Pioneer Natural Resources Company Reports First Quarter 2017 Financial and Operating Results

DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pioneer Natural Resources Company (NYSE:PXD) (“Pioneer” or “the Company”) today reported financial and operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.

Pioneer reported a first quarter net loss attributable to common stockholders of $42 million, or $0.25 per diluted share. Without the effect of noncash mark-to-market derivative gains and other unusual items, adjusted results for the first quarter were earnings of $42 million after tax, or $0.25 per diluted share.

First quarter 2017 and other recent highlights included:

• producing 249 thousand barrels oil equivalent per day (MBOEPD), of which 59% was oil; quarterly production grew by 7 MBOEPD, or 3%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2016, and was above the top end of Pioneer’s first quarter production guidance range of 243 MBOEPD to 248 MBOEPD; the eighth consecutive quarter of production growth since the oil price collapse in late 2014; first quarter production growth was driven by the Company’s Spraberry/Wolfcamp horizontal drilling program; total Spraberry/Wolfcamp production increased 13 MBOEPD, or 7%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2016; first quarter oil production was in line with expectations while gas and NGL production was higher than expected due to lower line pressures across the field and improved NGL yields;
• reducing production costs (excluding taxes) to $6.31 per barrel oil equivalent (BOE) in the first quarter compared to $6.42 per BOE in the fourth quarter of 2016; production costs benefited from continuing low horizontal Spraberry/Wolfcamp production costs of $2.33 per BOE for the quarter;
• maintaining a strong balance sheet with cash on hand at the end of the first quarter of $2.4 billion (includes liquid investments); this strong cash position takes into account the repayment of a March debt maturity of $485 million from cash on hand; the Company was upgraded to mid-investment grade by all three rating agencies during the first quarter; net debt to forecasted 2017 operating cash flow was 0.2 times at the end of the first quarter and net debt to book capitalization was 3%;
• adding derivative positions that cover approximately 85% of forecasted oil and gas production for the remainder of 2017; increasing 2018 derivative coverage to approximately 20% of forecasted oil production and 15% of forecasted gas production;
• high-grading Pioneer’s Permian acreage position by closing the sales of approximately 5,600 net acres in Upton and Andrews counties during the first quarter for proceeds of $63 million and closing the sale of approximately 20,500 net acres in northeastern Martin County during April for proceeds of $266 million;
• increasing the northern Spraberry/Wolfcamp horizontal rig count from 17 rigs to 18 rigs during the first quarter;
• placing 38 horizontal wells on production in the Spraberry/Wolfcamp during the first quarter, with continuing strong performance; all of the wells benefited from Pioneer’s Version 3.0 completion optimization design; Version 3.0 wells are continuing to outperform earlier wells that utilized the Version 2.0 completion optimization design;
• seeing encouraging results from the Jo Mill appraisal program in the Spraberry/Wolfcamp; and
• exporting approximately one million barrels of Permian oil during the first quarter to Asia and Latin America; expect to export another one million barrels of Permian oil to Europe during the second quarter.

Pioneer’s full-year 2017 update is summarized below:

• operating 18 horizontal rigs in the Spraberry/Wolfcamp during 2017; of these, 14 rigs are in the northern area and four rigs are focused in the northern portion of the southern Wolfcamp joint venture area (Pioneer has a 60% working interest in the joint venture); completions in both areas will incorporate Version 3.0, with some wells testing larger completions during the year;
• drilling and completing 11 new wells and completing nine drilled but uncompleted wells in the Eagle Ford Shale during 2017 (Pioneer has a 46% working interest); the objective of the limited new well drilling program is to test longer laterals with wider spacing and higher-intensity completions; the Company is currently operating two horizontal rigs and commenced completing the drilled but uncompleted wells during April;
• transferring West Panhandle gas processing operations from the Company’s Fain plant to a third-party facility in late April;
• forecasting production growth in 2017 ranging from 15% to 18% compared to 2016 (oil growth expected to increase 24% – 28%); Spraberry/Wolfcamp production growth is expected to be the primary contributor, with production growth ranging from 30% to 34% in 2017 compared to 2016 (Spraberry/Wolfcamp oil growth expected to increase 33% – 37%);
• reducing the forecasted 2017 oil production percentage as a percent of total production from 62% to 60%; this reduction reflects (i) the loss of approximately 1,500 barrels oil equivalent per day (approximately 80% oil) from the aforementioned Martin County acreage sale, (ii) approximately one thousand barrels per day of light condensate production in the West Panhandle field being processed and therefore recognized as NGL production as a result of transferring the gas processing operations to a third-party facility and (iii) higher Spraberry/Wolfcamp gas and NGL recoveries;
• expecting internal rates of return (IRRs) for the 2017 drilling program, including tank battery and saltwater disposal facility investments, ranging from 50% to 100% assuming an oil price of $55.00 per barrel and a gas price of $3.00 per thousand cubic feet (MCF);
• maintaining capital expenditures for 2017 at $2.8 billion; capital expenditures include $2.5 billion for drilling and completion activities and $275 million for water infrastructure, vertical integration and field facilities; this capital program assumes that further efficiency gains will offset the Company’s estimated cost inflation of 5%; Pioneer’s vertical integration operations are expected to mitigate the impact of the 10% to 15% cost inflation forecasted for the industry in 2017;
• funding the 2017 capital program from forecasted cash flow of $2.2 billion and cash on hand;
• forecasting net debt to 2017 operating cash flow to remain below 1.0 times; and
• evaluating offers to sell approximately 10,500 net acres in the Eagle Ford Shale.

President and CEO Timothy L. Dove stated, “Our continued focus on strong execution and efficiency gains resulted in the Company delivering another great quarter, with solid earnings, production above the top end of our first quarter guidance range, continued impressive horizontal well performance in the Spraberry/Wolfcamp and reduced production costs, excluding taxes. Oil growth in the Spraberry/Wolfcamp is on track, and we are benefiting from improved gas and NGL recoveries in the field. We are drilling high-return and highly productive wells that have us on a trajectory to deliver annual production growth ranging from 15% to 18% in 2017 and to be in a position to spend within cash flow in 2018. This assumes an oil price of $55.00 per barrel and a gas price of $3.00 per MCF.”

“We have received very positive feedback from our shareholders in response to the Company’s previously announced vision to organically grow production by 15%+ per year through 2026 and achieve a production rate of approximately one million barrels oil equivalent per day. In addition, we expect to maintain a strong balance sheet and improve corporate returns. Since innovation will be a key contributor to continuing to deliver efficiency gains, we are partnering with national labs and service companies on several technology initiatives.”

Mark-to-Market Derivative Gains and Unusual Items Included in First Quarter 2017 Earnings

Pioneer’s first quarter earnings included noncash mark-to-market gains on derivatives of $90 million after tax, or $0.53 per diluted share.

First quarter earnings also included a net noncash loss of $174 million after tax, or $1.03 per diluted share, related to the following unusual items:

• a noncash impairment charge of $182 million after tax, or $1.08 per diluted share, to reduce the carrying value of the Company’s Raton proved gas properties in southeastern Colorado as a result of the decline in long-term NYMEX strip gas prices; and
• a deferred tax benefit of $8 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, attributable to the adoption of new accounting standards related to the vesting of long-term incentive plan awards.

Innovation

Innovation will be a key contributor to achieving Pioneer’s 10-year vision. The Company is already a technology leader in the E&P space and has been taking advantage of leading-edge technologies for many years. Examples of these technologies include:

• geosteering;
• oil, gas and water chemistry;
• 3-D seismic attribute volumes;
• microseismic;
• mobile applications;
• sliding sleeve completions;
• route optimization;
• laser-based methane leak detection; and
• centralized field control centers (advanced SCADA systems and a field-wide water delivery system).

The Company is also focused on new technology initiatives that are expected to improve productivity. The Company is partnering with national labs and service companies to develop these solutions. Examples of these new technologies include:

• machine learning and artificial intelligence;
• predictive analytics;
• automation;
• 4-D fracture propagation modeling;
• development and use of advanced materials (e.g., fluid end metallurgy);
• dynamic drill string modeling;
• real-time drilling prediction software;
• state-of-the-art downhole tools;
• advanced subsurface measurement (e.g., fiber optics); and
• large-scale produced water recycling.

Spraberry/Wolfcamp Operations Update and Outlook

Pioneer is the largest acreage holder in the Spraberry/Wolfcamp, with approximately 600,000 gross acres in the northern portion of the play and approximately 200,000 gross acres in the southern Wolfcamp joint venture area. Pioneer’s contiguous acreage position and substantial resource potential allow for decades of drilling horizontal wells with lateral lengths ranging from 7,500 feet to 14,000 feet.

The Company implemented a completion optimization program during 2015 in the Spraberry/Wolfcamp that combines longer laterals with optimized stage lengths, clusters per stage, fluid volumes and proppant concentrations. The objective of the program is to improve well productivity by allowing more rock to be contacted closer to the horizontal wellbore. In 2013 and 2014, the Company’s initial fracture stimulation design (Version 1.0) consisted of proppant concentrations of 1,000 pounds per foot, fluid concentrations of 30 barrels per foot, cluster spacing of 60 feet and stage spacing of 240 feet. Beginning in mid-2015, the Company enhanced its fracture stimulation design (Version 2.0), which consisted of larger proppant concentrations of 1,400 pounds per foot, larger fluid concentrations of 36 barrels per foot, tighter cluster spacing of 30 feet and shorter stage spacing of 150 feet. The Version 2.0 design increased the cost of a completion by approximately $500 thousand per well. Beginning in the first quarter of 2016, Pioneer commenced testing further-enhanced completion designs (Version 3.0), which included larger proppant concentrations up to 1,700 pounds per foot, larger fluid concentrations up to 50 barrels per foot, tighter cluster spacing down to 15 feet and shorter stage spacing down to 100 feet. The cost of this design added $500 thousand to $1 million per well compared to Version 2.0.

The Company placed 38 horizontal wells on production in the Spraberry/Wolfcamp during the first quarter of 2017. All 38 wells utilized the Version 3.0 completion design. Pioneer has now placed a total of 154 Version 3.0 wells on production since early 2016 (80 Wolfcamp B wells, 57 Wolfcamp A wells and 17 Lower Spraberry Shale wells) compared to 188 wells that have been placed on production since mid-2015 utilizing the lower-intensity Version 2.0 completion design (131 Wolfcamp B wells, 20 Wolfcamp A wells and 37 Lower Spraberry Shale wells). Production from the Version 3.0 completion optimization wells is continuing to outperform the Version 2.0 wells. The incremental capital cost to complete the Version 3.0 wells of $500 thousand to $1 million per well is paying out in less than one year at current commodity prices. Of the 38 wells that were placed on production in the first quarter, 37 wells were in the northern area and one well was in the southern Wolfcamp joint venture area.

Pioneer continues to expect to place approximately 260 gross horizontal wells on production in the Spraberry/Wolfcamp during 2017. Of these wells, approximately 220 gross wells will be in the northern area and 40 gross wells will be in the southern Wolfcamp joint venture area (resulting in 244 net wells after recognizing Pioneer’s 60% interest in the wells in the southern Wolfcamp joint venture area). Approximately 55% of the wells will be in the Wolfcamp B, 30% in the Wolfcamp A and 15% in the Lower Spraberry Shale. The Company also plans a limited appraisal program for the Clearfork, Jo Mill and Wolfcamp D intervals during 2017.

Specific to the Jo Mill appraisal program, Pioneer has been tracking the performance of five Jo Mill wells that were placed on production over the past two years in the Spraberry/Wolfcamp. The performance of these wells has been encouraging, with an average estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) of 900 thousand barrels oil equivalent for a 6,800-feet average lateral length. Six additional Jo Mill wells are planned to be placed on production during 2017 at a cost of approximately $6 million per well with an average lateral length of 10,000 feet.

As a result of the strong performance of Version 3.0 completions compared to Version 2.0 completions, the 2017 drilling program in the Spraberry/Wolfcamp is utilizing Version 3.0 completions. The Company expects EURs for the wells planned in the 2017 program to average 1.5 million barrels oil equivalent (MMBOE) for Wolfcamp B wells, 1.2 MMBOE for Wolfcamp A wells and 1.0 MMBOE for Lower Spraberry Shale wells. The expected costs to drill and complete these wells, which were confirmed by first quarter actual spending levels, are: Wolfcamp B – $8.5 million for a 10,000-foot lateral well; Wolfcamp A – $7.5 million for a 9,500-foot lateral well; and Lower Spraberry Shale – $7.2 million for a 9,500-foot lateral well. Production costs (including production and ad valorem taxes) for Pioneer’s horizontal Spraberry/Wolfcamp wells are expected to continue to range from $4.00 per BOE to $5.00 per BOE.

The drilling program in the Spraberry/Wolfcamp is expected to deliver IRRs ranging from 50% to 100%, assuming Version 3.0 completions, an oil price of $55.00 per barrel and a gas price of $3.00 per MCF. These returns, which include tank battery and saltwater disposal facility costs, are benefiting from ongoing cost reduction initiatives, drilling and completion efficiency gains and well productivity improvements.

The Company’s Spraberry/Wolfcamp horizontal drilling program continues to drive production growth, with total Spraberry/Wolfcamp production growing by 13 MBOEPD, or 7%, in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the fourth quarter of 2016. First quarter oil production was in line with expectations while gas and NGL production was higher than expected due to lower line pressures across the field and improved NGL yields. The Company continued to reject ethane during the first quarter as a result of weak market conditions, which negatively impacted production by approximately 5 MBOEPD. Pioneer’s forecasted 2017 production growth rate for the Spraberry/Wolfcamp ranges from 30% to 34%, with oil production increasing 33% – 37%. This reflects the Company placing approximately 260 gross wells (244 net wells) on production in 2017. In the second quarter, the Company expects to place 60 to 65 wells on production, which will be weighted toward the second half of the quarter. The Company assumes that it will continue to reject ethane throughout 2017, based on continuing weak market conditions.

Spraberry/Wolfcamp Water Distribution System

Pioneer’s demand for water to support its fracture stimulation operations in the Permian Basin has more than doubled from approximately 150 thousand barrels per day (MBPD) in 2014 to approximately 350 MBPD in 2017. Water demand is expected to more than quadruple by 2026 in order to achieve the Company’s production target of one million barrels oil equivalent per day in that year. Pioneer plans to reduce its use of fresh water by utilizing additional brackish and effluent water as well as reusing produced water.

Pioneer is constructing an automated field-wide water transport system to support its growing water demand. The Company spent $300 million through 2016 for (i) partial completion of the 100-mile mainline, (ii) tie-in of the Odessa wastewater treatment system (approximately 120 MBPD), (iii) construction of subsystems/frac ponds and (iv) drilling and connecting brackish water wells near major drilling areas. Spending in 2017 is expected to be approximately $160 million, primarily for completion of the mainline and additional subsystems/frac ponds. This spending level also includes engineering capital for upgrading the Midland wastewater treatment plant. Pioneer expects to spend approximately $115 million over the 2017 through 2020 period for the Midland treatment plant upgrade. In return, the Company will receive approximately 240 MBPD of low-cost, effluent water to support its completion operations. Future development will be focused on subsystems/frac ponds, brackish water wells and the reuse of produced water. Ultimate savings for the implementation of this system is expected to be approximately $500 thousand per well.

Eagle Ford Shale Operations

In the liquids-rich area of the Eagle Ford Shale play in South Texas, Pioneer has commenced a limited horizontal drilling and completion program that will be focused in Karnes, DeWitt and Live Oak counties. The 2017 program includes completing nine wells that were drilled in late 2015/early 2016 and drilling and completing 11 new wells. The Company is currently operating two horizontal rigs and one third-party fracture stimulation fleet.

The objective of this drilling and completion program is to test longer laterals with wider spacing and higher intensity completions in the new wells. Lateral lengths are being extended to 7,500 feet from the previous design of 5,200 feet, with cluster spacing reduced from 50 feet to 30 feet. Proppant concentrations are being increased from 1,200 pounds per foot to 2,000 pounds per foot. The cost of drilling and completing the new wells is expected to be $8.5 million per well. The Company expects EURs averaging 1.3 MMBOE for the new wells with IRRs ranging from 40% to 50%, assuming an oil price of $55.00 per barrel and a gas price of $3.00 per MCF.

Pioneer’s production from the Eagle Ford Shale averaged 22 MBOEPD in the first quarter, of which 35% was condensate, 31% was NGLs and 34% was gas. The 2017 drilling program is expected to moderate the production decline Pioneer has experienced in the field since it stopped drilling operations in early 2016. While the year-over-year decline is still forecasted to be approximately 40%, the decline from the fourth quarter of 2016 to the fourth quarter of 2017 is expected to be shallower at 20% since the production from the 2017 program is heavily weighted to the second half of the year.

West Panhandle Operations

Production of 6 MBOEPD in the West Panhandle field during the first quarter reflected the impact of continuing mechanical problems at Pioneer’s Fain gas processing plant. The Company transferred its West Panhandle gas processing operations to a third-party facility in late April and is forecasting second quarter 2017 production of approximately 7 MBOEPD. As a result of this transfer, approximately 1,000 barrels per day of light condensate (oil) will be processed and therefore recognized as NGLs.

2017 Capital Program

The Company’s capital budget for 2017 remains at $2.8 billion (excluding acquisitions, asset retirement obligations, capitalized interest, geological and geophysical G&A and IT system upgrades). The budget includes $2.5 billion for drilling and completion activities, including tank batteries/saltwater disposal facilities and gas processing facilities, and $275 million for water infrastructure, vertical integration and field facilities.

The following provides a breakdown of the drilling capital budget by asset:

• Spraberry/Wolfcamp – $2.4 billion (includes $1.9 billion for the horizontal drilling and completion program, $265 million for tank batteries/saltwater disposal facilities, $115 million for gas processing facilities and $110 million for land, science and other expenditures);
• Eagle Ford Shale – $95 million (includes $65 million for the horizontal drilling and completion program and $30 million for compression, land and other expenditures); and
• Other assets – $20 million.

The 2017 capital budget is expected to be funded from forecasted operating cash flow of $2.2 billion (assuming average 2017 estimated prices of $55.00 per barrel for oil and $3.00 per MCF for gas) and cash on hand (including liquid investments). Net debt to 2017 operating cash flow is forecasted to remain below 1.0 times.

First Quarter 2017 Financial Review

Sales volumes for the first quarter of 2017 averaged 249 MBOEPD. Oil sales averaged 146 MBPD, NGL sales averaged 47 MBPD and gas sales averaged 339 million cubic feet per day.

The average realized price for oil was $49.05 per barrel. The average realized price for NGLs was $19.33 per barrel, and the average realized price for gas was $2.79 per MCF. These prices exclude the effects of derivatives.

Production costs averaged $8.42 per BOE. Depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) expense averaged $15.04 per BOE. Exploration and abandonment costs were $33 million, including $10 million of well costs (mechanical issues) and acreage abandonments, $6 million of seismic purchases and $17 million of personnel costs. General and administrative expense totaled $84 million. Interest expense was $46 million. Other expense was $60 million, including (i) $40 million of charges associated with excess firm gathering and transportation commitments and (ii) $5 million of losses (principally noncash) associated with the portion of vertical integration services provided to nonaffiliated working interest owners, including joint venture partners, in wells operated by the Company.

Second Quarter 2017 Financial Outlook

The Company’s second quarter 2017 outlook for certain operating and financial items is provided below.

Production is forecasted to average 254 MBOEPD to 259 MBOEPD.

Production costs are expected to average $7.75 per BOE to $9.75 per BOE. DD&A expense is expected to average $15.00 per BOE to $17.00 per BOE. Total exploration and abandonment expense is forecasted to be $20 million to $30 million.

General and administrative expense is expected to be $80 million to $85 million. Interest expense is expected to be $43 million to $48 million. Other expense is forecasted to be $60 million to $70 million and is expected to include (i) $40 million to $45 million of charges associated with excess firm gathering and transportation commitments and (ii) $5 million to $10 million of losses (principally noncash) associated with the portion of vertical integration services provided to nonaffiliated working interest owners, including joint venture partners, in wells operated by the Company.

Contacts

Pioneer Natural Resources
Investors
Frank Hopkins, 972-969-4065
or
Trey Muir, 972-969-3674
or
Media and Public Affairs
Tadd Owens, 972-969-5760
or
Robert Bobo, 972-969-4020

Read full story here