ME Mariner Energy Inc.

HOUSTON, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mariner Energy, Inc. (NYSE:ME) today announced financial results for the second quarter 2006 and provided an operational update. Production, revenues and net income for the second quarter 2006 increased significantly from results reported a year ago primarily as a result of consolidation of assets acquired in the merger transaction with Forest Oil Corporation that closed March 2, 2006. -- Production totaled 21.3 billion cubic feet gas equivalent (Bcfe) for the second quarter 2006, an increase of 161% from the second quarter 2005. -- Revenues totaled $167.7 million for the second quarter 2006, an increase of 224% from the second quarter 2005. -- Net income totaled $30.7 million for the second quarter 2006, an increase of 183% from the second quarter 2005. -- Basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the second quarter 2006 were each $0.36. This compares to $0.33 basic EPS and $0.32 diluted EPS in the second quarter 2005. Mariner has scheduled a conference call to review second quarter 2006 results on August 8, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. EDT (9:00 a.m. CDT). To participate in the Mariner conference call, callers in the United States and Canada can dial (800) 299-0148. International callers can dial (617) 801-9711. The conference pass code for both numbers is 63513203. The call will also be broadcast live over the internet and can be accessed through the Investor Relations' Webcasts and Presentations section of the company's website at http://www.mariner-energy.com/. Following is more detailed information regarding Mariner's second quarter 2006 operational and financial results. Operating results include consolidation of the Forest assets beginning March 2, 2006. OPERATIONAL UPDATE Offshore -- Mariner drilled seven offshore exploratory wells in the second quarter 2006 with four successes. Information regarding the four successful wells is shown below: Working Water Expected Date of Well Operator Interest Depth(Ft) Initial Production Location NW Nansen (EB 602 #12) Kerr McGee 33% 3,507 feet 2007 Deep Water NW Nansen (EB 558 - 2) Kerr McGee 50% 3,475 feet 2007 Deep Water King of the Hill (HI 131) Woodside 25% 50 feet 3rd Qtr 2006 Deep Shelf Capricorn (HI A341-B2) Mariner 60% 240 feet 3rd Qtr 2006 Shelf As previously reported, Mariner commenced production at its Green Canyon 473 (King Kong) discovery well in the second quarter at a rate of approximately 35 million cubic feet gas equivalent per day (MMcfe/d). The exploratory well at Green Canyon 472 reached total depth in the second quarter and was not successful. With these recent results, Mariner has been successful in ten of the fifteen offshore wells drilled from January 1, 2006 through June 30, 2006. Subsequent to June 30, 2006, Mariner drilled a successful shelf development well at Main Pass 166, which it operates with a 100% working interest, and is participating in the drilling of seven offshore wells in various stages of progress. In addition, Mariner has been awarded nine of the ten blocks on which it was the high bidder in the Minerals Management Service (MMS) OCS Oil and Gas Lease Sale 198 held on March 15, 2006 with a net cost exposure of approximately $16.5 million. Two of the blocks are located in deepwater areas of the Gulf (depths greater than 400 meters). The remaining Mariner bid was subject to a MMS minimum bid threshold and was not awarded. Onshore - In the second quarter of 2006, Mariner drilled 34 development wells in West Texas, all of which were successful. Mariner currently has five rigs operating on its West Texas properties. PRODUCTION Production for the second quarter 2006 averaged 234 MMcfe/d, totaling 21.3 Bcfe, compared to average daily production of 90 MMcfe/d for the second quarter 2005, which totaled 8.2 Bcfe. Production in the Gulf of Mexico for the second quarter 2006 totaled 18.9 Bcfe, an increase of 189% compared to the comparable period in 2005. Onshore production for the second quarter 2006 totaled 2.4 Bcfe, an increase of 48% compared to the comparable period in 2005. Natural gas production comprised 74% of Mariner's total production for the second quarter 2006. The total daily production as of June 30, 2006 was approximately 245 MMcfe/d. The increased Gulf of Mexico production levels in the second quarter 2006 resulted primarily from the acquisition of the Forest assets. Approximately 43 MMcfe per day of production (of which approximately 23 MMcfe per day is associated with the Forest assets) remains shut-in awaiting repairs to pipelines, facilities, terminals, and host facilities. Most of the deferred production is expected to recommence in the third quarter 2006. REVENUES AND PRICING Total revenues for the second quarter 2006 increased 224% over the comparable period in 2005 to $167.7 million. Natural gas revenues comprised 66% of total revenues for the second quarter 2006. Natural gas prices (excluding the effects of hedging) for the second quarter 2006 averaged $6.78 per thousand cubic feet (/Mcf), compared to $6.86/Mcf for the second quarter 2005. Oil prices (excluding the effects of hedging) for the second quarter 2006 averaged $63.69 per barrel (/Bbl), compared to $46.63/Bbl for the second quarter 2005. The impact of hedges during the second quarter 2006 increased average natural gas pricing by $0.23/Mcf to $7.01/Mcf and reduced average oil pricing by $2.75/Bbl to $60.94/Bbl, resulting in a net hedging gain of $1.1 million. HEDGING ACTIVITY Commodity hedges were placed in the second quarter as reported in Mariner's Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2006. As of August 7, 2006, no commodity hedges have been placed subsequent to those previously reported. OPERATING AND GENERAL & ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES Lease Operating Expenses: Lease operating expenses (including severance, ad valorem taxes and workover expenses) for the second quarter 2006 were $24.4 million, compared to $7.0 million in the second quarter 2005. The increase was primarily attributable to the acquisition of the Forest assets and increased costs attributable to the addition of new productive wells onshore. On a per-unit basis, average lease operating costs rose to $1.15/Mcfe in the second quarter 2006 from an average of $0.86/Mcfe in the second quarter 2005. Continued shut-in production from the impact of the 2005 hurricanes contributed to the increased per-unit operating costs. General & Administrative Expenses: General and administrative ("G&A") expenses totaled $7.0 million in the second quarter 2006, compared to $10.2 million in the second quarter 2005. For the second quarter 2006, G&A expense includes charges for stock compensation expense of $1.5 million, compared to $8.2 million in the second quarter 2005. For the second quarter 2006 and 2005, an expense of $0.7 million and $7.9 million, respectively, resulted from amortization of the cost of restricted stock granted at the closing of Mariner's private equity placement in March 2005. The stock has fully vested, and there will be no future charges related to those stock grants. New restricted stock grants were made in the second quarter 2006 with vesting periods of three to four years. G&A expense for the second quarter 2006 includes approximately $2.2 million for severance, retention, relocation, and transition costs related to the Forest transaction. Salaries and wages in the second quarter 2006 increased compared to second quarter 2005 primarily as a result of staffing additions related to the Forest transaction. G&A expenses in the second quarter 2006 are net of $6.0 million of overhead reimbursements billed or received from other working interest owners, compared to $1.4 million of similar reimbursements for the second quarter 2005. NET INCOME AND EARNINGS PER SHARE Net income for the second quarter 2006 was $30.7 million compared to $10.8 million for the second quarter 2005. Basic and diluted EPS for the second quarter 2006 were $0.36 for each measure compared to $0.33 basic EPS and $0.32 diluted EPS in the second quarter 2005. EBITDA Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, depletion, amortization, and impairments (EBITDA) for the second quarter 2006 was $134.8 million compared to $34.0 million for the second quarter 2005. EBITDA for second quarter 2006 and 2005 includes charges of $1.5 million and $8.2 million, respectively, for non-cash stock compensation expense. A definition and reconciliation of EBITDA can be found in the table below titled "EBITDA RECONCILIATION". Capital expenditures for the second quarter 2006 totaled $171.7 million compared to $37.4 million for the second quarter 2005. PRODUCTION, AVERAGE REALIZED PRICES (NET OF HEDGING), AND PER UNIT COSTS (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2006 2005 2006 2005 Production: Natural Gas (Bcf) 15.8 5.2 22.7 10.5 Oil and Liquids (MMBbls) 0.9 0.5 1.5 1.0 Natural Gas Equivalent (Bcfe) 21.3 8.2 31.8 16.5 Realized Prices (net of hedging): Gas ($/Mcf) $7.01 $6.17 $7.00 $ 6.38 Oil ($/Bbl) 60.94 38.86 57.53 38.88 Operating Costs per MMcfe Lease Operating Expense $1.15 $0.86 $1.18 $ 0.80 Transportation Expense 0.07 0.06 0.07 0.09 General and Administrative Expense 0.33 1.26 0.55 0.94 General and Administrative Expense - Net of stock comp. exp. 0.26 0.10 0.31 0.37 Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization 3.62 1.95 3.45 1.89 CAPITAL EXPENDITURES (Unaudited) Mariner's capital expenditures for the periods ended June 30, 2006 and June 30, 2005 are summarized below: Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2006 2005 2006 2005 (Dollars in Millions)(Dollars in Millions) Oil and Natural Gas Exploration $92.3 $6.3 $138.7 $7.5 Oil and Natural Gas Development 75.0 16.0 126.1 51.4 Acquisitions/Other 4.4 15.1 8.1 20.6 Total Capital Expenditures $171.7 $37.4 $272.9 $79.5 COMPARATIVE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIODS ENDED JUNE 30, 2006 AND 2005 MARINER ENERGY, INC. STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Dollars in Thousands) Unaudited Three Months ended Six Months ended June 30, June 30, 2006 2005 2006 2005 Revenues: Oil Sales $56,256 $19,351 $87,726 $38,435 Gas Sales 110,475 32,224 158,576 67,090 Other Revenues 936 201 1,623 2,058 Total Revenues 167,667 51,776 247,925 107,583 Costs and Expenses: Lease Operating Expense 24,384 7,035 37,567 13,194 Transportation Expense 1,548 511 2,277 1,501 General and Administrative Expense 6,964 10,235 17,473 15,400 Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 76,982 15,925 109,806 31,054 Total Costs and Expenses 109,878 33,706 167,123 61,149 Operating Income 57,789 18,070 80,802 46,434 Net Interest Expense 8,527 1,688 14,419 3,006 Income Before Taxes 49,262 16,382 66,383 43,428 Provision for Income Taxes 18,557 5,537 24,549 14,808 Net Income $30,705 $10,845 $41,834 $28,620 Earnings per Share: -- EPS (basic) $0.36 $0.33 $0.62 $0.90 -- EPS (fully diluted) $0.36 $0.32 $0.62 $0.89 EBITDA RECONCILIATION: Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2006 2005 2006 2005 (Dollars in Millions) (Dollars in Millions) Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measure: Net Income $30.7 $10.8 $41.8 $28.6 Add: Net Interest Expense 8.5 1.7 14.4 3.0 Add: Provision for Income Taxes 18.6 5.5 24.5 14.8 Add: Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization 77.0 15.9 109.8 31.1 EBITDA (1) $134.8 $34.0 $190.6 $77.5 (1) EBITDA means earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairments. Mariner believes that EBITDA is a widely accepted financial indicator that provides additional information about its ability to meet its future requirements for debt service, capital expenditures and working capital, but EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income, operating income, net cash provided by operating activities or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or as a measure of a company's profitability or liquidity. MARINER ENERGY, INC. BALANCE SHEET (Dollars in Thousands) Unaudited June 30, December 31, 2006 2005 Current Assets: Cash and Cash Equivalents $5,656 $4,556 Receivables 127,188 88,651 Deferred Tax Asset 10,215 26,017 Prepaid Expenses and Other 104,252 22,208 Total Current Assets 247,311 141,432 Property and Equipment (Net) 1,916,802 515,943 Goodwill 261,472 - Other Assets, Net of Amortization 34,716 8,161 TOTAL ASSETS $2,460,301 $665,536 Current Liabilities: Accounts Payable $57,674 $37,530 Accrued Liabilities 270,854 123,689 Accrued Interest 4,828 614 Derivative Liability 21,400 42,173 Total Current Liabilities 354,756 204,006 Long-Term Liabilities: Abandonment Liability 196,517 38,176 Deferred Income Tax 252,562 25,886 Derivative Liability 4,262 21,632 Long-Term Debt 457,000 152,000 Other Long-Term Liabilities 11,000 10,500 Total Long-Term Liabilities 921,341 248,194 Stockholders' Equity Common Stock and Additional Paid-In-Capital 1,055,421 160,709 Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) (7,151) (41,473) Accumulated Retained Earnings 135,934 94,100 Total Stockholders' Equity 1,184,204 213,336 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $2,460,301 $665,536 MARINER ENERGY, INC. SELECTED CASH FLOW INFORMATION FOR THE PERIODS ENDED JUNE 30, 2006 AND 2005 (Dollars in Thousands) Unaudited Six Months Ended June 30, 2006 2005 Cash Flows from Operations $186,125 $90,067 Changes in operating assets and liabilities (93,578) (17,389) Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities $92,547 $72,678 Net Cash Used in Investing Activities $(204,793) $(98,706) Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities $113,346 $31,538 Increase/(Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents $1,100 $5,510 FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities that Mariner assumes, plans, expects, believes, projects, estimates or anticipates (and other similar expressions) will, should or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by words such as "may," "will," "estimate," "project," "predict," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "potential," "plan," "goal," or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. The forward-looking statements provided in this press release are based on the current belief of Mariner based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Mariner cautions that its future natural gas and liquids production, revenues and expenses and other forward-looking statements are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties normally incident to the exploration for and development and production and sale of oil and gas. These risks include, but are not limited to, price volatility or inflation, lack of availability of goods and services, environmental risks, drilling and other operating risks, regulatory changes, the uncertainty inherent in estimating future oil and gas production or reserves, and other risks as described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, and other documents filed by Mariner with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any of these factors could cause the actual results and plans of Mariner to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Investors are urged to read the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and other documents filed by Mariner with the Securities and Exchange Commission that contain important information including detailed risk factors. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of Mariner. About Mariner Energy, Inc. Mariner Energy, Inc. is an independent oil and gas exploration, development and production company with principal operations in the Gulf of Mexico and West Texas. For more information about Mariner, please visit its website at http://www.mariner-energy.com/. DATASOURCE: Mariner Energy, Inc. CONTACT: Jaime F. Brito, Director, Investor Relations, +1-713-954-5558, Web site: http://www.mariner-energy.com/

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