ABRAXAS PETROLEUM CORP - Quarter Report: 2009 May (Form 10-Q)
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
(Mark
One)
x
|
QUARTERLY
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31,
2009
|
o
|
TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ______ TO
______
|
COMMISSION
FILE NUMBER: 001-16071
ABRAXAS
PETROLEUM CORPORATION
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada
|
74-2584033
|
|
(State
of Incorporation)
|
(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
|
18803
Meisner Drive, San Antonio, TX 78258
|
(Address
of principal executive offices) (Zip
Code)
|
210-490-4788
|
(Registrant’s
telephone number, including area
code)
|
Not
Applicable
|
(Former
name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
report)
|
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to the filing requirements for
the past 90 days.
Yes x No o
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on
its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be
submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this
chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to submit and post such
files). Yes ¨ No ¨
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See
definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller
reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One)
Large
accelerated filer o
|
Accelerated
filer x
|
Non-accelerated
filer o
(Do
not mark if a smaller reporting company)
|
Smaller
reporting company o
|
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨No x
The
number of shares of the issuer’s common stock outstanding as of May 7, 2009
was:
Class
|
Shares Outstanding
|
Common
Stock, $.01 Par Value
|
49,787,914
|
Forward-Looking
Information
We make
forward-looking statements throughout this document. Whenever you read a
statement that is not simply a statement of historical fact (such as statements
including words like “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “plan”,
“seek”, “estimate”, “could”, “potentially” or similar expressions), you must
remember that these are forward-looking statements, and that our expectations
may not be correct, even though we believe they are reasonable. The
forward-looking information contained in this document is generally located in
the material set forth under the headings “Management’s Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” but may be found in other
locations as well. These forward-looking statements generally relate to our
plans and objectives for future operations and are based upon our management’s
reasonable estimates of future results or trends. The factors that may affect
our expectations regarding our operations include, among others, the
following:
|
·
|
our
high debt level;
|
|
·
|
our
success in development, exploitation and exploration
activities;
|
|
·
|
our
ability to make planned capital
expenditures;
|
|
·
|
declines
in our production of oil and gas;
|
|
·
|
prices
for oil and gas;
|
|
·
|
our
ability to raise equity capital or incur additional
indebtedness;
|
|
·
|
political
and economic conditions in oil producing countries, especially those in
the Middle East;
|
|
·
|
prices
and availability of alternative
fuels;
|
|
·
|
our
restrictive debt covenants;
|
|
·
|
our
acquisition and divestiture
activities;
|
|
·
|
results
of our hedging activities; and
|
|
·
|
other
factors discussed elsewhere in this
report.
|
In
addition to these factors, important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from our expectations (“Cautionary Statements”) are disclosed
under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2008. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements
attributable to us, or persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in
their entirety by the Cautionary Statements.
2
ABRAXAS
PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
FORM
10 – Q
3
PART
1
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
Item 1.
Financial Statements
Abraxas
Petroleum Corporation
Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in
thousands)
March
31,
|
December
31,
|
||||||
2009
|
2008
(1)
|
||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||
Assets
|
|||||||
Current
assets:
|
|||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$
|
613
|
$
|
1,924
|
|||
Accounts
receivable, net:
|
|||||||
Joint
owners
|
705
|
1,740
|
|||||
Oil
and gas production
|
5,008
|
6,168
|
|||||
Other
|
25
|
58
|
|||||
5,738
|
7,966
|
||||||
Derivative
asset – current
|
24,424
|
22,832
|
|||||
Other
current assets
|
494
|
572
|
|||||
Total
current assets
|
31,269
|
33,294
|
|||||
Property
and equipment:
|
|||||||
Oil
and gas properties, full cost method of accounting:
|
|||||||
Proved
|
444,959
|
440,712
|
|||||
Unproved
properties excluded from depletion
|
—
|
—
|
|||||
Other
property and equipment
|
11,018
|
10,986
|
|||||
Total
|
455,977
|
451,698
|
|||||
Less
accumulated depreciation, depletion, and amortization
|
295,876
|
291,390
|
|||||
Total
property and equipment – net
|
160,101
|
160,308
|
|||||
Deferred
financing fees, net
|
1,723
|
1,443
|
|||||
Derivative
asset – long-term
|
21,663
|
16,394
|
|||||
Other
assets
|
445
|
400
|
|||||
Total
assets
|
$
|
215,201
|
$
|
211,839
|
(1)
|
As
adjusted for FAS No. 160 “Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated
Financial Statements.” (See Note
1)
|
See
accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
Abraxas
Petroleum Corporation
Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)
(in
thousands)
March
31,
|
December
31,
|
||||||
2009
|
2008
(1)
|
||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||
Liabilities
and Stockholders’ Equity
|
|||||||
Current
liabilities:
|
|||||||
Accounts
payable
|
$
|
6,440
|
$
|
10,748
|
|||
Oil and gas production
payable
|
2,443
|
3,176
|
|||||
Accrued
interest
|
242
|
350
|
|||||
Other accrued
expenses
|
1,580
|
1,886
|
|||||
Derivative liability –
current
|
2,950
|
3,000
|
|||||
Current maturities of long-term
debt
|
40,147
|
40,134
|
|||||
Other current
liabilities
|
19
|
—
|
|||||
Total
current
liabilities
|
53,821
|
59,294
|
|||||
Long-term
debt, excluding current
maturities
|
133,788
|
130,835
|
|||||
Future
site
restoration
|
10,107
|
9,959
|
|||||
Total
liabilities
|
197,716
|
200,088
|
|||||
Equity
|
|||||||
Abraxas
Petroleum Corporation stockholders’ equity:
|
|||||||
Convertible
preferred stock, par value $.01, authorized 1,000,000 shares; -0- issued
and outstanding
|
—
|
—
|
|||||
Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share-authorized 200,000,000 shares;issued and outstanding 49,737,914 and,
49,622,423
|
497
|
496
|
|||||
Additional paid-in
capital
|
187,567
|
187,243
|
|||||
Accumulated
deficit
|
(178,744
|
)
|
(183,194
|
)
|
|||
Accumulated other
comprehensive
income
|
155
|
113
|
|||||
Total Abraxas Petroleum
Corporation stockholders’ equity
|
9,475
|
4,658
|
|||||
Non-controlling
interest
equity
|
8,010
|
7,093
|
|||||
Total stockholders'
equity
|
17,485
|
11,751
|
|||||
Total
liabilities and stockholders’ equity
|
$
|
215,201
|
$
|
211,839
|
(1)
|
As
adjusted for FAS No. 160 “Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated
Financial Statements.” (See Note
1)
|
See
accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
Abraxas
Petroleum Corporation
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(in
thousands except per share data)
Three
Months Ended
March
31,
|
|||||||
2009
|
2008
(1)
|
||||||
Revenue:
|
|||||||
Oil
and gas production
revenues
|
$
|
10,596
|
$
|
21,863
|
|||
Rig
revenues
|
253
|
306
|
|||||
Other
|
1
|
1
|
|||||
10,850
|
22,170
|
||||||
Operating
costs and expenses:
|
|||||||
Lease
operating and production
taxes
|
5,869
|
5,202
|
|||||
Depreciation,
depletion and
amortization
|
4,487
|
5,094
|
|||||
Rig operations
|
188
|
210
|
|||||
General and administrative (including stock-based compensation
of $267 and $246)
|
2,129
|
1,799
|
|||||
12,673
|
12,305
|
||||||
Operating
income
(loss)
|
(1,823
|
)
|
9,865
|
||||
Other
(income) expense
|
|||||||
Interest
income
|
(5
|
)
|
(96
|
)
|
|||
Interest
expense
|
2,556
|
2,466
|
|||||
Financing
costs
|
362
|
—
|
|||||
Amortization
of deferred financing
fees
|
212
|
194
|
|||||
(Gain)
loss on derivative contracts (unrealized
$(6,430) and $26,075)
|
(12,865
|
)
|
26,958
|
||||
Other
|
21
|
—
|
|||||
(9,719
|
)
|
29,522
|
|||||
Consolidated
net income
(loss)
|
7,896
|
(19,657
|
)
|
||||
Less:
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest
|
(3,446
|
)
|
10,666
|
||||
Net
income (loss) attributable to Abraxas Petroleum
Corporation
|
$
|
4,450
|
$
|
(8,991
|
)
|
||
Net earnings
(loss) attributable to Abraxas Petroleum common
stockholders - per common share – basic
|
$
|
0.09
|
$
|
(0.18
|
)
|
||
Net earnings
(loss) attributable to Abraxas Petroleum common
stockholders
- per common share – diluted
|
$
|
0.09
|
$
|
(0.18
|
)
|
(1)
|
As
adjusted for FAS No. 160 “Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated
Financial Statements.” (See Note
1)
|
See
accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
Abraxas
Petroleum Corporation
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(in
thousands)
Three
Months Ended
March
31,
|
|||||||
2009
|
2008
(1)
|
||||||
Cash
flows from Operating Activities
|
|||||||
Net
income
(loss)
|
$
|
7,896
|
$
|
(19,657
|
)
|
||
Adjustments
to reconcile net income (loss) to net
|
|||||||
cash
provided by operating activities:
|
|||||||
Change
in derivative fair
value
|
(6,911
|
)
|
23,541
|
||||
Depreciation,
depletion, and
amortization
|
4,487
|
5,094
|
|||||
Accretion
of future site
restoration
|
141
|
120
|
|||||
Amortization
of deferred financing
fees
|
212
|
194
|
|||||
Stock-based
compensation
|
267
|
246
|
|||||
Other
non-cash
items
|
18
|
21
|
|||||
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|||||||
Accounts
receivable
|
2,228
|
(8,509
|
)
|
||||
Other
|
75
|
31
|
|||||
Accounts
payable and accrued
expenses
|
(5,463
|
)
|
8,595
|
||||
Net
cash provided by
operations
|
2,950
|
9,676
|
|||||
Cash
flows from Investing Activities
|
|||||||
Capital
expenditures, including purchases and development of
properties
|
(4,271
|
)
|
(137,859
|
)
|
|||
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
(4,271
|
)
|
(137,859
|
)
|
|||
Cash
flows from Financing Activities
|
|||||||
Proceeds
from long-term
borrowings
|
3,000
|
119,700
|
|||||
Payments
on long-term
borrowings
|
(34
|
)
|
—
|
||||
Proceeds
from exercise of stock
options
|
—
|
15
|
|||||
Deferred
financing
fees
|
(492
|
)
|
(1,499
|
)
|
|||
Partnership
distributions to non-controlling
interest
|
(2,257
|
)
|
(2,398
|
)
|
|||
Other
|
(207
|
)
|
—
|
||||
Net
cash provided by financing
operations
|
10
|
115,818
|
|||||
Decrease
in
cash
|
(1,311
|
)
|
(12,365
|
)
|
|||
Cash,
at beginning of
period
|
1,924
|
18,936
|
|||||
Cash,
at end of
period
|
$
|
613
|
$
|
6,571
|
|||
Supplemental
disclosures of cash flow information:
|
|||||||
Interest
paid
|
$
|
2,415
|
$
|
2,314
|
|
(1) As
adjusted for FAS No. 160 “Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated
Financial Statements.” (See Note
1)
|
See
accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
Abraxas
Petroleum Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(tabular
amounts in thousands except per share data)
Note
1. Basis
of Presentation
The
accounting policies followed by Abraxas Petroleum Corporation and its
subsidiaries (the “Company”) are set forth in the notes to the Company’s audited
consolidated financial statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for
the year ended December 31, 2008. Such policies have been continued without
change. Also, refer to the notes to those financial statements for additional
details of the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash
flows. All the material items included in those notes have not changed except as
a result of normal transactions in the interim, or as disclosed within this
report. The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements have not been
audited by independent registered public accountants, but in the opinion of
management, reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the
financial position and results of operations. Any and all adjustments are of a
normal and recurring nature. The results of operations for the three months
ended March 31, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected
for the full year.
The terms
“Abraxas” or “Abraxas Petroleum” refer to Abraxas Petroleum Corporation and its
subsidiaries other than Abraxas Energy Partners, L.P., which we refer to as
“Abraxas Energy Partners” or the “Partnership”, and its subsidiary, Abraxas
Operating, LLC, which we refer to as “Abraxas Operating” and the terms “we”,
“us”, “our” or the “Company” refer to Abraxas Petroleum Corporation and all of
its consolidated subsidiaries including Abraxas Energy Partners and Abraxas
Operating effective May 25, 2007. The operations of Abraxas Petroleum and the
Partnership are consolidated for financial reporting purposes with the interest
of the 52.7% non-controlling owners of the Partnership presented as
non-controlling interest. Abraxas owns the remaining 47.3% of the partnership
interests. The Company has determined that based on its control of the general
partner of the Partnership, this 47.3% owned entity should be consolidated for
financial reporting purposes.
The
condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared
by Abraxas and are unaudited, except for the balance sheet at December 31, 2008,
which has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at
that date. In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements include all recurring adjustments necessary for a fair
presentation of the financial position as of March 31, 2009, the results of
operations and the cash flows for each of the three-month periods ended March
31, 2009 and 2008. Although management believes the unaudited interim related
disclosures in these consolidated financial statements are adequate to make the
information presented not misleading, certain information and footnote
disclosures normally included in annual audited consolidated financial
statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The results of
operations and the cash flows for the three-month period ended March 31, 2009
are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein should be read
in conjunction with the consolidated audited financial statements and the notes
thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2008.
On
January 1, 2009, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(“SFAS”) No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial
Statements - An Amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160
establishes accounting and reporting standards for (1) ownership interests in
subsidiaries held by others, (2) the amount of consolidated net income
attributable to the controlling and noncontrolling interests, (3) changes in the
controlling ownership interest, (4) the valuation of retained noncontrolling
equity investments when a subsidiary is deconsolidated and (5) disclosures that
clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the controlling and
noncontrolling owners. The adoption of SFAS 160 resulted in changes to our
presentation for noncontrolling interests and did not have a material impact on
the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. Certain prior
period balances have been restated to reflect the changes required by SFAS
160.
The
following table illustrates the changes in consolidated equity:
Abraxas
Petroleum Corporation Shareholders
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive
Income
|
Common
Stock
|
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
|
Accumulated
Deficit
|
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
(loss)
|
Non-
Controlling
Interest
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
January
1, 2009
|
$ | — | $ | 496 | $ | 187,243 | $ | (183,194 | ) | $ | 113 | $ | 7,093 | $ | 11,751 | |||||||||||||
Comprehensive
income:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
income
|
7,896 | — | — | 4,450 | — | 3,446 | 7,896 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized
gain on securities
|
42 | — | — | — | 42 | — | 42 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Equity
based compensation
|
— | — | 220 | — | — | 23 | 243 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Partnership
distributions
|
— | — | — | — | — | (2,257 | ) | (2,257 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Registration fees
|
— | — | — | — | — | (550 | ) | (550 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Other
|
— | 1 | 104 | — | — | 255 | 360 | |||||||||||||||||||||
March
31, 2009
|
$ | 7,938 | $ | 497 | $ | 187,567 | $ | (178,744 | ) | $ | 155 | $ | 8,010 | $ | 17,485 |
In
accordance with previous generally accepted accounting principles, when
cumulative losses applicable to the non-controlling interest exceed the
non-controlling interest equity capital in the entity, such excess and any
further losses applicable to the non-controlling interest were charged to
the earnings of the majority interest. Future earnings were recognized by the
non-controlling interest and were credited to the majority interest (Abraxas) to
the extent of such losses previously absorbed and any excess earnings will
increase the recorded value. For the year ended December 31, 2008, primarily as
a result of the ceiling test impairment of the Partnerships' oil and gas
properties, losses applicable to the non-controlling interest exceeded the
non-controlling interest equity capital by $9.3 million and, as a result,
$9.3 million of the non-controlling interest loss in excess of equity was
charged to earnings and was reflected as a reduction of the loss applicable to
the non-controlling interst.
In June
2008, the FASB ratified EITF Issue No. 07-5, Determining Whether an
Instrument (or Embedded Feature) is indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock (“EITF
07-5”). EITF 07-5 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal
years. Early application is not permitted. EITF 07-5 provides a new two-step
model to be applied in determining whether a financial instrument or an embedded
feature is indexed to an issuer’s own stock and thus able to qualify for the
SFAS No. 133 paragraph 11(a) scope exception. The Company
intends to utilize liability treatment of warrants going forward. The adoption
of this standard has not had a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated
financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Use
of Estimates
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.
Equity-based
Compensation
Stock
Options
The
Company currently utilizes a standard option-pricing model (i.e., Black-Scholes)
to measure the fair value of stock options granted to employees. For the three
months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company recognized $181,000 and
$246,000 respectively related to stock options and restricted
shares.
The
following table summarizes the stock option activities for the three months
ended March 31, 2009. (In thousands, except per share amounts)
Shares
|
Weighted
Average
Option
Exercise
Price
Per
Share
|
Weighted
Average
Grant
Date
Fair
Value
Per
Share
|
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
|
||||||||||||
Outstanding,
December 31, 2008
|
2,390
|
$
|
2.81
|
$
|
1.60
|
$
|
3,830
|
||||||||
Granted
|
905
|
$
|
0.99
|
$
|
0.70
|
633
|
|||||||||
Exercised
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||
Expired
or canceled
|
(61
|
)
|
$
|
4.30
|
$
|
2.74
|
(167
|
)
|
|||||||
Outstanding,
March 31, 2009
|
3,234
|
$
|
2.27
|
$
|
1.33
|
$
|
4,296
|
The
following table shows the weighted average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes
valuation of the fair value of option grants during 2009.
Expected
dividend yield
|
0
|
%
|
||
Volatility
|
81.55
|
%
|
||
Risk
free interest rate
|
2.35
|
%
|
||
Expected
life
|
6.08
|
|||
Fair
value of options granted (in thousands)
|
$
|
633
|
||
Weighted
average grant date fair value of options granted
|
$
|
0.70
|
Additional
information related to options at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 is as
follows:
March
31,
|
December
31,
|
|||||
2009
|
2008
|
|||||
Options
exercisable
|
1,952
|
1,963
|
As of
March 31, 2009, there was approximately $1.3 million of unamortized compensation
expense related to outstanding options that will be recognized in 2009 through
2013.
Restricted
Stock Awards
Restricted
stock awards are awards of common stock that are subject to restrictions on
transfer and to a risk of forfeiture if the awardee terminates employment with
the Company prior to the lapse of the restrictions. The value of such stock is
determined using the market price on the grant date. Compensation expense is
recorded over the applicable restricted stock vesting periods.
A summary
of the Company’s restricted stock activity for the quarter ended March 31, 2009
is presented in the following table:
Number
of
Shares
|
Weighted
average
grant
date
fair
value
(per
share)
|
||||
Unvested
December 31, 2008
|
164,280
|
$
|
3.35
|
||
Granted
|
5,000
|
0.80
|
|||
Vested/Released
|
(4,625
|
)
|
3.59
|
||
Forfeited
|
(1,712
|
)
|
4.24
|
||
Unvested
March 31,
2009
|
162,943
|
$
|
3.26
|
For the
quarter ended March 31, 2009, the Company incurred $39,000 in equity based
compensation expense relating to restricted stock.
Restricted
Unit Awards
Restricted
unit awards are awards of partnership units that are subject to
restrictions on transfer and to a risk of forfeiture if the awardee terminates
employment with the Company prior to the lapse of the restrictions. The value of
such stock is determined using the implied market price on the grant date. The
implied market price is determined by comparing the average trading yields of
comparable publicly-traded master limited partnerships to the most recent
quarterly distribution paid or declared by the
Partnership. Compensation expense is recorded over the applicable
restricted unit vesting periods.
A summary
of the Partnership’s restricted unit activity for the quarter ended March 31,
2009 is presented in the following table:
Number
of
Units
|
Weighted
average
grant
date
fair
value
(per
Unit)
|
||||
Unvested
December 31, 2008
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
||
Granted
|
52,000
|
7.23
|
|||
Vested/Released
|
—
|
—
|
|||
Forfeited
|
(100
|
)
|
7.23
|
||
Unvested
March 31,
2009
|
51,900
|
$
|
7.23
|
For the
quarter ended March 31, 2009, the Partnership incurred $22,000 in equity based
compensation expense relating to restricted units.
Phantom
Units
On
January 31, 2008, in connection with the closing of an acquisition of
properties from St. Mary Land & Exploration Company, the Board of
Directors of the general partner of the Partnership awarded phantom units with
distribution equivalency rights under its long-term incentive plan to certain
key employees of Abraxas Petroleum.
The
phantom units and associated distribution equivalency rights will vest over four
years and their value is based on the price of common units, as determined by
the Board of Directors of the general partner of the Partnership, quarterly cash
distributions and the percentage increase in cash distributions over
time.
For the
quarter ended March 31, 2009, the Partnership incurred $25,000 in equity based
compensation expense relating to phantom units.
Oil
and Gas Properties
The
Company follows the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas
properties. Under the full cost accounting rules, the net capitalized
cost of oil and gas properties less related deferred taxes, are limited by
country, to the lower of the unamortized cost or the cost ceiling, defined as
the sum of the present value of estimated unescalated future net revenues from
proved reserves, discounted at 10%, plus the cost of properties not being
amortized, if any, plus the lower of cost or estimated fair value of unproved
properties included in the costs being amortized, if any, less related income
taxes. If the net capitalized cost of oil and gas properties exceeds
the ceiling limit, we are subject to a ceiling limitation write-down to the
extent of such excess. A ceiling limitation write-down is a charge to earnings
which does not impact cash flow from operating activities. However, such
write-downs do impact the amount of our stockholders' equity. The
cost ceiling represents the present value (discounted at 10%) of net cash flows
from sales of future production, using commodity prices on the last day of the
quarter, or alternatively, if prices subsequent to that date have increased, a
price near the periodic filing date of the our financial
statements. As of March 31, 2009, our net capitalized costs of oil
and gas properties exceeded the present value of our estimated proved reserves
by $37.1 million ($4.7 million on Abraxas Petroleum properties and $32.4 million
on the Partnership properties). These amounts were calculated
considering March 31, 2009 quarter end prices. We did not adjust the
capitalized costs of our properties because subsequent to March 31, 2009, crude
oil and natural gas prices increased such that capitalized costs did not exceed
the present value of the estimated proved oil and gas reserves on a consolidated
basis as determined using increased NYMEX prices on May 7, 2009 of $58.32 per
Bbl for oil and $4.00 per Mcf for gas.
Working Capital
(Deficit).
At March
31, 2009 our current liabilities of approximately $53.8 million exceeded our
current assets of $31.3 million resulting in a working capital deficit of $22.5
million. This compares to a working capital deficit of approximately $26.0
million at December 31, 2008. Current liabilities at March 31, 2009 primarily
consisted of the current portion of long-term debt consisting of $40.0 million
outstanding under the Subordinated Credit Agreement, the current portion of
derivative liabilities of $3.0 million, trade payables of $6.4 million, revenues
due third parties of $2.4 million, and other accrued liabilities of
$1.6 million. The Subordinated Credit Agreement matures on July 1 ,
2009. The Partnership has intended to re-pay the amounts due under
this agreement with the proceeds of the initial public
offering. However, the equity capital markets have been negatively
affected in recent months. As a result, we cannot assure you that the
Partnership will be successful in completing the IPO prior to the maturity of
the Subordinated Credit Agreement. In addition, the Partnership’s failure to
receive $20.0 million of proceeds from an equity issuance on or prior to June
30, 2009 would be an event of default under the Subordinated Credit Agreement.
The Partnership has engaged an exclusive financial advisor to refinance the
Subordinated Credit Agreement. We cannot assure you that the
Partnership will successfully refinance this indebtedness. If the
Partnership is unable to refinance or amend the indebtedness under its
Subordinated Credit Agreement, it may be required to sell assets and reduce
capital expenditures and cash distributions. We cannot assure you
that the Partnership will be able to re-finance the indebtedness under its
Subordinated Credit Agreement, sell assets or obtain additional financing on
terms acceptable to it, if at all. If an event of default were to
occur under the Subordinated Credit Agreement, an event of default would also
occur under the Partnership Credit Facility. Upon an event of
default, the lenders could foreclose on the Partnership’s assets and exercise
other customary remedies, all of which would have a material adverse effect on
us.
Recently
Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In April
2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS No. 115-2 and No. 124-2, “Recognition
and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments.” FSP
SFAS No. 115-2 and SFAS No. 124-2 provides additional
guidance designed to create greater clarity and consistency in accounting for
and presenting impairment losses on securities. FSP SFAS No. 115-2 and
SFAS No. 124-2 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods
beginning after June 15, 2009 and is effective for us at June 30,
2009. We have not yet determined the impact, if any, that the FSP will have on
our results of operations or financial position.
In April
2009, the FASB issued FSP No. 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the
Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly
Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly.” FSP No.157-4
provides additional authoritative guidance to assist in determining whether a
market is active or inactive, and whether a transaction is distressed. FSP
No. 157-4 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning
after June 15, 2009 and is effective for us at June 30, 2009. We have
not yet determined the impact, if any, that the FSP will have on our results of
operations or financial position.
Management
believes the impact of other recently issued accounting standards, which are not
yet effective, will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial
statements upon adoption.
On
December 29, 2008, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted rule changes
to modernize its oil and gas reporting disclosures. The changes are
intended to provide investors with a more meaningful and comprehensive
understanding of oil and gas reserves.
The
updated disclosure requirements are designed to align with current practices and
changes in technology that have taken place in the oil and gas industry since
the adoption of the original reporting requirements more than 25 years
ago.
New
disclosure requirements include:
·
|
Permitting
the use of new technologies to determine proved reserves if those
technologies have been demonstrated empirically to lead to reliable
conclusions about reserve volumes.
|
·
|
Enabling
companies to additionally disclose their probable and possible reserves to
investors. Currently, the rules limit disclosure to only proved
reserves.
|
·
|
Allowing
previously excluded resources, such as oil sands, to be classified as oil
and gas reserves.
|
·
|
Requiring
companies to report on the independence and qualifications of a preparer
or auditor and requiring companies to file reports when a third party is
relied upon to prepare reserve estimates or conduct a reserves
audit.
|
·
|
Requiring
companies to report oil and gas reserves using an average price based upon
the prior 12-month period – rather than the year-end price – to maximize
the comparability of reserve estimates among companies and mitigate the
distortion of the estimates that arises when using a single pricing
date.
|
Note
2. Acquisition
On
January 31, 2008, Abraxas Operating , LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Partnership, consummated the acquisition of certain oil and gas
properties located in various states from St. Mary Land & Exploration
Company (“St. Mary”) and certain other sellers. The properties are primarily
located in the Rockies and Mid-Continent regions of the United States, and
include approximately 57.2 Bcfe (9,525 MBOE) of estimated proved reserves for a
purchase price of approximately $126.0 million.
The
Partnership borrowed approximately $115.6 million under the Partnership Credit
Facility and $50 million under its Subordinated Credit Agreement in order to
complete this acquisition and repay its previously outstanding indebtedness of
$45.9 million. For a complete description of these credit facilities, please see
Note 4 “Long-Term Debt”.
Simultaneously,
Abraxas Petroleum announced that it had completed the acquisition of certain oil
and gas properties from St. Mary with estimated proved reserves of approximately
4.3 Bcfe (725 MBOE) for a purchase price of approximately $5.6
million. Abraxas paid the purchase price from its internal
funds. The right to purchase these properties had been assigned to
Abraxas by the Partnership.
Substantially
all amounts paid in the acquisition, including acquisition costs of
approximately $1.1 million, were allocated to the oil and gas properties. The
following unaudited supplemental information presents pro forma financial
results assuming the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2008. The
unaudited pro forma financial results are not necessarily those that would have
been attained had the acquisition occurred as of an earlier date, nor are they
necessarily representative of the future results that may occur.
Unaudited
Pro Forma Financial Information
|
||||
Three
months ended
March
31, 2008
|
||||
Revenue
|
$ | 25,815 | ||
Net
Income
|
$ | (6,869 | ) | |
Earnings
per share - basic
|
$ | (0.14 | ) |
Note
3. Income
Taxes
The
Company records income taxes using the liability method. Under this method,
deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between
financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured
using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences
are expected to reverse.
For the
three-month period ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, there is no current
or deferred income tax expense or benefit due to losses and/or loss
carryforwards and valuation allowance which have been recorded against such
benefits.
The
Company accounts for uncertain tax positions under provisions of FASB
Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN
48”). FIN 48 did not have any effect on the Company’s financial
position or results of operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and
2009. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to
uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. As of March 31, 2009, the Company
did not have any accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax
positions. The tax years from 1999 through 2008 remain open
to examination by the tax jurisdictions to which the Company is
subject.
Note
4. Debt
Long-term
debt consisted of the following:
March
31,
2009
|
December
31,
2008
|
|||||||
Partnership
credit
facility
|
$ | 125,600 | $ | 125,600 | ||||
Partnership
subordinated credit agreement
|
40,000 | 40,000 | ||||||
Senior
secured credit
facility
|
3,000 | — | ||||||
Real
estate lien
note
|
5,335 | 5,369 | ||||||
173,935 | 170,969 | |||||||
Less
current
maturities
|
(40,147 | ) | (40,134 | ) | ||||
$ | 133,788 | $ | 130,835 |
Abraxas Senior
Secured Credit Facility. On June 27, 2007, Abraxas entered into a new
senior secured revolving credit facility, which we refer to as the Credit
Facility. The Credit Facility has a maximum commitment of $50.0 million.
Availability under the Credit Facility is subject to a borrowing base. The
borrowing base under the Credit Facility, which is currently $6.5 million, is
determined semi-annually by the lenders based upon our reserve reports, one of
which must be prepared by our independent petroleum engineers and one of which
may be prepared internally. The amount of the borrowing base is calculated by
the lenders based upon their valuation of our proved reserves utilizing these
reserve reports and their own internal decisions. In addition, the
lenders, in their sole discretion, may make one additional borrowing base
redetermination during any six-month period between scheduled redeterminations
and we may also request one redetermination during any six-month period between
scheduled redeterminations. The lenders may also make a
redetermination in connection with any sales of producing properties with a
market value of 5% or more of our current borrowing base. Our
borrowing base at March 31, 2009 of $6.5 million was determined based upon our
reserves at December 31, 2008. Our borrowing base can never exceed
the $50.0 million maximum commitment amount. Outstanding amounts
under the Credit Facility bear interest at (a) the greater of the reference rate
announced from time to time by Société Générale, and (b) the Federal Funds Rate
plus 0.5% of 1%, plus in each case, (c) 0.5% -
14
1.5% depending
on utilization of the borrowing base, or, if Abraxas elects, at the London
Interbank Offered Rate plus 1.5% - 2.5%, depending on the utilization of the
borrowing base. At March 31, 2009, the interest rate on the Credit Facility was
2.3%. Subject to earlier termination rights and events of default, the Credit
Facility’s stated maturity date is September 30, 2010. Interest is
payable quarterly on reference rate advances and not less than quarterly on
Eurodollar advances.
Abraxas is
permitted to terminate the Credit Facility, and may, from time to time,
permanently reduce the lenders’ aggregate commitment under the Credit Facility
in compliance with certain notice and dollar increment
requirements.
Each of
Abraxas’ subsidiaries other than the Partnership, Abraxas General Partner, LLC,
which we refer to as the GP, and Abraxas Energy Investments, LLC has guaranteed
Abraxas’ obligations under the Credit Facility on a senior secured
basis. Obligations under the Credit Facility are secured by a first
priority perfected security interest, subject to certain permitted encumbrances,
in all of Abraxas’ and the subsidiary guarantors’ material property and
assets.
Under the
Credit Facility, Abraxas is subject to customary covenants, including certain
financial covenants and reporting requirements. The Credit Facility
requires Abraxas to maintain a minimum current ratio as of the last day of each
quarter of not less than 1.00 to 1.00 and an interest coverage ratio of not less
than 2.50 to 1.00. The current ratio is the ratio of consolidated current assets
to consolidated current liabilities. For purposes of this calculation, current
assets include, as of the date of the calculation, the portion of the borrowing
base which is undrawn but exclude, as of the date of calculation, any cash
deposited with or at the request of a counterparty to any derivative
contract, any assets representing a valuation account arising from
the application of SFAS 133 (which relates to derivative instruments and hedging
activities) and SFAS 143 (which relates to asset retirement obligations) and any
distributions payable by the Partnership to the GP unless such distributions
have been received by the GP in cash, and current liabilities
exclude, as of the date of calculation, the current portion of long-term debt,
any liabilities representing a valuation account arising from the application of
SFAS 133 and SFAS 143 and any liabilities of the GP arising
solely in its capacity as a general partner of the Partnership. The
interest coverage ratio is the ratio of consolidated EBITDA for the four
quarters then ended to consolidated interest for the four quarters then ended.
For the purpose of this calculation, EBITDA is consolidated net income plus
interest expense, taxes, depreciation, amortization, depletion and other
non-cash charges including non-cash charges resulting from the application of
SFAS 123R (which relates to stock-based compensation), SFAS 133 and SFAS 143
less all non-cash items of income which were included in determining
consolidated net income, including non-cash items resulting from the application
of SFAS 133 and SFAS 143. Interest expense includes total interest, letters of
credit fees and other fees and expenses incurred in connection with any debt.
For purposes of calculating both ratios, any amounts attributable to the
Partnership are not included. At March 31, 2009, our current
ratio was 0.92 to 1.00 and our interest coverage ratio was 29.68 to
1.00.
In
addition to the foregoing and other customary covenants, the Credit Facility
contains a number of covenants that, among other things, will restrict Abraxas’
ability to:
· incur
or guarantee additional indebtedness;
· transfer
or sell assets;
· create
liens on assets;
· engage
in transactions with affiliates other than on an “arms-length”
basis;
· make
any change in the principal nature of its business; and
· permit
a change of control.
The
Credit Facility also contains customary events of default, including nonpayment
of principal or interest, violations of covenants, cross default and cross
acceleration to certain other indebtedness, bankruptcy and material judgments
and liabilities.
The
Company was in compliance with all covenants as of March 31, 2009 or has
obtained a waiver for noncompliance.
Amended and
Restated Partnership Credit Facility. On May 25, 2007, the Partnership
entered into a senior secured revolving credit facility which was amended and
restated on January 31, 2008 and further amended on January 16, 2009, April 30,
2009 and May 7, 2009, which we refer to as the Partnership Credit Facility. The
Partnership Credit Facility has a maximum commitment of $300.0
15
million. Availability
under the Partnership Credit Facility is subject to a borrowing
base. The borrowing base under the Partnership Credit Facility, which
at May 7, 2009, was $130.0 million, is determined semi-annually by the
lenders based upon the Partnership’s reserve reports, one of which must be
prepared by the Partnership’s independent petroleum engineers and one of which
may be prepared internally. The amount of the borrowing base is calculated by
the lenders based upon their valuation of the Partnership’s proved reserves
utilizing these reserve reports and their own internal decisions. In
addition, the lenders, in their sole discretion, may make one additional
borrowing base redetermination during any six-month period between scheduled
redeterminations. The lenders may also make a redetermination in
connection with any sales of producing properties with a market value of 5% or
more of the Partnership’s then current borrowing base.
The
Partnership’s borrowing base at May 7, 2009 of $130.0 million was determined
based upon its reserves at December 31, 2008. The borrowing base can
never exceed the $300.0 million maximum commitment amount. At March
31, 2009 and May 7, 2009, the Partnership had a total of $125.6 million
outstanding under the Partnership Credit Facility. Under the
amended terms of the Partnership Credit Facility, on May 14, 2009, Abraxas
Petroleum is required to re-pay the distribution of approximately $1.9 million
paid to it relating to the fourth quarter of 2008 to the Partnership and the
Partnership must, in turn, make a principal payment of approximately $1.9
million under the Partnership Credit Facility. Abraxas Petroleum
intends to make this payment on or before May 14, 2009. Once this
payment has been made, the borrowing base under the Partnership Credit Facility
will be reduced to approximately $128.1 million and the Partnership Credit
Facility will have a balance of approximately $123.7 million and availability of
$4.4 million. In consideration of making this payment, Abraxas
Petroleum will be issued a number of additional units of the Partnership
determined by dividing $1.9 million by 110% of the average trading yields of
comparable E&P MLPs based on the closing market price on May 14, 2009
multiplied by the most recent quarterly distribution paid or declared by the
Partnership times four.
Outstanding
amounts under the Partnership Credit Facility bear interest at (a) the greater
of (1) the reference rate announced from time to time by Société Générale, (2)
the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, and (3) a rate determined by Société Générale
as the daily one-month LIBOR rate plus, in each case, 1.5% - 2.5%, depending on
the utilization of the borrowing base, or, if the Partnership elects, at the
greater of (a) 2.0% and (b) the London Interbank Offered Rate plus in each
case, 2.5% - 3.5% depending on the utilization of the borrowing
base. At May 7, 2009 the interest rate on the Partnership
Credit Facility was 5.5%. Subject to earlier termination rights and
events of default, the Partnership Credit Facility’s stated maturity date is
January 31, 2012. Interest is payable quarterly on reference rate
advances and not less than quarterly on Eurodollar advances. The
Partnership is permitted to terminate the Partnership Credit Facility, and under
certain circumstances, may be required, from time to time, to permanently reduce
the lenders’ aggregate commitment under the Partnership Credit
Facility.
The
Partnership, GP, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abraxas, and Abraxas
Operating, LLC, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Partnership and which
we refer to as the Operating Company, have guaranteed the Partnership’s
obligations under the Partnership Credit Facility on a senior secured
basis. Obligations under the Partnership Credit Facility are secured
by a first priority perfected security interest, subject to certain permitted
encumbrances, in all of the property and assets of the GP, the Partnership and
the Operating Company, other than the GP’s general partner units in the
Partnership.
Under the
Partnership Credit Facility, the Partnership is subject to customary covenants,
including certain financial covenants and reporting requirements. The
Partnership Credit Facility requires the Partnership to maintain a minimum
current ratio as of the last day of each quarter of 1.00 to 1.00 and an interest
coverage ratio as of the last day of each quarter of not less than 2.50 to 1.00.
Current ratio is defined as the ratio of consolidated current assets to
consolidated current liabilities. For purposes of this calculation, current
assets include, as of the date of the calculation, the portion of the borrowing
base which is undrawn but exclude, as of the date of calculation, any cash
deposited with or at the request of a counterparty to any derivative contract
and any assets representing a valuation account arising from the application of
SFAS 133 and SFAS 143 and current liabilities exclude, as of the date of
calculation, the current portion of long-term debt and any liabilities
representing a valuation account arising from the application of SFAS 133 and
SFAS 143 . The interest coverage ratio is the ratio of consolidated EBITDA for
the four quarters then ended to consolidated interest for the four quarters then
ended. For the purpose of this calculation, EBITDA is consolidated net income
plus interest expense, taxes, depreciation, amortization, depletion and other
non-cash charges including non-cash charges resulting from the
16
application
of SFAS 123R, SFAS 133 and SFAS 143 less all non-cash items of income which were
included in determining consolidated net income, including non-cash items
resulting from the application of SFAS 133 and SFAS 143. Interest expense
includes total interest, letters of credit fees and other fees and expenses
incurred in connection with any debt. At March 31, 2009,
the Partnership’s current ratio was 27.47 to 1.00 and its interest coverage
ratio was 4.58 to 1.00.
The
Partnership Credit Facility required the Partnership to enter into derivative
contracts for specific volumes, which equated to approximately 85% of the
estimated oil and gas production from its net proved developed producing
reserves through December 31, 2011. The Partnership entered into
NYMEX-based fixed price commodity swaps on approximately 85% of its estimated
oil and gas production from its estimated net proved developed producing
reserves through December 31, 2011. The second amendment to the Partnership
Credit Facility required additional derivative contracts for volumes equating to
approximately 60% of the estimated oil and gas production from net proved
developed reserves for the year 2012. As a result, the Partnership entered into
NYMEX-based fixed price swaps on 670 barrels of oil per day at $67.60 and 3,000
MMBbtu of gas per day at $6.88 for 2012.
Under the
terms of the Partnership Credit Facility, the Partnership may make cash
distributions if, after giving effect to such distributions, the Partnership is
not in default under the Partnership Credit Facility, there is no borrowing base
deficiency and provided that (a) no such distribution shall be made using the
proceeds of any advance unless the unused portion of the amount then available
under the Partnership Credit Facility is greater than or equal to 10% of the
lesser of the Partnership’s borrowing base (which at May 7, 2009 was
$130.0 million) or the total commitment amount of the Partnership Credit
Facility (which at May 7, 2009 was $300.0 million) at such time, (b)
with respect to the cash distribution scheduled to be made on or about May 15,
2009 attributable to the first quarter of 2009, no such distribution shall be
made unless (i) the sum of unrestricted cash and the unused portion of the
amount then available under the Partnership Credit Facility after giving effect
to such distribution exceeds $20.0 million, or (ii) the Subordinated Credit
Agreement shall have terminated and (c) no cash distribution shall exceed $0.44
per unit per quarter while the Subordinated Credit Agreement is
outstanding. The declaration of the cash distribution to be
made by the Partnership on or about May 15, 2009 attributable to the first
quarter of 2009 is being deferred. While the Subordinated Credit Agreement is
outstanding, the Partnership’s capital expenditures are limited to $12.5 million
per year.
In
addition to the foregoing and other customary covenants, the Partnership Credit
Facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, will restrict
the Partnership’s ability to:
· incur
or guarantee additional indebtedness;
· transfer
or sell assets;
· create
liens on assets;
· engage
in transactions with affiliates;
· make
any change in the principal nature of its business; and
· permit
a change of control.
The
Partnership Credit Facility also contains customary events of default, including
nonpayment of principal or interest, violations of covenants, cross default and
cross acceleration to certain other indebtedness including the Subordinated
Credit Agreement described below, bankruptcy and material judgments and
liabilities. In addition, an event of default would occur if the Partnership
fails to receive a letter of credit, which we refer to as the APC L/C, in its
favor from Abraxas Petroleum equal to the May 14, 2009 Payment Amount of
approximately $1.9 million, the Partnership fails to draw on the APC L/C on or
before May 14, 2009 or the Partnership fails to use the proceeds of the APC L/C
to make the principal payment due on May 14, 2009. This event of
default would not occur in the event that the Partnership repays the principal
amount due on May 14, 2009 with funds received from Abraxas
Petroleum. Abraxas Petroleum intends to make this payment to the
Partnership on or before May 14, 2009. The Partnership and Abraxas
Petroleum have agreed that upon the occurrence of such a payment or the
Partnership’s drawing on the APC L/C that, in consideration thereof, the
Partnership would issue a number of additional units to Abraxas Petroleum
determined by dividing approximately $1.9 million by 110% of the average trading
yields of comparable E&P MLPs based on the closing market price on May 14,
2009 multiplied by the most recent quarterly distribution paid or declared by
the Partnership times four. Abraxas Petroleum intends to make this
payment on or before May 14, 2009. Finally, if the indebtedness under
the Subordinated Credit Agreement has not been repaid on or before July 1, 2009,
the Partnership must pay the lenders a consent fee of $2.4 million.
The
Partnership was in compliance with all covenants as of March 31,
2009.
Subordinated
Credit Agreement
On
January 31, 2008, the Partnership entered into a subordinated credit agreement
which was amended on January 16, 2009 and further amended on April 30, 2009 and
May 7, 2009, which we refer to as the Subordinated Credit Agreement. The
Subordinated Credit Agreement has a maximum commitment of $40.0
million. Outstanding amounts under the Subordinated Credit Agreement
bear interest at (a) the greater of (1) the reference rate announced from time
to time by Société Générale, (2) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% and (3) a
rate determined by Société Générale as the daily one-month LIBOR Offered Rate,
plus in each case (b) 9.0% or, if the Partnership elects, at the greater of
(a) 2.0% and (b) the London Interbank Offered Rate, in each case, plus
10.0%. At May 7, 2009, the interest rate on the Subordinated Credit Agreement
was 12.0%. If the Subordinated Credit Agreement is not repaid on or
before July 1, 2009, the interest rate will be (a) the greater of (1) the
reference rate announced from time to time by Société Générale, (2) the Federal
Funds Rate plus 0.5% and (3) a rate determined by Société Générale as the
daily one-month LIBOR Offered Rate, plus in each case (b) 12.0% or, if the
Partnership elects, at the greater of (a) 2.0% and (b) at the London
Interbank Offered Rate plus, in each case, 13.0%. For any interest
payment due on or after July 2, 2009, 3% per annum of the accrued interest
payable shall be capitalized and added to the principal amount of the
loan. Interest is payable quarterly on reference rate advances and
not less than quarterly on Eurodollar advances. The Partnership is
permitted to terminate the Subordinated Credit Agreement, and under certain
circumstances, may be required, from time to time, to make prepayments under the
Subordinated Credit Agreement.
Subject
to earlier termination rights and events of default, the Subordinated Credit
Agreement’s stated maturity date is July 1, 2009. The maturity date
may be accelerated if any limited partner of the Partnership, other than Perlman
Value Partners, exercises its right to convert its limited partner units into
shares of common stock of Abraxas Petroleum pursuant to the terms of the
exchange and registration rights agreement, as amended, among Abraxas Petroleum,
the Partnership and the purchasers named therein. The date on which
the purchasers, if the Partnership’s initial public offering has not been
consummated prior to that date, may first exchange their Partnership units for
Abraxas Petroleum common stock is June 30, 2009.
Each of
the GP and the Operating Company has guaranteed the Partnership’s obligations
under the Subordinated Credit Agreement on a subordinated secured
basis. Obligations under the Subordinated Credit Agreement are
secured by subordinated security interests, subject to certain permitted
encumbrances, in all of the property and assets of the Partnership, GP, and the
Operating Company, other than the GP’s general partner units in the
Partnership.
Under the
Subordinated Credit Agreement, the Partnership is subject to customary
covenants, including certain financial covenants and reporting requirements. The
Subordinated Credit Agreement requires the Partnership to maintain a minimum
current ratio as of the last day of each quarter of 1.00 to 1.00 and an interest
coverage ratio (defined as the ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated
interest expense) as of the last day of each quarter of not less than 2.50 to
1.00. Current ratio is defined as the ratio of consolidated current assets to
consolidated current liabilities. For purposes of this calculation, current
assets include, as of the date of the calculation, the portion of the borrowing
base which is undrawn but exclude, as of the date of calculation, any cash
deposited with or at the request of a counterparty to any derivative contract
and any assets representing a valuation account arising from the application of
SFAS 133 and 143, and current liabilities exclude, as of the date of
calculation, the current portion of long-term debt and any liabilities
representing a valuation account arising from the application of SFAS 133 and
143. The interest coverage ratio is the ratio of consolidated EBITDA for the
four quarters then ended to consolidated interest for the four quarters then
ended. For the purpose of this calculation, EBITDA is consolidated net income
plus interest expense, taxes, depreciation, amortization, depletion and other
non-cash charges including non-cash charges resulting from the application of
SFAS 123R (which relates to stock-based compensation), SFAS 133 and SFAS 143
less all non-cash items of income which were included in determining
consolidated net income, including non-cash items resulting from the application
of SFAS 133 and SFAS 143. Interest expense includes total interest, letters of
credit fees and other fees and expenses incurred in connection with any debt. At
March 31, 2009, the Partnerships current ratio was 27.47 to 1.00 and its
interest coverage ratio was 4.58 to 1.00.
The
Subordinated Credit Agreement required the Partnership to enter into derivative
contracts for specific volumes, which equated to approximately 85% of the
estimated oil and gas production from its net proved developed producing
reserves through December 31, 2011. The Partnership entered into
NYMEX-based fixed price commodity swaps on approximately 85% of its estimated
oil and gas production from its estimated net proved developed producing
reserves through December 31, 2011. The second amendment to the
Partnership Credit Facility required additional derivative contracts for volumes
equating to approximately 60% of the estimated oil and gas production from net
proved developed reserves for the year 2012. As a result, the
Partnership entered into NYMEX-based fixed price
18
swaps on
670 barrels of oil per day at $67.60 and 3,000 MMBbtu of gas per day at $6.88
for 2012.
In
addition to the foregoing and other customary covenants, the Subordinated Credit
Agreement contains a number of covenants that, among other things, will restrict
the Partnership’s ability to:
· incur
or guarantee additional indebtedness;
· transfer
or sell assets;
· create
liens on assets;
· engage
in transactions with affiliates;
· make
any change in the principal nature of its business; and
· permit
a change of control.
The
Subordinated Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default,
including nonpayment of principal or interest, violations of covenants, cross
default and cross acceleration to certain other indebtedness including the
Partnership Credit Facility, bankruptcy and material judgments and liabilities.
An event of default would also occur if the Partnership fails to receive $20.0
million of proceeds from an equity issuance on or before June 30,
2009. In addition, if the indebtedness under the Subordinated Credit
Agreement has not been repaid on or before July 1, 2009, the Partnership is
required to issue warrants to purchase 2.5% of the then outstanding units to the
lenders at an exercise price of $0.01 per unit. Finally, if the
indebtedness under the Subordinated Credit Agreement is repaid on or before July
1, 2009, the Partnership must pay the lenders a consent fee of $200,000 upon
payment of the loan.
The
Partnership was in compliance with all covenants as of March 31,
2009.
The
Partnership’s Subordinated Credit Agreement matures on July 1,
2009. The Partnership has intended to repay its indebtedness under
the Subordinated Credit Agreement with proceeds from its initial public
offering. However, the equity capital markets have been negatively
affected in recent months. As a result, we cannot assure you that the
Partnership will be successful in completing the IPO prior to the maturity of
the Subordinated Credit Agreement. The Partnership is in discussions with other
lending institutions to re-finance the $40 million currently outstanding on the
Subordinated Credit Agreement. If the Partnership is unable to
re-finance or amend the indebtedness under its Subordinated Credit Agreement, it
may be required to sell assets and further reduce capital expenditures and cash
distributions. We cannot assure you that the Partnership will be able
to re-finance the indebtedness under its Subordinated Credit Agreement, sell
assets or obtain additional financing on terms acceptable to it, if at
all. If an event of default were to occur under the Partnership
Subordinated Credit Agreement, an event of default would also occur under the
Partnership Credit Facility. Upon an event of default, the lenders
could foreclose on the Partnership’s assets and exercise other customary
remedies, all of which would have a material adverse effect on us.
Real
Estate Lien Note
On May 9,
2008 the Company entered into an advancing line of credit in the amount of $5.4
million for the purchase and finish out of a new building to serve as its
corporate headquarters. This note was refinanced in November
2008. The new note bears interest at a fixed rate of 6.375%, and is
payable in monthly installments of principal and interest of $39,754 based on a
twenty year amortization. The note matures in May 2015 at which time the
outstanding balance becomes due. The note is secured by a first lien deed of
trust on the property and improvements. As of March 31, 2009, $5.3 million was
outstanding on the note.
5. Condensed
Consolidating Financial Statements
The
consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its
wholly-owned subsidiaries and the operations of the Partnership which was formed
on May 25, 2007. The operations of Abraxas Petroleum and the
Partnership are consolidated for financial reporting purposes. The interest of
the 52.7% owners of the Partnership are presented as non-controlling
interest. Abraxas owns the remaining 47.3% of the partnership
interests. The Company has determined that based on its control of the general
partner of the Partnership, this 47.3% owned entity should be consolidated for
financial reporting purposes. The consolidating financial statements are
presented as follows:
Condensed
Consolidating Balance Sheet
|
|||||||||||||
March
31, 2009
|
|||||||||||||
(unaudited)
|
|||||||||||||
(In
thousands)
|
|||||||||||||
Abraxas
Petroleum
Corporation
|
Abraxas
Energy
Partners,
L.P.
|
Reclassifi-
cations
and
eliminations
|
Consolidated
|
||||||||||
Assets:
|
|||||||||||||
Cash
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
613
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
613
|
|||||
Accounts
receivable, less allowance for
doubtful
accounts
|
6,030
|
6,622
|
(6,914
|
)
|
5,738
|
||||||||
Derivative
asset –
current
|
—
|
24,424
|
—
|
24,424
|
|||||||||
Other
current
assets
|
467
|
27
|
—
|
494
|
|||||||||
Total
current
assets
|
6,497
|
31,686
|
(6,914
|
)
|
31,269
|
||||||||
Property
and equipment –
net
|
42,319
|
115,011
|
2,771
|
160,101
|
|||||||||
Deferred
financing fees,
net
|
92
|
1,631
|
—
|
1,723
|
|||||||||
Derivative asset
–
long-term
|
—
|
21,663
|
—
|
21,663
|
|||||||||
Investment
in
partnership
|
11,890
|
—
|
(11,890
|
)
|
—
|
||||||||
Other
assets
|
445
|
—
|
—
|
445
|
|||||||||
Total
assets
|
$
|
61,243
|
$
|
169,991
|
$
|
(16,033
|
)
|
$
|
215,201
|
||||
Liabilities
and Stockholders’ equity:
|
|||||||||||||
Current
liabilities:
|
|||||||||||||
Accounts
payable
|
$
|
5,962
|
$
|
478
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
6,440
|
|||||
Oil
and gas
production payable
|
7,433
|
—
|
(4,990
|
)
|
2,443
|
||||||||
Accrued
interest
|
20
|
222
|
—
|
242
|
|||||||||
Other
accrued
expenses
|
3,504
|
—
|
(1,924
|
) |
1,580
|
||||||||
Derivative
liability –
current
|
—
|
2,950
|
—
|
2,950
|
|||||||||
Current
maturities of long-term
debt
|
147
|
40,000
|
—
|
40,147
|
|||||||||
Dividend
payable
|
—
|
19
|
—
|
19
|
|||||||||
Total
current
liabilities
|
17,066
|
43,669
|
(6,914
|
)
|
53,821
|
||||||||
Long-term
debt
|
8,188
|
125,600
|
—
|
133,788
|
|||||||||
Future
site
restoration
|
928
|
9,179
|
—
|
10,107
|
|||||||||
Total
liabilities
|
26,182
|
178,448
|
(6,914
|
)
|
197,716
|
||||||||
Abraxas
Petroleum equity
(deficit)
|
35,061
|
(8,457)
|
(17,129
|
)
|
9,475
|
||||||||
Non-controlling
interest
(deficit)
|
—
|
—
|
8,010
|
8,010
|
|||||||||
Total
equity
(deficit)
|
35,061
|
(8,457
|
)
|
(9,119
|
)
|
17,485
|
|||||||
Total
liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)
|
$
|
61,243
|
$
|
169,991
|
$
|
(16,033
|
)
|
$
|
215,201
|
Condensed
Consolidating Balance Sheet
|
|||||||||||||
December
31, 2008
|
|||||||||||||
(unaudited)
|
|||||||||||||
(In
thousands)
|
|||||||||||||
Abraxas
Petroleum
Corporation
|
Abraxas
Energy
Partners,
L.P.
|
Reclassifi-
cations
and
eliminations
|
Consolidated
|
||||||||||
Assets:
|
|||||||||||||
Cash
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
1,924
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
1,924
|
|||||
Accounts
receivable, less allowance for
doubtful
accounts
|
11,514
|
7,695
|
(11,243
|
)
|
7,966
|
||||||||
Derivative
asset –
current
|
—
|
22,832
|
—
|
22,832
|
|||||||||
Other
current
assets
|
535
|
37
|
—
|
572
|
|||||||||
Total
current assets
|
12,049
|
32,488
|
(11,243
|
)
|
33,294
|
||||||||
Property
and equipment –
net
|
41,291
|
119,017
|
—
|
160,308
|
|||||||||
Deferred
financing fees,
net
|
102
|
1,341
|
—
|
1,443
|
|||||||||
Derivative asset
–
long-term
|
—
|
16,394
|
—
|
16,394
|
|||||||||
Investment
in
partnership
|
11,889
|
—
|
(11,889
|
)
|
—
|
||||||||
Other
assets
|
400
|
—
|
—
|
400
|
|||||||||
Total
assets
|
$
|
65,731
|
$
|
169,240
|
$
|
(23,132
|
)
|
$
|
211,839
|
||||
Liabilities
and Stockholders’ equity:
|
|||||||||||||
Current
liabilities:
|
|||||||||||||
Accounts
payable
|
$
|
9,606
|
$
|
1,142
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
10,748
|
|||||
Oil
and gas
production payable
|
12,053
|
8
|
(8,885)
|
3,176
|
|||||||||
Accrued
interest
|
18
|
332
|
—
|
350
|
|||||||||
Other
accrued
expenses
|
1,643
|
243
|
—
|
1,886
|
|||||||||
Derivative
liability –
current
|
—
|
3,000
|
—
|
3,000
|
|||||||||
Current
maturities of long-term
debt
|
134
|
40,000
|
—
|
40,134
|
|||||||||
Dividend
payable
|
—
|
2,358
|
(2,358
|
)
|
—
|
||||||||
Total
current
liabilities
|
23,454
|
47,083
|
(11,243
|
)
|
59,294
|
||||||||
Long-term
debt
|
5,235
|
125,600
|
—
|
130,835
|
|||||||||
Future
site
restoration
|
910
|
9,049
|
—
|
9,959
|
|||||||||
Total
liabilities
|
29,599
|
181,732
|
(11,243
|
)
|
200,088
|
||||||||
Abraxas
Petroleum equity
(deficit)
|
36,132
|
(12,492
|
)
|
(18,982
|
)
|
4,658
|
|||||||
Non-controlling
interest
equity
|
—
|
—
|
7,093
|
7,093
|
|||||||||
Total
equity (deficit)
|
36,132
|
(12,492
|
)
|
(11,889
|
)
|
11,751
|
|||||||
Total
liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)
|
$
|
65,731
|
$
|
169,240
|
$
|
(23,132
|
)
|
$
|
211,839
|
Condensed
Consolidating Parent Company and Subsidiary Statement of
Operations
|
|||||||||||||
For
the three months ended March 31, 2009
|
|||||||||||||
(unaudited)
|
|||||||||||||
(In
thousands)
|
|||||||||||||
Abraxas
Petroleum
Corporation
|
Abraxas
Energy
Partners,
L.P.
|
Reclassifi-
cations
and
eliminations
|
Consolidated
|
||||||||||
Revenues:
|
|||||||||||||
Oil
and gas production
revenues
|
$
|
1,966
|
$
|
8,630
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
10,596
|
|||||
Rig
revenues
|
253
|
—
|
—
|
253
|
|||||||||
Other
|
1
|
—
|
—
|
1
|
|||||||||
2,220
|
8,630
|
—
|
10,850
|
||||||||||
Operating
costs and expenses:
|
|||||||||||||
Lease
operating and production
taxes
|
1,065
|
4,804
|
—
|
5,869
|
|||||||||
Depreciation,
depletion, and
amortization
|
957
|
3,526
|
4
|
4,487
|
|||||||||
Impairment
|
—
|
2,775
|
(2,775
|
)
|
—
|
||||||||
Rig
operations
|
188
|
—
|
—
|
188
|
|||||||||
General
and
administrative
|
1,322
|
807
|
—
|
2,129
|
|||||||||
3,532
|
11,912
|
(2,771
|
)
|
12,673
|
|||||||||
Operating
loss
|
(1,312
|
)
|
(3,282
|
)
|
2,771
|
(1,823
|
)
|
||||||
Other
(income) expense:
|
|||||||||||||
Interest
income
|
(3
|
)
|
(2
|
)
|
—
|
(5
|
)
|
||||||
Amortization
of deferred financing
fees
|
10
|
202
|
—
|
212
|
|||||||||
Interest
expense
|
118
|
2,438
|
—
|
2,556
|
|||||||||
Financing
fees
|
—
|
362
|
—
|
362
|
|||||||||
Gain
on derivative
contracts
|
—
|
(12,865
|
)
|
—
|
(12,865
|
)
|
|||||||
Other
|
—
|
21
|
—
|
21
|
|||||||||
125
|
(9,844
|
)
|
—
|
(9,719
|
)
|
||||||||
Net
income (loss)
|
(1,437
|
)
|
6,562
|
2,771
|
7,896
|
||||||||
Less:
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest
|
—
|
—
|
(3,446
|
)
|
(3,446
|
)
|
|||||||
Net
loss attributable to Abraxas Petroleum Corporation
|
$
|
(1,437
|
)
|
$
|
6,562
|
$
|
(675
|
)
|
$
|
4,450
|
Condensed
Consolidating Parent Company and Subsidiary Statement of
Operations
|
|||||||||||||||
For
the three months ended March 31, 2008
|
|||||||||||||||
(unaudited)
|
|||||||||||||||
(In
thousands)
|
|||||||||||||||
Abraxas
Petroleum
Corporation
|
Abraxas
Energy
Partners,
L.P.
|
Reclassifi-
cations
and
eliminations
|
Consolidated
|
||||||||||||
Revenues:
|
|||||||||||||||
Oil
and gas production
revenues
|
$
|
3,047
|
$
|
18,816
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
21,863
|
|||||||
Rig
revenues
|
306
|
—
|
—
|
306
|
|||||||||||
Other
|
1
|
—
|
—
|
1
|
|||||||||||
3,354
|
18,816
|
—
|
22,170
|
||||||||||||
Operating
costs and expenses:
|
|||||||||||||||
Lease
operating and production
taxes
|
776
|
4,426
|
—
|
5,202
|
|||||||||||
Depreciation,
depletion, and
amortization
|
590
|
4,504
|
—
|
5,094
|
|||||||||||
Rig
operations
|
210
|
—
|
—
|
210
|
|||||||||||
General
and
administrative
|
1,285
|
514
|
—
|
1,799
|
|||||||||||
2,861
|
9,444
|
—
|
12,305
|
||||||||||||
Operating
income
|
493
|
9,372
|
—
|
9,865
|
|||||||||||
Other
(income) expense:
|
|||||||||||||||
Interest
income
|
(83
|
)
|
(13
|
)
|
—
|
(96
|
)
|
||||||||
Amortization
of deferred financing
fees
|
10
|
184
|
—
|
194
|
|||||||||||
Interest
expense
|
22
|
2,444
|
—
|
2,466
|
|||||||||||
Loss
on derivative
contracts
|
—
|
26,958
|
—
|
26,958
|
|||||||||||
(51
|
)
|
29,573
|
—
|
29,522
|
|||||||||||
Net
income
(loss)
|
544
|
(20,201
|
)
|
—
|
(19,657
|
)
|
|||||||||
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest
|
—
|
—
|
10,666
|
10,666
|
|||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Abraxas Petroleum
Corporation.
|
$
|
544
|
$
|
(20,201
|
)
|
$
|
10,666
|
$
|
(8,991
|
)
|
Condensed
Consolidating Parent Company and Subsidiary Statement of Cash
Flows
|
|||||||||||||
For
the three months ended March 31, 2009
|
|||||||||||||
(unaudited)
|
|||||||||||||
(In
thousands)
|
|||||||||||||
Abraxas
Petroleum
Corporation
|
Abraxas
Energy
Partners,
L.P.
|
Reclassifi-
cations
and
eliminations
|
Consolidated
|
||||||||||
Operating
Activities
|
|||||||||||||
Net
income (loss)
|
$
|
(1,437
|
)
|
$
|
6,562
|
$
|
2,771
|
$ |
7,896
|
||||
Adjustments
to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
activities:
|
|||||||||||||
Change in derivative fair value
|
—
|
(6,911
|
)
|
—
|
(6,911
|
)
|
|||||||
Depreciation,
depletion, and
amortization
|
957
|
3,526
|
4
|
4,487
|
|||||||||
Proved property
impairment
|
—
|
2,775
|
(2,775
|
)
|
—
|
||||||||
Accretion
of future site restoration
|
13
|
128
|
—
|
141
|
|||||||||
Amortization
of deferred financing fees
|
10
|
202
|
—
|
212
|
|||||||||
Stock-based
compensation
|
220
|
47
|
—
|
267
|
|||||||||
Other
non-cash transactions
|
18
|
—
|
—
|
18
|
|||||||||
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|||||||||||||
Accounts
receivable
|
(769
|
)
|
1,073
|
1,924
|
2,228
|
||||||||
Other
assets
|
65
|
10
|
—
|
75
|
|||||||||
Accounts
payable
|
(2,445
|
)
|
(672
|
)
|
(1,924
|
) |
(5,041
|
)
|
|||||
Accrued
expenses
|
2,317
|
(2,739
|
)
|
—
|
(422
|
)
|
|||||||
Net
cash provided by (used in) operations
|
(1,051
|
)
|
4,001
|
—
|
2,950
|
||||||||
Investing
Activities
|
|||||||||||||
Capital
expenditures, including purchases
and
development of properties – net of dispositions
|
(1,978
|
)
|
(2,293
|
)
|
—
|
(4,271
|
)
|
||||||
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
(1,978
|
)
|
(2,293
|
)
|
—
|
(4,271
|
)
|
||||||
Financing
Activities
|
|||||||||||||
Proceeds
from issuance of common stock
|
|||||||||||||
Proceeds
from long-term borrowings
|
3,000
|
—
|
—
|
3,000
|
|||||||||
Payments
on long-term borrowings
|
(34
|
)
|
—
|
—
|
(34
|
)
|
|||||||
Partnership
distribution
|
86
|
(2,343
|
)
|
—
|
(2,257
|
)
|
|||||||
Deferred
financing fees
|
—
|
(492
|
)
|
—
|
(492
|
)
|
|||||||
Other
|
(23
|
)
|
(184
|
)
|
—
|
(207
|
)
|
||||||
Net
cash provided by (used in) financing activities
|
3,029
|
(3,019
|
)
|
—
|
10
|
||||||||
Decrease
in cash
|
—
|
(1,311
|
)
|
—
|
(1,311
|
)
|
|||||||
Cash
at beginning of year
|
—
|
1,924
|
—
|
1,924
|
|||||||||
Cash
at end of year
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
613
|
$
|
—
|
$ |
613
|
Condensed
Consolidating Parent Company and Subsidiary Statement of Cash
Flows
|
|||||||||||||
For
the three months ended March 31, 2008
|
|||||||||||||
(unaudited)
|
|||||||||||||
(In
thousands)
|
|||||||||||||
Abraxas
Petroleum
Corporation
|
Abraxas
Energy
Partners,
L.P.
|
Reclassifi-
cations
and
eliminations
|
Consolidated
|
||||||||||
Operating
Activities
|
|||||||||||||
Net
income (loss)
|
$
|
544
|
$
|
(20,201
|
)
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
(19,657
|
)
|
|||
Adjustments
to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
activities:
|
|||||||||||||
Change in derivative fair value
|
—
|
23,541
|
—
|
23,541
|
|||||||||
Depreciation,
depletion, and
amortization
|
590
|
4,504
|
—
|
5,094
|
|||||||||
Accretion
of future site restoration
|
(25
|
)
|
145
|
—
|
120
|
||||||||
Amortization
of deferred financing fees
|
10
|
184
|
—
|
194
|
|||||||||
Stock-based
compensation
|
246
|
—
|
—
|
246
|
|||||||||
Other
non-cash transactions
|
21
|
—
|
—
|
21
|
|||||||||
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|||||||||||||
Accounts
receivable
|
(3,760
|
)
|
(4,749
|
)
|
—
|
(8,509
|
)
|
||||||
Other
assets
|
19
|
12
|
—
|
31
|
|||||||||
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
(1,442
|
)
|
10,037
|
—
|
8,595
|
||||||||
Net
cash provided by (used in) operations
|
(3,797
|
)
|
13,473
|
—
|
9,676
|
||||||||
Investing
Activities
|
|||||||||||||
Capital
expenditures, including purchases
and
development of properties
|
(9,964
|
)
|
(127,895
|
)
|
—
|
(137,859
|
)
|
||||||
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
(9,964
|
)
|
(127,895
|
)
|
—
|
(137,859
|
)
|
||||||
Financing
Activities
|
|||||||||||||
Proceeds
from issuance of common stock
|
15
|
—
|
—
|
15
|
|||||||||
Proceeds
from long-term borrowings
|
—
|
119,700
|
—
|
119,700
|
|||||||||
Partnership
distribution
|
2,008
|
(4,406
|
)
|
—
|
(2,398
|
)
|
|||||||
Deferred
financing fees
|
—
|
(1,499
|
)
|
—
|
(1,499
|
)
|
|||||||
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
2,023
|
113,795
|
—
|
115,818
|
|||||||||
Decrease
in cash
|
(11,738
|
)
|
(627
|
)
|
—
|
(12,365
|
)
|
||||||
Cash
at beginning of year
|
17,177
|
1,759
|
—
|
18,936
|
|||||||||
Cash
at end of year
|
$
|
5,439
|
$
|
1,132
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
6,571
|
Note
6. Earnings (Loss) Per
Share
The following table sets forth the
computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
Three
Months Ended March 31,
|
|||||||
2009
|
2008
|
||||||
Numerator:
|
(in
thousands except per
share
data)
|
||||||
Net
income ( loss) available to common stockholders
|
$
|
4,450
|
$
|
(8,991
|
)
|
||
Denominator:
|
|||||||
Denominator
for basic earnings per share – weighted-average shares
|
49,499,062
|
48,871,974
|
|||||
Effect
of dilutive securities:
|
|||||||
Stock
options and
warrants
|
343,434
|
—
|
|||||
Denominator
for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted-average shares and
assumed Conversions
|
49,842,446
|
48,871,974
|
|||||
Net
income (loss) per common share –
basic
|
$
|
0.09
|
$
|
(0.18
|
)
|
||
Net
income (loss) per common share –
diluted
|
$
|
0.09
|
$
|
(0.18
|
)
|
For the
three months ended 2008, none of the shares issuable in connection with stock
options or warrants are included in diluted shares. Inclusion of these shares
would be antidilutive due to losses incurred in the period. Had there not been
losses in the period, dilutive shares would have been 339,122 for the three
months ended March 31, 2008.
Note 7. Hedging Program and
Derivatives
The
Company does not use hedge accounting rules as prescribed by SFAS 133 Accounting
for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, and related interpretations.
Accordingly, instruments are recorded on the balance sheet at their fair value
with adjustments to the carrying value of the instruments being recognized in
gain loss on derivative contracts in the current period.
Under the
terms of the Partnership Credit Facility, Abraxas Energy Partners was required
to enter into derivative contracts for specified volumes, which equated to
approximately 85% of the estimated oil and gas production through December 31,
2011 and 60% of the estimated oil and gas production from its net estimated
proved developed producing reserves for calendar year 2012. The Partnership
intends to enter into derivative contracts in the future to reduce the impact of
price volatility on its cash flow. We have not designated any
of these derivative contracts as a hedge as prescribed by applicable accounting
rules.
|
The
following table sets forth the Partnership’s derivative contract position
at March 31, 2009:
|
Period
Covered
|
Product
|
Volume
(Production
per day)
|
Fixed
Price
|
Year
2009
|
Gas
|
10,595
Mmbtu
|
$8.44
|
Year
2009
|
Oil
|
1,000
Bbl
|
$83.80
|
Year
2010
|
Gas
|
9,130
Mmbtu
|
$8.22
|
Year
2010
|
Oil
|
895
Bbl
|
$83.26
|
Year
2011
|
Gas
|
8,010
Mmbtu
|
$8.10
|
Year
2011
|
Oil
|
810
Bbl
|
$86.45
|
At March 31,
2009, the aggregate fair market value of our commodity derivative contracts was
approximately $46.1 million. In connection with the April 30, 2009
amendment to the Partnership Credit Facility, the Partnership was required to
enter into additional derivative contracts for volumes equating to approximately
60%
of the
estimated oil and gas production from net proved developed reserves for the year
2012. As a result, the Partnership entered into NYMEX-based fixed
price swaps on 670 barrels of oil per day at $67.60 and 3,000 MMBbtu of gas per
day at $6.88 for 2012.
In order
to mitigate its interest rate exposure, the Partnership entered into an interest
rate swap, effective August 12, 2008, amended in February 2009, to fix its
floating LIBOR based debt. The 2-year interest rate swap arrangement is for
$100 million at a fixed rate of 2.95%. The arrangement expires on
August 12, 2010. The fair value of this interest rate swap was a liability
of $2.9 million.
Note
8. Financial
Instruments
SFAS
157—Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted Financial
Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements
(“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for
measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the quality of
inputs used to measure fair value and enhances disclosure requirements for fair
value measurements. The implementation of SFAS 157 did not cause a change in the
method of calculating fair value of assets or liabilities, with the exception of
incorporating a measure of the Company’s own nonperformance risk or that of its
counterparties as appropriate, which was not material. The primary impact from
adoption was additional disclosures.
The
Company elected to implement SFAS 157 with the one-year deferral permitted by
FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement
No. 157 (“FSP
157-2”), issued February 2008, which deferred the effective date of SFAS 157 for
one year for certain nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities measured
at fair value, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in
the financial statements on a recurring basis. As it relates to the Company, the
deferral applies to certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities as may be
acquired in a business combination and thereby measured at fair value; impaired
oil and gas property assessments; and the initial recognition of asset
retirement obligations for which fair value is used.
Fair Value
Hierarchy—SFAS 157 establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for
disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy categorizes
assets and liabilities measured at fair value into one of three different levels
depending on the observability of the inputs employed in the measurement. The
three levels are defined as follows:
|
·
|
Level
1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for
identical assets or liabilities in active
markets.
|
|
·
|
Level
2- inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar
assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable
for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for
substantially the full term of the financial
instrument.
|
|
·
|
Level
3 - inputs to the valuation
methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value
measurement.
|
A
financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based
upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value
measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input
to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers
factors specific to the asset or liability. The following table presents
information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on
a recurring basis as of March 31, 2009, and indicates the fair value hierarchy
of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value
(in thousands):
Quoted
Prices
in
Active
Markets
for
Identical
Assets
(Level
1)
|
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level
2)
|
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
|
Balance
as of
March
31,
2009
|
||||||||||
Assets
|
|||||||||||||
Investment
in common stock
|
$
|
155
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
155
|
|||||
NYMEX-based
fixed price derivative contracts
|
—
|
46,087
|
—
|
46,087
|
|||||||||
Total
assets
|
$
|
155
|
$
|
46,087
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
46,242
|
|||||
Liabilities
|
|||||||||||||
Interest
Rate Swaps
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
2,950
|
$
|
2,950
|
|||||
Total
Liabilities
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
2,950
|
$
|
2,950
|
The Company
has an investment in a former subsidiary consisting of shares of common stock.
The stock is actively traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. This investment is
valued at its quoted price as of March 31, 2009 in US dollars. Accordingly this
investment is characterized as Level 1.
The
Partnership’s derivative contracts consist of NYMEX-based fixed price commodity
swaps and interest rate swaps, which are not traded on a public exchange. The
NYMEX-based fixed price derivative contracts are indexed to NYMEX futures
contracts, which are actively traded, for the underlying commodity, and are
commonly used in the energy industry. A number of financial institutions and
large energy companies act as counter-parties to these type of derivative
contracts. As the fair value of these derivative contracts is based on a number
of inputs, including contractual volumes and prices stated in each derivative
contract, current and future NYMEX commodity prices, and quantitative models
that are based upon readily observable market parameters that are actively
quoted and can be validated through external sources, we have characterized
these derivative contracts as Level 2.
In August
2008, the Partnership entered into a two year interest rate swap. The notional
amount is $100.0 million for the first year and $50.0 million for the second
year. The Partnership will pay interest at 3.367% and be paid on a floating
Libor rate. The interest rate swap was amended in February 2009 and increased
the notional amount in the second year to $100.0 million and reduced the overall
interest rate to 2.95%. As there is no actively traded market for this type of
swap and no observable market parameters, these derivative contracts are
classified as Level 3.
Additional
information for the Partnership’s recurring fair value measurements using
significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs) for the quarter ended
March 31, 2009 is as follows (in thousands):
Derivative
Assets
and
(Liabilities)
net
|
||||
Balance
December 31, 2008
|
$ | (3,000 | ) | |
Total
realized and unrealized losses included in change in net
liability
|
(512 | ) | ||
Settlements
during the period
|
562 | |||
Ending
balance March 31, 2009
|
$ | (2,950 | ) |
Note
9. Contingencies -
Litigation
From time
to time, the Company is involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of
its operations in the normal course of business. At March 31, 2009, the Company
was not engaged in any legal proceedings that are expected, individually or in
the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on its operations.
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
The
following is a discussion of our financial condition, results of operations,
liquidity and capital resources. This discussion should be read in conjunction
with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, included in
our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2009. The terms
“Abraxas” or “Abraxas Petroleum” refer to Abraxas Petroleum Corporation and its
subsidiaries other than Abraxas Energy Partners, L.P., which we refer to as
“Abraxas Energy Partners” or the “Partnership”, and its subsidiary, Abraxas
Operating, LLC, which we refer to as “Abraxas Operating” and the terms “we”,
“us”, “our” or the “Company” refer to Abraxas Petroleum Corporation and all of
its consolidated subsidiaries including Abraxas Energy Partners and Abraxas
Operating. The operations of Abraxas Petroleum and the Partnership are
consolidated for financial reporting purposes with the interest of the 52.7%
non-controlling owners presented as non-controlling interest. Abraxas owns the
remaining 47.3% of the partnership interests.
Critical
Accounting Policies
Except as
set forth in the following paragraph, there have been no changes from the
Critical Accounting Policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2008.
On
January 1, 2009, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(“SFAS”) No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial
Statements - An Amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160
establishes accounting and reporting standards for (1) ownership interests in
subsidiaries held by others, (2) the amount of consolidated net income
attributable to the controlling and noncontrolling interests, (3) changes in the
controlling ownership interest, (4) the valuation of retained noncontrolling
equity investments when a subsidiary is deconsolidated and (5) disclosures that
clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the controlling and
noncontrolling owners. The adoption of SFAS 160 resulted in changes to our
presentation for noncontrolling interests and did not have a material impact on
the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
In June
2008, the FASB ratified EITF Issue No. 07-5, Determining Whether an
Instrument (or Embedded Feature) is indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock (“EITF
07-5”). EITF 07-5 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal
years. Early application is not permitted. EITF 07-5 provides a new two-step
model to be applied in determining whether a financial instrument or an embedded
feature is indexed to an issuer’s own stock and thus able to qualify for the
SFAS No. 133 paragraph 11(a) scope exception. The Company
intends to utilize liability treatment of warrants going forward. The adoption
of this standard has not had a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated
financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
General
We are
independent energy company primarily engaged in the development and production
of oil and gas. Our principal means of growth has been through the acquisition
and subsequent development and exploitation of producing properties. As a result
of these activities, we believe that we have a number of development
opportunities on our properties. In addition, we intend to expand upon our
development activities with complementary exploration projects in our core areas
of operation. Success in our development and exploration activities is critical
to the maintenance and growth of our current production levels and associated
reserves.
Factors
Affecting Our Financial Results
While we
have attained positive net income in three of the five years ended December 31,
2008, we sustained a loss in the year ended December 31, 2008 and we cannot
assure you that we can achieve positive operating income and net income in the
future. Our financial results depend upon many factors, which significantly
affect our results of operations including the following:
· the
sales prices of oil and gas;
· the
level of total sales volumes of oil and gas;
|
·
|
the
availability of, and our ability to raise additional capital resources and
provide liquidity to meet cash flow
needs;
|
· the
level of and interest rates on borrowings; and
· the
level of success of exploitation, exploration and development
activity.
|
Commodity Prices and Hedging
Activities.
|
The
results of our operations are highly dependent upon the prices received for our
oil and gas production. The prices we receive for our production are dependent
upon spot market prices, price differentials and the effectiveness of our
derivative contracts, which we sometimes refer to as hedging arrangements.
Substantially all of our sales of oil and gas are made in the spot market, or
pursuant to contracts based on spot market prices, and not pursuant to
long-term, fixed-price contracts. Accordingly, the prices received for our oil
and gas production are dependent upon numerous factors beyond our control.
Significant declines in prices for oil and gas could have a material adverse
effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and
quantities of reserves recoverable on an economic basis. Recently, the
prices of oil and gas have been volatile. During the first quarter of 2009,
prices of oil and gas declined significantly from the near record levels
experienced during the firstquarter of 2008. During the first quarter of 2009,
the New York Mercantile (NYMEX) price for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) averaged
$43.19 per barrel as compared to $97.81 per barrel during the first quarter of
2008. NYMEX Henry Hub spot prices for gas averaged $4.55 per million British
thermal units (MMBtu) for the first quarter of 2009 compared to $8.64 for the
same period of 2008. Prices closed the quarter at $49.66 per Bbl of oil and
$3.61 per MMBtu of gas and continue to be significantly lower when compared
to the same period of 2008. The realized prices that we receive
for our production differ from NYMEX futures and spot market prices, principally
due to:
|
·
|
basis
differentials which are dependent on actual delivery
location,
|
|
·
|
adjustments
for BTU content; and
|
|
·
|
gathering,
processing and transportation
costs.
|
During
the first quarter of 2009, differentials averaged $8.06 per Bbl of oil and $0.92
per Mcf of gas as compared to $4.18 per Bbl of oil and $1.32 per Mcf of gas
during the first quarter of 2008. We are realizing greater differentials during
2009 as compared to 2008 because of the increased percentage of our production
from the Rocky Mountain and Mid-Continent regions which experience higher
differentials than our Texas properties. Under the terms of the Partnership
Credit Facility, Abraxas Energy Partners was required to enter into derivative
contracts for specified volumes, which equated to approximately 85% of the
estimated oil and gas production through December 31, 2011 and 60% of the
estimated oil and gas production from its net estimated proved developed
producing reserves for calendar year 2012. By removing a significant portion of
price volatility on its future oil and gas production, the Partnership believes
it will mitigate, but not eliminate, the potential effects of changing commodity
gas prices on its cash flow from operations for those periods. Because the prices at which
we have hedged our oil and gas production are significantly higher than current
commodity prices, we will realize increased cash flow on the portion of our
production that we have hedged and we will sustain realized and unrealized gains
on our derivative contracts. Conversely, our commodity price hedging strategy
has limited and may in the future limit our ability to realize increased cash
flow from price increases. The Partnership intends to enter into
derivative contracts in the future to reduce the impact of price volatility on
its cash flow. The prices at which future production is hedged will
be dependent upon commodity prices at the time the agreement is entered into,
which may be substantially higher or lower than current oil and gas
prices. Accordingly, future commodity derivative contracts may not
protect us from significant declines in oil and gas prices. We have
not elected hedge accounting as allowed by applicable accounting
rules.
|
The
following table sets forth the Partnership’s derivative contract position
at March 31, 2009:
|
Period
Covered
|
Product
|
Volume
(Production
per day)
|
Fixed
Price
|
Year
2009
|
Gas
|
10,595
Mmbtu
|
$8.44
|
Year
2009
|
Oil
|
1,000
Bbl
|
$83.80
|
Year
2010
|
Gas
|
9,130
Mmbtu
|
$8.22
|
Year
2010
|
Oil
|
895
Bbl
|
$83.26
|
Year
2011
|
Gas
|
8,010
Mmbtu
|
$8.10
|
Year
2011
|
Oil
|
810
Bbl
|
$86.45
|
In
connection with the April 30, 2009 amendment to the Partnership Credit Facility,
the Partnership was required to enter into additional derivative contracts for
volumes equating to approximately 60% of the estimated oil and gas production
from net proved developed producing reserves for the year 2012. As a
result, the Partnership entered into NYMEX-based fixed price swaps on 670
barrels of oil per day at $67.60 and 3,000 MMBbtu of gas per day at $6.88 for
2012.
At March
31, 2009, the aggregate fair market value of our derivative contracts was
approximately $46.1 million.
Production
Volumes. Because our proved reserves will decline as oil and gas are
produced, unless we find, acquire or develop additional properties containing
proved reserves or conduct successful exploration and development activities,
our reserves and production will decrease. Approximately 85% of the
estimated ultimate recovery of Abraxas’ and 92% of the Partnership’s, or 92% of
our consolidated proved developed producing reserves as of December 31, 2008 had
been produced. Based on the reserve information set forth in our
reserve estimates as of December 31, 2008, Abraxas’ average annual
estimated decline rate for its net proved developed producing reserves is 18%
during the first five years, 13% in the next five years, and approximately 7%
thereafter. Based on the reserve information set forth in our reserve
estimates as of December 31, 2008, the Partnership’s average annual estimated
decline rate for its net proved developed producing reserves is 10% during the
first five years, 8% in the next five years and approximately 8%
thereafter. These rates of decline are estimates and actual
production declines could be materially higher. While Abraxas has had
some success in finding, acquiring and developing additional revenues, Abraxas
has not always been able to fully replace the production volumes lost from
natural field declines and prior property sales. For example, in 2006, Abraxas
replaced only 7% of the reserves it produced. In 2007, however, we replaced 219%
of the reserves we produced and in 2008, we replaced 555% of the reserves we
produced primarily as a result of the St. Mary property acquisition in January
2008. Our ability to acquire or find additional reserves in the near future will
be dependent, in part, upon the amount of available funds for acquisition,
exploration and development projects.
We had
capital expenditures of $4.3 million during the first quarter of 2009 of which
$2.3 million was by the Partnership and $2.0 million was by Abraxas
Petroleum and our capital budget for 2009 is approximately $32.0 million, of
which $20.0 million is applicable to Abraxas and $12.0 million applicable to the
Partnership. Under the terms of the Partnership Credit Facility, the
Partnership’s capital expenditures may not exceed $12.5 million prior to the
termination of the Partnership’s Subordinated Credit Agreement. The
final amount of our capital expenditures for 2009 will depend on our success
rate, production levels, the availability of capital and commodity
prices.
Availability of
Capital. As described more
fully under “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below, Abraxas’ sources of capital
going forward will primarily be cash from operating activities, funding under
the Credit Facility, cash on hand, distributions from the Partnership, which are
currently restricted by terms of the Partnership Credit Facility, sales of debt
or equity securities, if available, and, if an appropriate opportunity presents
itself, proceeds from the sale of properties. Abraxas Energy
Partners’ principal sources of capital will be cash from operating activities,
borrowings under the Partnership Credit Facility, and sales of debt or equity
securities if available to it. At March 31, 2009, Abraxas had
approximately $3.5 million of availability under the Credit Facility and the
Partnership had approximately $14.4 million of availability under the
Partnership Credit Facility.
The
Partnership’s Subordinated Credit Agreement matures on July 1,
2009. The Partnership has intended to repay its indebtedness under
the Subordinated Credit Agreement with proceeds from its initial public
offering. However, the equity capital markets have been negatively
affected in recent months. As a result, we cannot assure you that the
Partnership will be successful in completing the IPO prior to the maturity of
the Subordinated Credit Agreement. The Partnership is in discussions with other
lending institutions to re-finance the $40 million currently outstanding on the
Subordinated Credit Agreement. If the Partnership is unable to
re-finance or amend the indebtedness under its Subordinated Credit Agreement ,
it may be required to sell assets and further reduce capital expenditures and
cash distributions. We cannot assure you that the Partnership will be
able to re-finance the indebtedness under its Subordinated Credit Agreement,
sell assets or obtain additional financing on terms acceptable to it, if at
all. If an event of default were to occur under the Partnership
Subordinated Credit Agreement, an event of default would also occur under the
Partnership Credit Facility. Upon an event of default, the lenders
could foreclose on the Partnership’s assets and exercise other customary
remedies, all of which would have a material adverse effect on us.
Exploration and
Development Activity. We believe that our high quality asset base, high
degree of operational control and inventory of drilling projects position us for
future growth. Our properties are concentrated in locations that facilitate
substantial economies of scale in drilling and production operations and more
efficient reservoir management practices. At December 31, 2008, we operated
properties accounting for approximately 83% of our reserves, giving us
substantial control over the timing and incurrence of operating and capital
expenditures. We have identified 234 additional drilling locations (of which 109
were classified as proved undeveloped at December 31, 2008) on our existing
leasehold, the successful development of which we believe could significantly
increase our production and proved reserves.
Our
future oil and gas production, and therefore our success, is highly dependent
upon our ability to find, acquire and develop additional reserves that are
profitable to produce. The rate of production from our oil and gas properties
and our proved reserves will decline as our reserves are produced unless we
acquire additional properties containing proved reserves, conduct successful
development and exploration activities or, through engineering studies, identify
additional behind-pipe zones or secondary recovery reserves. We cannot assure
you that our exploration and development activities will result in increases in
our proved reserves. In 2006, for example, Abraxas replaced only 7% of the
reserves it produced. In 2007, however, we replaced 219% of our reserves, and in
2008, we replaced 555% of our reserves, primarily as the result of the St. Mary
property acquisition in January 2008. If our proved reserves decline in the
future, our production may also decline and, consequently, our cash flow from
operations, distributions of available cash from the Partnership to Abraxas and
the amount that Abraxas is able to borrow under its credit facility and that the
Partnership will be able to borrow under its credit facility will also decline.
In addition, approximately 65% of Abraxas’ and 39% of the Partnership’s
estimated proved reserves at December 31, 2008 were undeveloped. By their
nature, estimates of undeveloped reserves are less certain. Recovery of such
reserves will require significant capital expenditures and successful drilling
operations. We may be unable to acquire or develop additional reserves, in which
case our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely
affected.
Borrowings and
Interest. The Partnership
had indebtedness of approximately $125.6 million under the Partnership Credit
Facility and $40 million under its Subordinated Credit Agreement as of March 31,
2009. At May 7, 2009, the Partnership had $4.4 million available
under the Partnership Credit Facility. Under the amended terms of the
Partnership Credit Facility, on May 14, 2009, Abraxas Petroleum is required to
re-pay the distribution of approximately $1.9 million paid to it relating to the
fourth quarter of 2008 to the Partnership and the Partnership must, in turn,
make a principal payment of approximately $1.9 million under the
Partnership Credit Facility. Once this payment has been made, the
borrowing base under the Partnership Credit Facility will be reduced to
approximately $128.1 million and the Partnership Credit Facility will have a
balance of approximately $123.7 million and availability of $4.4
million. Abraxas Petroleum intends to make this payment on or before
May 14, 2009. In consideration of making this payment, Abraxas
Petroleum will be issued a number of additional units of the Partnership
determined by dividing approximately $1.9 million by 110% of the average trading
yields of comparable E&P MLPs based on the closing market price on May 14,
2009 multiplied by the most recent quarterly distribution paid or declared by
the Partnership times four. At March 31, 2009, Abraxas had
indebtedness of $3.0 million and availability of $3.5 million under its Credit
Facility. If interest expense increases as a result of higher interest rates or
increased borrowings, more cash flow from operations would be used to meet debt
service requirements. As a result, we would need to increase our cash
flow from operations in order to fund the development of our numerous drilling
opportunities which, in turn, will be dependent upon the level of our production
volumes and commodity prices. In order to mitigate its interest rate exposure,
the Partnership entered
into an
interest rate swap, effective August 12, 2008, to fix its floating LIBOR-based
debt. The Partnership’s two-year interest rate swap arrangement for
$100 million at a fixed rate of 3.367% expires on August 12,
2010. This interest rate swap was amended in February 2009 lowering
the Partnership’s fixed rate to 2.95%.
Results
of Operations
The
following table sets forth certain of our operating data for the periods
presented.
Three
Months Ended
March
31,
|
||||||||
2009
|
2008
(2)
|
|||||||
(in
thousands)
|
||||||||
Operating
Revenue: (1)
|
||||||||
Oil
sales
|
$ | 5,030 | $ | 10,858 | ||||
Gas
sales
|
5,566 | 11,005 | ||||||
Rig
operations
|
253 | 306 | ||||||
Other
|
1 | 1 | ||||||
$ | 10,850 | $ | 22,170 | |||||
Operating
Income
(loss)
|
$ | (1,823 | ) | $ | 9,865 | |||
Oil
production
(MBbl)
|
143.2 | 116.0 | ||||||
Gas
production
(MMcf)
|
1,621 | 1,504 | ||||||
Average
oil sales price
($/Bbl)
|
$ | 35.13 | $ | 93.63 | ||||
Average
gas sales price
($/Mcf)
|
$ | 3.43 | $ | 7.32 |
(1) Revenue
and average sales prices are before the impact of derivative
activities.
(2) Includes
results of operations for properties acquired from St. Mary Land &
Exploration for February and March 2008.
Comparison
of Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 to Three Months Ended March 31,
2008
Operating
Revenue. During
the three months ended March 31, 2009, operating revenue from oil and gas sales
decreased to $10.6 million from $21.9 million for the first quarter of 2008. The
decrease in revenue was primarily due to significant decreases in commodity
prices during the first quarter of 2009. Decreased prices had a negative impact
on oil and gas revenue of $12.6 million. Increased production volumes
contributed $1.3 million to oil and gas revenue for the quarter ended March 31,
2009.
Average
sales prices before the impact of derivative activities for the quarter ended
March 31, 2009 were:
§ $35.13
per Bbl of oil,
§ $ 3.43
per Mcf of gas
Average
sales prices before the impact of derivative activities for the quarter ended
March 31, 2008 were:
§ $93.63
per Bbl of oil,
§ $ 7.32
per Mcf of gas
Oil sales
volumes increased from 116.0 MBbls during the quarter ended March 31, 2008 to
143.2 MBbls for the same period of 2009. The increase in oil sales volumes was
primarily due to production from properties acquired in the St. Mary acquisition
that closed on January 31, 2008. Production for the quarter ended March 31, 2008
included
the
months of February and March from these properties and added 64.7 MBbls of oil.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2009 production from these properties
contributed 85.5 MBbls of oil. Gas production volumes increased from
1,504 MMcf for the three months ended March 31, 2008 to 1,621 MMcf for the same
period of 2009. The properties acquired in the St. Mary acquisition contributed
468.0 MMcf of gas production for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 as compared to
352.9 MMcf of gas production during the first quarter of 2008. This
increase was partially offset by natural field declines.
Lease Operating
Expenses. Lease
operating expenses (“LOE”) for the three months ended March 31, 2009 increased
to $5.9 million compared to $5.2 million in 2008. The increase in LOE was
partially related to the properties acquired in the St. Mary property
acquisition. These properties added $ 2.5 million to LOE during the first
quarter of 2009 as compared to $1.5 million to LOE during the first quarter of
2008. LOE on a per BOE basis for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was
$14.20 per BOE compared to $14.19 for the same period of 2008.
General and
Administrative (“G&A”) Expenses. G&A expenses, excluding
stock-based compensation, increased to $1.9 million for the quarter ended March
31, 2009 compared to $1.3 million during for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.
The increase in G&A was primarily due to higher professional fees in 2009 as
compared to 2008. G&A expense on a per BOE basis was $4.50 for the first
quarter of 2009 compared to $4.24 for the same period of 2008. The increase in
G&A expense on a per BOE basis was primarily due to increased cost in the
first quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.
Equity-based
Compensation. We currently utilize a standard option pricing model (i.e.,
Black-Scholes) to measure the fair value of stock options granted to employees.
Options granted to employees are valued at the date of grant and expense is
recognized over the options vesting period. In addition to options, restricted
shares of the Company’s common stock and restricted units of the Partnership
have been granted. For the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, equity based
compensation was approximately $267,000 and $246,000 respectively. The increase
in 2009 as compared to 2008 was due to the grant of options and restricted units
in the first quarter of 2009.
Depreciation,
Depletion and Amortization Expenses. Depreciation, depletion and
amortization (“DD&A”) expense decreased to $4.5 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2009 from $5.1 million for same period of 2008. The decrease in
DD&A was primarily the result of a reduction in the depletion base as a
result of the proved property impairment recorded for the year ended December
31, 2008. Our DD&A on a per BOE basis for the three months ended March 31,
2009 was $10.85 per BOE compared to $13.89 per BOE in 2008. The decrease in the
per BOE DD&A was due to the lower depletion base for the
period.
Interest Expense.
Interest expense was consistent at $2.6 million for the first three
months of 2009 and $2.5 million for the same period of 2008. The interest rates
on the Credit Facility averaged approximately 2.5%, on the Partnership Credit
Facility approximately 4.0% and on the Subordinated Credit Agreement
approximately 10.1% for the quarter ended March 31, 2009.
Gain (loss) from
derivative contracts.
We account for derivative gains and losses based on realized and
unrealized amounts. The realized derivative gains or losses are determined by
actual derivative settlements during the period. Unrealized gains and losses are
based on the periodic mark to market valuation of derivative contracts in place.
Our derivative contract transactions do not qualify for hedge accounting as
prescribed by SFAS 133; therefore, fluctuations in the market value of the
derivative contract is recognized in earnings during the current
period. The Partnership has entered into a series of NYMEX–based
fixed price commodity swaps, the estimated unearned value of these derivative
contracts was approximately $46.1 million as of March 31, 2009. For the quarter
ended March 31, 2009, we realized a gain on these derivative contracts of $7.0
million.
Ceiling
Limitation Write-down.
We record the carrying value of our oil and gas properties using the full
cost method of accounting for oil and gas properties. Under this method, we
capitalize the cost to acquire, explore for and develop oil and gas
properties. Under the full cost accounting rules, the net capitalized
cost of oil and gas properties less related deferred taxes, are limited by
country, to the lower of the unamortized cost or the cost ceiling, defined as
the sum of the present value of estimated unescalated future net revenues from
proved reserves, discounted at 10%, plus the cost of properties not being
amortized, if any, plus the lower of cost or estimated fair value of unproved
properties included in the costs being amortized, if any, less related income
taxes. If the net capitalized cost of oil and gas properties exceeds
the ceiling limit, we are subject to a ceiling limitation write-down to the
extent of such excess. A ceiling limitation write-down is a charge to earnings
which does not impact cash
flow from
operating activities. However, such write-downs do impact the amount of our
stockholders' equity. The cost ceiling represents the present value
(discounted at 10%) of net cash flows from sales of future production, using
commodity prices on the last day of the quarter, or alternatively, if prices
subsequent to that date have increased, a price near the periodic filing date of
the our financial statements. As of March 31, 2009, our net
capitalized costs of oil and gas properties exceeded the present value of our
estimated proved reserves by $37.1 million ($4.7 million on Abraxas Petroleum
properties and $32.4 million on the Partnership properties). These
amounts were calculated considering March 31, 2009 quarter end
prices. We did not adjust the capitalized costs of our properties
because subsequent to March 31, 2009, crude oil and natural gas prices increased
such that capitalized costs did not exceed the present value of the estimated
proved oil and gas reserves on a consolidated basis as determined using
increased NYMEX prices on May 7, 2009 of $58.32 per Bbl for oil and
$4.00 per Mcf for gas.
The risk
that we will be required to write-down the carrying value of our oil and gas
assets increases when oil and gas prices are depressed. In addition,
write-downs may occur if we have substantial downward revisions in our estimated
proved reserves or if purchasers or governmental action cause an abrogation of,
or if we voluntarily cancel, long-term contracts for our gas. We cannot assure
you that we will not experience additional write-downs in the future. If
commodity prices decline or if any of our proved reserves are revised downward,
a further write-down of the carrying value of our oil and gas properties may be
required.
Non-controlling
interest.
Non-controlling interest represents the share of the net income (loss) of
Abraxas Energy Partners for the period owned by the partners other than Abraxas
Petroleum. For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, the non-controlling interest in
the net income of the Partnership was approximately $3.4 million.
Recently
Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In April
2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS No. 115-2 and No. 124-2, “Recognition
and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments.” FSP
SFAS No. 115-2 and SFAS No. 124-2 provides additional
guidance designed to create greater clarity and consistency in accounting for
and presenting impairment losses on securities. FSP SFAS No. 115-2 and
SFAS No. 124-2 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods
beginning after June 15, 2009 and is effective for us at June 30,
2009. We have not yet determined the impact, if any, that the FSP will have on
our results of operations or financial position.
In April
2009, the FASB issued FSP No. 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the
Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly
Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly.” FSP No.157-4
provides additional authoritative guidance to assist in determining whether a
market is active or inactive, and whether a transaction is distressed. FSP
No. 157-4 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning
after June 15, 2009 and is effective for us at June 30, 2009. We have
not yet determined the impact, if any, that the FSP will have on our results of
operations or financial position.
Management
believes the impact of other recently issued accounting standards, which are not
yet effective, will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial
statements upon adoption.
On
December 29, 2008, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted rule changes
to modernize its oil and gas reporting disclosures. The changes are
intended to provide investors with a more meaningful and comprehensive
understanding of oil and gas reserves.
The
updated disclosure requirements are designed to align with current practices and
changes in technology that have taken place in the oil and gas industry since
the adoption of the original reporting requirements more than 25 years
ago.
New
disclosure requirements include:
·
|
Permitting
the use of new technologies to determine proved reserves if those
technologies have been demonstrated empirically to lead to reliable
conclusions about reserve volumes.
|
·
|
Enabling
companies to additionally disclose their probable and possible reserves to
investors. Currently, the rules limit disclosure to only proved
reserves.
|
·
|
Allowing
previously excluded resources, such as oil sands, to be classified as oil
and gas reserves.
|
·
|
Requiring
companies to report on the independence and qualifications of a preparer
or auditor and requiring companies to file reports when a third party is
relied upon to prepare reserve estimates or conduct a reserves
audit.
|
·
|
Requiring
companies to report oil and gas reserves using an average price based upon
the prior 12-month period – rather than the year-end price – to maximize
the comparability of reserve estimates among companies and mitigate the
distortion of the estimates that arises when using a single pricing
date.
|
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
General.
The oil and gas industry is a highly capital intensive and cyclical business.
Our capital requirements are driven principally by our obligations to service
debt and to fund the following costs:
|
·
|
the
development of existing properties, including drilling and completion
costs of wells;
|
|
·
|
acquisition
of interests in additional oil and gas properties;
and
|
|
·
|
production
and transportation facilities.
|
The
amount of capital expenditures we are able to make has a direct impact on our
ability to increase cash flow from operations and, thereby, will directly affect
our ability to service our debt obligations and to continue to grow the business
through the development of existing properties and the acquisition of new
properties.
Abraxas’
sources of capital going forward will primarily be cash from operating
activities, funding under its credit facility, distributions from the
Partnership, which are currently restricted, and if an appropriate opportunity
presents itself, proceeds from the sale of properties. We may also seek equity
capital although we may not be able to complete any equity financings on terms
acceptable to us, if at all. The Partnership’s principal sources of capital will
be cash from operating activities, borrowings under the Partnership Credit
Facility, and sales of debt or equity securities if available to
it.
Working Capital
(Deficit). At March 31, 2009, our current liabilities of approximately
$53.8 million exceeded our current assets of $31.3 million resulting in a
working capital deficit of $22.5 million. This compares to a working capital
deficit of approximately $26.0 million at December 31, 2008. Current liabilities
at March 31, 2009 primarily consisted of the current portion of long-term debt
consisting of $40.0 million outstanding under the Subordinated Credit Agreement,
the current portion of derivative liabilities of $3.0 million, trade payables of
$6.4 million, revenues due third parties of $2.4 million, and other
accrued liabilities of $1.6 million. The Subordinated Credit
Agreement matures on July 1 , 2009. The Partnership has intended to
re-pay the amounts due under this agreement with the proceeds of the initial
public offering. However, the equity capital markets have been
negatively affected in recent months. As a result, we cannot assure
you that the Partnership will be successful in completing the IPO prior to the
maturity of the Subordinated Credit Agreement. In addition, the Partnership’s
failure to receive $20.0 million of proceeds from an equity issuance on or prior
to June 30, 2009 would be an event of default under the Subordinated Credit
Agreement. The Partnership has engaged an exclusive financial advisor to
refinance the Subordinated Credit Agreement. We cannot assure you
that the Partnership will successfully refinance this
indebtedness. If the Partnership is unable to refinance or amend the
indebtedness under its Subordinated Credit Agreement, it may be required to sell
assets and reduce capital expenditures and cash distributions. We
cannot assure you that the Partnership will be able to re-finance the
indebtedness under its Subordinated Credit Agreement, sell assets or obtain
additional financing on terms acceptable to it, if at all. If an
event of default were to occur under the Subordinated Credit Agreement, an event
of default would also occur under the Partnership Credit
Facility. Upon an event of default, the lenders could foreclose on
the Partnership’s assets and exercise other customary remedies, all of which
would have a material adverse effect on us.
Capital
expenditures.
Capital expenditures during the first three months of 2009 were $4.3
million compared to $137.9 million during the same period of 2008. The table
below sets forth the components of these capital expenditures on a historical
basis for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.
Three
Months Ended
March
31,
|
|||||||
2009
|
2008
|
||||||
(in
thousands)
|
|||||||
Expenditure
category:
|
|||||||
Acquisitions
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
131,333
|
|||
Development
|
4,238
|
6,340
|
|||||
Facilities
and
other
|
33
|
186
|
|||||
Total
|
$
|
4,271
|
$
|
137,859
|
During
the three months ended March 31, 2009, capital expenditures were primarily for
development of our existing properties. During the three months ended March 31,
2008, capital expenditures were primarily for the acquisition of properties from
St. Mary as well as the development of our existing properties. We
anticipate making capital expenditures of $20 million in 2009. The Partnership
anticipates making capital expenditures for 2009 of $12 million which will be
used primarily for the development of its current properties. These anticipated
expenditures are subject to adequate cash flow from operations, availability
under our Credit Facility and the Partnership’s Credit Facility and, in Abraxas’
case, distributions of available cash from the Partnership, which are currently
restricted by the Partnership Credit Facility. If these sources of funding do
not prove to be sufficient, we may also issue additional shares of equity
securities although we may not be able to complete equity financings on terms
acceptable to us, if at all. Our ability to make all of our budgeted capital
expenditures will also be subject to availability of drilling rigs and other
field equipment and services. Our capital expenditures could also include
expenditures for the acquisition of producing properties if such opportunities
arise. Additionally, the level of capital expenditures will vary during future
periods depending on market conditions and other related economic factors.
Should the prices of oil and gas decline and if our costs of operations continue
to increase or if our production volumes decrease, our cash flows will decrease
which may result in a reduction of the capital expenditures budget. If we
decrease our capital expenditures budget, we may not be able to offset oil and
gas production volumes decreases caused by natural field declines and sales of
producing properties, if any.
Sources of
Capital. The net funds provided by and/or used in each of the operating,
investing and financing activities are summarized in the following table and
discussed in further detail below:
Three
Months Ended
March
31,
|
|||||||
2009
|
2008
|
||||||
(in
thousands)
|
|||||||
Net
cash provided by operating
activities
|
$
|
2,950
|
$
|
9,676
|
|||
Net
cash used in investing
activities
|
(4,271
|
)
|
(137,859
|
)
|
|||
Net
cash provided by financing
activities
|
10
|
115,818
|
|||||
Total
|
$
|
(1,311
|
)
|
$
|
(12,365
|
)
|
Operating
activities during the three months ended March 31, 2009 provided us $2.9 million
of cash compared to providing $9.7 million in the same period in
2008. The 2009 period includes cash provided by the Partnership of
approximately $5.9 million and cash used by Abraxas Petroleum of approximately
($3.0) million. Net income plus non-cash expense items during 2009
and 2008 and net changes in operating assets and liabilities accounted for most
of these funds. Financing activities provided $115.8 million for the first three
months of 2008 compared to providing $10,000 for the same period of 2009. Funds
provided in 2008 were primarily proceeds from the Partnership Credit Facility
and Subordinated Credit Agreement. Funds provided in 2009 were borrowings under
the Credit Facility of $3.0 million less distributions by the Partnership to its
partners of approximately $2.3 million. In addition, under the amended terms of
the Partnership Credit Facility, Abraxas Petroleum is required to repay the
distribution for the fourth quarter of 2008 of approximately $1.9 million to the
Partnership which must, in turn, make a principal payment under the Partnership
Credit Facility of approximately $1.9 million. Investing activities used $4.3
million during the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to using $137.9
million for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. For the first quarter of 2009,
capital expenditures were primarily for the development of existing properties.
Expenditures during the quarter ended March 31, 2008 were primarily for the
acquisition of properties from St. Mary Land and Exploration as well as the
development of our existing properties.
Future Capital
Resources. Since the formation of the Partnership in May 2007,
Abraxas’ sources of capital going forward have primarily been cash from
operating activities, funding under the Credit Facility and distributions from
the Partnership. As a result of the most recent amendments to the
Partnership Credit Facility, Abraxas Petroleum will not be able to receive
distributions from the Partnership until such time as the indebtedness under the
Subordinated Credit Agreement has been repaid and is required to repay the
distribution it received for the fourth quarter of 2008 of approximately $1.9
million. Abraxas Petroleum may also sell debt or equity securities or
conduct asset sales in order to provide itself with capital. Abraxas Energy
Partners’ principal sources of capital will be cash from operating activities,
borrowings under the Partnership Credit Facility, and sales of debt or equity
securities, if available to it.
Cash from
operating activities is dependent upon commodity prices and production
volumes. Oil and gas prices are volatile and declined significantly
during the second half of 2008 and have continued to decline since the end of
the year. Further, the decline in commodity prices has not been
accompanied by a relative decline in the prices of goods and services that we
use to drill, complete and operate our wells. The decline in
commodity prices has significantly reduced our cash flow from
operations. As the result of the global recession, commodity prices
may stay depressed which could further reduce our cash flows from
operations. This could cause us to alter our business plans,
including reducing our exploration and development plans.
Our cash
flow from operations will also depend upon the volume of oil and gas that we
produce. Unless we otherwise expand reserves, our production volumes may decline
as reserves are produced. For example, in 2006, Abraxas replaced only 7% of the
reserves it produced. In 2007 we replaced 219% of the reserves we produced and
in 2008, we replaced 555% of the reserves we produced, primarily as the result
of the St. Mary property acquisition in January 2008. In the future,
if an appropriate opportunity presents itself, we may sell producing properties,
which could further reduce our production volumes. To offset the loss in
production volumes resulting from natural field declines and sales of producing
properties, we must conduct successful exploration and development activities,
acquire additional producing properties or identify additional behind-pipe zones
or secondary recovery reserves. We believe our numerous drilling opportunities
will allow us to increase our production volumes; however, our drilling
activities are subject to numerous risks, including the risk that no
commercially productive oil and gas reservoirs will be found. If our proved
reserves decline in the future, our production will also decline and,
consequently, our cash flow from operations, distributions from the Partnership
and the amount that we are able to borrow under our credit facilities will also
decline. The risk of not finding commercially productive reservoirs will be
compounded by the fact that 65% of Abraxas Petroleum’s and 39% of the
Partnership’s total estimated proved reserves at December 31, 2008 were
undeveloped.
Our
Credit Facility and the Partnership Credit Facility are each subject to a
borrowing base. Our Credit Facility matures on September 30, 2010 and
the Partnership Credit Facility matures on January 31, 2012. Should
current credit market volatility be prolonged for several years, future
extensions of credit may contain terms that are less favorable than those in our
Credit Facility and the Partnership Credit Facility. The Subordinated
Credit Agreement matures on July 1, 2009. The Partnership has
intended to re-pay the amounts due under this agreement with the proceeds of the
initial public offering. However, the equity capital markets have
been negatively affected in recent months. As a result, we cannot
assure you that the Partnership will be successful in completing the IPO prior
to the maturity of the Subordinated Credit Agreement. In addition, the
Partnership’s failure to receive $20.0 million of proceeds from an equity
issuance on or prior to June 30, 2009 would be an event of default under the
Subordinated Credit Agreement. The Partnership has engaged an exclusive
financial advisor to refinance the Subordinated Credit Agreement. We
cannot assure you that the Partnership will successfully refinance this
indebtedness. If the Partnership is unable to refinance or amend the
indebtedness under its Subordinated Credit Agreement, it may be required to sell
assets and reduce capital expenditures and cash distributions. We
cannot assure you that the Partnership will be able to re-finance the
indebtedness under its Subordinated Credit Agreement, sell assets or obtain
additional financing on terms acceptable to it, if at all. If an
event of default were to occur under the Subordinated Credit Agreement, an event
of default would also occur under the Partnership Credit
Facility. Upon an event of default, the lenders could foreclose on
the Partnership’s assets and exercise other customary remedies, all of which
would have a material adverse effect on us.
The
credit markets are undergoing significant volatility and capacity
constraints. Many financial institutions have liquidity concerns,
prompting government intervention to mitigate pressure on the credit
market. Our exposure to the current credit market crisis includes our
Credit Facility, the Partnership Credit Facility and the Subordinated Credit
Agreement and counterparty performance risk.
Current
market conditions also elevate concern over counterparty risks related to our
commodity derivative instruments. The Partnership has all of its
commodity derivative instruments with one major financial
institution. Should this financial counterparty not perform, we may
not realize the benefit of some of our hedges under lower commodity
prices. Although these derivative instruments as well as our Credit
Facility and the Partnership Credit Facility expose us to credit risk, we
monitor the creditworthiness of our counterparty, and we are not currently aware
of any inability on the part of our counterparty to perform under our
contracts. However, we are not able to predict sudden changes in the
credit worthiness of our counterparty.
Since the
formation of the Partnership in May 2007, cash distributions from the
Partnership have been a significant source of liquidity for Abraxas
Petroleum. During 2008, Abraxas Petroleum received $8.9 million in
distributions. The declaration of the cash distribution to be made by the
Partnership on or about May 15, 2009 attributable to the first quarter of 2009
is being deferred. In addition, under the amended terms of the Partnership
Credit Facility, Abraxas Petroleum is required to repay the distribution for the
fourth quarter of 2008 of approximately $1.9 million to the Partnership which
must, in turn, make a principal payment under the Partnership Credit Facility of
approximately $1.9 million. In consideration of making this payment, Abraxas
Petroleum will be issued a number of additional units of the Partnership
determined by dividing approximately $1.9 million by 110% of the average trading
yields of comparable E&P MLPs based on the closing market price on May 14,
2009 multiplied by the most recent quarterly distribution paid or declared by
the Partnership times four. As a result of these amendments, Abraxas
Petroleum will not be able to rely on distributions from the Partnership as a
source of liquidity until such time as the indebtedness under the Subordinated
Credit Agreement has been repaid.
Both Abraxas
Petroleum and the Partnership could also seek capital through the sale of debt
and equity securities, including the proposed initial public offering of
the Partnership. The current state of the equity and debt markets
will have a significant impact on our ability to sell debt or equity securities
on terms as favorable as those which existed prior to the current
crisis.
Contractual
Obligations
We are
committed to making cash payments in the future on the following types of
agreements:
· Long-term
debt
· Interest
on long-term debt
We have
no off-balance sheet debt or unrecorded obligations and we have not guaranteed
the debt of any other party. Below is a schedule of the future payments that we
are obligated to make based on agreements in place as of March 31,
2009:
Contractual
Obligations
(dollars
in thousands)
|
Payments
due in twelve month periods ending:
|
|||||||||||||||
Total
|
March
31,
2010
|
March
31,
2011-2012
|
March
31,
2013-2014
|
Thereafter
|
||||||||||||
Long-Term
Debt
(1)
|
$
|
173,935
|
$
|
40,147
|
$
|
128,901
|
$
|
343
|
$
|
4,544
|
||||||
Interest
on long-term debt
(2)
|
17,484
|
6,547
|
9,968
|
611
|
358
|
|||||||||||
Total
|
$
|
191,419
|
$
|
46,694
|
$
|
138,869
|
$
|
954
|
$
|
4,902
|
(1)
|
These
amounts represent the balances outstanding under the Credit Facility, the
Partnership Credit Facility the Subordinated Credit Agreement
and the Real estate term loan. These repayments assume that we will not
draw down additional funds.
|
(2)
|
Interest
expense assumes the balances of long-term debt at the end of the period
and current effective interest
rates.
|
We
maintain a reserve for cost associated with the retirement of tangible
long-lived assets. At March 31, 2009, our reserve for these obligations totaled
$10.1 million for which no contractual commitment exists.
Off-Balance Sheet
Arrangements. At March 31, 2009, we had no existing off-balance sheet
arrangements, as defined under SEC regulations, that have or are reasonably
likely to have a current or future effect on our financial
condition,
revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or
capital resources that are material to investors.
Contingencies.
From time to time, we are involved in litigation relating to claims
arising out of our operations in the normal course of business. At March 31,
2009, we were not engaged in any legal proceedings that were expected,
individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the
Company.
Other
obligations. We make and will continue to make substantial capital
expenditures for the acquisition, development, exploration and production of oil
and gas. In the past, we have funded our operations and capital expenditures
primarily through cash flow from operations, sales of properties, sales of
production payments and borrowings under our bank credit facilities and other
sources. Given our high degree of operating control, the timing and incurrence
of operating and capital expenditures is largely within our
discretion.
Long-Term
Indebtedness
Long-term
debt consisted of the following:
March
31,
2009
|
December
31,
2008
|
|||||||
Partnership
credit
facility
|
$ | 125,600 | $ | 125,600 | ||||
Partnership
subordinated credit agreement
|
40,000 | 40,000 | ||||||
Senior
secured credit
facility
|
3,000 | — | ||||||
Real
estate lien
note
|
5,335 | 5,369 | ||||||
173,935 | 170,969 | |||||||
Less
current
maturities
|
(40,147 | ) | (40,134 | ) | ||||
$ | 133,788 | $ | 130,835 |
Abraxas Senior
Secured Credit Facility. On June 27, 2007, Abraxas entered into a new
senior secured revolving credit facility, which we refer to as the Credit
Facility. The Credit Facility has a maximum commitment of $50.0 million.
Availability under the Credit Facility is subject to a borrowing base. The
borrowing base under the Credit Facility, which is currently $6.5 million, is
determined semi-annually by the lenders based upon our reserve reports, one of
which must be prepared by our independent petroleum engineers and one of which
may be prepared internally. The amount of the borrowing base is calculated by
the lenders based upon their valuation of our proved reserves utilizing these
reserve reports and their own internal decisions. In addition, the
lenders, in their sole discretion, may make one additional borrowing base
redetermination during any six-month period between scheduled redeterminations
and we may also request one redetermination during any six-month period between
scheduled redeterminations. The lenders may also make a
redetermination in connection with any sales of producing properties with a
market value of 5% or more of our current borrowing base. Our
borrowing base at March 31, 2009 of $6.5 million was determined based upon our
reserves at December 31, 2008. Our borrowing base can never exceed
the $50.0 million maximum commitment amount. Outstanding amounts
under the Credit Facility bear interest at (a) the greater of the reference rate
announced from time to time by Société Générale, and (b) the Federal Funds Rate
plus 0.5% of 1%, plus in each case, (c) 0.5% - 1.5% depending on utilization of
the borrowing base, or, if Abraxas elects, at the London Interbank Offered Rate
plus 1.5% - 2.5%, depending on the utilization of the borrowing base. At March
31, 2009, the interest rate on the Credit Facility was 2.3%. Subject
to earlier termination rights and events of default, the Credit Facility’s
stated maturity date is September 30, 2010. Interest is payable
quarterly on reference rate advances and not less than quarterly on Eurodollar
advances.
Abraxas
is permitted to terminate the Credit Facility, and may, from time to time,
permanently reduce the lenders’ aggregate commitment under the Credit Facility
in compliance with certain notice and dollar increment
requirements.
Each of
Abraxas’ subsidiaries other than the Partnership, Abraxas General Partner, LLC,
which we refer to as the GP, and Abraxas Energy Investments, LLC has guaranteed
Abraxas’ obligations under the Credit Facility on a senior secured
basis. Obligations under the Credit Facility are secured by a first
priority perfected security interest, subject to certain permitted encumbrances,
in all of Abraxas’ and the subsidiary guarantors’ material property and
assets.
Under the
Credit Facility, Abraxas is subject to customary covenants, including certain
financial covenants and reporting requirements. The Credit Facility
requires Abraxas to maintain a minimum current ratio as of the last day of each
quarter of not less than 1.00 to 1.00 and an interest coverage ratio of not less
than 2.50 to 1.00. Current ratio is the ratio of consolidated current assets to
consolidated current liabilities. For purposes of this calculation, current
assets include, as of the date of the calculation, the portion of the borrowing
base which is undrawn but exclude, as of the date of calculation, any cash
deposited with or at the request of a counterparty to any derivative contract,
any assets representing a valuation account arising from the application of SFAS
133 (which relates to derivative instruments and hedging activities) and SFAS
143 (which relates to asset retirement obligations) and any distributions
payable by the Partnership to the GP unless such distributions have been
received by the GP in cash, and current liabilities
exclude, as of the date of calculation, the current portion of long-term debt,
any liabilities representing a valuation account arising from the application of
SFAS 133 and SFAS 143 and any liabilities of the GP arising solely in its
capacity as a general partner of the Partnership. The interest
coverage ratio is the ratio of consolidated EBITDA for the four quarters then
ended to consolidated interest for the four quarters then ended. For the purpose
of this calculation, EBITDA is consolidated net income plus interest expense,
taxes, depreciation, amortization, depletion and other non-cash charges
including non-cash charges resulting from the application of SFAS 123R (which
relates to stock-based compensation), SFAS 133 and SFAS 143 less all non-cash
items of income which were included in determining consolidated net income,
including non-cash items resulting from the application of SFAS 133 and SFAS
143. Interest expense includes total interest, letters of credit fees and other
fees and expenses incurred in connection with any debt. For purposes
of calculating both ratios, any amounts attributable to the Partnership are not
included. At March 31, 2009, our current ratio was 0.92 to 1.00 and our interest
coverage ratio was 29.68 to 1.00.
In
addition to the foregoing and other customary covenants, the Credit Facility
contains a number of covenants that, among other things, will restrict Abraxas’
ability to:
· incur
or guarantee additional indebtedness;
· transfer
or sell assets;
· create
liens on assets;
· engage
in transactions with affiliates other than on an “arms-length”
basis;
· make
any change in the principal nature of its business; and
· permit
a change of control.
The
Credit Facility also contains customary events of default, including nonpayment
of principal or interest, violations of covenants, cross default and cross
acceleration to certain other indebtedness, bankruptcy and material judgments
and liabilities.
The
Company was in compliance with all covenants as of March 31, 2009 or has
obtained a waiver for noncompliance.
Amended and
Restated Partnership Credit Facility. On May 25, 2007, the Partnership
entered into a senior secured revolving credit facility which was amended and
restated on January 31, 2008 and further amended on January 16, 2009, April 30,
2009 and May 7, 2009, which we refer to as the Partnership Credit Facility. The
Partnership Credit Facility has a maximum commitment of $300.0
million. Availability under the Partnership Credit Facility is
subject to a borrowing base. The borrowing base under the Partnership
Credit Facility, which at May 7, 2009 was $130.0 million, is
determined semi-annually by the lenders based upon the Partnership’s reserve
reports, one of which must be prepared by the Partnership’s independent
petroleum engineers and one of which may be prepared internally. The amount of
the borrowing base is calculated by the lenders based upon their valuation of
the Partnership’s proved reserves utilizing these reserve reports and their own
internal decisions. In addition, the lenders, in their sole
discretion, may make one additional borrowing base redetermination during any
six-month period between scheduled redeterminations. The lenders may
also make a redetermination in connection with any sales of producing properties
with a market value of 5% or more of the Partnership’s then current borrowing
base. The Partnership’s borrowing base at May 7, 2009 of $130.0
million was determined based upon its reserves at December 31,
2008. The borrowing base can never exceed the $300.0 million maximum
commitment amount. At March 31, 2009 and May 7, 2009, the Partnership
had a total of $125.6 million outstanding under the Partnership Credit
Facility. Under the amended terms of the Partnership Credit Facility,
on May 14, 2009, Abraxas Petroleum is required to re-pay the distribution of
42
approximately
$1.9 million paid to it relating to the fourth quarter of 2008 to the
Partnership and the Partnership must, in turn, make a principal payment of
approximately $1.9 million under the Partnership Credit
Facility. Abraxas Petroleum intends to make this payment on or before
May 14, 2009. Once this payment has been made, the borrowing base
under the Partnership Credit Facility will be reduced to approximately $128.1
million and the Partnership Credit Facility will have a balance of approximately
$123.7 million and availability of $4.4 million. In consideration of
making this payment, Abraxas Petroleum will be issued a number of additional
units of the Partnership determined by dividing $1.9 million by 110% of the
average trading yields of comparable E&P MLPs based on the closing market
price on May 14, 2009 multiplied by the most recent quarterly distribution paid
or declared by the Partnership times four.
Outstanding
amounts under the Partnership Credit Facility bear interest at (a) the greater
of (1) the reference rate announced from time to time by Société Générale, (2)
the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, and (3) a rate determined by Société Générale
as the daily one-month LIBOR rate plus, in each case 1.5% - 2.5%, depending
on the utilization of the borrowing base, or, if the Partnership elects, at the
greater of (a) 2.0% and (b) the London Interbank Offered Rate plus in
each case, 2.5% - 3.5% depending on the utilization of the borrowing
base. At May 7, 2009 the interest rate on the Partnership Credit
Facility was 5.5%. Subject to earlier termination rights and events
of default, the Partnership Credit Facility’s stated maturity date is January
31, 2012. Interest is payable quarterly on reference rate advances
and not less than quarterly on Eurodollar advances. The Partnership
is permitted to terminate the Partnership Credit Facility, and under certain
circumstances, may be required, from time to time, to permanently reduce the
lenders’ aggregate commitment under the Partnership Credit
Facility.
The
Partnership, the GP, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abraxas, and Abraxas
Operating, LLC, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Partnership and which
we refer to as the Operating Company, have guaranteed the Partnership’s
obligations under the Partnership Credit Facility on a senior secured
basis. Obligations under the Partnership Credit Facility are secured
by a first priority perfected security interest, subject to certain permitted
encumbrances, in all of the property and assets of the GP, the Partnership and
the Operating Company, other than the GP’s general partner units in the
Partnership.
Under the
Partnership Credit Facility, the Partnership is subject to customary covenants,
including certain financial covenants and reporting requirements. The
Partnership Credit Facility requires the Partnership to maintain a minimum
current ratio as of the last day of each quarter of 1.00 to 1.00 and an interest
coverage ratio as of the last day of each quarter of not less than 2.50 to 1.00.
Current ratio is defined as the ratio of consolidated current assets to
consolidated current liabilities. For purposes of this calculation, current
assets include, as of the date of the calculation, the portion of the
borrowing base which is undrawn but exclude, as of the date of calculation, any
cash deposited with or at the request of a counterparty to any derivative
contract, and any assets representing a valuation account arising from the
application of SFAS 133 and SFAS 143 and current liabilities exclude, as of the
date of calculation, the current portion of long-term debt and any liabilities
representing a valuation account arising from the application of SFAS 133 and
SFAS 143. The interest coverage ratio is the ratio of consolidated EBITDA for
the four quarters then ended to consolidated interest for the four quarters then
ended. For the purpose of this calculation, EBITDA is consolidated net income
plus interest expense, taxes, depreciation, amortization, depletion and other
non-cash charges including non-cash charges resulting from the application of
SFAS 123R, SFAS 133 and SFAS 143 less all non-cash items of income which were
included in determining consolidated net income, including non-cash items
resulting from the application of SFAS 133 and SFAS 143. Interest expense
includes total interest, letters of credit fees and other fees and expenses
incurred in connection with any debt. At March 31, 2009, the
Partnership’s current ratio was 27.47 to 1.00 and its interest coverage ratio
was 4.58 to 1.00.
The
Partnership Credit Facility required the Partnership to enter into derivative
contracts for specific volumes, which equated to approximately 85% of the
estimated oil and gas production from its net proved developed producing
reserves through December 31, 2011. The Partnership entered into
NYMEX-based fixed price commodity swaps on approximately 85% of its estimated
oil and gas production from its estimated net proved developed producing
reserves through December 31, 2011. The second amendment to the Partnership
Credit Facility required additional derivative contracts for volumes equating to
approximately 60% of the estimated oil and gas production from net proved
developed producing reserves for the year 2012. As a result, the
Partnership entered into NYMEX-based fixed price swaps on 670 barrels of oil per
day at $67.60 and 3,000 MMBbtu of gas per day at $6.88 for 2012.
Under the
terms of the Partnership Credit Facility, the Partnership may make cash
distributions if, after giving effect to such distributions, the Partnership is
not in default under the Partnership Credit Facility, there is no borrowing base
deficiency and provided that (a) no such distribution shall be made using the
proceeds of any advance unless the unused portion of the amount then available
under the Partnership Credit Facility is greater than or equal to 10% of the
lesser of the Partnership’s borrowing base (which at May 7, 2009 was
$130.0 million) or the total commitment amount of the Partnership Credit
Facility (which at May 7, 2009 was $300.0 million) at such time, (b) with
respect to the cash distribution scheduled to be made on or about May 15, 2009
attributable to the first quarter of 2009, no such distribution shall be made
unless (i) the sum of unrestricted cash and the unused portion of the
amount then available under the Partnership Credit Facility after giving effect
to such distribution exceeds $20.0 million, or (ii) the Subordinated Credit
Agreement shall have terminated and (c) no cash distribution shall exceed $0.44
per unit per quarter while the Subordinated Credit Agreement is
outstanding. The declaration amount of the cash distribution to be
made by the Partnership on or about May 15, 2009 attributable to the first
quarter of 2009 is being deferred. While the Subordinated Credit
Agreement is outstanding, the Partnership’s capital expenditures are limited to
$12.5 million per year.
In
addition to the foregoing and other customary covenants, the Partnership Credit
Facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, will restrict
the Partnership’s ability to:
· incur
or guarantee additional indebtedness;
· transfer
or sell assets;
· create
liens on assets;
· engage
in transactions with affiliates;
· make
any change in the principal nature of its business; and
· permit
a change of control.
The
Partnership Credit Facility also contains customary events of default, including
nonpayment of principal or interest, violations of covenants, cross default and
cross acceleration to certain other indebtedness including the Subordinated
Credit Agreement described below, bankruptcy and material judgments and
liabilities. In addition, an event of default would occur if the Partnership
fails to receive a letter of credit, which we refer to as the APC L/C, in its
favor from Abraxas Petroleum equal to the May 14, 2009 Payment Amount of
approximately $1.9 million, the Partnership fails to draw on the APC L/C on or
before May 14, 2009 or the Partnership fails to use the proceeds of the APC L/C
to make the principal payment due on May 14, 2009. This event of
default would not occur in the event that the Partnership repays the principal
amount due on May 14, 2009 with funds received from Abraxas
Petroleum. Abraxas Petroleum intends to make this payment to the
Partnership on or before May 14, 2009. The Partnership and Abraxas
Petroleum have agreed that upon the occurrence of such a payment or the
Partnership’s drawing on the APC L/C that, in consideration thereof, the
Partnership would issue a number of additional units to Abraxas Petroleum
determined by dividing the approximately $1.9 million by 110% of the average
trading yields of comparable E&P MLPs based on the closing market price on
May 14, 2009 multiplied by the most recent quarterly distribution paid or
declared by the Partnership times four. Abraxas Petroleum intends to
make this payment on or before May 14, 2009. Finally, if the
indebtedness under the Subordinated Credit Agreement has not been repaid on or
before July 1, 2009, the Partnership must pay the lenders a consent fee of $2.4
million.
The
Partnership was in compliance with all covenants as of March 31,
2009.
Subordinated
Credit Agreement
On January
31, 2008, the Partnership entered into a subordinated credit agreement which was
amended on January 16, 2009 and further amended on April 30, 2009 and May 7,
2009, which we refer to as the Subordinated Credit Agreement. The Subordinated
Credit Agreement has a maximum commitment of $40.0
million. Outstanding amounts under the Subordinated Credit Agreement
bear interest at (a) the greater of (1) the reference rate announced from time
to time by Société Générale, (2) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% and (3) a
rate determined by Société Générale as the daily one-month LIBOR Offered Rate,
plus in each case (b) 9.0% or, if the Partnership elects, at the greater of
(a) 2.0% and (b) at the London Interbank Offered Rate, in each case,
plus 10.0%. At May 7, 2009, the interest rate on the Subordinated Credit
Agreement was 12.0%. If the Subordinated Credit Agreement is not
repaid on or before July 1, 2009, the interest rate will be (a) the greater of
(1) the reference rate announced from time to time by Société Générale, (2) the
Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% and (3) a rate determined by Société Générale
as the daily one-month LIBOR Offered Rate, plus in each case (b) 12.0% or, if
the Partnership elects, at the greater of
(a) 2.0%
and (b) the London Interbank Offered Rate plus, in each case,
13.0%. For any interest payment due on or after July 2, 2009, 3% per
annum of the accrued interest payable shall be capitalized and added to the
principal amount of the loan. Interest is payable quarterly on
reference rate advances and not less than quarterly on Eurodollar
advances. The Partnership is permitted to terminate the Subordinated
Credit Agreement, and under certain circumstances, may be required, from time to
time, to make prepayments under the Subordinated Credit Agreement.
Subject to
earlier termination rights and events of default, the Subordinated Credit
Agreement’s stated maturity date is July 1, 2009. The maturity date
may be accelerated if any limited partner of the Partnership, other than Perlman
Value Partners, exercises its right to convert its limited partner units into
shares of common stock of Abraxas Petroleum pursuant to the terms of the
exchange and registration rights agreement, as amended, among Abraxas Petroleum,
the Partnership and the purchasers named therein. The date on which
the purchasers, if the Partnership’s initial public offering has not been
consummated prior to that date, may first exchange their Partnership units for
Abraxas Petroleum common stock is June 30, 2009.
Each of
the GP and the Operating Company has guaranteed the Partnership’s obligations
under the Subordinated Credit Agreement on a subordinated secured
basis. Obligations under the Subordinated Credit Agreement are
secured by subordinated security interests, subject to certain permitted
encumbrances, in all of the property and assets of the Partnership, GP, and the
Operating Company, other than the GP’s general partner units in the
Partnership.
Under the
Subordinated Credit Agreement, the Partnership is subject to customary
covenants, including certain financial covenants and reporting requirements. The
Subordinated Credit Agreement requires the Partnership to maintain a minimum
current ratio as of the last day of each quarter of 1.00 to 1.00 and an interest
coverage ratio (defined as the ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated
interest expense) as of the last day of each quarter of not less than 2.50 to
1.00. Current ratio is defined as the ratio of consolidated current assets to
consolidated current liabilities. For purposes of this calculation, current
assets include, as of the date of the calculation, the portion of the borrowing
base which is undrawn but exclude, as of the date of calculation, any cash
deposited with or at the request of a counterparty to any derivative contract
and any assets representing a valuation account arising from the application of
SFAS 133 and 143, and current liabilities exclude, as of the date of
calculation, the current portion of long-term debt and any liabilities
representing a valuation account arising from the application of SFAS 133 and
143. The interest coverage ratio is the ratio of consolidated EBITDA for the
four quarters then ended to consolidated interest for the four quarters then
ended. For the purpose of this calculation, EBITDA is consolidated net income
plus interest expense, taxes, depreciation, amortization, depletion and other
non-cash charges including non-cash charges resulting from the application of
SFAS 123R (which relates to stock-based compensation), SFAS 133 and SFAS 143
less all non-cash items of income which were included in determining
consolidated net income, including non-cash items resulting from the application
of SFAS 133 and SFAS 143. Interest expense includes total interest, letters of
credit fees and other fees and expenses incurred in connection with any
debt. At March 31, 2009, the Partnerships current ratio was 27.47 to
1.00 and its interest coverage ratio was 4.58 to 1.00.
The
Subordinated Credit Agreement required the Partnership to enter into derivative
contracts for specific volumes, which equated to approximately 85% of the
estimated oil and gas production from its net proved developed producing
reserves through December 31, 2011. The Partnership entered into
NYMEX-based fixed price commodity swaps on approximately 85% of its estimated
oil and gas production from its estimated net proved developed producing
reserves through December 31, 2011. The second amendment to the
Partnership Credit Facility required additional derivative contracts for volumes
equating to approximately 60% of the estimated oil and gas production from net
proved developed producing reserves for the year 2012. As a result,
the Partnership entered into NYMEX-based fixed price swaps on 670 barrels of oil
per day at $67.60 and 3,000 MMBbtu of gas per day at $6.88 for
2012.
In
addition to the foregoing and other customary covenants, the Subordinated Credit
Agreement contains a number of covenants that, among other things, will restrict
the Partnership’s ability to:
· incur
or guarantee additional indebtedness;
· transfer
or sell assets;
· create
liens on assets;
· engage
in transactions with affiliates;
· make
any change in the principal nature of its business; and
· permit
a change of control.
The
Subordinated Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default,
including nonpayment of principal or interest, violations of covenants, cross
default and cross acceleration to certain other indebtedness including the
Partnership Credit Facility, bankruptcy and material judgments and liabilities.
An event of default would also occur if the Partnership fails to receive $20.0
million of proceeds from an equity issuance on or before June 30,
2009. In addition, if the indebtedness under the Subordinated Credit
Agreement has not been repaid on or before July 1, 2009, the Partnership is
required to issue warrants to purchase 2.5% of the then outstanding units to the
lenders at an exercise price of $0.01 per unit. Finally, if the
indebtedness under the Subordinated Credit Agreement is repaid on or before July
1, 2009, the Partnership must pay the lenders a consent fee of $200,000 upon
payment of the loan.
The
Partnership is in compliance with all covenants as of March 31,
2009.
Real
Estate Lien Note
On May 9,
2008 the Company entered into an advancing line of credit in the amount of $5.4
million for the purchase and finish out of a new building to serve as its
corporate headquarters. This note was refinanced in November
2008. The new note bears interest at a fixed rate of 6.375%, and is
payable in monthly installments of principal and interest of $39,754 based on a
twenty year amortization. The note matures in May 2015 at which time the
outstanding balance becomes due. The note is secured by a first lien deed of
trust on the property and improvements. As of March 31, 2009, $5.3 million was
outstanding on the note.
Hedging
Activities.
Our
results of operations are significantly affected by fluctuations in commodity
prices and we seek to reduce our exposure to price volatility by hedging our
production through swaps, options and other commodity derivative instruments.
Under the terms of the Partnership Credit Facility, Abraxas Energy Partners was
required to enter into hedging arrangements for specified volumes, which equates
to approximately 85% of the estimated oil and gas production through
December 31, 2011 and approximately 60% of the estimated oil and gas
production for calendar year 2012 from its net proved developed producing
reserves.
Net Operating Loss
Carryforwards.
At
December 31, 2008, we had, subject to the limitation discussed below, $194.4
million of net operating loss carryforwards for U.S. tax purposes. These loss
carryforwards will expire through 2028 if not utilized.
Uncertainties
exist as to the future utilization of the operating loss carryforwards under the
criteria set forth under FASB Statement No. 109. Therefore, we have established
a valuation allowance of $60.8 million for deferred tax assets at December 31,
2008.
We
account for uncertain tax positions under provisions of FASB Interpretation No.
48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 did not have
any effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations as of
January 1, 2007 or for the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and 2009. The Company
recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income
tax expense. As of March 31, 2009, the Company did not have any accrued interest
or penalties related to uncertain tax positions. The tax years from 1999 through 2008 remain open
to examination by the tax jurisdictions to which the Company is
subject.
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Commodity
Price Risk
As an
independent oil and gas producer, our revenue, cash flow from operations, other
income and profitability, reserve values, access to capital and future rate of
growth are substantially dependent upon the prevailing prices of oil and gas.
Declines in commodity prices will materially adversely affect our financial
condition, liquidity, ability to obtain financing and operating results. Lower
commodity prices
46
may
reduce the amount of oil and gas that we can produce economically. Prevailing
prices for such commodities are subject to wide fluctuation in response to
relatively minor changes in supply and demand and a variety of additional
factors beyond our control, such as global, political and economic conditions.
Historically, prices received for oil and gas production have been volatile and
unpredictable, and such volatility is expected to continue. Most of our
production is sold at market prices. Generally, if the commodity indexes fall,
the price that we receive for our production will also decline. Therefore, the
amount of revenue that we realize is partially determined by factors beyond our
control. Assuming the production levels we attained during the quarter ended
March 31, 2009, a 10% decline in oil and gas prices would have reduced our
operating revenue, cash flow and net income by approximately $1.0 million for
the quarter, however, due to the derivative contracts that the Partnership has
in place, it is unlikely that a 10% decline in commodity prices from their
current levels would significantly impact our operating revenue, cash flow and
net income.
|
Derivative
Instrument Sensitivity
|
The
Partnership accounts for its derivative instruments in accordance with SFAS 133
as amended by SFAS 137 and SFAS 138. Under SFAS 133, all derivative instruments
are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. In 2003 we elected not to
designate derivative instruments as hedges. Accordingly the instruments are
recorded on the balance sheet at fair value with changes in the market value of
the derivatives being recorded as gain (loss) on derivative contracts in
the current period.
Under the
terms of the Partnership Credit Facility, Abraxas Energy Partners was required
to enter into derivative contracts for specified volumes, which equated to
approximately 85% of the estimated oil and gas production through December 31,
2011, from its net estimated proved developed producing reserves. In connection
with the April 30, 2009 amendment to the Partnership Credit Facility, the
Partnership was required to enter into additional derivative contracts for
volumes equating to approximately 60% of the estimated oil and gas production
from net proved developed producing reserves for the year 2012. As a
result, the Partnership entered into NYMEX-based fixed price swaps on 670
barrels of oil per day at $67.60 and 3,000 MMBbtu of gas per day at $6.88 for
2012. The Partnership intends to enter into derivative
contracts in the future to reduce the impact of price volatility on its cash
flow. By removing a significant portion of price volatility on its future oil
and gas production, the Partnership believes it will mitigate, but not
eliminate, the potential effects of changing commodity prices on its cash flow
from operations for those periods. Because the prices at
which we have hedged our oil and gas production are significantly higher than
current commodity prices, we will realize increased cash flow on the portion of
our production that we have hedged as a result of these high contract prices and
we will sustain realized and unrealized gains on our derivative contracts. We
have not designated any of these derivative contracts as a hedge as prescribed
by applicable accounting rules.
|
The
following table sets forth the Partnership’s derivative contract position
at March 31, 2009:
|
Period
Covered
|
Product
|
Volume
(Production
per day)
|
Fixed
Price
|
Year
2009
|
Gas
|
10,595
Mmbtu
|
$8.44
|
Year
2009
|
Oil
|
1,000
Bbl
|
$83.80
|
Year
2010
|
Gas
|
9,130
Mmbtu
|
$8.22
|
Year
2010
|
Oil
|
895
Bbl
|
$83.26
|
Year
2011
|
Gas
|
8,010
Mmbtu
|
$8.10
|
Year
2011
|
Oil
|
810
Bbl
|
$86.45
|
At March
31, 2009, the aggregate fair market value of our commodity derivative contracts
was approximately $46.1 million.
For
the three months ended March 31, 2009 we recognized a realized gain of $7.0
million and an unrealized gain of $6.3 million. We expect to continue to sustain
realized and unrealized gains on our derivative contracts if market prices
continue to be less than our contract prices.
Interest
rate risk
The
Partnership is subject to interest rate risk associated with borrowings under
the Partnership Credit Facility and the Subordinated Credit
Agreement. At March 31, 2009, the Partnership had $125.6 million in
outstanding indebtedness under the Partnership Credit Facility. Outstanding
amounts under the Partnership Credit Facility bear interest at (a) the greater
of (1) the reference rate announced from time to time by Société Générale, (2)
the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, and (3) a rate determined by Société Générale
as the daily one-month LIBOR rate plus, in each case, 1.5% - 2.5%, depending on
the utilization of the borrowing base, or, if the Partnership elects, at the
greater of (a) 2.0% and (b) the London Interbank Offered Rate plus, in each case
2.5% - 3.5% depending on the utilization of the borrowing
base. At May 7, 2009, the interest rate on the facility was
5.5%. For every percentage point that the LIBOR rate rises, our interest expense
would increase by approximately $1.3 million on an annual basis. In addition the
Partnership had $40.0 million in outstanding indebtedness under the Subordinated
Credit Agreement. Outstanding amounts under the Subordinated Credit Agreement
bear interest at (a) the greater of (1) the reference rate announced from time
to time by Société Générale, (2) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% and (3) a
rate determined by Société Générale as the daily one-month LIBOR Offered Rate,
plus in each case (b) 9.0% or, if the Partnership elects, at the greater of
(a) 2.0% and (b) the London Interbank Offered Rate, in each case,
plus 10.0%. At May 7, 2009 the interest rate on the facility was 12.0%. For
every percentage point that the rate rises, our interest expense would increase
by approximately $400,000 on an annual basis. In order to mitigate our interest
rate exposure, we entered into an interest rate swap, effective August 12,
2008, to fix our floating LIBOR based debt. The arrangement expires on
August 12, 2010. The interest rate swap was amended in February 2009
lowering the Partnership’s fixed rate from 3.367% to
2.95%.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
As of the
end of the period covered by this report, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of Abraxas’
“disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e)and 15d-15(e)) and concluded that the disclosure controls
and procedures were effective.
There
were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the
three month period ended March 31, 2009 covered by this report that could
materially affect, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our financial
reporting.
ABRAXAS
PETROLEUM CORPORATION
PART II
OTHER
INFORMATION
Item
1. Legal Proceedings.
There
have been no changes in legal proceedings from that described in the Company’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and in Note 6
in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part I
of this report on Form 10-Q.
Item
1A. Risk Factors.
In
addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully
consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, which could materially
affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described
in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing Abraxas.
Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we
currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our
business, financial condition and/or operating results.
Item
2. Unregistered
Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
None
Item
3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None
Item
4. Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
None
Item
5. Other Information.
None
Item
6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits
|
Exhibit
10.1
|
Amendment
No. 3 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated May 7, 2009, by and
among Abraxas Energy Partners, L.P., Société Générale, as administrative
agent and issuing lender, The Royal Bank of Canada, as syndication agent,
The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC, as documentation agent, and the lenders
signatory thereto.
|
|
Exhibit
10.2
|
Amendment
No. 3 to Subordinated Credit Agreement dated May 7, 2009 by and among
Abraxas Energy Partners, L.P., Société Générale, as administrative agent,
The Royal Bank of Canada, as syndication agent, and the lenders signatory
thereto.
|
|
Exhibit
31.1
|
Certification -
Robert L.G. Watson, CEO
|
|
Exhibit
31.2
|
Certification
– Chris E. Williford, CFO
|
|
Exhibit
32.1
|
Certification
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 – Robert L.G. Watson,
CEO
|
|
Exhibit
32.2
|
Certification
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 – Chris E. Williford,
CFO
|
ABRAXAS
PETROLEUM CORPORATION
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended the Registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly
authorized.
Date: May 14, 2009
|
By: /s/Robert L.G. Watson
|
||
ROBERT
L.G. WATSON,
|
|||
President
and Chief
|
|||
Executive
Officer
|
Date: May 14, 2009
|
By: /s/Chris E, Williford
|
||
CHRIS
E. WILLIFORD,
|
|||
Executive
Vice President and
|
|||
Principal
Accounting Officer
|
50