Exhibit 99.1 For Information Mark A. Hellerstein Robert T. Hanley ST. MARY REPORTS EARNINGS FOR FIRST QUARTER 2002 ------------------------------------------------- DENVER, May 8, 2002- St. Mary Land & Exploration Company (Nasdaq: MARY) today announced its earnings for first quarter 2002 of $2.3 million or 8 cents per basic share, which reflects lower oil and gas prices as compared to the first quarter 2001. First quarter 2001 earnings were $20.4 million or 72 cents per basic share. Revenues for the first quarter of 2002 were $42.8 million compared to $68.3 million for the first quarter of 2001. First quarter Discretionary Cash Flow, which is net income plus depreciation, depletion, amortization, impairments, deferred taxes, exploration expense and unrealized derivative loss, decreased from $47.3 million in the first quarter of 2001 to $24.3 million in the first quarter of 2002. Daily oil and gas production during the first quarter 2002 averaged 153.2 million cubic feet of gas equivalent (MMCFE), up from 147.3 MMCFE in the comparable 2001 period. Average prices realized during the quarter were $2.58 per MCF and $23.37 per barrel, 53% and 8% lower, respectively, than the realized prices in the first quarter of 2001. The Company's forecasts for the second quarter and the full year 2002 are as follows: 2nd Quarter Year Oil and Gas Production 13.5-14.5 BCFE 57 - 59 BCFE Lease operating expenses, including production taxes and transportation $.95-$1.05/MCFE $.95-$1.05/MCFE General & administrative expense $.20-$.24/MCFE $.20-$.24/MCFE Depreciation, depletion & amort. $.95-$1.05/MCFE $.95-$1.05/MCFE Current taxes payable is expected to be 5%-10% of total taxes. An operational update for the first quarter 2002 was provided in the Company's April 19, 2002 press release. As previously announced, the St. Mary first quarter earnings teleconference call is scheduled for May 9 at 8:00 am (MDT). The call participation number is 888-424-5231. A digital recording of the conference call will be available two hours after the completion of the call, 24 hours per day until May 19 at 800-642-1687, conference number 4001670. International participants can dial 706-634-6088 to take part in the conference call, and can access a replay of the call at 706-645-9291, conference number 4001670. In addition the call will be broadcast live online at www.stmaryland.com. An audio recording of the conference call will be available at that site through May 19. This release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of securities laws, including forecasts and projections for future periods. The words "will," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," and "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, which may cause St. Mary's actual results to differ materially from results expressed or implied by the forward looking statements. These risks include such factors as the volatility and level of oil and natural gas prices, production rates and reserve replacement, reserve estimates, drilling and operating service availability and uncertainties in cash flow, the financial strength of hedge contract counterparties, the availability of attractive exploration and development and property acquisition opportunities and any necessary financing, expected acquisition benefits, competition, litigation, environmental matters, the potential impact of government regulations, and other such matters discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of St. Mary's 2001 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. Although St. Mary may from time to time voluntarily update its prior forward looking statements, it disclaims any commitment to do so except as required by securities laws. PR-02-09 ### Financial Highlights Follow ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Three Months Ended March 31, ----------------------- % 2002 2001 Change ----------------------- (Unaudited in thousands, except per share) Revenues: Oil and gas production $41,093 $67,915 Other 1,680 432 ---------------------- 42,773 68,347 ---------------------- Operating Expenses: Oil and gas production costs 14,030 12,057 Depletion, depreciation & amortization 13,054 11,288 Exploration 6,916 8,362 Impairment and abandonment 697 637 General and administrative 3,141 4,021 Unrealized derivative loss 352 - Minority interest and other 801 261 --------------------- 38,991 36,626 --------------------- Income from operations 3,782 31,721 Interest income 110 188 Interest expense (452) (35 --------------------- Income before income tax expense 3,440 31,874 Income tax expense - current 197 4,814 Income tax expense - deferred 925 6,667 --------------------- Net income $2,318 $20,393 ===================== Basic weighted average shares outstanding 27,786 28,236 ===================== Basic earnings per common share: $0.08 $0.72 ===================== Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 28,294 28,932 ===================== Diluted earnings per common share: $0.08 $0.71 ===================== Average price: Oil $23.37 $25.54 -8% Gas $2.58 $5.45 -53% Margin analysis per MCFE: Net realized price $2.98 $5.12 -42% Oil and gas production costs $1.02 $0.91 12% General and administrative costs $0.23 $0.30 -25% --------------------- Operating margin $1.74 $3.91 -56% --------------------- Depletion, depreciation & amortization $0.95 $0.85 11% Production (in thousands): Oil (Bbls) 705 608 16% Gas (MCF) 9,555 9,609 -1% MCFE (6:1) 13,785 13,257 4% Mar 31, Dec 31, BALANCE SHEET 2002 2001 ---------------------- Working Capital $76,600 $34,000 Long-term debt 119,530 64,000 Stockholders' equity 289,006 286,117 Shares outstanding 27,808 27,770 Dec 31, PROVEN RESERVES (in thousands): 2001 ----------- Domestic: Oil (Bbls) 23,669 Gas (MCF) 241,231 ----------- ----------- MCFE (6:1) 383,247 ===========