ENDV Endeavour International Corporation

HOUSTON, Aug. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Endeavour International Corporation (NYSE: END) (LSE: ENDV) today reported physical production for the quarter that exceeded the Company's revised guidance range of 10,500 – 11,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day ("boepd") previously announced on June 10, 2014.  Physical production for the second quarter of 2014 averaged 12,900 boepd compared to 9,500 boepd for the same quarter of 2013. Sales volumes for the second quarter of 2014 were 7,400 boepd, compared to 14,500 boepd for the same quarter in the prior year.

The Company did not have a lifting of production at the Alba field during the quarter, so revenues were significantly lower than would have been if based on physical production.  Physical production for the quarter produced but not lifted is recorded as deferred revenue on the balance sheet. Endeavour estimates that there will be three to four liftings per year at the Alba field. The most recent lifting occurred on July 4, 2014 and the associated revenues of approximately $50 million will be reflected in the Company's third quarter results. A similar situation occurred in the third quarter of 2013, when there was no lifting at the Alba field.

The Company reported a second quarter 2014 net loss, as adjusted of $38.7 million compared to a net loss, as adjusted of $12.6 million for the same period in 2013. On a GAAP basis, net loss for the second quarter was $36.7 million as compared to net loss of $13.9 million for the same quarter in 2013.

Recent Events:

• Rochelle field fully operational with both wells producing during the quarter
• Settled and received $12.6 million in proceeds for the Rochelle E1Y well insurance claim
• Executed a forward sale for $22.5 million
• Successfully finished the hydraulic fracture stimulation of a third Pennsylvania Marcellus well

"During the quarter we were able to establish production from both wells at the Rochelle field. We experienced periods during the quarter where production rates exceeded 100 million cubic feet of gas per day ("mmcfd") and 4,000 boepd. This confirms our confidence in the Rochelle field's potential," said William L. Transier, chairman, chief executive officer and president. "However, we continue to be challenged by unexpected downtime and lower production efficiency rates which are directly attributable to the production facilities we do not control. We are working with the operators at Alba and Rochelle to improve ongoing performance."

Operational Update

North Sea

At Rochelle, the West Rochelle (W1) development well was returned to production in mid-May. The E2 and W1 wells produced together during the quarter and achieved production rates greater than 100 million cubic feet equivalent per day ("mmcfed") for 32 days during the second quarter. The Scott Platform began its planned shutdown period on July 27, 2014 and so the Rochelle Field is expected to be shut-in for three weeks until the Scott Platform goes back into service. The shutdown at the Scott Platform is being executed to coincide with the previously announced maintenance work occurring on the Forties Pipeline System. Endeavour has a 44% working interest in Rochelle.

At Alba, the A69 well is being completed and is expected to start production this month. Progress was made in the southern part of the field with partial water injection being reinstated. Installation of the replacement pipeline is planned early in the first quarter of 2015, with start-up expected in the second quarter. The partial reinstatement of water injection in the southern part of the field has sustained production throughout the second quarter. Well A69 is expected to increase overall production rates in the third quarter. Endeavour has a 25.68% working interest in Alba.

Bacchus continues to perform at rates above the Company's expectations. The B3Y well has not, as expected, been turned into a water injector because of certain technical issues. Future options for the B3Y well continue to be evaluated. Endeavour has a 30% working interest in the field.

North America

In the Pennsylvania Marcellus, Endeavour successfully completed hydraulic fracture stimulation of the C-13 horizontal well, the third completion this year in the Daniel Field. The Company's operated activity included more than double the number of frac stages on the longest laterals to date relative to previous wells. Following these successful well completions, operatorship of the Marcellus assets was transferred to Samson Exploration, LLC. Later this year, the wells will be tied into a new third-party pipeline being commissioned by EQT Corporation that allows firm capacity of up to 10 mmcfd, with potential for future expansion.

In the Piceance Basin Rim play in Northwest Colorado, Endeavour has two projects targeting liquids-rich Niobrara and Frontier objectives. At present, a rig has commenced drilling an initial horizontal Niobrara test at the Company's Wiley prospect. Endeavour has leasehold and drilling options on 40,000 gross acres and 27,000 net acres.

Finance

In May, Endeavour entered into a third forward sale agreement receiving a payment of $22.5 million. This effectively hedged a portion of production by locking in pricing for in excess of 200,000 barrels of oil, over a six-month delivery period. The forward sale is expected to be fulfilled in November 2014. The first forward sale commitment was fulfilled in June 2013 and the second in March 2014.

In January of this year, the Company refinanced its revolving credit facility ($115 million at 13%) and  two reimbursement agreements ($120 million at 13% and $33 million at 9% interest) into a new senior secured first lien term loan with an interest rate of 8.25% (libor + 700 basis points). During the second quarter, the first full quarter reflecting the refinancing impact, Endeavour realized cash interest expense savings of $4 million ($16 million on annualized basis). In addition, gross general and administrative expenses were reduced, as a result of the previously announced consolidation of the Company's U.K. offices, headcount reductions and other cost reduction initiatives.

Also during the quarter, the Company settled an insurance claim for the Rochelle E1Y well, which was damaged in early 2013, for £7.5 million (approximately $12.6 million). The proceeds from the settlement were received in June.

Third Quarter Production Guidance and Maintenance Downtime

In the U.K. North Sea, the third quarter is typically the time to perform maintenance and other tasks on infrastructure. During 2014, Endeavour anticipates that all of its producing fields will be modestly impacted. These shutdowns will be less invasive than those experienced in 2013, but will still have an impact on third quarter physical production.

At present, there is a 16 day shutdown on the Forties Pipeline System planned in August that will affect oil production from Bacchus and Rochelle. Currently underway is a three week Rochelle shutdown which coincides with the work being done at Forties. At Alba during August, a short shutdown of three days is planned to test the emergency systems. Average daily physical production volumes are expected to be in the range of 9,500 – 10,500 boepd for the third quarter of 2014.

Earnings Conference Call, Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at 9:00 a.m., Central Time, 3:00 p.m. British Summer Time 

Endeavour International will host a conference call and web cast to discuss its 2014 second quarter financial and operating results on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. Central Time, 3:00 p.m. British Summer Time. A supporting slide deck for the conference call is available on the home page of Endeavour's website at www.endeavourcorp.com and under the Investor Relations section in conjunction with the details for the conference call. To participate and ask questions during the conference call, dial the local country telephone number and the confirmation code 3569591.  The toll-free numbers are 888-221-3886 in the United States and 0-808-101-7548 in the United Kingdom. Other international callers should dial 913-312-1453 (tolls apply).  To listen only to the live audio web cast access Endeavour's home page at www.endeavourcorp.com.  A replay will be available beginning at 12:00 p.m. Central Time on August 5, 2014 through 12:00 p.m. on August 11, 2014 by dialing toll free 888-203-1112 (U.S.) or 719-457-0820 (international), confirmation code 3569591.

Endeavour International Corporation is an oil and gas exploration and production company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of energy reserves in the North Sea and the United States. For more information, visit www.endeavourcorp.com.

Additional information for investors:

Certain statements in this news release should be regarded as "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the securities laws.  These statements speak only as of the date made.  Such statements are subject to assumptions, risk and uncertainty.  Actual results or events may vary materially.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits oil and gas companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose not only proved reserves, but also probable reserves and possible reserves that meet the SEC's definitions for such terms, and price and cost sensitivities for such reserves, and prohibits disclosure of resources that do not constitute such reserves.  We may use certain terms in our news releases, such as "reserve potential," that the SEC's guidelines strictly prohibit us from including in filings with the SEC. These estimates are by their nature more speculative than estimates of proved, probable and possible reserves and accordingly are subject to substantially greater risk of being actually realized.  In addition, we do not represent that the probable or possible reserves described herein meet the recoverability thresholds established by the SEC in its new definitions.  Investors are urged to also consider closely the disclosure in our filings with the SEC, available from our website at www.endeavourcorp.com.  Endeavour is also subject to the requirements of the London Stock Exchange and considers the disclosures in this release to be appropriate and/or required under the guidelines of that exchange.