Encore Acquisition Company has provided a first quarter 2009 operations update.
Production
As previously announced, average daily production volumes for the first quarter of 2009 increased 10 percent over the first quarter of 2008, increasing from 38,196 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE/D) to 41,900 BOE/D, beating the mid-point of previously released guidance by over 1,900 BOE/D. The Company produced 27,645 Bbls of oil per day in the first quarter of 2009 compared to 27,516 Bbls per day in the first quarter of 2008. Natural gas volumes increased 33 percent from 64,081 Mcf per day in the first quarter of 2008 to 85,528 Mcf per day in the first quarter of 2009. Net profits interest reduced wellhead volumes by 1,406 BOE/D in the first quarter of 2009, 144 BOE/D better than the mid-point of previously released guidance, as compared to 1,822 BOE/D in the first quarter of 2008.
The West Texas JV with ExxonMobil finished the first quarter of 2009 at 30.0 MMcfe/D net to the Company. The JV averaged 28.5 MMcfe/D during the quarter, which was 16 percent above the Company's expectations. Much of the better than expected performance was the result of two wells brought online in the fourth quarter of 2008, the McElroy Ranch 62H at Wilshire Field, and the Banner Estate 92H at the Brown Bassett Field. The two wells came online in December 2008 and continue to outperform. The Company brought six wells online in the JV during the first quarter of 2009 with five of the six meeting or exceeding expectations.
Bakken/Sanish Play
Since the beginning of the year, Encore has drilled and completed four wells in its North Dakota Bakken/Sanish play, three of which were completed as producers. The Brekhus 12-14H was a dry hole in Encore's Greenbush prospect, north of the Company's Almond area.
Although the Greenbush well was a disappointment, the two Cherry Creek wells showed very positive results, and the Charlson area continues to perform well for the Company. Production in the North Dakota Bakken/Sanish play averaged 2,796 BOE/D during the first quarter of 2009.
Haynesville
The Company established its first Haynesville production in Northwest Louisiana with two horizontal wells completed in the first quarter of 2009. The operated Querbes 29-4H in the Greenwood field came online in February just above expectations at a 7-day IP rate of 6.8 MMcfe/D. A few miles to the east, the Company's first non-operated horizontal well was brought online in the Caspiana field. The Hall 9-1, in which the Company has a 28 percent working interest, went to sales in March at a rate of 13.7 MMcfe/D, more than doubling expectations. The Company has just finished drilling its second horizontal well in the Greenwood Waskom area and has two additional non-operated horizontal wells drilling in the Caspiana field.
Cedar Creek Anticline
Encore's production at the Cedar Creek Anticline exceeded guidance by 615 BOE/D. Production averaged 11,571 BOE/D for the first quarter of 2009. Encore's Coral Creek waterflood on the Cedar Creek Anticline accounted for a significant portion of the increased production. Encore is progressing with plans to convert high pressure air injectors to water injectors on the Cedar Creek Anticline. In the first quarter of 2009, the Company converted 12 air injector wells in the Pennel air flood to water injection. By doing so, Encore expects to reduce operating expenses in this unit by more than 15 percent. Similarly, Encore is currently converting air injection wells in the Little Beaver area to water injection. The Company does not expect to lose any production as a result of the conversion from high pressure air injection to waterflood.
Ben Nivens, Encore's Chief Operating Officer, commented, "The first quarter of 2009 was an outstanding quarter. Our production exceeded the high end of our guidance, led by drilling gains in the ExxonMobil Joint Venture, Haynesville, and Bakken. The Cedar Creek Anticline, which represents 28 percent of total net production, performed above expectations as the production decline continues to flatten. Our lease operating expense per BOE was lower than forecast. This was driven by the higher volumes and the Company’s focus on reducing costs. Our total operating expense was lower than forecast even with production 1,900 BOE/D above the mid-point of guidance."
Jon S. Brumley, Encore's Chief Executive Officer and President, stated, "Encore is proud of the first quarter development program and the strides we have made to enhance our liquidity position. We have begun to derisk the Cherry Creek prospect in the Bakken and witnessed our Haynesville wells and West Texas JV continuing to perform above expectations. Not only has this been a successful quarter in the field, but we have been able to improve our liquidity position. During the first quarter, we monetized some of our 2009 oil hedges and used the proceeds to reduce bank debt by $187 million. This hedge monetization also had the positive effect of reducing counterparty risk. Our high-yield offering further enhances our liquidity position. Since the beginning of 2009, Encore has reduced total debt by approximately $190 million and reduced the amount outstanding under its revolving credit facilities by $400 million. We start each year with an eye towards improving the Company. In light of the global financial crisis and the depressed commodity market, we knew heading into 2009 that this would be a challenge. But because of our drilling success, the flattening production at the Cedar Creek Anticline, and our increased liquidity position due to the hedge monetization and the bond offering, we have been able to do just that. Encore is fortunate to have resilient long-life properties. Now, we have a resilient balance sheet to match."
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