CEG Constellation Energy Grp. Common Stock

BALTIMORE, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Constellation Energy Partners LLC (NYSE Arca: CEP) today reported fourth quarter and full-year 2006 results in line with company expectations, and highlighted completion of a successful drilling program and increased production volumes from its assets in the Black Warrior Basin of Alabama. The company produced 4.6 Bcf during the year, resulting in adjusted EBITDA of $23.0 million and net income of $16.0 million on a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis for 2006. Fourth quarter 2006 production was 1.25 Bcf, resulting in adjusted EBITDA of $7.1 million and net income of $5.7 million on a GAAP basis. In addition to strong operating results, fourth quarter results benefited from the hedging program implemented to maintain cash flow stability. The company drilled and completed 31 wells during 2006 with a 100 percent success rate. During the last six months of 2006, production increased substantially. Proved reserves increased approximately 7.4 percent to 120.3 Bcfe. The company previously announced a cash distribution of $0.2111 per common unit for the period, commencing on Nov. 20, 2006 - the date of the closing of its initial public offering (IPO) - and ending Dec. 31, 2006, which was paid on Feb. 14, 2007 to unitholders of record on Feb. 7, 2007. "This is the first earnings report for Constellation Energy Partners and illustrates we are off to a strong start," said Felix Dawson, chief executive officer. "We delivered results in line with our expectations, completed a successful drilling program and demonstrated our ability to manage and improve upon the performance of our assets. "Our success in 2006 allowed us to deliver an initial distribution to unitholders, also in line with forecast," said Dawson. "We were pleased with the results of our IPO, as we priced at the high end of the range and experienced strong demand for our units from both retail and institutional investors. Our 2006 unit price appreciation was 21 percent. "Our current forecast is consistent with the 2007 forecast that was represented in our prospectus," Dawson said. "We've drilled 14 wells this year and the 2007 drilling program should be completed by the end of the second quarter. Overall, this is a successful start to what we believe will be a very successful company." Non-GAAP Measures We present Adjusted EBITDA in addition to our reported net income in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that is defined as net income (loss) plus interest (income) expense; depreciation, depletion and amortization; write-off of deferred financing fees; impairment of long-lived assets; (gain) loss on sale of assets; (gain) loss from equity investment; accretion of asset retirement obligation; unrealized (gain) loss on natural gas derivatives; and realized (gain) loss on cancelled natural gas derivatives. Adjusted EBITDA is used by management to indicate (prior to the establishment of any cash reserves by our board of managers) the cash distributions we expect to pay our unitholders. Specifically, this financial measure indicates to investors whether or not we are generating cash flow at a level that can sustain or support an increase in our quarterly distribution rates. Adjusted EBITDA is also used as a quantitative standard by our management and by external users of our financial statements such as investors, research analysts and others to assess the financial performance of our assets without regard to financing methods, capital structure or historical cost basis; the ability of our assets to generate cash sufficient to pay interest costs and support our indebtedness; and our operating performance and return on capital as compared to those of other companies in our industry, without regard to financing or capital structure. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to represent cash flows for the period, nor is it presented as a substitute for net income, operating income, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. SEC Filings CEP intends to file its 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K on or about Feb. 28, 2007. Forward-Looking Statements We make statements in this news release that are considered forward- looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are largely based on our expectations, which reflect estimates and assumptions made by our management. These estimates and assumptions reflect our best judgment based on currently known market conditions and other factors. Although we believe such estimates and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently uncertain and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are beyond our control. In addition, management's assumptions about future events may prove to be inaccurate. Management cautions all readers that the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are not guarantees of future performance, and we cannot assure you that such statements will be realized or the forward-looking events and circumstances will occur. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements due to factors listed in the "Risk Factors" section in our SEC filings and elsewhere in those filings. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. We do not intend to publicly update or revise any forward- looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Conference Call Information The company will host a conference call today at 10:00 a.m. (ET) to review its financial results and discuss its business outlook for 2007 and beyond. To participate, analysts, investors, media and the public may dial (888) 322-9245 shortly before 10:00 a.m. (ET). The international phone number is (773) 756-0253. The conference password is PARTNERS. A replay will be available approximately one hour after the end of the call by dialing (866) 443-1209 or (203) 369-1089 (international). A live audio webcast of the conference call, presentation slides and the earnings press release will be available on the Investor Relations page of Constellation Energy Partners' Web site (http://www.constellationenergypartners.com/). The call will also be recorded and archived on the site. CEP was formed - and is 54 percent owned - by Constellation Energy (NYSE:CEG), an energy company with a $13 billion market capitalization. Constellation Energy Partners LLC, (http://www.constellationenergypartners.com/), is a limited liability company focused on the acquisition, development and exploitation of oil and natural gas properties, as well as related midstream assets. Its assets consist primarily of producing and non-producing coalbed methane natural gas reserves located in the Black Warrior Basin of Alabama. 2006 Summary Stats Constellation Energy Partners LLC Operating Statistics Combined Predecessor and Successor Successor Successor* Three Months Ended Year Ended December 31, December 31, 2006 2005 2006 2005 Net Production: Total production (MMcf) 1,250 1,148 4,641 4,495 Average daily production (Mcf/day) 13,587 12,478 12,715 12,315 Average Sales Price per Mcf: Net realized price, including hedges $8.61 $13.09 $7.95 $5.23 Net realized price, excluding hedges $6.78 $13.09 $7.43 $8.64 Net Proved Reserves: Proved developed (Bcf) 97.4 89.3 Proved Undeveloped (Bcf) 22.9 22.7 Total Proved (Bcf) 120.3 112.0 Wells Drilled and Completed 31 18 Constellation Energy Partners LLC Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Combined Predecessor and Successor Successor Successor* Three Months Ended Year Ended December 31, December 31, 2006 2005 2006 2005 ($ in thousands) Total Revenues $10,763 $15,032 $36,917 $23,526 Operating expenses: Lease operating expenses 1,913 2,392 7,234 6,944 Production taxes 443 900 1,783 2,076 General and administrative 1,128 853 4,573 4,778 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 1,457 1,947 7,444 5,859 Accretion expense 35 35 141 124 Total operating expenses 4,976 6,127 21,175 19,781 Other expenses: Interest expense, net 114 1 (247) 2,440 Total expenses 5,090 6,128 20,928 22,221 Net income (loss) $5,673 $8,904 $15,989 $1,305 Adjusted EBITDA $7,106 $10,887 $23,025 $24,993 * Combined Predecessor and Successor statement of operation presented for the year ended Dec. 31, 2005 is a non-GAAP financial measure. CEP acquired the Robinson's Bend Field from Everlast on June 12, 2005. This combined statement represents the sum of Everlast's financials from Jan. 1 to June 12, 2005 and our financials from Feb. 7, 2005 (inception) to Dec. 31, 2005. We believe this presentation is useful for investors to evaluate 2005 financial results for the Robinson's Bend Field. The results were presented in our audited financial statements included in our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-134995) which was declared effective in November 2006. Constellation Energy Partners LLC Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets December 31, December 31, 2006 2005 ($ in thousands) Current assets $25,726 $20,928 Natural gas properties, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization 171,639 165,211 Other assets 5,971 - Total Assets $203,336 $186,139 Current liabilities $8,646 $13,895 Debt 22,000 63 Other long-term liabilities 2,730 3,014 Class D Interests 8,000 - Common members' equity 148,847 169,167 Accumulated other comprehensive income 13,113 - Total members' equity 161,960 169,167 Total liabilities and members' equity $203,336 $186,139 Constellation Energy Partners LLC Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA Combined Predecessor and Successor Successor Successor Three Months Ended Year Ended December 31, December 31, 2006 2005 2006 2005 ($ in thousands) Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA: Net income $5,673 $8,904 $15,989 $1,305 Add: Interest expense/ (income), net 114 1 (247) 2,440 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 1,457 1,947 7,444 5,859 Accretion of asset retirement obligation 35 35 141 124 Unrealized (gain)/loss on natural gas derivatives (173) - (302) 15,265 Adjusted EBITDA $7,106 $10,887 $23,025 $24,993 Constellation Energy Partners LLC Reconciliation of Combined Total Income for the Year Ended December 31, 2005 Year Ended December 31, 2005 Combined Predecessor and Successor Predecessor Successor ($ in thousands) Total Revenues $25,957 ($2,431) $23,526 Operating expenses: Lease operating expenses 4,175 2,769 6,944 Production taxes 1,400 676 2,076 General and administrative 4,184 594 4,778 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 4,176 1,683 5,859 Accretion expense 78 46 124 Total operating expenses 14,013 5,768 19,781 Other expenses: Interest expense, net 3 2,437 2,440 Total expenses 14,016 8,205 22,221 Net income (loss) $11,941 ($10,636) $1,305 Constellation Energy Partners LLC Reconciliation of Combined Total Income and Production for the Year Ended December 31, 2005 Year Ended December 31, 2005 Combined Predecessor and Successor Predecessor Successor ($ in thousands) Total Revenues $25,957 ($2,431) $23,526 Operating expenses: Lease operating expenses 4,175 2,769 6,944 Production taxes 1,400 676 2,076 General and administrative 4,184 594 4,778 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 4,176 1,683 5,859 Accretion expense 78 46 124 Total operating expenses 14,013 5,768 19,781 Other expenses: Interest expense, net 3 2,437 2,440 Total expenses 14,016 8,205 22,221 Net income (loss) $11,941 ($10,636) $1,305 Adjusted EBITDA $16,198 $8,795 $24,993 Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA: Net income $11,941 ($10,636) $1,305 Add: Interest expense, net 3 2,437 2,440 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 4,176 1,683 5,859 Accretion of asset retirement obligation 78 46 124 Unrealized loss on natural gas derivatives - 15,265 15,265 Adjusted EBITDA $16,198 $8,795 $24,993 Net Production: Total production (MMcf) 2,525 1,970 4,495 Average daily production (Mcf/day) 12,500 12,100 12,315 Net realized price, including hedges $10.28 ($1.23) $5.23 Net realized price, excluding hedges $10.28 $6.54 $8.64 The following table summarizes, for the periods indicated, our hedges currently in place through Dec. 31, 2009. Currently, we use fixed-price swaps as our mechanism for hedging commodity prices. Our derivative positions at Feb. 14, 2007 were: For the quarter ended (in MMBtu) March 31 June 30 Sept 30 MMBtu $/MMBtu MMBtu $/MMBtu MMBtu $/MMBtu 2007 974,999 9.22 1,074,999 9.13 1,074,999 9.17 2008 875,001 8.91 875,001 8.91 875,001 8.91 2009 825,000 8.40 825,000 8.40 825,000 8.40 Dec 31 Total MMBtu $/MMBtu MMBtu $/MMBtu 2007 1,074,999 9.25 4,199,996 9.19 2008 875,001 8.91 3,500,004 8.91 2009 825,000 8.40 3,300,000 8.40 11,000,000 Total MMBtu DATASOURCE: Constellation Energy Partners LLC CONTACT: Media Contact: Lawrence McDonnell, +1-410-470-7433; Investor Contacts: Kevin Hadlock, +1-410-783-3647, or Tonya Cultice, +1-410-783-3383, all of Constellation Energy Partners Web site: http://www.constellationenergypartners.com/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/084087.html

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