Sanchez Energy Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2012 Financial Results and Operational Update; Fourth Quarter Revenues Rise 259% on 208% Higher Production

HOUSTON, March 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanchez Energy Corporation (NYSE: SN) (the "Company" or "Sanchez Energy"), a fast growing independent oil and gas company focused on the liquids rich Eagle Ford formation in Texas, today announced the Company's operating and financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year 2012, which included the following highlights:

HIGHLIGHTS FOR FOURTH QUARTER 2012

• Production of 172.4 MBOE, an increase of 38.7 MBOE, or 29%, over the third quarter of 2012 and an increase of 116.4 MBOE, or 208%, over the same period a year ago, with 95% of the production volume oil.
• Revenues of $16.7 million, an increase of 34% over the third quarter of 2012 and 259% over the same period a year ago.
• Adjusted earnings before interest, income tax, depletion, depreciation and amortization, and unrealized derivative activity ("Adjusted EBITDA attributable to common stockholders"), a non-GAAP financial measure defined below, of $8.2 million. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA attributable to common stockholders to GAAP net income (loss) is presented in the financial summary below.
• Adjusted Net Income attributable to common stockholders ("Adjusted Net Income"), a non-GAAP financial measure defined below, of $1.6 million.  A reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income to GAAP net income (loss) is presented in the financial summary below.
• Net loss attributable to common stockholders of $1.1 million.   

HIGHLIGHTS FOR FULL-YEAR 2012

• Production of 468.8 MBOE, an increase of 295.1 MBOE, or 170%, over the same period a year ago, with 89% of the production volume oil.
• Revenues of $43.2 million, an increase of 197% over the same period a year ago.
• Adjusted EBITDA attributable to common stockholders, a non-GAAP financial measure defined below, of $22.8 million.
• Adjusted Net Income attributable to common stockholders, a non-GAAP financial measure defined below, of $7.3 million. 
• Net loss attributable to common stockholders of $18.4 million.

MANAGEMENT COMMENTS

Tony Sanchez, III, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sanchez Energy, commented: "The operational momentum we established late last year is continuing and improving.  We exited 2012 with outstanding reserve growth and a growing backlog of wells which will be completed and added to our production stream over the next several months.  We have approved and construction has commenced to expand the takeaway capacity at Palmetto to 20,000 barrels of oil per day and 30 million cubic feet of gas per day.  In Marquis, we are building the gathering system infrastructure to support the ongoing full scale development program in the immediate vicinity of our Prost wells.  We have recently increased our net acreage position in the Prost area to approximately 7,500 net acres in a large, contiguous block that will support at least two years of full scale development optimized for several rigs and efficient operations.  We currently have 15 gross (11 net) wells either undergoing completion or expected to start completion operations in the near future. We have shifted our drilling programs to focus almost exclusively on pad drilling, with an emphasis on optimizing well completions and realizing cost efficiencies.  Across all three of our focus areas, we are experiencing cost reductions, and current AFEs are below our base case forecasts. We expect to be able to continue to drive our costs down as we move through the year."

Sanchez continued:  "Our current expectations for 2013 are to drill 33.5 net wells, and we are comfortable with our 2013 production guidance, which projects an increase in full year production volumes of over 400% and a 100% increase in our expected year over year production exit rate.  As we closed out 2012, we experienced strong well performance across each of our three project areas, while continuing to drive costs lower and production and operational efficiencies higher.  Of particular note, the Prost B#1, our third well in the Marquis area, has exhibited high production performance as a result of optimized completion techniques and flowback management.  This well achieved an IP of 1,114 BOE/d on a 14/64" choke in addition to 30- and 60-day average flow rates of 936 and 808 BOE/d, demonstrating a significantly shallower decline profile as compared to our initial two wells in this immediate area.  This continuing improvement in well performance has increased our recent internal EURs with estimates for the Prost area now tracking the high end of our planning range.  Valuable information will be gained from micro-seismic data currently being acquired in both Marquis and Palmetto as well as the 3-D seismic being acquired across our Marquis area.  We have already moved to current spacing in Palmetto and Marquis on approximately 60 acres versus the year-end reserve estimates based on 80 acres, and we have a five well, 40 acre spacing pilot being completed now in Palmetto."

OPERATIONAL UPDATE

Sanchez Energy currently has 34 gross producing wells.  A summary table of all horizontal Eagle Ford wells brought on line since our initial public offering is below:

Currently Sanchez Energy has 17 wells in various stages of drilling or completion, as detailed in the following table:

RESULTS FOR THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012

Production volumes for the three months ended December 31, 2012 were 172.4 MBOE, an increase of 208% over the fourth quarter of 2011. The production increases in 2012 were due to the drilling and completing of 19 new wells in 2012, partially offset by normal production declines. At the end of 2012, Sanchez Energy had 32 gross producing wells, two wells in initial flow back, nine wells waiting on completion and four wells drilling. 

Revenues were $16.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2012, which includes oil revenues of $16.5 million.  This represents a 259% increase over fourth quarter 2011 revenues of $4.6 million.  The Company's realized oil price, before the effects of derivatives, was $100.49 per barrel during the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to $102.32 for the same period a year ago.  The realized price for natural gas during the fourth quarter of 2012 was $3.71 per Mcf compared to $2.15 for the same period a year ago.  Overall, the average realized price that the Company received was $96.85 per BOE during the fourth quarter of 2012 as compared to $82.97 for the same period a year ago.  For the fourth quarter of 2012, the impact of unrealized losses on derivatives was $11.76 per BOE and the impact of realized gains on derivatives was $2.76 per BOE.  In the fourth quarter of 2011, unrealized losses on derivatives were $36.40 per BOE.

Lease operating expenses ("LOE") were $1.4 million, or $8.05 per BOE, for the fourth quarter of 2012, as compared to $0.4 million, or $7.49 per BOE, for the fourth quarter of 2011.  Production and ad valorem taxes were $0.6 million, or $3.22 per BOE, for the fourth quarter of 2012, as compared to $0.3 million, or $4.98 per BOE, for the fourth quarter of 2011.  The increase in LOE and production and ad valorem taxes was due primarily to the completion of 19 wells during 2012 and the resulting increase in production volumes and revenues.

General and administrative ("G&A") expense, excluding stock-based compensation expense, was $5.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2012, or $29.27 per BOE, as compared to $1.9 million, or $33.30 per BOE, for the fourth quarter of 2011.  This increase was due primarily to increased salary and wages, as a result of additional staffing and support to manage the increasing levels of activity, as well as higher costs associated with being a new public company, consisting primarily of legal expenses, investor relation costs and consulting services.  For the three months ended December 31, 2012, we recorded non-cash stock-based compensation expense of approximately $0.7 million. 

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to common stockholders was $8.2 million, or $0.25 per basic and diluted common share, during the fourth quarter of 2012, as compared to $2.1 million, or $0.09 per basic and diluted common share, in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Depletion, depreciation, amortization and accretion ("DD&A") expense for the fourth quarter of 2012 increased to $6.6 million, or $38.46 per BOE, from $1.5 million, or $26.55 per BOE, in the fourth quarter of 2011.  This increase in the depletion rate primarily resulted from an increase in the basis of our oil and gas properties.  Higher production for the fourth quarter of 2012 as compared to the same period in 2011 resulted in a $3.1 million increase in expense and the change in the depletion rate resulted in a $2.0 million increase in expense.

For the fourth quarter of 2012, Adjusted Net Income was $1.6 million, or $0.05 per basic and diluted share, as compared to $0.6 million, or $0.03 per basic and diluted share, during the fourth quarter of 2011.  Adjusted Net Income excludes certain non-cash items described below.

The Company reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $1.1 million, or $0.03 per basic and diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2012 as compared to a net loss of $1.4 million, or $0.06 per basic and diluted common share, reported for the fourth quarter of 2011.

RESULTS FOR YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012

Production volumes for the year ended December 31, 2012 were 468.8 MBOE, an increase of 170% over the same period in 2011. The production increases in 2012 were due to the drilling and completing of 19 new wells in 2012, partially offset by normal production declines. 

Revenues were $43.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, which includes oil revenues of $42.4 million.  This represents a 197% increase over the comparable prior year period that totaled $14.5 million.  The Company's realized oil price, before the effects of derivatives, was $101.40 per barrel during the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to $95.31 for the same period a year ago.  The realized price for natural gas during the year ended December 31, 2012 was $2.54 per Mcf compared to $3.59 for the same period a year ago.  Overall, the average realized price the Company received was $92.07 per BOE for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to $83.57 for the same period a year ago.  For the year ended December 31, 2012, the impact of unrealized losses on derivatives was $0.92 per BOE and the impact of realized losses on derivatives was $0.66 per BOE.  For the same period in 2011, unrealized losses on derivatives were $2.76 per BOE.

LOE was $3.4 million, or $7.26 per BOE, for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to $1.6 million, or $9.37 per BOE, for the year ended December 31, 2011.  Production and ad valorem taxes were $2.1 million, or $4.53 per BOE, for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to $0.8 million, or $4.78 per BOE, for the year ended December 31, 2011.  The increase in LOE expense and production and ad valorem taxes was due primarily to the completion of 19 new wells in 2012 and the resulting increase in production volumes and revenues.

G&A expense, excluding stock-based compensation expense, was $11.7 million, or $24.95 per BOE, for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to $5.4 million, or $30.91 per BOE, for the year ended December 31, 2011.  This increase in G&A expense was due primarily to increased salary and wages, as a result of additional staffing and support to manage the increasing levels of activity, as well as higher costs associated with being a new public company, consisting primarily of legal expenses, investor relation costs and consulting services.   

For the year ended December 31, 2012, we recorded non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $25.5 million due primarily to the rescission and cancellation of 1.1 million shares of restricted stock during the second quarter of 2012. 

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to common stockholders was $22.8 million, or $0.69 per basic and diluted common share, during the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to $6.7 million, or $0.30 per basic and diluted common share, for the year ended December 31, 2011.

DD&A expense increased from $4.3 million, or $24.48 per BOE, for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $15.9 million, or $33.96 per BOE, for the year ended December 31, 2012.   This increase in the depletion rate primarily resulted from an increase in the basis of our oil and gas properties.  Higher production for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2011 resulted in a $7.2 million increase in expense and the change in the depletion rate resulted in a $4.4 million increase in expense.

For the year ended December 3, 2012, Adjusted Net Income was $7.3 million, or $0.22 per basic and diluted common share, as compared to Adjusted Net Income of $2.4 million, or $0.11 per basic and diluted common share, during the year ended December 31, 2011.  Adjusted Net Income excludes certain non-cash items described below.

The Company reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $18.4 million, or $0.56 per basic and diluted common share, for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to net income of $2.0 million, or $0.09 per basic and diluted common share, reported for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Revenues and operating costs and expenses per BOE are summarized below:

HEDGING UPDATE

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had oil derivative instruments covering approximately 40% of anticipated 2013 production as follows:

Subsequent to December 31, 2012, Sanchez Energy entered into two additional oil derivative contracts covering approximately 15% of our estimated 2014 production. In January 2013, we entered into a commodity derivative contract covering 1,500 bopd of oil production for all of calendar year 2014.  The contract is a three-way costless collar consisting of a costless collar (long a $85 WTI put and short a $102.25 WTI call) plus a put (short a $65 WTI put). In February 2013, we entered into a commodity derivative contract covering an additional 1,000 bopd of oil production for all of calendar year 2014.  The contract is a three-way costless collar consisting of a costless collar (long a $95 LLS put and short a $107.50 LLS call) plus a put (short a $75 LLS put). 

Conference Call

Sanchez Energy will host a conference call for investors on March 7, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. EST (1:00 p.m. CST, 12:00 p.m. MST and 11:00 a.m. PST).  Interested investors can listen to the call by visiting our website at www.sanchezenergycorp.com and clicking on the Fourth Quarter 2012 Conference Call button.  Webcast, both live and rebroadcast will be available over the internet at http://investor.sanchezenergycorp.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=248475&p=irol-EventDetails&EventId=4913882  

About Sanchez Energy Corporation

Sanchez Energy Corporation is a Houston, Texas-based, growth-oriented independent exploration and production company currently focused on the prolific Eagle Ford Shale trend of South Texas.  The company has approximately 95,000 net acres targeting the liquids-rich Eagle Ford Shale, Pearsall Shale, Austin Chalk, and Buda Limestone. For more information about Sanchez Energy Corporation, please visit our website:  www.sanchezenergycorp.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains, and our officers and representatives may from time to time make, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that Sanchez Energy expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements.  These statements are based on certain assumptions made by the company based on management's experience, perception of historical trends and technical analyses, current conditions, anticipated future developments and other factors believed to be appropriate and reasonable by management.  When used in this press release, words such as "will," "potential," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "expect," "may," "should," "anticipate," "could," "plan," "predict," "project," "profile," "model," "strategy," "future" or their negatives or the statements that include these words, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words.  In particular, statements, expressed or implied, concerning Sanchez Energy's future operating results and returns or Sanchez Energy's ability to replace or increase reserves, increase production, generate income or cash flows are forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance.  Although Sanchez Energy believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable and are based on reasonable assumptions, no assurance can be given that these assumptions are accurate or that any of these expectations will be achieved (in full or at all) or will prove to have been correct.

Sanchez Energy's forward-looking statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Sanchez Energy, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied or expressed by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the successful execution of business and financial strategies, replacement and growth of reserves, the continued production of oil and gas at historical rates, accuracy of reserve estimates, costs of operations, delays, and any other difficulties related to producing oil or gas, the price of oil or gas, successful execution of hedging strategies, access to credit and capital markets, competition, general economic conditions, the impact of regulatory policies and the ability to manage and continue growth and other factors described in Sanchez Energy's Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 and any updates to those risk factors set forth in Sanchez Energy's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.  Sanchez Energy's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") are available on its website at www.sanchezenergycorp.com and on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.  In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events anticipated by Sanchez Energy's forward-looking statements may not occur, and, if any of such events do, Sanchez Energy may not have correctly anticipated the timing of their occurrence or the extent of their impact on its actual results.  Accordingly, you should not place any undue reliance on any of Sanchez Energy's forward-looking statements.  Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and Sanchez Energy undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors

The SEC permits oil and gas companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose proved, probable and possible reserves.  We may use certain terms in our press releases, such as net resource potential and other variations of the foregoing terms that the SEC's guidelines strictly prohibit us from including in filings with the SEC.  U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the reserves disclosures in our filings with the SEC available on our website at www.sanchezenergycorp.com and the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.  You can also obtain this information from the SEC by calling its general information line at 1-800-SEC-0330.

(Financial Highlights to follow)

Company contact:

Michael G. Long
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Sanchez Energy Corp.
713-783-8000

SOURCE Sanchez Energy Corporation

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