Bay Street News

Sundance Energy Australia Limited Reports Third Quarter 2018 Financial and Operational Results

DENVER, Nov. 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sundance Energy Australia Limited (ASX: SEA) (NASDAQ: SNDE) (“Sundance” or the “Company”), a U.S. onshore oil and gas exploration and production company focused in the Eagle Ford in South Texas, reported its third quarter 2018 financial and operations results.

Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

Operational Highlights

1 Adjusted EBITDAX is a Non-IFRS measure, please see reconciliation to net income (loss) attributable to owners of Sundance at the end of this release.

The table below provides an overview of the Company’s operational activity for the quarter and year-to-date:

Well Name County Spud
Date
Frac Start
Date
IP
Date
Lateral
Length
30-Day IP (boe/d) 60-Day IP (boe/d)
Paloma Ranch 7H McMullen 18-Jan-18 17-May-18 2-Jun-18 7,690′ 1,345 1,017
Peeler Ranch 8HC Atascosa 1-Mar-18 28-May-18 26-Jun-18 5,642′ 484 404
Peeler Ranch 9HC Atascosa 24-Mar-18 28-May-18 26-Jun-18 5,820′ 446 371
Allen MCM 1HA McMullen 21-Apr-18 6-Jul-18 17-Aug-18 8,015′ 1,291 1,100
Allen MCM 2HA McMullen 13-May-18 6-Jul-18 17-Aug-18 8,234′ 1,132 969
Harlan Bethune 25H Live Oak 7-May-18 24-Jul-18 15-Aug-18 4,779′ 1,102 1,091
Harlan Bethune 26H Live Oak 11-May-18 22-Jul-18 15-Aug-18 4,073′ 1,234 1,066
Harlan Bethune 27H Live Oak 13-May-18 22-Jul-18 15-Aug-18 3,314′ 1,183 901
Justin Tom 05H Atascosa 17-Jun-18 12-Aug-18 3-Sep-18 6,258′ 1,296
Justin Tom 06H Atascosa 14-Jun-18 12-Aug-18 3-Sep-18 6,299′ 1,042
Harlan Bethune 34H Live Oak 25-Jun-18 3-Aug-18 19-Aug-18 3,528′ 1,691 1,588
Harlan Bethune 35H Live Oak 22-Jun-18 3-Aug-18 19-Aug-18 3,702′ 1,738 1,579
James Keith Esse 06H Live Oak 26-Jul-18 12-Oct-18 13-Nov-18 5,175′
James Keith Esse 07H Live Oak 22-Jul-18 12-Oct-18 13-Nov-18 5,178′
James Keith Esse 08H Live Oak 24-Jul-18 12-Oct-18 13-Nov-18 5,180′
James Keith Esse 09H Live Oak 20-Jul-18 12-Oct-18 13-Nov-18 5,164′
Idylwood 04H Live Oak 3-Aug-18 28-Sep-18 16-Oct-18 6,445′
Idylwood 05H Live Oak 3-Aug-18 28-Sep-18 16-Oct-18 5,487′
Harlan Bethune 22H Live Oak 17-Sep-18
Harlan Bethune 23H Live Oak 21-Sep-18
Harlan Bethune 24H Live Oak 25-Sep-18
Hoskins 20H McMullen 25-Sep-18
Hoskins 21H McMullen 27-Sep-18
Roy Esse 15H Live Oak 21-Nov-18
Roy Esse 16H Live Oak 23-Nov-18
Roy Esse 17H Live Oak 25-Nov-18
Roy Esse 18H Live Oak 27-Nov-18
Red Ranch 18H Dimmit 17-Nov-18
Red Ranch 19H Dimmit 19-Nov-18
               

Company Guidance

The tables below set forth the Company’s hedge position as of 15th November:

HEDGE POSITION OVERVIEW

  Total Oil Derivative Contracts Gas Derivative Contracts
  Weighted Average Weighted Average
Year Units (Bbls) Floor Ceiling Units (Mcf) Floor Ceiling
2018 546,000     66.73     69.08 502,000     3.12     3.33
2019 2,317,000     60.45     66.26 2,172,000     2.95     3.34
2020 1,326,000     53.66     59.56 1,536,000     2.65     2.70
2021 612,000     48.49     59.23 1,200,000     2.66     2.66
2022 528,000     45.68     60.83 1,080,000     2.69     2.69
2023 160,000     40.00     63.10 240,000     2.64     2.64
Total 5,489,000 $ 56.08 $ 63.52 6,730,000 $ 2.79 $ 2.94
                     

CRUDE OIL HEDGE POSITION BY BASIS

  LLS Derivative Contracts Brent Derivative Contracts WTI Derivative Contracts
  Weighted Average Weighted Average Weighted Average
Year Units (Bbls) Floor Ceiling Units (Bbls) Floor Ceiling Units (Bbls) Floor Ceiling
2018 38,000 $ 52.29 $ 65.51 228,000 $ 66.07 $ 69.50 280,000 $ 69.23 $ 69.23
2019 168,000 $ 52.51 $ 52.51 989,000 $ 61.89 $ 69.17 1,160,000 $ 60.36 $ 65.76
2020         1,326,000 $ 53.66 $ 59.56
2021         612,000 $ 48.49 $ 59.23
2022         528,000 $ 45.68 $ 60.83
2023         160,000 $ 40.00 $ 63.10
Total 206,000 $ 52.47 $ 54.91 1,217,000 $ 62.68 $ 69.23 4,066,000 $ 54.29 $ 62.25
                               

The following unaudited tables present certain production, per unit metrics and Adjusted EBITDAX that compare results of the corresponding quarterly and nine month reporting periods:

  Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,   % Change
Unaudited 2018   2017   2018   2017   Qtr.-over-Qtr   Yr.-over-Yr.
Net Sales Volumes                      
Oil (Bbls)     665,776       588,637       1,411,652       1,361,017   13 %   4 %
Natural gas (Mcf)     1,285,672       812,506       3,412,346       2,474,499   58 %   38 %
NGL (Bbls)     144,933       78,807       342,952       230,095   84 %   49 %
Total sales (Boe)     1,024,987       802,861        2,323,329       2,003,529   28 %   16 %
Total flared gas (Boe)     45,995       52,026       99,197       80,795   -12 %   23 %
Total production (Boe)     1,070,982       854,887       2,422,526       2,084,324   25 %   16 %
                       
Average Daily Volumes                      
Average daily sales     11,141       8,727       8,510       7,339   28 %   16 %
                       
Product Price Received                      
Total price received (per Boe) $   52.51   $   39.34   $   48.76   $   37.96   33 %   28 %
Total realized price (per Boe)(1)(2)(3) $   47.85   $   39.32   $   42.15   $   37.71   22 %   12 %
Total price received – Oil (per Bbl) $   69.59   $   48.19   $   68.01   $   48.40   44 %   41 %
Total price realized – Oil (per Bbl)(1) $   62.62   $   48.21   $   57.16   $   48.20   30 %   19 %
Total price received – Natural gas (per Mcf) $   2.65   $   2.19   $   2.53   $   2.40   21 %   5 %
Total price realized – Natural gas (per Mcf)(2) $   2.64   $   2.15   $   2.55   $   2.31   23 %   10 %
Total price received – NGL (per Bbl) $   28.15   $   18.28   $   25.20   $   18.44   54 %   37 %
Total price realized – NGL (per Bbl)(3) $   27.32   $   18.28   $   24.85   $   18.44   49 %   35 %
                                   

(1) Included realized losses on oil derivatives of $4.7 million and a realized gains of $11 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and realized losses of $8.6 million and $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.   Also includes the impact of a fixed price delivery contract of $4.74/bbl for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively.
(2) Included realized losses on natural gas derivatives of $15 thousand and $30 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and realized gains of $0.1 million and realized losses of $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
(3) Included realized losses on natural gas derivatives of $0.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

UNIT COST ANALYSIS Three Months Ended September 30,       Nine Months Ended September 30,    
Unaudited 2018     2017   % Change   2018   2017   % Change
Revenue/Boe* $   52.51       $   39.34     33 %   $   48.76        37.96     28 %
Lease operating expenses/Boe*     (9.02 )         (5.05 )   79 %       (9.86 )     (5.79 )   70 %
Workover expense/Boe     (1.95 )         (1.26 )   55 %       (1.95 )     (1.95 )   0 %
Production taxes/Boe     (3.33 )         (2.72 )   22 %       (3.08 )     (2.51 )   23 %
Cash G&A/Boe(1)     (3.84 )         (6.02 )   -36 %       (4.92 )     (6.38 )   -23 %
Net per Boe $   34.37       $   24.29     41 %   $   28.95       21.33     36 %
                         
Adjusted EBITDAX(2)     30,426           19,490     56 %       51,894       42,039     23 %
Adjusted EBITDAX Margin (3)   62.0 %       61.7 %   0 %     53.0 %   55.6 %   -5 %
                                           

(1) Cash G&A represents general and administrative expenses (non transaction-related) incurred less equity-settled share based compensation expense, which totaled $0.2 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and expense of $0.3 million and $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
(2) See reconciliation of income (loss) attributable to owners of the Company to Adjusted EBITDAX included at end of release.
(3) Adjusted EBITDAX Margin represents Adjusted EBITDAX as a percentage of revenue, inclusive of commodity derivative settlements, during the period.

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are included below.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
               
  Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,
Unaudited (US$000s) 2018   2017   2018   2017
Revenue $   53,824     $   31,584     $   106,589     $   76,044  
Lease operating, workover and production tax expense     (14,669 )       (7,244 )       (34,591 )       (20,534 )
Depreciation and amortisation expense     (17,228 )       (16,591 )       (44,441 )       (45,007 )
General and administrative expenses     (4,100 )       (5,332 )       (11,775 )       (14,348 )
Transaction-related expenses     –          –          (12,377 )       –   
Gain (loss) on commodity hedging, net (1)     (28,608 )       (5,524 )       (51,788 )       5,293  
Finance costs, net of amounts capitalized     (6,591 )       (3,438 )       (17,370 )       (9,417 )
Loss on debt extinguishment     –          –          (2,428 )       –   
Impairment expense     (1,889 )       (120 )       (23,782 )       (149 )
Other items income (expense), net  (2)     (15 )       980         6,706         (2,219 )
               
Loss before income tax     (19,276 )       (5,685 )       (85,257 )       (10,337 )
               
Income tax expense     –          (333 )       (7,610 )       (1,427 )
               
Loss attributable to owners of the Company $   (19,276 )   $   (6,018 )   $   (92,867 )   $   (11,764 )
                               

(1) Included an unrealised loss on commodity hedging of $23.8 million and $5.5mm for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and an unrealised loss of $43.1 million and an unrealised gain of $5.8 million for the year ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
(2) Included a realized gain on foreign currency derivatives of $6.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
       
(US$’000s) September 30, 2018   December 31, 2017
  (Unaudited)   (Audited)
Cash $ 2,662   $ 5,761
Trade and other receivables   17,540     4,006
Other current assets   5,170     3,855
Assets held for sale(1)   39,173     61,064
Total current assets   64,545     74,686
       
Oil and gas properties   664,151     375,021
Other assets   6,160     4,911
Total assets $ 734,856   $ 454,618
       
Current liabilities $ 74,498   $ 67,454
Derivative liabilities – current   25,932     5,618
Liabilities held for sale(1)   923     1,064
Total current liabilities   101,353     74,136
       
Credit facilities, net of financing fees   254,790     189,310
Derivative liabilities – non current   16,704     3,728
Other non current liabilities   33,618     10,093
Total liabilities $ 406,465   $ 277,267
       
Net assets $ 328,391   $ 177,351
Equity $ 328,391   $ 177,351
           

(1) The Company’s Dimmit County Eagle Ford assets (and related liabilities) were classified as held for sale as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
       
  Nine Months Ended September 30,
Unaudited (US$000s) 2018   2017
Operating      
Receipts from sales $ 92,896     $ 82,481  
Payments for operating and administrative expenses(1)   (54,247 )     (29,238 )
Payments for commodity derivative settlements, net   (6,077 )     (689 )
Other, net (2)   (2,324 )     3,645  
Net cash provided by operating activities   30,248       56,199  
       
Investing      
Payments for development expenditures   (85,325 )     (91,069 )
Payments for exploration expenditures   (6,401 )     (8,336 )
Payment for Eagle Ford acquisition, net   (215,765 )      
Sale of non current assets         14,373  
Other   (246 )     (573 )
Net cash used in investing activities   (307,737 )     (85,605 )
       
Financing      
Proceeds from the issuance of shares   253,517        
Payments for the costs of capital raisings   (10,294 )      
Receipts from settlements of foreign currency derivatives   6,838        
Interest paid, net of capitalized portion   (18,652 )     (11,386 )
Proceeds from (repayments of) production prepayment   (18,194 )     30,000  
Proceeds from borrowings, net   78,000       (250 )
Deferred financing costs capitalized   (16,700 )      
Other   (150 )      
Net cash used in financing activities   274,365       18,364  
       
Cash beginning of period   5,761       17,463  
FX effect   25       (44 )
Cash at end of period $ 2,662     $ 6,377  
               

(1) The nine months ended September 30, 2018 includes payments of $13.7 million of transaction-related costs.
(2) Includes $2.3 million of withholding tax payments and $3.9 million of income tax refund (net) for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call for investors on Thursday, 15 November 15, 2018, at 3 p.m. Mountain Time (Friday, 16 November, 2018 at 9 a.m. AEDT).

Interested investors can listen to the call via webcast at http://www.sundanceenergy.net/events.cfm. The webcast will also be available for replay on the Company’s website.

Additional Information
We define “Adjusted EBITDAX”, a non-IFRS measure, as earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization, property impairments, gain/(loss) on sale of non-current assets, exploration expense, share based compensation and income, gains and losses on commodity hedging, net of settlements of commodity hedging and items that the Company believes affect the comparability of operating results such as items whose timing and/or amount cannot be reasonably estimated or items that are non-recurring.

Below is a reconciliation from the net income (loss) attributable to owners of the Company to Adjusted EBITDAX:

IFRS Income (Loss) Attributable to Owners of Sundance Reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDAX
   Three Months Ended September 30,    Nine Months Ended September 30,
Unaudited (US$000s)  2018    2017    2018    2017
Loss attributable to owners of Sundance $ (19,276 )   $ (6,018 )   $ (92,867 )   $ (11,764 )
Income tax expense         333       7,610       1,427  
Finance costs, net of amounts capitalized (1)   6,591       3,438       17,370       9,417  
Loss on debt extinguishment               2,428        
Loss (gain) on derivative financial instruments, net   28,608       5,524       51,788       (5,293 )
Settlement of commodity hedging   (4,775 )     (20 )     (8,669 )     (483 )
Depreciation and amortization   17,228       16,591       44,441       45,007  
Impairment expense   1,889       120       23,782       149  
Noncash share-based compensation   159       502       345       1,563  
Acquisition-related costs included in general and administrative expenses(2)               12,377        
Loss on sale of noncurrent assets                      
Gain on foreign currency derivatives               (6,838 )      
Other income, net   2       (980 )     127       2,016  
Adjusted EBITDAX $ 30,426     $ 19,490     $ 51,894     $ 42,039  
                               

(1) The three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 also includes realized and unrealized gains/loss on interest rate swaps.
(2) Professional fees included in general and administrative expense related to the Company’s Eagle Ford acquisition, which closed April 23, 2018.

The Company reports under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).  All amounts are reported in US dollars unless otherwise noted. 

The Company’s full Unaudited Activities Report as filed with the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 6-K for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2018 can be found at www.sundanceenergy.net

The Company’s 2017 Annual Report as filed with the ASX and Form 20-F as filed with the SEC can be found at www.sundanceenergy.net.

About Sundance Energy Australia Limited

Sundance Energy Australia Limited (“Sundance” or the “Company”) is an Australian-based, independent energy exploration company, with a wholly owned US subsidiary, Sundance Energy Inc., located in Denver, Colorado, USA. The Company is focused on the acquisition and development of large, repeatable oil and natural gas resource plays in North America. Current activities are focused in the Eagle Ford.  A comprehensive overview of the Company can be found on Sundance’s website at www.sundanceenergy.net

Summary Information

The following disclaimer applies to this document and any information contained in it. The information in this release is of general background and does not purport to be complete. It should be read in conjunction with Sundance’s periodic and continuous disclosure announcements lodged with ASX Limited that are available at www.asx.com.au and Sundance’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission available at www.sec.gov

Forward Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements relate to the Company’s expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. These statements can be identified by the use of words like “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “plan”, “project”, “will”, “should”, “seek” and similar words or expressions containing same.

These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s views and assumptions with respect to future events as of the date of this release and are subject to a variety of unpredictable risks, uncertainties, and other unknowns. Actual and future results and trends could differ materially from those set forth in such statements due to various factors, many of which are beyond our ability to control or predict. These include, but are not limited to, risks or uncertainties associated with the discovery and development of oil and natural gas reserves, cash flows and liquidity, business and financial strategy, budget, projections and operating results, oil and natural gas prices, amount, nature and timing of capital expenditures, including future development costs, availability and terms of capital and general economic and business conditions. Given these uncertainties, no one should place undue reliance on any forward looking statements attributable to Sundance, or any of its affiliates or persons acting on its behalf.  Although every effort has been made to ensure this release sets forth a fair and accurate view, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For more information, please contact:
United States:
John Roberts
VP Finance & Investor Relations
Tel: +1 (720) 638-2400
  Eric McCrady
CEO and Managing Director
Tel: +1 (303) 543-5703
     
Australia:
Mike Hannell
Chairman
Tel: +61 8 8363 0388