COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2024 FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS

In this article:
Comstock Resources, Inc.Comstock Resources, Inc.
Comstock Resources, Inc.

FRISCO, TX, July 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Comstock Resources, Inc. ("Comstock" or the "Company") (NYSE: CRK) today reported financial and operating results for the quarter ended June 30, 2024.

Highlights of 2024's Second Quarter

  • Very weak natural gas prices weighed heavily on the second quarter financial results.

  • Natural gas and oil sales, including realized hedging gains, were $278 million.

  • Operating cash flow was $118 million or $0.41 per diluted share.

  • Adjusted EBITDAX for the quarter was $167 million.

  • Adjusted net loss was $58.2 million or $0.20 per share for the quarter.

  • Enhanced liquidity with $400 million, 6.75% senior notes issuance.

  • Steady results from the Haynesville shale drilling program with 15 (14.4 net) operated wells turned to sales since the Company's last update with an average initial production of 21 MMcf per day.

Financial Results for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2024

Comstock's realized gas price for the second quarter of 2024 averaged $1.65 per Mcf without hedging and $2.12 per Mcf after hedging. As a result, Comstock's natural gas and oil sales in the second quarter of 2024 decreased to $278.2 million (including realized hedging gains of $60.6 million) despite a 4% increase in production as compared to the second quarter of 2023. Operating cash flow (excluding changes in working capital) generated in the second quarter of 2024 was $118.1 million, and net loss for the second quarter was $123.2 million or $0.43 per share. Net loss in the quarter included a pre-tax $85.8 million unrealized loss on hedging contracts held for risk management. Excluding this item, adjusted net loss for the second quarter of 2024 was $58.2 million, or $0.20 per share.

Comstock's production cost per Mcfe in the second quarter averaged $0.84 per Mcfe, which was comprised of $0.38 for gathering and transportation costs, $0.27 for lease operating costs, $0.14 for production and other taxes and $0.05 for cash general and administrative expenses. Comstock's unhedged operating margin was 50% in the second quarter of 2024 and 61% after hedging.

Financial Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2024

Natural gas and oil sales for the six months ended June 30, 2024 totaled $614.1 million (including realized hedging gains of $108.5 million). Operating cash flow (excluding changes in working capital) generated during the first six months of 2024 was $300.1 million, and net loss was $137.7 million or $0.49 per share. Net loss during the first six months of 2024 included a pre-tax $94.5 million unrealized loss on hedging contracts held for risk management. Excluding this item, adjusted net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $66.8 million or $0.24 per share.

Comstock's production cost per Mcfe during the six months ended June 30, 2024 averaged $0.79 per Mcfe, which was comprised of $0.36 for gathering and transportation costs, $0.26 for lease operating costs, $0.13 for production and other taxes and $0.04 for cash general and administrative expenses. Comstock's unhedged operating margin was 57% during the first six months of 2024 and 65% after hedging.

Drilling Results

Comstock drilled 11 (9.2 net) operated horizontal Haynesville/Bossier shale wells in the second quarter of 2024 which had an average lateral length of 11,346 feet. Comstock turned 12 (11.7 net) operated wells to sales in the second quarter of 2024.

Since its last operational update in May, Comstock has turned 15 (14.4 net) operated Haynesville/Bossier shale wells to sales. These wells had initial daily production rates that averaged 21 MMcf per day. The completed lateral length of these wells averaged 9,802 feet.

Earnings Call Information

Comstock has planned a conference call for 10:00 a.m. Central Time on July 31, 2024, to discuss the second quarter 2024 operational and financial results. Investors wishing to listen should visit the Company's website at www.comstockresources.com for a live webcast. Investors wishing to participate in the conference call telephonically will need to register at https://register.vevent.com/register/BI3dd152694a074bc28172df7314b38 fa6. Upon registering to participate in the conference call, participants will receive the dial-in number and a personal PIN number to access the conference call. On the day of the call, please dial in at least 15 minutes in advance to ensure a timely connection to the call. The conference call will also be broadcast live in listen-only mode and can be accessed via the website URL: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/w3stws2d.

If you are unable to participate in the original conference call, a web replay will be available for twelve months beginning at 1:00 p.m. CT on July 31, 2024. The replay of the conference can be accessed using the webcast link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/w3stws2d.

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described herein. Although the Company believes the expectations in such statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Information concerning the assumptions, uncertainties and risks that may affect the actual results can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") available on the Company's website or the SEC's website at sec.gov.

Comstock Resources, Inc. is a leading independent natural gas producer with operations focused on the development of the Haynesville shale in North Louisiana and East Texas. The Company's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CRK.

COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas sales

 

$

216,527

 

 

$

228,892

 

 

$

503,610

 

 

$

606,924

 

Oil sales

 

 

1,074

 

 

 

860

 

 

 

1,950

 

 

 

2,802

 

Total natural gas and oil sales

 

 

217,601

 

 

 

229,752

 

 

 

505,560

 

 

 

609,726

 

Gas services

 

 

29,229

 

 

 

58,459

 

 

 

77,042

 

 

 

168,063

 

Total revenues

 

 

246,830

 

 

 

288,211

 

 

 

582,602

 

 

 

777,789

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production and ad valorem taxes

 

 

19,244

 

 

 

19,599

 

 

 

37,152

 

 

 

34,505

 

Gathering and transportation

 

 

49,361

 

 

 

45,395

 

 

 

96,460

 

 

 

90,969

 

Lease operating

 

 

34,805

 

 

 

34,031

 

 

 

69,877

 

 

 

68,861

 

Exploration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,775

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

194,242

 

 

 

140,177

 

 

 

384,931

 

 

 

274,160

 

Gas services

 

 

31,494

 

 

 

55,390

 

 

 

80,174

 

 

 

156,685

 

General and administrative

 

 

10,177

 

 

 

10,038

 

 

 

19,348

 

 

 

22,406

 

(Gain) loss on sale of assets

 

 

 

 

 

648

 

 

 

 

 

 

(125

)

Total operating expenses

 

 

339,323

 

 

 

305,278

 

 

 

687,942

 

 

 

649,236

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

(92,493

)

 

 

(17,067

)

 

 

(105,340

)

 

 

128,553

 

Other income (expenses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain (loss) from derivative financial instruments

 

 

(25,252

)

 

 

(4,495

)

 

 

14,055

 

 

 

61,914

 

Other income

 

 

322

 

 

 

598

 

 

 

653

 

 

 

1,058

 

Interest expense

 

 

(51,932

)

 

 

(39,188

)

 

 

(101,489

)

 

 

(77,458

)

Total other expenses

 

 

(76,862

)

 

 

(43,085

)

 

 

(86,781

)

 

 

(14,486

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

(169,355

)

 

 

(60,152

)

 

 

(192,121

)

 

 

114,067

 

(Provision for) benefit from income taxes

 

 

46,106

 

 

 

14,446

 

 

 

54,398

 

 

 

(25,270

)

Net income (loss)

 

 

(123,249

)

 

 

(45,706

)

 

 

(137,723

)

 

 

88,797

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

(3,061

)

 

 

 

 

 

(4,908

)

 

 

 

Net income (loss) available to Comstock

 

$

(126,310

)

 

$

(45,706

)

 

$

(142,631

)

 

$

88,797

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.43

)

 

$

(0.17

)

 

$

(0.49

)

 

$

0.32

 

Diluted

 

$

(0.43

)

 

$

(0.17

)

 

$

(0.49

)

 

$

0.32

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

289,670

 

 

 

276,669

 

 

 

283,816

 

 

 

276,610

 

Diluted

 

 

289,670

 

 

 

276,669

 

 

 

283,816

 

 

 

276,610

 

Dividends per share

 

$

 

 

$

0.125

 

 

$

 

 

$

0.250

 

COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
OPERATING RESULTS
(In thousands, except per unit amounts)

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Natural gas production (MMcf)

 

 

130,861

 

 

 

126,307

 

 

 

270,304

 

 

 

253,374

 

Oil production (Mbbls)

 

 

15

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

27

 

 

 

40

 

Total production (MMcfe)

 

 

130,949

 

 

 

126,386

 

 

 

270,464

 

 

 

253,612

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas sales

 

$

216,527

 

 

$

228,892

 

 

$

503,610

 

 

$

606,924

 

Natural gas hedging settlements (1)

 

 

60,552

 

 

 

55,494

 

 

 

108,547

 

 

 

65,877

 

Total natural gas including hedging

 

 

277,079

 

 

 

284,386

 

 

 

612,157

 

 

 

672,801

 

Oil sales

 

 

1,074

 

 

 

860

 

 

 

1,950

 

 

 

2,802

 

Total natural gas and oil sales including hedging

 

$

278,153

 

 

$

285,246

 

 

$

614,107

 

 

$

675,603

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average natural gas price (per Mcf)

 

$

1.65

 

 

$

1.81

 

 

$

1.86

 

 

$

2.40

 

Average natural gas price including hedging (per Mcf)

 

$

2.12

 

 

$

2.25

 

 

$

2.26

 

 

$

2.66

 

Average oil price (per barrel)

 

$

71.60

 

 

$

66.15

 

 

$

72.22

 

 

$

70.05

 

Average price (per Mcfe)

 

$

1.66

 

 

$

1.82

 

 

$

1.87

 

 

$

2.40

 

Average price including hedging (per Mcfe)

 

$

2.12

 

 

$

2.26

 

 

$

2.27

 

 

$

2.66

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production and ad valorem taxes

 

$

19,244

 

 

$

19,599

 

 

$

37,152

 

 

$

34,505

 

Gathering and transportation

 

 

49,361

 

 

 

45,395

 

 

 

96,460

 

 

 

90,969

 

Lease operating

 

 

34,805

 

 

 

34,031

 

 

 

69,877

 

 

 

68,861

 

Cash general and administrative (2)

 

 

6,095

 

 

 

7,733

 

 

 

11,850

 

 

 

18,054

 

Total production costs

 

$

109,505

 

 

$

106,758

 

 

$

215,339

 

 

$

212,389

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production and ad valorem taxes (per Mcfe)

 

$

0.14

 

 

$

0.15

 

 

$

0.13

 

 

$

0.14

 

Gathering and transportation (per Mcfe)

 

 

0.38

 

 

 

0.36

 

 

 

0.36

 

 

 

0.36

 

Lease operating (per Mcfe)

 

 

0.27

 

 

 

0.27

 

 

 

0.26

 

 

 

0.27

 

Cash general and administrative (per Mcfe)

 

 

0.05

 

 

 

0.06

 

 

 

0.04

 

 

 

0.07

 

Total production costs (per Mcfe)

 

$

0.84

 

 

$

0.84

 

 

$

0.79

 

 

$

0.84

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unhedged operating margin

 

 

50

%

 

 

54

%

 

 

57

%

 

 

65

%

Hedged operating margin

 

 

61

%

 

 

63

%

 

 

65

%

 

 

69

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas services revenue

 

$

29,229

 

 

$

58,459

 

 

$

77,042

 

 

$

168,063

 

Gas services expenses

 

 

31,494

 

 

 

55,390

 

 

 

80,174

 

 

 

156,685

 

Gas services margin

 

$

(2,265

)

 

$

3,069

 

 

$

(3,132

)

 

$

11,378

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural Gas and Oil Capital Expenditures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unproved property acquisitions

 

$

9,694

 

 

$

15,953

 

 

$

79,138

 

 

$

56,648

 

Total natural gas and oil properties acquisitions

 

$

9,694

 

 

$

15,953

 

 

$

79,138

 

 

$

56,648

 

Exploration and Development:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Development leasehold

 

$

2,592

 

 

$

4,975

 

 

$

6,530

 

 

$

13,718

 

Exploratory drilling and completion

 

 

52,392

 

 

 

74,622

 

 

 

158,848

 

 

 

104,312

 

Development drilling and completion

 

 

151,350

 

 

 

231,038

 

 

 

297,143

 

 

 

511,214

 

Other development costs

 

 

14,685

 

 

 

11,353

 

 

 

14,722

 

 

 

17,450

 

Total exploration and development capital expenditures

 

$

221,019

 

 

$

321,988

 

 

$

477,243

 

 

$

646,694

 

(1)   Included in gain (loss) from derivative financial instruments in operating results.

(2)   Excludes stock-based compensation.

COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

ADJUSTED NET INCOME (LOSS):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(123,249

)

 

$

(45,706

)

 

$

(137,723

)

 

$

88,797

 

Unrealized loss from derivative financial instruments

 

 

85,804

 

 

 

59,989

 

 

 

94,492

 

 

 

3,963

 

Exploration expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,775

 

(Gain) loss on sale of assets

 

 

 

 

 

648

 

 

 

 

 

 

(125

)

Adjustment to income taxes

 

 

(20,769

)

 

 

(13,892

)

 

 

(23,521

)

 

 

(1,364

)

Adjusted net income (loss)

 

$

(58,214

)

 

$

1,039

 

 

$

(66,752

)

 

$

93,046

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted net income (loss) per share (2)

 

$

(0.20

)

 

$

0.00

 

 

$

(0.24

)

 

$

0.33

 

Diluted shares outstanding

 

 

289,670

 

 

 

276,669

 

 

 

283,816

 

 

 

276,610

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADJUSTED EBITDAX:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(123,249

)

 

$

(45,706

)

 

$

(137,723

)

 

$

88,797

 

Interest expense

 

 

51,932

 

 

 

39,188

 

 

 

101,489

 

 

 

77,458

 

Income taxes

 

 

(46,106

)

 

 

(14,446

)

 

 

(54,398

)

 

 

25,270

 

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization

 

 

194,242

 

 

 

140,177

 

 

 

384,931

 

 

 

274,160

 

Exploration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,775

 

Unrealized loss from derivative financial instruments

 

 

85,804

 

 

 

59,989

 

 

 

94,492

 

 

 

3,963

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

4,082

 

 

 

2,305

 

 

 

7,497

 

 

 

4,351

 

(Gain) loss on sale of assets

 

 

 

 

 

648

 

 

 

 

 

 

(125

)

Total Adjusted EBITDAX (3)

 

$

166,705

 

 

$

182,155

 

 

$

396,288

 

 

$

475,649

 

(1)   Adjusted net income (loss) is presented because of its acceptance by investors and by Comstock management as an indicator of the Company's profitability excluding non-cash unrealized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments, gains and losses on sales of assets and other unusual items.

(2)   Adjusted net income (loss) per share is calculated to include the dilutive effects of unvested restricted stock pursuant to the two-class method and performance stock units and preferred stock pursuant to the treasury stock method.

(3)   Adjusted EBITDAX is presented in the earnings release because management believes that adjusted EBITDAX, which represents Comstock's results from operations before interest, income taxes, and certain non-cash items, including depreciation, depletion and amortization, unrealized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments and exploration expense, is a common alternative measure of operating performance used by certain investors and financial analysts.

COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(In thousands)

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

OPERATING CASH FLOW (1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(123,249

)

 

$

(45,706

)

 

$

(137,723

)

 

$

88,797

 

Reconciling items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized loss from derivative financial instruments

 

 

85,804

 

 

 

59,989

 

 

 

94,492

 

 

 

3,963

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

(46,144

)

 

 

(13,910

)

 

 

(54,431

)

 

 

25,270

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

194,242

 

 

 

140,177

 

 

 

384,931

 

 

 

274,160

 

Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs

 

 

3,399

 

 

 

1,994

 

 

 

5,383

 

 

 

3,991

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

4,082

 

 

 

2,305

 

 

 

7,497

 

 

 

4,351

 

(Gain) loss on sale of assets

 

 

 

 

 

648

 

 

 

 

 

 

(125

)

Operating cash flow

 

$

118,134

 

 

$

145,497

 

 

$

300,149

 

 

$

400,407

 

(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable

 

 

(23,187

)

 

 

60,218

 

 

 

76,231

 

 

 

316,210

 

(Increase) decrease in other current assets

 

 

(730

)

 

 

2,715

 

 

 

4,846

 

 

 

1,201

 

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

 

(10,642

)

 

 

123,080

 

 

 

(126,112

)

 

 

56

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

83,575

 

 

$

331,510

 

 

$

255,114

 

 

$

717,874

 


 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

FREE CASH FLOW (DEFICIT)(2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating cash flow

 

$

118,134

 

 

$

145,497

 

 

$

300,149

 

 

$

400,407

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exploration and development capital expenditures

 

 

(221,019

)

 

 

(321,988

)

 

 

(477,243

)

 

 

(646,694

)

Midstream capital expenditures

 

 

(11,190

)

 

 

(6,870

)

 

 

(16,488

)

 

 

(11,057

)

Other capital expenditures

 

 

(942

)

 

 

(100

)

 

 

(971

)

 

 

(456

)

Contributions from midstream partner

 

 

11,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,000

 

 

 

 

Free cash deficit from operations

 

$

(104,017

)

 

$

(183,461

)

 

$

(177,553

)

 

$

(257,800

)

Acquisitions

 

 

(9,694

)

 

 

(15,953

)

 

 

(79,138

)

 

 

(56,648

)

Proceeds from divestitures

 

 

 

 

 

41,165

 

 

 

 

 

 

41,295

 

Free cash deficit after acquisition and divestiture activity

 

$

(113,711

)

 

$

(158,249

)

 

$

(256,691

)

 

$

(273,153

)

(1)   Operating cash flow is presented in the earnings release because management believes it to be useful to investors as a common alternative measure of cash flows which excludes changes to other working capital accounts.

(2)   Free cash flow (deficit) from operations and free cash flow (deficit) after acquisition and divestiture activity are presented in the earnings release because management believes them to be useful indicators of the Company's ability to internally fund acquisitions and debt maturities after exploration and development capital expenditures, midstream and other capital expenditures, contributions from its midstream partner, proved and unproved property acquisitions, and proceeds from divestiture of natural gas and oil properties.

COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)

 

 

June 30,
2024

 

 

December 31,
2023

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

19,270

 

 

$

16,669

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

155,199

 

 

 

231,430

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

 

79,649

 

 

 

126,775

 

Other current assets

 

 

69,289

 

 

 

86,619

 

Total current assets

 

 

323,407

 

 

 

461,493

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

5,574,617

 

 

 

5,384,771

 

Goodwill

 

 

335,897

 

 

 

335,897

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

90,604

 

 

 

71,462

 

 

 

$

6,324,525

 

 

$

6,253,623

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

377,909

 

 

$

523,260

 

Accrued costs

 

 

139,414

 

 

 

134,466

 

Operating leases

 

 

34,952

 

 

 

23,765

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

552,275

 

 

 

681,491

 

Long-term debt

 

 

2,856,045

 

 

 

2,640,391

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

415,604

 

 

 

470,035

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

 

47,366

 

 

 

 

Long-term operating leases

 

 

55,621

 

 

 

47,742

 

Asset retirement obligation

 

 

31,709

 

 

 

30,773

 

Total liabilities

 

 

3,958,620

 

 

 

3,870,432

 

Stockholders' Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

 

146,130

 

 

 

139,214

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

1,358,549

 

 

 

1,260,930

 

Accumulated earnings

 

 

815,639

 

 

 

958,270

 

Total stockholders' equity attributable to Comstock

 

 

2,320,318

 

 

 

2,358,414

 

Noncontrolling interest

 

 

45,587

 

 

 

24,777

 

Total stockholders' equity

 

 

2,365,905

 

 

 

2,383,191

 

 

 

$

6,324,525

 

 

$

6,253,623

 

CONTACT: Ron Mills Vice President of Finance and Investor Relations Comstock Resources 972-668-8834 rmills@comstockresources.com


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