Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO            NEWS RELEASE
   Contacts:
     Manuel Mondragon, Assistant Vice President of Finance
     investorrelations@wtoffshore.com
     713-297-8024
     Ken Dennard / ksdennard@drg-e.com
     Lisa Elliott / lelliott@drg-e.com
     DRG&E / 713-529-6600

 

W&T OFFSHORE REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2005 FINANCIAL

AND OPERATIONAL RESULTS

 

Provides Guidance for Full Year 2005

 

HOUSTON — November 10, 2005— W&T Offshore, Inc. (NYSE: WTI) today announced financial and operational results for the third quarter 2005.

 

    Net income increased 40% over third quarter 2004, and 16% over second quarter 2005

 

    100% successful in drilling three exploration wells and two development wells during the third quarter of 2005

 

    83% drilling success year to date – 15 of 18 in exploration drilling and 5 of 6 in development drilling

 

“We are pleased to have achieved this solid growth, both on a year over year basis as well as sequentially, despite the dramatic disruption of this year’s hurricanes,” said Tracy W. Krohn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Our accomplishments this quarter are testimony to our ability to generate increasing cash flow and an attractive return on investment from operations in the Gulf of Mexico.”

 

Net Income: Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2005 was $53.1 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, on revenue of $153.4 million, compared to net income of $38.1 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, on revenue of $120.5 million for the third quarter of 2004. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was $138.2 million, or $2.09 per diluted share, on revenue of $432.3 million, compared to net income of $110.8 million or $1.68 per diluted share, on revenue of $369.9 million for the same period during 2004.

 

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Cash Provided from Operations and EBITDA: Net cash provided by operating activities increased 65% to $145.3 million during the third quarter 2005 from $88.0 million during the prior year’s third quarter. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to the effect of higher commodity prices realized on our production as compared to last year. Third quarter 2005 EBITDA was $126.1 million, compared to $94.9 million during the prior year’s third quarter. Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 increased 32% to $343.9 million from $259.8 million in 2004. EBITDA was $350.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, compared to $293.1 million for the prior year period. Please refer to the attached schedule later in this release for a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA.

 

Production and Prices: Total production in the third quarter of 2005 was 11.5 billion cubic feet (“Bcf”) of natural gas at an average price of $8.64 per thousand cubic feet (“Mcf”) and 1.0 million barrels (“MMBbls”) of oil and liquids at an average price of $54.39 per Bbl, or 17.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent (“Bcfe”) at an average price of $8.79 per Mcfe. This compares to production of 12.6 Bcf of natural gas at an average price of $5.90 per Mcf and 1.2 MMBbls of oil and liquids at an average price of $38.34 per Bbl, or 19.8 Bcfe at an average price of $6.08 per Mcfe in the third quarter of 2004. The Company estimates that approximately 5.3 Bcfe of production was deferred in the third quarter of 2005 due to hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and that approximately 11.7 Bcfe will be deferred in the fourth quarter due to the storms. Without this deferral, we believe we would have met our previously announced guidance for the third quarter 2005 and the full year 2005. There were no hedges in place during the third quarter of 2005 or 2004.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, total production was 37.1 Bcf of natural gas at an average price of $7.31 per Mcf and 3.4 MMBbls of oil and liquids at an average

 

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price of $47.38 per Bbl, or 57.4 Bcfe at an average price of $7.52 per Mcfe. This compares to 40.3 Bcf of natural gas at an average price of $5.92 per Mcf and 3.7 MMBbls of oil and liquids at an average price of $34.99 per Bbl, or 62.7 Bcfe at an average price of $5.89 per Mcfe for the same period in 2004.

 

Lease Operating Expenses (“LOE”): LOE for the third quarter of 2005 increased to $18.2 million, or $1.04 per Mcfe, from $17.1 million, or $0.87 per Mcfe, in the third quarter of 2004. The increase in LOE was due to higher expenses associated with increased interest in one of our properties and some pipeline repair work. The per unit increase reflects the impact of lower production volumes primarily caused by the hurricanes. If third quarter deferred production of 5.3 Bcfe were included in the calculation, the Company’s LOE would have been $0.80/mcfe for the third quarter. Lease operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was $52.3 million, or $0.91 per Mcfe, compared to $53.0 million, or $0.85 per Mcfe in 2004 with the dollar decrease in the 2005 being attributable to lower operating cost at properties acquired in 2003, but offset by higher workover expenses and maintenance projects.

 

Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion (“DD&A”): DD&A increased to $45.6 million, or $2.61 per Mcfe, in the third quarter of 2005 from $36.0 million, or $1.82 per Mcfe, in the same period of 2004. DD&A for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was $138.8 million or $2.42 per Mcfe, compared to DD&A of $121.1 million, or $1.93 per Mcfe, for the same period in 2004 because of the Company’s higher depletable costs associated with our increased drilling activities.

 

Capital Expenditures and Operations Update: During the third quarter of 2005, W&T achieved 100% drilling success in the drilling of three exploration wells and two development wells in the Gulf of Mexico. During the third quarter of 2005, W&T spent $60.9 million for development, $15.1 million for exploration and $6.5 million for other capital items, including acquisitions. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, capital expenditures of $229.6 million included $122.5 million for development activities, $84.8 million for exploration, $22.0 million for acquisition and other leasehold

 

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activity and $0.3 million for other capital items. These expenditures do not include any amount of capitalized salaries or capitalized interest but do include dry hole costs of $11.3 million.

 

Of the drilling, completion and facilities expenditures budgeted for 2005, this year the Company has spent $82.8 million in the deepwater, $22.6 million on the deep shelf and $101.9 million on the conventional shelf and onshore projects. Additionally, W&T has spent $10.6 million on expensed workovers and major maintenance projects and $13.6 million for plug and abandonment expenses.

 

Drilling Highlights: W&T continues to have success with its exploration and development program. The Company achieved 100% success in drilling three exploration wells and two development wells during the third quarter. Nine successful wells and one unsuccessful well have been drilled since the end of the second quarter.

 

Field Name/Well


 

Category


  Working Interest  %

   

Drilled in 3rd Quarter

           

Eugene Island 349 B-13ST

  Development     29.0%    

Ewing Bank 989

  Exploration   100.0%    

High Island A443 A-5ST

  Exploration     92.0%    

Main Pass 185

  Exploration     33.3%    

Ship Shoal 359 A-12

  Development     59.0%    

Drilled after 3rd Quarter

           

Eugene Island 107 A-3

  Development     25.0%    

High Island A443 A-2ST

  Exploration     84.0%    

Western Gulf Area Well

  Exploration     50.0%    

Ship Shoal 177 A-4ST

  Development     75.0%    

 

One development well was unsuccessful, as follows:

 

Field Name/Well


 

Category


  Working Interest  %

   

Drilled after 3rd Quarter

           

High Island A572 C-23ST

  Development     4.8%    

 

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The Company plans to have drilled or be actively drilling more than 27 exploration and seven development wells in 2005. W&T believes it will achieve most of its original drilling program for 2005, despite the interruptions caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

 

Lease Sale: At the MMS – OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sale 196, Western Gulf of Mexico, held on August 17, 2005, W&T was the high bidder on Garden Banks Area, Block 152, located in approximately 541 feet of water. Subsequently, the MMS has awarded W&T the lease. The Company’s cost for this lease was $430,000, with W&T owning a 100% working interest.

 

Dividends: On September 30, 2005, the Company’s board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.02 per common share, payable on November 1, 2005 to shareholders of record on October 14, 2005. On August 1, 2005, W&T paid a cash dividend of $0.02 per common share to shareholders of record on July 15, 2005.

 

Hurricane Update: W&T is currently producing approximately 160 million cubic feet of gas equivalent (MMcfe) net per day, which represents 84% of the Company’s pre-Hurricane Rita and 65% pre-Hurricane Katrina production. Currently, the Company still estimates that 20 MMcfe per day additional net production is shut-in at Mississippi Canyon 718 (“Pluto”) because of Hurricane Katrina. The Company expects to defer between 16.5 bcfe and 17.5 bcfe of production in 2005 due to the hurricanes.

 

While several platforms had some damage, only 5 of 104 gross operated platforms had significant physical damage, including East Cameron 338 A and Eugene Island 397 A. Net daily production associated with these platforms prior to the hurricane was 11.6 million cubic feet of natural gas equivalent (MMcfe). The Company anticipates Eugene Island 397A platform will be back online in 60 days, resulting in incremental net daily production of 5.8 MMcfe.

 

W&T expects additional production to return online before the end of the year, as further field repairs are completed and third party processing plants and pipelines are brought back online. Based on the Company’s estimates and those from third party operators, W&T expects its exit rate to be approximately 185 to 195 MMcfe/day at year-end, which represents approximately 78% of pre-Katrina and 100% of pre-Rita production. The Company expects to return to pre-Katrina production levels in second quarter 2006.

 

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W&T does carry insurance for physical damage to producing and drilling wells, platforms and pipelines. The Company has notified its insurance provider and is working with adjusters to process claims from both storms. The insurance program utilizes a self-insured retention of $5 million and insured losses are expected to exceed this figure.

 

Tracy Krohn added, “We have been operating successfully in the Gulf of Mexico for over 20 years and know that managing the impact of hurricanes is part of the process. Although the third quarter of 2005 offered unprecedented challenges, our staff performed exceptionally well and achieved remarkable results. Prior to Katrina we were drilling four wells on properties operated by W&T. Despite having to evacuate twice, immediately following Rita we brought back all of those rigs except for one. Although we lost about two weeks of drilling time, we drilled three exploration and two development wells during the third quarter, all of which were successful. Our drilling program remains on track for the balance of the year.

 

“We have continued to find that the Gulf of Mexico offers an attractive return on our investment and see significant opportunity ahead. Our debt free balance sheet, significant cash position and an un-hedged production profile at a time of record high commodity prices, positions W&T to aggressively pursue our growth strategy as desirable properties become available.”

 

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Outlook: Certain factors affecting these forward-looking statements are listed in this news release. W&T anticipates operating expenses on a Mcfe basis to increase due to lower production because of deferred production and costs incurred to repair damages from the hurricanes. Guidance has been revised to reflect information gathered by the Company and third party sources about the progress of storm repairs. Guidance on performance for the fourth quarter, full year of 2005, and previous full year guidance are shown in the table below.

 

Estimated Production    


   Fourth Quarter

   Estimate for Full-
Year 2005


   Prior Estimate for
Full-Year 2005


Crude oil (MMBbls)

   0.7 – 0.8    4.10 – 4.14    5.2 – 5.5

Natural gas (Bcf)

   7.3 – 7.7    44.5 – 44.9    51.7 – 54.4

Total (Bcfe)

   11.7 – 12.3    69.1 – 69.7    83.1 – 87.4

Expenses ($ in millions,

except as noted)


   Fourth Quarter

   Estimate for Full-
Year 2005


   Prior Estimate for
Full-Year 2005


Lease operating expenses

   $21.2 – $23.2    $73.5 – $75.5    $75.0 – $78.0

Gathering, transportation & production taxes

   $1.8 – $2.3    $12.0 – $12.5    $15.0 – $16.0

General and administrative

   $8.8 – $10.8    $28.0 – $30.0    $26.0 – $30.0

 

Depending on how quickly the Company is able to get production back online in the 1st quarter 2006, it expects to produce approximately 85.0 to 90.0 Bcfe in full year 2006.

 

Conference Call Information: W&T will hold a conference call to discuss financial and operational results on Thursday, November 10, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time / 9:00 a.m. Central Time. To participate, dial (303) 262-2137 a few minutes before the call begins. The call will also be broadcast live over the Internet from the Company’s website at www.wtoffshore.com. A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the end of the call until Thursday, November 17, 2005, and may be accessed by calling (303) 590-3000 and using the pass code 11042777.

 

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About W&T Offshore

 

Founded in 1983, W&T Offshore is an independent oil and natural gas company focused primarily in the Gulf of Mexico, including exploration in the deepwater, where it has developed significant technical expertise. W&T has grown through acquisition, exploitation and exploration and now holds working interests in over 100 fields in federal and state waters and a majority of its daily production is derived from wells it operates. For more information on W&T Offshore, please visit its Web site at www.wtoffshore.com

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains 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. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events, based on what we believe are reasonable assumptions. No assurance can be given, however, that these events will occur. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially including, among other things, market conditions, oil and gas price volatility, uncertainties inherent in oil and gas production operations and estimating reserves, unexpected future capital expenditures, competition, the success of our risk management activities, governmental regulations and other factors discussed in our Annual Report on 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 (www.sec.gov).

 

- Tables to Follow -

 

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W&T OFFSHORE, INC.

 

Consolidated Statements of Income

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
Sept. 30


    Nine Months Ended
Sept. 30


 
     2005

   2004

    2005

   2004

 

Revenues:

                              

Oil and natural gas

   $ 153,355    $ 120,381     $ 431,744    $ 368,908  

Other

     70      153       532      952  
    

  


 

  


Total revenues

     153,426      120,534       432,276      369,860  

Expenses:

                              

Lease operating

     18,226      17,147       52,253      52,956  

Gathering, transportation costs and production taxes

     2,551      3,907       10,186      10,465  

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization

     43,403      33,663       131,967      114,299  

Asset retirement obligation accretion

     2,203      2,345       6,829      6,830  

General and administrative

     6,524      4,552       19,187      13,316  
    

  


 

  


Total operating expenses

     72,907      61,613       220,423      197,867  

Income from operations

     80,518      58,921       211,854      171,993  

Net interest income (expense)

     581      (378 )     468      (1,524 )
    

  


 

  


Income before income taxes

     81,100      58,543       212,321      170,468  

Income tax expense

     27,997      20,489       74,156      59,664  
    

  


 

  


Net income

     53,103      38,054       138,165      110,805  

Less: Preferred stock dividends

     —        300       —        600  
    

  


 

  


Net income applicable to common and common equivalent shares

   $ 53,103    $ 37,754     $ 138,165    $ 110,205  
    

  


 

  


Earnings per common share:

                              

Basic

   $ 0.80    $ 0.72     $ 2.14    $ 2.10  
    

  


 

  


Diluted

   $ 0.80    $ 0.58     $ 2.09    $ 1.68  
    

  


 

  


Weighted average shares outstanding:

                              

Basic

     65,970      52,612       64,649      52,601  
    

  


 

  


Diluted

     65,970      65,950       65,968      65,939  
    

  


 

  


Consolidated Cash Flow Information

                              

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 145,342    $ 88,001     $ 343,894    $ 259,789  
    

  


 

  


Capital expenditures

   $ 82,488    $ 52,596     $ 229,599    $ 173,590  
    

  


 

  


Other Financial Information

                              

EBITDA

   $ 126,124    $ 94,929     $ 350,650    $ 293,122  
    

  


 

  


 

We define EBITDA as net income plus income tax expense, net interest expense, depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion. Although not prescribed under GAAP, we believe the presentation of EBITDA is relevant and useful because it helps our investors understand our operating performance and makes it easier to compare our results with those of other companies that have different financing, capital or tax structures. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for net income, as an indication of operating performance or cash flows from operating activities or as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA, as we calculate it, may not be comparable to EBITDA measures reported by other companies. In addition, EBITDA does not represent funds available for discretionary use.

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of our consolidated net income to consolidated EBITDA:

 

     Three Months Ended
Sept. 30


   Nine Months Ended
Sept. 30


     2005

    2004

   2005

    2004

Net income

   $ 53,103     $ 38,054    $ 138,165     $ 110,805

Income tax expense

     27,997       20,489      74,156       59,664

Net interest (income) expense

     (581 )     378      (468 )     1,524

Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion

     45,606       36,008      138,797       121,129
    


 

  


 

EBITDA

   $ 126,124     $ 94,929    $ 350,650     $ 293,122
    


 

  


 

 

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W&T OFFSHORE, INC.

Operating Data

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
Sept. 30


   Nine Months Ended
Sept. 30


     2005

   2004

   2005

   2004

Net sales:

                           

Natural gas (MMcf)

     11,498      12,625      37,150      40,263

Oil (MBbls)

     993      1,198      3,379      3,733

Total natural gas and oil (MMcfe)

     17,456      19,810      57,421      62,658

Average daily equivalent sales (MMcfe/d)

     189.7      215.3      210.3      228.7

Average realized sales price:

                           

Natural gas ($/Mcf)

   $ 8.64    $ 5.90    $ 7.31    $ 5.92

Oil ($/Bbl)

     54.39      38.34      47.38      34.99

Natural gas equivalent ($Mcfe)

     8.79      6.08      7.52      5.89

Average per Mcfe data ($/Mcfe):

                           

Lease operating expenses

   $ 1.04    $ 0.87    $ 0.91    $ 0.85

Gathering, transportation cost and production taxes

     0.15      0.20      0.18      0.17

Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion

     2.61      1.82      2.42      1.93

General and administrative

     0.37      0.23      0.33      0.21

Net cash provided by operating activities

     8.33      4.44      5.99      4.15

EBITDA

     7.23      4.79      6.11      4.68

 

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W&T OFFSHORE, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

(In thousands)

 

(Unaudited)

 

     September 30,
2005


   December 31,
2004


Assets              

Current assets:

             

Cash & equivalents

   $ 140,510    $ 64,975

Accounts receivable

     43,576      71,714

Prepaid expenses and other

     9,820      9,293
    

  

Total current assets

     193,906      145,983

Property and equipment - at cost

     1,379,571      1,147,367

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

     675,120      543,154
    

  

Net property and equipment

     704,451      604,213

Other assets

     13,221      10,589
    

  

Total assets

   $ 911,577    $ 760,784
    

  

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity              

Current liabilities:

             

Accounts payable

   $ 119,626    $ 107,220

Asset retirement obligations

     26,080      27,489

Accrued liabilities and other

     30,373      21,738
    

  

Total current liabilities

     176,080      156,447

Long-term debt

     —        35,000

Asset retirement obligations, less current portion

     113,985      114,937

Deferred income taxes

     124,610      92,093

Other liabilities

     2,429      2,429

Shareholders’ equity:

             

Preferred stock

     —        45,435

Common stock

     1      —  

Additional paid-in capital

     52,303      6,478

Retained earnings

     442,171      307,965
    

  

Total shareholders’ equity

     494,475      359,878
    

  

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 911,578    $ 760,783
    

  

 

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W&T OFFSHORE, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

(In thousands)

 

(Unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Operating activities:

                

Net income

   $ 138,166     $ 110,806  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

                

Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion

     138,796       121,129  

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     262       346  

Share-based compensation

     390       391  

Deferred income taxes

     32,517       21,690  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

     33,763       5,427  
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     343,894       259,789  

Investing activities:

                

Investment in oil and gas property and equipment

     (229,241 )     (173,118 )

Proceeds from sales of oil and gas property and equipment

     1,777       119  

Purchases of furniture, fixtures and other

     (358 )     (472 )

Investment in marketable securities

     (1,822 )     —    

Change in restricted deposits

     (187 )     39  
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (229,831 )     (173,432 )

Financing activities:

                

Borrowings of long-term debt

     2,550       160,300  

Repayments of borrowings of long-term debt

     (37,550 )     (227,300 )

Dividends to shareholders

     (2,639 )     (2,968 )

Equity offering costs

     —         (1,264 )

Debt issuance costs

     (889 )     —    
    


 


Net cash used in financing activities

     (38,528 )     (71,231 )
    


 


Increase in cash and cash equivalents

     75,535       15,125  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     64,975       4,016  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 140,510     $ 19,141  
    


 


 

 

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