Sanchez Energy Announces Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results and Operational Update; Second Quarter Revenues Rise 835% on 799% Higher Production; Company Announces Investor Conference Call -- 2 P.M. Eastern on August 8, 2013

HOUSTON, Aug. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanchez Energy Corporation (NYSE: SN) (the "Company" or "Sanchez Energy"), a rapidly growing independent oil and gas company targeting onshore U.S. Gulf Coast oil resource plays with a current focus on the Eagle Ford Shale, today announced the Company's operating and financial results for the second quarter 2013, which included the following highlights:

HIGHLIGHTS FOR SECOND QUARTER 2013

• Production of 703 MBOE, an increase of 98% over the first quarter of 2013 and an increase of 799% over the same period a year ago.
• Revenues of $59.1 million, an increase of 90% over the first quarter of 2013 and an increase of 835% over the same period a year ago.
• Adjusted earnings before interest, income tax, depletion, depreciation and amortization, and unrealized derivative activity ("Adjusted EBITDA"), a non-GAAP financial measure defined below, of $43.2 million, an increase of 106% over the first quarter of 2013 and an increase of 1,617% over the same period a year ago.
• Adjusted Net Income attributable to common stockholders ("Adjusted Net Income"), a non-GAAP financial measure defined below, of $5.8 million, an increase of 35% over the first quarter of 2013 and an increase of 9,756% over the same period a year ago.
• Production from the newly acquired Cotulla asset now over 6,000 Boe/d.
• Inventory of 26 wells either drilling or in various stages of completion.
• Proved reserves at June 30, 2013 of 43 MMBOE, an increase of 103% as compared to year-end 2012 and an increase of 187% as compared to the same period a year ago.

MANAGEMENT COMMENTS

Tony Sanchez, III, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sanchez Energy, commented: "Our second quarter of 2013 was marked by substantial reserve, production and revenue growth as a result of increasing well count, well performance, results of tighter spacing pilots, and the closing on June 1^st of our Cotulla acquisition. Specifically, in our Cotulla area we have increased production volumes from approximately 4,500 Boe/d when we announced the transaction to a current rate in excess of 6,000 Boe/d. 

We exited the second quarter with 104 gross producing wells and have since added 11 new wells, including 7 wells associated with the recently closed 10,300 net acre acquisition in Marquis, which we call our Five Mile Creek area, located just to the northwest of our Prost development.  Our current daily production is in excess of 12,000 Boe/d and we have a backlog of 26 additional wells either drilling or in various stages of completion.

We continue to expand our pad drilling activities resulting in steady cost efficiency gains.  We now have pads being built in our Marquis area to accommodate up to 8 wells.  The impact of this more efficient practice is to spread out the completion timing of wells and onset of new production but it clearly benefits us in the long run.  As we bring these wells online, we anticipate continued production increases going forward.  Therefore, we re-affirm our 2013 production exit rate guidance of 15,000 to 17,000 Boe/d and have added guidance for our expected average daily production rates for the third quarter of 11,000 to 12,000 Boe/d and rates of 13,000 to 15,000 Boe/d for the fourth quarter of 2013.

Our 2013 operating capital program remains at $475 million, however, we now plan to spud more wells this year as a direct result of the efficiency gains we are realizing in our development drilling operations.  Furthermore, we have agreed with our operating partner in Palmetto to maintain a two rig program throughout 2013 rather than adding a third rig as the per well drilling days has continued to decrease.  As a result, we now expect to drill a total of 30 gross wells rather than our previous estimate of 34, but are achieving essentially the same results with less capital."

OPERATIONAL UPDATE

Sanchez Energy currently has six rigs (four operated and two non-operated rigs) running across its core project areas and also currently has 115 gross producing wells and 26 gross wells in various stages of drilling or completion. Three rigs are running in our Marquis area with three wells in initial flow back and one well waiting on completion. One rig is running in our Cotulla-Maverick area with two wells in initial flow back and two wells undergoing completion. Two rigs are running in our Palmetto area with three wells in initial flow back, seven wells undergoing completion, and two wells waiting on completion.

2013 Operating Capital Plan Update

Sanchez Energy's updated 2013 capital plan calls for total spending of approximately $475 million to spud 75 gross (54 net) wells, complete 55 gross (39 net) wells, and to fund production facilities and related expenditures, additional acreage acquisition, and seismic expenditures. Approximately 90% of the capital plan will be directed towards drilling and completing wells in the Eagle Ford Shale.

RESULTS FOR THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013

Production volumes for the three months ended June 30, 2013 were 703 MBOE, 89% oil and natural gas liquids, an increase of 799% over the second quarter of 2012. The production increases in 2013 were due to the drilling and completing of 34 gross new wells since the second quarter of 2012 and the addition of 54 wells acquired in the second quarter of 2013, partially offset by normal production declines. At June 30, 2013, Sanchez Energy had 104 gross producing wells, 15 gross wells in various stages of completion and 6 gross wells drilling. 

Revenues were $59.1 million for the second quarter of 2013, 96% of which were oil and natural gas liquids revenues of $56.9 million.  This represents an 835% increase over second quarter 2012 revenues of $6.3 million.  The Company's realized oil price, before the effects of derivatives, was $101.42 per barrel during the second quarter of 2013 compared to $98.90 for the same period a year ago.  The realized price for natural gas during the second quarter of 2013 was $4.61 per Mcf compared to $2.29 for the same period a year ago.  The realized price for natural gas liquids during the second quarter of 2013 was $24.48 per barrel compared to $28.76 for the same period a year ago.  Overall, the average realized price that the Company received was $84.05 per BOE during the second quarter of 2013 as compared to $80.82 for the same period a year ago.  For the second quarter of 2013, the impact of unrealized gains on derivatives was $7.07 per BOE and the impact of realized losses on derivatives was $1.02 per BOE.  In the second quarter of 2012, unrealized gains on derivatives were $54.81 per BOE and realized losses on derivatives was $3.24 per BOE.

Lease operating expenses ("LOE") were $6.8 million, or $9.69 per BOE, for the second quarter of 2013, as compared to $0.6 million, or $8.05 per BOE, in the second quarter of 2012.  Production and ad valorem taxes were $3.4 million, or $4.78 per BOE, for the second quarter of 2013, as compared to $0.6 million, or $7.19 per BOE, for the second quarter of 2012. Properties acquired in the second quarter of 2013 added $2.9 million in LOE for the second quarter, at a stand-alone rate of almost $27 per BOE.  As previously announced, the Company is moving rapidly ahead with plans to reduce the LOE expenses at the acquired properties.

General and administrative ("G&A") expense, excluding stock-based compensation expense, was $8.1 million for the second quarter of 2013, or $11.46 per BOE, as compared to $2.4 million, or $30.17 per BOE, for the second quarter of 2012.  This difference was due primarily to increasing levels of activity, as well as additional costs for legal expenses, investor relation costs and consulting services.  In addition, we incurred $3.1 million in acquisition related costs charged to G&A expense.  Excluding the non-recurring acquisition related costs and stock-based compensation expense, G&A expense would have been $5.0 million or approximately $7.09 per BOE.  For the three months ended June 30, 2013, we recorded non-cash stock-based compensation expense of approximately $4.6 million, or $6.51 per BOE, compared to $20.0 million, or $255.65 per BOE, in the second quarter of 2012. 

Adjusted EBITDA was $43.2 million during the second quarter of 2013, as compared to $2.5 million in the second quarter of 2012.

Interest expense, inclusive of $4.4 million in amortization of debt issuance costs and write-offs of previously incurred debt issuance costs, was $7.1 million for the second quarter of 2013, as compared to $0 for the second quarter of 2012.  This increase was due to interest incurred on the Company's various debt obligations during the period, including the issuance of $400 million of 7.75% Senior Notes on June 13, 2013.

Depletion, depreciation, amortization and accretion ("DD&A") expense for the second quarter of 2013 increased to $24.6 million, or $35.03 per BOE, from $2.5 million, or $31.55 per BOE, in the second quarter of 2012, and down sequentially from the first quarter of 2013's rate of $37.68 per BOE.  This increase in the depletion rate compared to the second quarter of 2012 was due primarily to an increase in the basis of our oil and natural gas properties.  Estimated proved reserves at June 30, 2013 were 187% higher than at June 30, 2012.  Higher production for the second quarter of 2013 as compared to the same period in 2012 resulted in a $19.7 million increase in expense and the change in the depletion rate resulted in a $2.4 million increase in expense.

For the second quarter of 2013, adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders was $5.8 million, or $0.17 per basic and diluted share, as compared to $0.1 million, or $0.00 per basic and diluted share, during the second quarter of 2012.  Adjusted Net Income excludes certain non-cash items described below.

The Company reported net income attributable to common stockholders of $3.2 million, or $0.10 per basic and diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2013 as compared to a net loss of $15.6 million, or $0.47 per basic and diluted common share, reported for the second quarter of 2012.

RESULTS FOR SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2013

Production volumes for the six months ended June 30, 2013 were 1,058 MBOE, 89% oil and natural gas liquids, an increase of 550% over the first half of 2012 of 163 MBOE. The production increases in 2013 were due to the drilling and completing of 34 new wells since the second quarter of 2012 and the addition of 54 wells acquired in the second quarter of 2013, partially offset by normal production declines. At June 30, 2013, Sanchez Energy had 104 gross producing wells, 15 gross wells in various stages of completion and 6 gross wells drilling. 

Revenues were $90.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013, 97% of which were oil and natural gas liquids revenues of $87.2 million.  This represents a 545% increase over the first half of 2012 revenues of $14.0 million.  The Company's realized oil price, before the effects of derivatives, was $102.94 per barrel during the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to $103.27 for the first half of 2012.  The realized price for natural gas during the six months ended June 30, 2013 was $4.28 per Mcf compared to $2.19 for the first half of 2012.  The realized price for natural gas liquids during the six months ended June 30, 2013 was $23.78 per barrel compared to $30.44 per barrel for the first half of 2012.  Overall, the average realized price that the Company received was $85.19 per BOE during the six months ended June 30, 2013 as compared to $85.83 for the first half of 2012.  For the six months ended June 30, 2013, the impact of unrealized gains on derivatives was $1.97 per BOE and the impact of realized losses on derivatives was $1.38 per BOE.  In the first half of 2012, unrealized gains on derivatives were $22.72 per BOE and realized losses on derivatives was $4.29 per BOE.

LOE was $10.1 million, or $9.52 per BOE, for the six months ended June 30, 2013, as compared to $1.4 million, or $8.63 per BOE, for the same period in 2012.  Production and ad valorem taxes were $5.4 million, or $5.12 per BOE, for the six months ended June 30, 2013, as compared to $1.0 million, or $5.88 per BOE, for the same period in 2012. Properties acquired in the second quarter of 2013 added $2.9 million in LOE for the second quarter. 

General and administrative ("G&A") expense, excluding stock-based compensation expense, was $12.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013, or $11.97 per BOE, as compared to $4.6 million, or $28.53 per BOE, for the first half of 2012.  This difference was due primarily to increasing levels of activity, as well as higher costs associated with legal expenses, investor relation costs and consulting services.  In addition, we incurred $3.7 million in acquisition related costs charged to G&A.  Excluding the non-recurring acquisition costs and excluding stock-based compensation expense, G&A expense would have been $9.0 million or approximately $8.48 per BOE.  For the six months ended June 30, 2013, we recorded non-cash stock-based compensation expense of approximately $7.7 million, or $7.29 per BOE, compared to $24.0 million, or $147.26 per BOE, in the first half of 2012. 

Adjusted EBITDA was $64.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2013, as compared to $6.3 million in the first half of 2012.

Interest expense, inclusive of $4.6 million in amortization of debt issuance costs and write-offs of previously incurred debt issuance costs, was $8.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013, as compared to $0 for the first half of 2012.  This increase was due to interest incurred on the Company's various debt obligations during the period, including the issuance of $400 million of 7.75% Senior Notes on June 13, 2013.

Depletion, depreciation, amortization and accretion ("DD&A") expense for the six months ended June 30, 2013 increased to $38.0 million, or $35.92 per BOE, from $4.7 million, or $28.94 per BOE, in the first half of 2012. 

For the six months ended June 30, 2013, adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders was $10.1 million, or $0.30 per basic and diluted share, as compared to $1.5 million, or $0.05 per basic and diluted share, during the first half of 2012.  Adjusted Net Income excludes certain non-cash items described below.

The Company reported net income attributable to common stockholders of $1.2 million, or $0.04 per basic and diluted common share, for the six months ended June 30, 2013 as compared to a net loss of $18.7 million, or $0.57 per basic and diluted common share, reported for the first half of 2012.

A year-over-year quarterly summary comparison of revenues, operating costs, and expenses per BOE, as well an updated guidance for the third quarter and fourth quarter 2013 are summarized below:

HEDGING UPDATE

As of June 30, 2013, the Company had the following crude oil swaps and put spreads covering anticipated future production as indicated below:

As of June 30, 2013, the Company also had the following three-way crude oil collar contracts that combine a long and short put with a short call as indicated below:

In July 2013, the Company entered into the following crude oil swap contracts using WTI prices:

Conference Call

Sanchez Energy will host a conference call for investors on August 8, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. EDT (1:00 p.m. CDT, 12:00 p.m. MDT and 11:00 a.m. PDT).  Interested investors can listen to the call by visiting our website at www.sanchezenergycorp.com and clicking on the Second Quarter 2013 Conference Call button. Webcast, both live and rebroadcast, will be available over the internet at
http://edge.media-server.com/m/p/86fh5y9n/lan/en

About Sanchez Energy Corporation

Sanchez Energy Corporation is an independent exploration and production company focused on the acquisition and development of unconventional oil resources in the onshore U.S. Gulf Coast, with a current focus on the Eagle Ford Shale where we have assembled approximately 140,000 net acres.  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 Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  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, including statements relating to the anticipated benefits of our acquisitions, successfully obtaining the financing for any proposed acquisitions and other aspects of any proposed acquisitions. 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, the words "will," "potential," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "expect," "may," "should," "anticipate," "could," "plan," "predict," "project," "profile," "model," or their negatives, other similar expressions or the statements that include those words, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words.

Such 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 failure of acquired assets to produce as anticipated, failure to successfully integrate acquired assets, continued production of oil and gas at historical rates, costs of operations, delays, and any other difficulties related to producing oil or gas, the price of oil or gas, marketing and sales of produced oil and gas, estimates made in evaluating reserves, competition, general economic conditions 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, 2012 and any updates to those risk factors set forth in Sanchez Energy's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.  Further information on such assumptions, risks and uncertainties is available in Sanchez Energy's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Sanchez Energy's filings with the 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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