U.S. energy firm Apache Corp. APA reported earnings per share – excluding one-time items – of 22 cents, contrary to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for a loss of 32 cents. The outperformance came on the back of strong North American liquids production.
However, Apache’s performance deteriorated from the year-ago adjusted profit of $1.49 per share amid a plunge in oil prices.
Revenues of $1,977 million were down 40% from the year-ago quarter but were higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,826 million.
Divests Assets & Rationalizes Costs to Stay Afloat
As part of its portfolio rebalancing initiative, Apache has not been shy of divesting assets, particularly those that do not fit into the company’s long-term growth plan. The company – during the quarter-under-review – closed the sales of its LNG unit and the remainder of its remaining oil and gas properties in Australia.
Further, the oil and gas explorer has decided to focus on controlling costs amid plummeting crude realizations. Encouragingly, Apache has improved considerably on its cost structure in North America by spending 25% less year over year on average per-well drilling and completion. Lease operating expenses have also come down significantly, while Apache strives to cut down on general and administrative expenses.
Operational Performance
The production of oil and natural gas (excluding divested assets and non-controlling interests) averaged 488,602 oil-equivalent barrels per day (BOE/d) (65% liquids), up 9% year over year. Apache’s production for oil and natural gas liquids (NGLs) was up 9% at 318,739 barrels per day (Bbl/d), while natural gas production of 1,019.2 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) was 8% higher from the second quarter 2014 level.
The average realized crude oil price during the second quarter was $58.09 per barrel, representing a decrease of 44% from the year-ago realization of $102.95. Moreover, the average realized natural gas price during the June quarter of 2015 was $2.73 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf), down 34% from the year-ago period.
Balance Sheet, Capital Spending & Lease Operating Expenses
As of Jun 30, 2015, Apache had approximately $2,950 million in cash and cash equivalents. The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company had a long-term debt of $9,676 million, representing a debt-to-capitalization ratio of 38.4%.
During the three months ended Jun 30, 2015, Apache’s exploration and development investments (excluding acquisitions) totaled $1,023 million, less than half of the $2,475 million incurred a year ago. The company – like many other oil and gas players including ConocoPhillips COP, Chesapeake Energy Corp. CHK and Marathon Oil Corp. MRO – has adjusted its spending plans considerably amid diving crude prices.
But what is encouraging is the fact that pro forma production volumes are likely to remain steady in 2015 despite a massive 60% decrease in budgeted capital expenditures from 2014 levels.
Apache’s lease operating expenses totaled $467 million, down 16.6% from $560 million in the year-ago quarter.
Guidance
Driven by better-than-expected North American production, Apache has raised 2015 guidance for the region to 305,000 to 308,000 BOE/d. At the same time, the company has further pulled back its 2015 capital expenditure from $3.4-$3.9 billion to $3.6-$3.9 billion.
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