Exhibit 99.1


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


SM ENERGY REPORTS RESULTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2015;
ANNOUNCES AGREEMENTS TO DIVEST MID-CONTINENT ASSETS;
INCREASES PRODUCTION GUIDANCE ON RETAINED PROPERTIES


•
Quarterly GAAP net loss of $53.1 million, or $0.79 per diluted share; adjusted quarterly net income of $14.4 million, or $0.21 per diluted share.

•
Quarterly adjusted EBITDAX of $311.9 million; quarterly GAAP cash provided by operating activities of $283.9 million.

•
Entry into agreements to sell remaining Mid-Continent assets for approximately $324 million with closings expected in the second quarter of 2015.

•
SM Energy is maintaining its production guidance range of 60.4 - 63.5 MMBOE for 2015 despite the expected divestiture of Mid-Continent properties due to strong Eagle Ford program performance.



DENVER, CO May 5, 2015 - SM Energy Company (NYSE: SM) announces its financial results for the first quarter of 2015 and provides an operations update. In addition, a new presentation concerning the Company's first quarter earnings and operations update will be posted on the Company's website at www.sm-energy.com. This presentation will be referenced during the conference call scheduled for 8:00 a.m. Mountain Time (10:00 a.m. Eastern Time) on May 6, 2015. Information for the call can be found below.


MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY

Jay Ottoson, President and CEO, remarked, "SM Energy had a strong start to the year with our core development assets performing better than we had expected. As a result, we are able to keep our full year production guidance flat despite the fact that we plan to close on the sale of our Mid-Continent assets by mid-year. We believe this divestiture will allow us to exit the year with a stronger balance sheet and more liquidity than we originally forecast. Our focus in 2015 is to generate differential value for our shareholders by proving up additional economic drilling inventory in our core development assets."



FIRST QUARTER 2015 RESULTS



SM Energy reported a net loss for the first quarter of 2015 of $53.1 million, or $0.79 per diluted share. This compares to net income of $65.6 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, for the same period of 2014.

Adjusted net income for the first quarter of 2015 was $14.4 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $107.6 million, or $1.58 per diluted share, for the same period of 2014. Adjusted net income excludes certain items that the Company believes affect the comparability of operating results and are generally items whose timing and/or amount cannot be reasonably estimated.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, accretion, and exploration expense ("adjusted EBITDAX") was $311.9 million for the first quarter of 2015, compared to adjusted EBITDAX of $398.9 million for the same period of 2014.

Adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDAX are non-GAAP financial measures. Please refer to the respective reconciliations in the Financial Highlights section at the end of this release for additional information about these measures.

Total operating revenues for the first quarter of 2015 were $365.9 million, compared to $632.7 million for the same period of 2014. The table below provides the average realized prices received by product, as well as the adjusted prices received after taking into account settlements for derivative transactions:

Average Realized Commodity Prices for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
Before the effect of derivative settlements
 
After the effect of derivative settlements
 
 
 
 
Oil ($/Bbl)
$
38.56

 
$
58.89

Gas ($/Mcf)
$
2.76

 
$
3.51

Natural gas liquids ($/Bbl)
$
16.67

 
$
22.00

Equivalent ($/BOE)
$
23.44

 
$
33.05





















The table below presents key performance measures and metrics for the first quarter of 2015:



Production
Reported
 
 
Average daily production (MBOE/d)
186.4
Total production (MMBOE)
16.78
 
 
Costs
 
LOE ($/BOE)
$3.96
Ad Valorem ($/BOE)
$0.52
Transportation ($/BOE)
$6.08
Production taxes (% of pre-derivative oil, gas, and NGL revenue)
4.8%
 
 
G&A - Cash ($/BOE)
$2.34
G&A - Non-cash ($/BOE)
$0.26
Total G&A ($/BOE)
$2.60
 
 
DD&A ($/BOE)
$12.96

The Company set a new quarterly production record, with reported average daily production increasing sequentially from the prior quarter by 6%, driven by strong performance in all of the Company's areas of operation. In the first quarter of 2015, SM Energy's reported production mix was 31% oil/condensate, 23% NGLs, and 46% natural gas.


MID-CONTINENT DIVESTITURE

SM Energy has entered into two agreements to divest its assets in the Arkoma Basin of Oklahoma and in the ArkLaTex area of east Texas and northern Louisiana for a total purchase price of approximately $324 million. The transactions are expected to close in the second quarter of 2015 and are subject to customary closing conditions and adjustments. RBC Richardson Barr served as an advisor to SM Energy in these transactions.


CAPITAL, OPERATIONS, AND GUIDANCE UPDATE

Capital Expenditures
SM Energy is maintaining its previously issued capital expenditure guidance for 2015 of $1.2 billion. The Company's pace of activity through the first quarter is consistent with its previously issued guidance. Service cost deflation of 15% to 20% was assumed in the initial budget and current costs are in-line with these assumptions.

Eagle Ford Shale
During the first quarter, SM Energy made 25 flowing completions in its operated Eagle Ford shale program. The Company's operated net production in the Eagle Ford shale averaged 98.1 MBOE per day in the first quarter of 2015, a 5% sequential increase from the prior quarter and a 29% increase over the first quarter of 2014. The Company is currently operating five drilling rigs in this program and expects to drop to a four rig program by the end of the second quarter of 2015.

In the non-operated portion of the Company's Eagle Ford shale program, net production for the first quarter of 2015 averaged 36.1 MBOE per day, a 12% sequential increase over the fourth


quarter of 2014 production of 32.2 MBOE per day and a 54% increase over the first quarter of 2014. The operator made approximately 96 flowing completions during the first quarter.

Bakken / Three Forks
In the first quarter of 2015, SM Energy's average daily production for its Bakken/Three Forks program was 23.3 MBOE per day. Average daily production for the quarter was flat compared to the fourth quarter of 2014 due to declines in the non-operated portion of the program and increased 45% from the first quarter of 2014. During the first quarter, the Company made 13 gross flowing completions in its operated Bakken/Three Forks program. The Company is currently operating four rigs in the basin.

Production and Performance Guidance
Despite the planned divestiture of its Mid-Continent properties, SM Energy is maintaining its production guidance range of 60.4 to 63.5 MMBOE. The Mid-Continent properties averaged 11.1 MBOE per day in the first quarter of 2015. The increase in the production forecast for retained properties is being driven largely by stronger performance in the Company's Eagle Ford program.

The following table presents updated production and performance guidance for full year 2015:

Revised Guidance for 2015
 
 
FY2015
Production (MMBOE)
60.4 - 63.5
Average daily production (MBOE/d)
165 - 174
 
 
LOE ($/BOE)
$4.40 - $4.65
Ad Valorem ($/BOE)
$0.50 - $0.55
Transportation ($/BOE)
$6.25 - $6.55
Production taxes (% of pre-derivative oil, gas, and NGL revenue)
4.5% - 5.0%
 
 
G&A - Cash ($/BOE)
$2.50 - $2.80
G&A - Non-cash ($/BOE)
$0.30 - $0.40
Total G&A ($/BOE)
$2.80 - $3.20
 
 
DD&A ($/BOE)
$12.75 - $13.50
 
 
Effective income tax rate range
36.3% - 37.5%
% of income tax that is current
n/m





FINANCIAL POSITION AND LIQUIDITY



As of March 31, 2015, the Company's debt to twelve month trailing adjusted EBITDAX was 1.7 times. The Company had outstanding borrowings of approximately $2.6 billion, which were comprised of $2.2 billion in long-term notes and the remainder was drawn on the Company's senior secured revolving credit facility. On April 6, 2015, the Company's borrowing base under its senior secured revolving credit facility was reaffirmed by its lenders at $2.4 billion following its regularly scheduled semi-annual redetermination.

Assuming receipt of the expected divestiture proceeds from the above mentioned Mid-Continent divestiture and based on current strip pricing, SM Energy expects to exit 2015 with a debt to trailing adjusted EBITDAX ratio of 2.3 times.

EARNINGS CALL INFORMATION

The Company has scheduled a teleconference to discuss these results and other operational matters on May 6, 2015, at 8:00 a.m. Mountain time (10:00 a.m. Eastern time). Conference dial-in information is included below. A telephonic replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the call through May 19, 2015.
Call Type
 
Phone Number
 
Conference ID
Domestic Participant
 
877-303-1292
 
27553904
Domestic Replay
 
855-859-2056
 
27553904
International Participant
 
315-625-3086
 
27553904
International Replay
 
404-537-3406
 
27553904

This call is being webcast live and can be accessed at SM Energy Company's website at www.sm-energy.com. An audio recording of the conference call will be available at that site through May 19, 2015.



INFORMATION ABOUT FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of securities laws, including forecasts and projections. The words “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “budget,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “will” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, which may cause SM Energy's actual results to differ materially from results expressed or implied by the forward looking statements. These risks include factors such as the availability, proximity and capacity of gathering, processing and transportation facilities; the uncertainty of negotiations to result in an agreement or a completed transaction; the uncertain nature of announced acquisition, divestiture, joint venture, farm down or similar efforts and the ability to complete any such transactions; the uncertain nature of expected benefits from the actual or expected acquisition, divestiture, joint venture, farm down or similar efforts; the volatility and level of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids prices; uncertainties inherent in projecting future rates of production from drilling activities and acquisitions; the imprecise nature of estimating oil and gas reserves; the availability of additional economically attractive exploration, development, and acquisition opportunities for future growth and any necessary financings; unexpected drilling conditions and results; unsuccessful exploration and development drilling results; the availability of drilling, completion, and operating equipment and services; the risks associated with the Company's commodity price risk management strategy; uncertainty regarding the ultimate impact of potentially dilutive securities; and other such matters discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of SM Energy's 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as such risk factors may be updated from time to time in the Company's other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward looking statements contained herein speak as of the date of this announcement. Although SM Energy 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.


ABOUT THE COMPANY

SM Energy Company is an independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in onshore North America. SM Energy routinely posts important information about the Company on its website. For more information about SM Energy, please visit its website at
www.sm-energy.com.

SM ENERGY CONTACTS:

MEDIA:
Patty Errico, perrico@sm-energy.com, 303-830-5052

INVESTORS:
James Edwards, ir@sm-energy.com, 303-837-2444
Brent Collins, ir@sm-energy.com, 303-863-4326







SM ENERGY COMPANY
 
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (unaudited)
 
March 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production Data
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
Percent Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average realized sales price, before the effects of
 
 
 
 
 
 
derivative settlements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil (per Bbl)
$
38.56

 
$
88.96

 
(57)%
 
Gas (per Mcf)
2.76

 
5.22

 
(47)%
 
NGL (per Bbl)
16.67

 
38.79

 
(57)%
 
Equivalent (per BOE)
$
23.44

 
$
49.96

 
(53)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average realized sales price, including the effects of
 
 
 
 
 
 
derivative settlements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil (per Bbl)
$
58.89

 
$
87.11

 
(32)%
 
Gas (per Mcf)
3.51

 
4.84

 
(27)%
 
NGL (per Bbl)
22.00

 
35.76

 
(38)%
 
Equivalent (per BOE)
$
33.05

 
$
47.64

 
(31)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net production volumes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil (MMBbls)
5.22
 
3.66
 
43%
 
Gas (Bcf)
45.93
 
35.54
 
29%
 
NGL (MMBbls)
3.90

 
2.89

 
35%
 
MMBOE
16.78
 
12.47
 
35%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average net daily production:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil (MBbls per day)
58.1

 
40.6

 
43%
 
Gas (MMcf per day)
510.3

 
394.9

 
29%
 
NGL (MBbls per day)
43.3

 
32.1

 
35%
 
MBOE (per day)
186.4

 
138.6

 
35%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Per BOE Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized price before the effects of derivative settlements
$
23.44

 
$
49.96

 
(53)%
 
Lease operating expense
3.96

 
4.07

 
(3)%
 
Ad valorem
0.52

 
0.51

 
2%
 
Transportation costs
6.08

 
6.35

 
(4)%
 
Production taxes
1.12

 
2.20

 
(49)%
 
General and administrative
2.60

 
2.81

 
(7)%
 
Operating profit, before the effects of derivative settlements
9.16

 
34.02

 
(73)%
 
Derivative settlements
9.61

 
(2.32
)
 
514%
 
Operating profit, including the effects of derivative settlements
$
18.77

 
$
31.70

 
(41)%
 
Depletion, depreciation, amortization, and
 
 
 
 
 
 
asset retirement obligation liability accretion
$
12.96

 
$
14.21

 
(9)%
 



SM ENERGY COMPANY
 
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (unaudited)
 
March 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
 
 
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
Operating revenues:
 
 
 
 
Oil, gas, and NGL production revenue
$
393,315

 
$
623,109

 
Gain (loss) on divestiture activity
(35,802
)
 
2,958

 
Other operating revenues
8,421

 
6,653

 
Total operating revenues and other income
365,934

 
632,720

 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
Oil, gas, and NGL production expense
196,151

 
163,709

 
Depletion, depreciation, amortization, and asset retirement obligation liability accretion
217,401

 
177,215

 
Exploration
37,407

 
21,335

 
Impairment of proved properties
55,526

 
—

 
Abandonment and impairment of unproved properties
11,627

 
2,801

 
General and administrative
43,639

 
35,051

 
Change in Net Profits Plan liability
(4,334
)
 
(1,776
)
 
Derivative (gain) loss
(154,167
)
 
97,662

 
Other operating expenses
17,119

 
8,089

 
Total operating expenses
420,369

 
504,086

 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from operations
(54,435
)
 
128,634

 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-operating income (expense):
 
 
 
 
Other, net
571

 
26

 
Interest expense
(32,647
)
 
(24,190
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
(86,511
)
 
104,470

 
Income tax (expense) benefit
33,453

 
(38,863
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(53,058
)
 
$
65,607

 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding
67,463

 
67,056

 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding
67,463

 
68,126

 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic net income (loss) per common share
$
(0.79
)
 
$
0.98

 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted net income (loss) per common share
$
(0.79
)
 
$
0.96

 


SM ENERGY COMPANY
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (unaudited)
March 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
(in thousands, except share amounts)
March 31,
 
December 31,
 ASSETS
2015
 
2014
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
22

 
$
120

Accounts receivable
270,841

 
322,630

Derivative asset
380,633

 
402,668

Prepaid expenses and other
18,147

 
19,625

Total current assets
669,643

 
745,043

 
 
 
 
Property and equipment (successful efforts method):
 
 
 
Proved oil and gas properties
7,006,832

 
7,348,436

Less - accumulated depletion, depreciation, and amortization
(2,865,627
)
 
(3,233,012
)
Unproved oil and gas properties
512,461

 
532,498

Wells in progress
459,806

 
503,734

Oil, gas, and other property and equipment held for sale net of accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization of $580,637 and $22,482, respectively
184,951

 
17,891

Other property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $35,590 and $37,079, respectively
344,670

 
334,356

Total property and equipment, net
5,643,093

 
5,503,903

 
 
 
 
Noncurrent assets:
 
 
 
Derivative asset
204,841

 
189,540

Other noncurrent assets
83,109

 
78,214

Total other noncurrent assets
287,950

 
267,754

Total Assets
$
6,600,686

 
$
6,516,700

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$
561,051

 
$
640,684

Deferred tax liability
135,204

 
142,976

Other current liabilities
—

 
1,000

Total current liabilities
696,255

 
784,660

 
 
 
 
Noncurrent liabilities:
 
 
 
Revolving credit facility
416,500

 
166,000

Senior Notes
2,200,000

 
2,200,000

Asset retirement obligation
108,815

 
120,429

Asset retirement obligation associated with oil and gas properties held for sale
14,286

 
438

Net Profits Plan liability
22,802

 
27,136

Deferred income taxes
865,726

 
891,681

Derivative liability
398

 
70

Other noncurrent liabilities
39,676

 
39,631

Total noncurrent liabilities
3,668,203

 
3,445,385

 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value - authorized: 200,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 67,464,185 and 67,463,060, respectively
675

 
675

Additional paid-in capital
289,294

 
283,295

Retained earnings
1,957,747

 
2,013,997

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(11,488
)
 
(11,312
)
Total stockholders’ equity
2,236,228

 
2,286,655

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
$
6,600,686

 
$
6,516,700




 
 
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (unaudited)
 
March 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(53,058
)
 
$
65,607

 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
(Gain) loss on divestiture activity
35,802

 
(2,958
)
 
Depletion, depreciation, amortization, and asset retirement obligation liability accretion
217,401

 
177,215

 
Exploratory dry hole expense
16,275

 
—

 
Impairment of proved properties
55,526

 
—

 
Abandonment and impairment of unproved properties
11,627

 
2,801

 
Stock-based compensation expense
6,024

 
6,344

 
Change in Net Profits Plan liability
(4,334
)
 
(1,776
)
 
Derivative (gain) loss
(154,167
)
 
97,662

 
Derivative cash settlements
160,133

 
(28,940
)
 
Amortization of deferred financing costs
1,957

 
1,477

 
Deferred income taxes
(33,727
)
 
38,374

 
Plugging and abandonment
(2,425
)
 
(1,325
)
 
Other, net
1,496

 
(3,103
)
 
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
69,527

 
9,347

 
Prepaid expenses and other
1,281

 
885

 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
(45,416
)
 
(61,882
)
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
283,922

 
299,728

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
Net proceeds from sale of oil and gas properties
21,573

 
1,979

 
Capital expenditures
(544,965
)
 
(351,934
)
 
Acquisition of proved and unproved oil and gas properties
(10,069
)
 
195

 
Other, net
(997
)
 
4,227

 
Net cash used in investing activities
(534,458
)
 
(345,533
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from credit facility
560,000

 
—

 
Repayment of credit facility
(309,500
)
 
—

 
Other, net
(62
)
 
(8
)
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
250,438

 
(8
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(98
)
 
(45,813
)
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
120

 
282,248

 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
22

 
$
236,435

 



SM ENERGY COMPANY
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (unaudited)
March 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted Net Income
 
 
 
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation of net income (loss) (GAAP)
 
 
 
 
to adjusted net income (Non-GAAP):
 
 
 
 
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reported net income (loss) (GAAP)
$
(53,058
)
 
$
65,607

 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjustments net of tax: (1)
 
 
 
 
Change in Net Profits Plan liability
(2,730
)
 
(1,115
)
 
Derivative (gain) loss
(97,125
)
 
61,332

 
Derivative settlement gain (loss) (2)
101,574

 
(18,174
)
 
(Gain) loss on divestiture activity
22,555

 
(1,858
)
 
Impairment of proved properties
34,981

 
—

 
Abandonment and impairment of unproved properties
7,325

 
1,759

 
Other, net (3)
914

 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP) (4)
$
14,436

 
$
107,551

 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding: (5)
67,915

 
68,126

 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income per diluted common share:
$
0.21

 
$
1.58

 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, adjustments are shown net of tax and are calculated using tax rates of 37.0% and 37.2%, respectively, which approximates the Company's statutory tax rate for the respective period, as adjusted for ordinary permanent differences.
 
(2) Derivative settlement gain (loss) is reported net of the change in accrued settlements between periods in the derivative cash settlements line item on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows within net cash provided by operating activities.
 
(3) For the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, the adjustment is related to the impairment of materials inventory, which is included in other operating expenses on the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations.
 
(4) Adjusted net income excludes certain items that the Company believes affect the comparability of operating results and generally are items whose timing and/or amount cannot be reasonably estimated. These items include non-cash adjustments and impairments such as the change in the Net Profits Plan liability, derivative (gain) loss net of derivative settlements, impairment of properties, and (gain) loss on divestiture activity. The non-GAAP measure of adjusted net income is presented because management believes it provides useful additional information to investors for analysis of SM Energy's fundamental business on a recurring basis. In addition, management believes that adjusted net income is widely used by professional research analysts and others in the valuation, comparison, and investment recommendations of companies in the oil and gas exploration and production industry and many investors use the published research of industry research analysts in making investment decisions. Adjusted net income should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income (loss), income (loss) from operations, cash provided by operating activities or other income, profitability, cash flow, or liquidity measures prepared under GAAP. Since adjusted net income excludes some, but not all, items that affect net income and may vary among companies, the adjusted net income amounts presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
 
(5) For periods where the Company reports a GAAP net loss, the diluted weighted average share count is calculated using potentially dilutive securities related to unvested Restricted Stock Units and contingent Performance Share Units. On a GAAP basis, these items are not treated as dilutive securities in periods where the Company reports a GAAP loss for the quarter.
 



SM ENERGY COMPANY
 
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (unaudited)
 
March 31, 2015
 
Adjusted EBITDAX (3)
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation of net income (loss) (GAAP) to adjusted EBITDAX (Non-GAAP) to net cash provided by operating activities (GAAP)
 
 
 
 
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
Net income (loss) (GAAP)
$
(53,058
)
 
$
65,607

 
Interest expense
32,647

 
24,190

 
Other non-operating income, net
(571
)
 
(26
)
 
Income tax expense (benefit)
(33,453
)
 
38,863

 
Depreciation, depletion, amortization, and asset retirement obligation liability accretion
217,401

 
177,215

 
Exploration (1)
35,732

 
19,938

 
Impairment of proved properties
55,526

 
—

 
Abandonment and impairment of unproved properties
11,627

 
2,801

 
Stock-based compensation expense
6,024

 
6,344

 
Derivative (gain) loss
(154,167
)
 
97,662

 
Derivative settlement gain (loss) (2)
161,229

 
(28,940
)
 
Change in Net Profits Plan liability
(4,334
)
 
(1,776
)
 
(Gain) loss on divestiture activity
35,802

 
(2,958
)
 
Other, net
1,450

 
—

 
Adjusted EBITDAX (Non-GAAP)
311,855

 
398,920

 
Interest expense
(32,647
)
 
(24,190
)
 
Other non-operating income, net
571

 
26

 
Income tax benefit (expense)
33,453

 
(38,863
)
 
Exploration (1)
(35,732
)
 
(19,938
)
 
Exploratory dry hole expense
16,275

 
—

 
Amortization of deferred financing costs
1,957

 
1,477

 
Deferred income taxes
(33,727
)
 
38,374

 
Plugging and abandonment
(2,425
)
 
(1,325
)
 
Other, net
46

 
(3,103
)
 
Changes in current assets and liabilities
24,296

 
(51,650
)
 
Net cash provided by operating activities (GAAP)
$
283,922

 
$
299,728

 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Stock-based compensation expense is a component of exploration expense and general and administrative expense on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. Therefore, the exploration line items shown in the reconciliation above will vary from the amount shown on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations because of the component of stock-based compensation expense recorded to exploration.
 
(2) Derivative settlement gain (loss) is reported net of the change in accrued settlements between periods in the derivative cash settlements line item on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows within net cash provided by operating activities.
 
(3) Adjusted EBITDAX represents income (loss) before interest expense, other non-operating (income) expense, income taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, and accretion, exploration expense, property impairments, non-cash stock compensation expense, derivative gains and losses net of settlements, change in the Net Profits Plan liability, and gains and losses on divestitures. Adjusted EBITDAX excludes certain items that the Company believes affect the comparability of operating results and can exclude items that are generally one-time in nature or whose timing and/or amount cannot be reasonably estimated. Adjusted EBITDAX is a non-GAAP measure that is presented because the Company believes that it provides useful additional information to investors and analysts, as a performance measure, for analysis of the Company's ability to internally generate funds for exploration, development, acquisitions, and to service debt. The Company is also subject to a financial covenant under its credit facility based on its debt to adjusted EBITDAX ratio. In addition, adjusted EBITDAX is widely used by professional research analysts and others in the valuation, comparison, and investment recommendations of companies in the oil and gas exploration and production industry, and many investors use the published research of industry research analysts in making investment decisions. Adjusted EBITDAX should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income (loss), income (loss) from operations, net cash provided by operating activities, or profitability or liquidity measures prepared under GAAP. Because adjusted EBITDAX excludes some, but not all items that affect net income and may vary among companies, the adjusted EBITDAX amounts presented may not be comparable to similar metrics of other companies.