  Coal revenues per ton increased primarily due to a higher mix of metallurgical coal sold in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same period of 2012.  Cost of operations decreased year to year due to decreased production due to weakness in the met and steam coal markets.  Cost of operations per ton increased due to costs incurred in Central Appalachia to prepare a surface mine for future high-wall mining that resulted in minimal tons sold, along with increased costs at our Castle Valley mine due to the sequence of mining where we performed more higher cost advance mining during the first quarter of 2013 compared to more lower cost retreat mining that was performed in same period of 2012.  Net income was also negatively impacted by approximately $1.0 million due to the write-off of a continuous miner that was damaged at one of our Central Appalachia underground mines.

Segment Information

The Partnership produces and markets coal from surface and underground mines in Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio and Utah.  In addition, with the acquisition of Elk Horn, the Partnership also leases coal reserves to third parties in exchange for royalty revenues.  For the quarter ended March 31, 2013, the Partnership had four reportable business segments: Central Appalachia (includes results for Elk Horn), Northern Appalachia, Rhino Western and Eastern Met (comprised solely of a joint venture with Patriot Coal Corporation).  Additionally, the Partnership reports an Other category that is comprised of the Partnership's ancillary businesses, including its oil and gas investments.

The Partnership accounts for the Rhino Eastern joint venture under the equity method. Under the equity method of accounting, only limited information (net income) is presented in the Partnership's consolidated financial statements.   The Partnership has presented additional financial and operating details of the Rhino Eastern joint venture toward the end of this section.

* Percentages, totals and per ton amounts are calculated based on actual amounts and not the rounded amounts presented in this table.

** The Other category includes results for Rhino's ancillary businesses and oil and gas investments. The activities performed by these ancillary businesses do not directly relate to coal production. As a result, coal revenues, coal revenues per ton and cost of operations per ton are not presented for this category.

*** Rhino Eastern currently produces and sells only premium mid-vol met coal.

**** Eastern Met includes the financial data for the Rhino Eastern joint venture in which the Partnership has a 51% membership interest and for which the Partnership serves as manager.  The Partnership's consolidated revenue and costs do not include any portion of the revenue or costs of Rhino Eastern since the Partnership accounts for this operation under the equity method.  The Partnership only records its proportionate share of net income of Rhino Eastern as a single item in its financial statements, but the Partnership believes the presentation of these items for Rhino Eastern provides additional insight into how this operation contributes to the overall performance of the Partnership.

Additional information for the Central Appalachia segment detailing the types of coal produced and sold, premium high-vol met coal and steam coal, is presented below.  Note that the Partnership's Northern Appalachia and Rhino Western segments currently produce and sell only steam coal.

* Percentages are calculated based on actual amounts and not the rounded amounts presented in this table.

**** Excludes data for the Rhino Eastern mining complex located in West Virginia for which the Partnership has a 51% membership interest and serves as manager.

Guidance

For the full year 2013, Rhino reaffirms the guidance previously issued as follows:

First Quarter 2013 Financial and Operational Results Conference Call

Rhino's first quarter 2013 financial and operational results conference call is scheduled for today at 11:00 am Eastern time. Participants should call 866-318-8612 (United States/Canada) or 617-399-5131 (International) and utilize the confirmation code 99738417.  A live broadcast of the earnings conference call will also be available via the Internet at www.rhinolp.com under 'Investor Relations'.

A telephonic replay will be available for anyone unable to participate in the live call. To access the replay, call 888-286-8010 (United States/Canada) or 617-801-6888 (International) and enter confirmation code 54076828. The recording will be available from 12:00 pm (ET) on Thursday, May 2, 2013 through Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 11:59 pm (ET).

The webcast will be archived on the site for one year.

About Rhino Resource Partners LP 

Rhino Resource Partners LP is a growth-oriented limited partnership.  Rhino produces metallurgical and steam coal in a variety of basins throughout the United States, leases coal through its Elk Horn subsidiary, and owns oil and gas acreage in the Utica and Cana Woodford areas.  

About Wexford Capital LP

Rhino's general partner, Rhino GP LLC, is an affiliate of Wexford Capital LP ("Wexford").  Wexford is an SEC registered investment advisor with over $4.4 billion of assets under management.  Wexford has particular expertise in the energy/natural resources sector with actively managed investments in coal, oil and gas exploration and production, energy services and related sectors.  Through Wexford's extensive portfolio of energy, resource and related investments, it sees an extensive flow of potential new investment opportunities, many which could be suitable for Rhino.  Although Wexford has no obligation to provide such investment opportunities to Rhino, it has made available several of these investments to Rhino and expects to be in a position to continue to selectively source and underwrite for Rhino new coal, energy and related investment opportunities.

Additional information regarding Rhino and Wexford is available on their respective web sites – RhinoLP.com and Wexford.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Except for historical information, statements made in this press release are "forward-looking statements." All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that Rhino expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements, including the statements and information included under the heading "Coal Operations Update," "Oil and Gas," and "Guidance." These forward-looking statements are based on Rhino's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on Rhino's business, operating results, financial condition and similar matters.  While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting Rhino will turn out as Rhino anticipates.  Whether actual results and developments in the future will conform to expectations is subject to significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond Rhino's control or ability to predict. Therefore, actual results and developments could materially differ from Rhino's historical experience, present expectations and what is expressed, implied or forecast in these forward-looking statements.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: decline in coal prices, which depend upon several factors such as the supply of domestic and foreign coal, the demand for domestic and foreign coal, governmental regulations, price and availability of alternative fuels for electricity generation and prevailing economic conditions; increased competition in global coal markets and declines in demand for coal; current and future environmental laws and regulations which could materially increase operating costs or limit Rhino's ability to produce and sell coal; extensive government regulation of mine operations, especially with respect to mine safety and health, which imposes significant actual and potential costs; difficulties in obtaining and/or renewing permits necessary for operations; a variety of operating risks, such as unfavorable geologic conditions, natural disasters, mining and processing equipment unavailability, failures and unexpected maintenance problems and accidents, including fire and explosions from methane; fluctuations in transportation costs or disruptions in transportation services could increase competition or impair Rhino's ability to supply coal; a shortage of skilled labor; increases in raw material costs, such as steel, diesel fuel and explosives; Rhino's ability to acquire replacement coal reserves that are economically recoverable; inaccuracies in Rhino's estimates of coal reserves and non-reserve coal deposits; existing and future laws and regulations regulating the emission of sulfur dioxide and other compounds could affect coal consumers and as a result reduce demand for coal; federal and state laws restricting the emissions of greenhouse gases; Rhino's ability to acquire or failure to maintain, obtain or renew surety bonds used to secure obligations to reclaim mined property; Rhino's dependence on a few customers and its ability to find and retain customers under favorable supply contracts; changes in consumption patterns by utilities away from the use of coal, such as resulting from low natural gas prices; disruption in supplies of coal produced by contractors operating Rhino's mines; defects in title in properties that Rhino owns or losses of any of Rhino's leasehold interests; increased labor costs or work stoppages; the ability to retain and attract senior management and other key personnel; and assumptions underlying reclamation and mine closure obligations are materially inaccurate.

In addition to the foregoing, Rhino's business, financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution could be adversely affected by factors relating to, or resulting from, the Elk Horn acquisition. Such factors would include the failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Elk Horn acquisition; a material change in Elk Horn management's estimated coal reserves and non-reserve coal deposits; exposure of the lessees' mining operations to the same risks and uncertainties that Rhino faces as a mine operator; ability of the lessees to effectively manage their operations on the leased properties; ability of the lessees to satisfy customer contracts with coal from properties other than Elk Horn's properties; and incorrect reporting of royalty revenue by lessees.

Other factors that could cause Rhino's actual results to differ from its projected results are described in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. 

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.  Rhino undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by law.

Reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA

The following tables present reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures for each of the periods indicated (note: DD&A refers to depreciation, depletion and amortization).  Rhino management believes the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA that includes the proportionate share of DD&A and interest expense for Rhino Eastern is appropriate since the Partnership's portion of Rhino Eastern's net income that is recognized as a single line item in its financial statements is affected by these expense items.  Since Rhino does not reflect these proportionate expense items of DD&A and interest expense in its consolidated financial statements, management believes that the adjustment for these expense items in the Adjusted EBITDA calculation is more representative of how management reviews the results of the Partnership and provides investors with additional information that they can use to evaluate Rhino's results.

SOURCE Rhino Resource Partners LP