UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549




FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2006


 

Commission file number 001-31539

ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

 

41-0518430

(State or other jurisdiction

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

of incorporation or organization)

 

 

 

 

 



1776 Lincoln Street, Suite 700, Denver, Colorado

 

80203

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)


(303) 861-8140

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x     No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):

Large accelerated filer x

 

Accelerated filer o

 

Non-accelerated filer o


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o     No x

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable
date.

As of July 24, 2006, the registrant had 54,817,306 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding.

 

 




ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY

INDEX

 

PAGE

Part I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

 

June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

 

 

Three and Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30, 2006 and 2005

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

and Comprehensive Income

 

 

 

June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2006 and 2005

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

June 30, 2006

8

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

 

 

 

of Financial Condition and Results

 

 

 

of Operations

22

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures

 

 

 

About Market Risk (included within

 

 

 

the content of Item 2)

45

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

45

 

 

 

 

Part II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

46

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

46

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

 

 

 

and Use of Proceeds

46

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of

 

 

 

Security Holders

47

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

48

 




PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,825

 

$

14,925

 

Short-term investments

 

1,475

 

1,475

 

Accounts receivable

 

115,516

 

165,197

 

Refundable income taxes

 

18,332

 

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

15,961

 

7,283

 

Accrued derivative asset

 

30,220

 

6,799

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

8,252

 

Total current assets

 

183,329

 

203,931

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment (successful efforts method), at cost:

 

 

 

 

 

Proved oil and gas properties

 

1,631,994

 

1,441,959

 

Less - accumulated depletion, depreciation, and amortization

 

(562,690

)

(497,621

)

Unproved oil and gas properties, net of impairment allowance of $9,690 in 2006 and $9,862 in 2005

 

52,522

 

44,383

 

Wells in progress

 

69,510

 

55,505

 

Other property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $8,893 in 2006 and $8,046 in 2005

 

5,663

 

5,340

 

 

 

 

1,196,999

 

1,049,566

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

9,452

 

9,452

 

Long-term derivative asset

 

8,801

 

575

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

4,627

 

5,223

 

Total noncurrent assets

 

22,880

 

15,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

1,403,208

 

$

1,268,747

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

$

160,423

 

$

164,957

 

Accrued derivative liability

 

37,602

 

34,037

 

Deferred income taxes

 

1,673

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

199,698

 

198,994

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term credit facility

 

51,000

 

 

Convertible notes

 

99,933

 

99,885

 

Asset retirement obligation

 

69,011

 

66,078

 

Net Profits Plan liability

 

157,904

 

136,824

 

Deferred income taxes

 

154,689

 

128,296

 

Accrued derivative liability

 

93,492

 

64,137

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

5,622

 

5,213

 

Total noncurrent liabilities

 

631,651

 

500,433

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value: authorized — 200,000,000 shares; issued: 58,310,668 shares in 2006 and 57,011,740 shares in 2005; outstanding, net of treasury shares: 54,781,228 shares in 2006 and 56,761,740 shares in 2005

 

583

 

570

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

152,649

 

123,278

 

Treasury stock, at cost: 3,529,440 shares in 2006 and 250,000 in 2005

 

(127,686

)

(5,148

)

Deferred stock-based compensation

 

 

(5,593

)

Retained earnings

 

598,559

 

510,812

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(52,246

)

(54,599

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

571,859

 

569,320

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

1,403,208

 

$

1,268,747

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3




 

ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

For the Three Months

 

For the Six Months

 

 

 

Ended June 30,

 

Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and gas production revenue

 

$

177,957

 

$

160,421

 

$

362,022

 

$

298,791

 

Oil and gas hedge gain (loss)

 

4,875

 

(2,086

)

9,980

 

(526

)

Marketed gas and other revenue

 

4,117

 

6,265

 

8,535

 

10,153

 

Gain (loss) on sale of proved properties

 

6,432

 

(26

)

6,432

 

(26

)

Total operating revenues

 

193,381

 

164,574

 

386,969

 

308,392

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and gas production expense

 

43,278

 

30,188

 

84,492

 

62,347

 

Depletion, depreciation, amortization, and abandonment liability accretion

 

35,910

 

33,907

 

70,301

 

63,981

 

Exploration

 

15,319

 

9,699

 

26,106

 

16,782

 

Impairment of proved properties

 

 

 

1,289

 

 

Abandonment and impairment of unproved properties

 

1,262

 

1,819

 

2,448

 

3,689

 

General and administrative

 

10,429

 

7,481

 

21,215

 

13,467

 

Change in Net Profits Plan liability

 

14,059

 

12,175

 

21,080

 

16,396

 

Marketed gas system and other operating expense

 

3,248

 

6,310

 

9,006

 

9,949

 

Unrealized derivative loss

 

4,791

 

241

 

5,261

 

1,370

 

Total operating expenses

 

128,296

 

101,820

 

241,198

 

187,981

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

65,085

 

62,754

 

145,771

 

120,411

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonoperating income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

540

 

98

 

1,364

 

180

 

Interest expense

 

(1,549

)

(2,274

)

(2,928

)

(4,218

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

64,076

 

60,578

 

144,207

 

116,373

 

Income tax expense

 

(23,996

)

(22,317

)

(53,601

)

(43,009

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

40,080

 

$

38,261

 

$

90,606

 

$

73,364

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding

 

57,082

 

56,960

 

57,157

 

57,095

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding

 

66,950

 

66,769

 

67,145

 

66,847

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic net income per common share

 

$

0.70

 

$

0.67

 

$

1.59

 

$

1.28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net income per common share

 

$

0.61

 

$

0.59

 

$

1.38

 

$

1.13

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4




ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred

 

 

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Paid-in

 

Treasury Stock

 

Stock-Based

 

Retained

 

Comprehensive

 

Stockholders’

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Compensation

 

Earnings

 

Income (Loss)

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances, December 31, 2004

 

57,458,246

 

$

574

 

$

127,374

 

(500,000

)

$

(5,295

)

$

(5,039

)

$

364,567

 

$

2,274

 

$

484,455

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income, net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

151,936

 

 

151,936

 

Change in derivative instrument fair value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(71,522

)

(71,522

)

Reclassification to earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,366

 

14,366

 

Minimum pension liability adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

283

 

283

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

95,063

 

Cash dividends declared, $0.10 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5,691

)

 

(5,691

)

Treasury stock purchases

 

 

 

 

(1,175,282

)

(28,902

)

 

 

 

(28,902

)

Retirement of treasury stock

 

(1,411,356

)

(14

)

(28,729

)

1,411,356

 

28,743

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

28,447

 

 

601

 

 

 

 

 

 

601

 

Sale of common stock, including income tax benefit of stock option exercises

 

936,403

 

10

 

16,619

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,629

 

Deferred compensation related to issued restricted stock unit awards, net of forfeitures

 

 

 

3,404

 

 

 

(3,404

)

 

 

 

Directors’ stock compensation

 

 

 

 

13,926

 

306

 

(306

)

 

 

 

Accrued stock-based compensation

 

 

 

4,009

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,009

 

Amortization of deferred stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,156

 

 

 

3,156

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances, December 31, 2005

 

57,011,740

 

$

570

 

$

123,278

 

(250,000

)

$

(5,148

)

$

(5,593

)

$

510,812

 

$

(54,599

)

$

569,320

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income, net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

90,606

 

 

90,606

 

Change in derivative instrument fair value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,624

 

8,624

 

Reclassification to earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6,271

)

(6,271

)

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

92,959

 

Cash dividends declared, $0.05 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,859

)

 

(2,859

)

Treasury stock purchases

 

 

 

 

(3,319,300

)

(123,108

)

 

 

 

(123,108

)

Issuance of Directors’ shares from treasury

 

 

 

 

26,076

 

68

 

 

 

 

68

 

Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

12,917

 

 

404

 

 

 

 

 

 

404

 

Sale of common stock, including income tax benefit of stock option exercises

 

1,286,011

 

13

 

28,738

 

 

 

 

 

 

28,751

 

Adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R

 

 

 

(5,593

)

 

 

5,593

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

 

5,822

 

13,784

 

502

 

 

 

 

6,324

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances, June 30, 2006

 

58,310,668

 

$

583

 

$

152,649

 

(3,529,440

)

$

(127,686

)

$

 

$

598,559

 

$

(52,246

)

$

571,859

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5




ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)

 

 

For the Six Months

 

 

 

Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

90,606

 

$

73,364

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

(Gain) loss on sale of proved properties

 

(6,432

)

26

 

Depletion, depreciation, amortization, and abandonment liability accretion

 

70,301

 

63,981

 

Exploratory dry hole expense

 

3,640

 

2,102

 

Impairment of proved properties

 

1,289

 

 

Abandonment and impairment of unproved properties

 

2,448

 

3,689

 

Unrealized derivative loss

 

5,261

 

1,370

 

Change in Net Profits Plan liability

 

21,080

 

16,396

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

6,392

 

2,301

 

Deferred income taxes

 

34,683

 

18,102

 

Other

 

(603

)

(319

)

Changes in current assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

49,681

 

702

 

Refundable income taxes

 

(18,332

)

(3,748

)

Prepaid expenses and other

 

(8,678

)

(2,381

)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

(20,748

)

7,244

 

Income tax benefit from the exercise of stock options*

 

(14,236

)

2,747

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

216,352

 

185,576

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of oil and gas properties

 

182

 

101

 

Capital expenditures

 

(181,565

)

(134,800

)

Acquisition of oil and gas properties

 

(4,771

)

(35,145

)

Deposits to short-term investments available-for-sale

 

 

(1,502

)

Receipts from short-term investments available-for-sale

 

 

1,402

 

Other

 

22

 

(34

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(186,132

)

(169,978

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from credit facility

 

108,000

 

119,000

 

Repayment of credit facility

 

(57,000

)

(105,000

)

Income tax benefit from the exercise of stock options*

 

14,236

 

 

Proceeds from sale of common stock

 

14,919

 

6,455

 

Repurchase of common stock

 

(120,616

)

(28,347

)

Dividends

 

(2,859

)

(2,863

)

Other

 

 

(693

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(43,320

)

(11,448

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

(13,100

)

4,150

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

14,925

 

6,418

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

1,825

 

$

10,568

 


*                    SFAS 123R requires presentation of the income tax benefit from the exercise of stock options to be presented in financing activites subsequent to adoption.  The prior period classification is to remain unchanged under SFAS 123R.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

6




ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(Continued)

Supplemental schedule of additional cash flow information and noncash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

For the Six Months

 

 

 

Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest

 

$

3,700

 

$

3,944

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

29,373

 

$

22,741

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

As of June 30, 2006 and 2005, $78.4 million and $40.4 million, respectively, are included as additions to oil and gas properties and as increases to accounts payable and accrued expenses.  These oil and gas property additions are reflected in cash used in investing activities in the periods that the payables are settled.

 

In February 2006 and March 2005 the Company issued 484,351 and 195,312 restricted stock units, respectively, pursuant to the Company’s restricted stock plan.  The total expense associated with the issuances were $16.4 million and $4.5 million, respectively.

 

In May 2006 and 2005 the Company issued 26,076 and 13,926 shares, respectively, of common stock from treasury to its non-employee directors pursuant to the Company’s non-employee director stock compensation plan.  The Company recorded compensation expense related to the issuances of $195,000 and $25,500 for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

In May 2006 the Company closed a transaction whereby it exchanged oil and gas properties located in Richland County, Montana for non-core oil and gas properties.  This transaction is considered a non-monetary exchange for accounting purposes with a fair value assigned to this transaction of $11.5 million.

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

7




ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 


 

June 30, 2006

Note 1 — The Company and Business

St. Mary Land & Exploration Company (“St. Mary” or the “Company”) is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, exploitation, development, acquisition, and production of natural gas and crude oil.  The Company’s operations are conducted in the continental United States and  offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.

Note 2 — Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of St. Mary have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information.  They do not include all information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  Except as disclosed herein, there has been no material change in the information disclosed in the notes to consolidated financial statements included in St. Mary’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the interim financial information have been included.  Operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.

Other Significant Accounting Policies

The accounting policies followed by the Company are set forth in Note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, and are supplemented throughout the footnotes of this document.  It is suggested that these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

Note 3 — Acquisitions

Richland County, Montana Acquisition

On May 15, 2006, the Company closed on a transaction whereby it exchanged non-core oil and gas properties located in the Uinta Basin for oil and gas properties located in Richland County, Montana. The transaction was structured as an Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 tax-deferred exchange. For financial reporting purposes, the transaction is considered a non-monetary exchange and has been accounted for at estimated fair value.  The exchange of properties resulted in recognition of a gain of approximately $6 million.  The final purchase accounting allocation and gain determination will be dependent on finalization of post-closing adjustments associated with revenue, expenses, and costs incurred between the effective date and the date of closing.  The Company expects that this allocation will be completed prior to the end of 2006.

8




Wold Acquisition

On August 1, 2005, the Company acquired oil and gas properties from Wold Oil Properties, Inc. (“Wold”) for $37.1 million in cash.  The Company allocated the purchase price based on the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities.  The allocation of the purchase price resulted in recording $43.9 million to proved and unproved oil and gas properties, a $7.0 million asset retirement obligation, and a net $232,000 to other assets.

 Agate Acquisition

On January 5, 2005, the Company acquired Agate Petroleum, Inc. (“Agate”) in exchange for $40.0 million in cash.  The Company allocated the purchase price based on the estimated fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities.  The Company acquired $4.6 million in cash from Agate, and the allocation of the purchase price resulted in recording $41.9 million to proved and unproved oil and gas properties, $1.1 million to net current liabilities, $9.5 million to goodwill, a deferred income tax liability of $13.5 million, and a $1.4 million asset retirement obligation.

Note 4 — Earnings per Share

Basic net income per common share of stock is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average basic common shares outstanding during each period.  The shares represented by vested restricted stock units are included in the calculation of the weighted-average basic common shares outstanding.  The earnings per share calculations reflect the impact of any repurchases of shares of common stock made by the Company.

Diluted net income per common share of stock is calculated by dividing adjusted net income by the weighted-average of diluted common shares outstanding, which includes the effect of potentially dilutive securities.  Adjusted net income is used for the if-converted method and is derived by adding interest expense paid on the Company’s 5.75% Senior Convertible Notes due 2022 (the “Convertible Notes”) back to net income and then adjusting for non-discretionary items that are based on income and that would have changed had the Convertible Notes been converted at the beginning of the period.  Potentially dilutive securities of the Company consist of in-the-money outstanding options to purchase the Company’s common stock, shares into which the Convertible Notes may be converted, and unvested restricted stock units.

The shares underlying the grants of restricted stock units are included in the diluted earnings per share calculation beginning with the grant date of units regardless of whether the shares are vested or unvested.   Following the lapse of the restriction period, the shares underlying the units will be issued and thereby included in the number of issued and outstanding shares.

The dilutive effect of stock options and unvested restricted stock units is considered in the detailed calculation below.  There were no anti-dilutive securities related to stock options or restricted stock units for any periods presented.

Shares associated with the conversion feature of the Convertible Notes are accounted for using the if-converted method as described above and are considered in the detailed calculation below.  A total of 7,692,307 potentially dilutive shares related to the Convertible Notes were included in the calculation of diluted net income per common share for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2006, and 2005.  The Convertible Notes were issued in March 2002 and can be called by the Company in March 2007.

9




The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended June 30,

 

For the Six Months
Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

40,080

 

$

38,261

 

$

90,606

 

$

73,364

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments to net income for dilution:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add: interest expense not incurred if
Convertible Notes converted

 

1,580

 

1,580

 

3,142

 

3,142

 

Less: other adjustments

 

(16

)

(16

)

(31

)

(31

)

Less: income tax effect of adjustment
items

 

(585

)

(577

)

(1,157

)

(1,150

)

Net income adjusted for the effect of dilution

 

$

41,059

 

$

39,248

 

$

92,560

 

$

75,325

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted-average common shares
outstanding

 

57,082

 

56,960

 

57,157

 

57,095

 

Add: dilutive effects of stock options
and unvested restricted stock units

 

2,176

 

2,117

 

2,296

 

2,060

 

Add: dilutive effect of Convertible Notes
using if-converted method

 

7,692

 

7,692

 

7,692

 

7,692

 

Diluted weighted-average common shares
outstanding

 

66,950

 

66,769

 

67,145

 

66,847

 

Basic earnings per common share

 

$

0.70

 

$

0.67

 

$

1.59

 

$

1.28

 

Diluted earnings per common share

 

$

0.61

 

$

0.59

 

$

1.38

 

$

1.11

 

Note 5 — Compensation Plans

Cash Bonus Plan

The Company has a cash bonus plan that allows participants to receive a bonus of up to 50 percent of their aggregate base salary.  Any awards under the cash bonus plan are based on a combination of Company and individual performance.  The Company paid $7.4 million for cash bonuses in February 2006 related to the 2005 performance year and paid $2.0 million in March 2005 related to the 2004 performance year.  The cash bonus expenses for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2006, and 2005, were $1.4 million and $928,000, respectively, and the cash bonus expenses for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2006, and 2005, were $2.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

Net Profits Plan

Under the Company’s Net Profits Interest Bonus Plan (the “Net Profits Plan”), oil and gas wells that are completed or acquired during a year are designated within a specific pool.  Key employees recommended by senior management and designated as participants by the Company’s Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and employed by the Company on the last day of that year become entitled to bonus payments after the Company has received net cash flows returning 100 percent of all costs associated with that pool.  Thereafter, ten percent of future net cash flows generated by the pool are allocated among the participants and distributed at least annually.  The portion of net cash flows from the pool to be allocated among the participants increases to 20 percent after the Company has recovered 200 percent of the total costs for the pool, including payments made under the Net Profits Plan at the ten percent level.  The Net Profits Plan has been in place since 1991.  Pool years prior to and including 2005 are fully vested.  Pool years beginning in 2006 will carry a vesting period of three years, whereby one-third is vested at the end of the year for which participation is designated and one-third vests each of the following two anniversary dates.  Beginning with the 2006 pool, the maximum benefit to full

10




participants from a particular year’s pool will be limited to 300 percent of a participating individual’s salary paid during the year to which the pool relates.

Expenses for distributions made or accrued under the Net Profits Plan related to current period operations for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2006, and 2005, were $6.9 million and $4.9 million, respectively, and expenses related to current distributions for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2006, and 2005, were $13.8 million and $7.6 million, respectively.  These amounts relate to the period realized results from oil and gas operations for the properties associated with the respective pools that have achieved payout status.

In a separate calculation, the Company records the estimated liability for future payments under the Net Profits Plan based on the discounted value of estimated future payments associated with each individual pool.  The calculation of this liability is a significant management estimate.  For a predominate number of the pools, a discount rate of 15 percent is used to calculate this liability and is intended to represent the best estimate of the present value of expected future payments under the Net Profits Plan.  The Company’s estimate of its liability is highly dependent on the price assumptions and discount rates used in the calculations.  The commodity price assumptions are currently formulated by applying a price that is derived from a rolling average of actual prices realized over the prior 24 months together with adjusted New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc., (“NYMEX”) strip prices for the ensuing 12 months for a total of 36 months of data. This average is supplemented by including the effect of hedge prices for the percentage of forecasted production hedged in the relevant period.  The forecast expense associated with this significant management estimate has been increasing as a result of the relatively strong oil and gas prices together with the impact of pricing that is assured to the Company as a result of its hedging program.  In addition, these higher prices have moved more pools into payout status.  The Company continually evaluates the assumptions used in this calculation in order to include the current market environment for oil and gas prices, discount rates, and overall market conditions.  The calculation of the estimated liability for the Net Profits Plan is highly sensitive to price estimates and discount rate assumptions.  For example, if the commodity prices in the calculation were changed by ten percent, the liability recorded at June 30, 2006, would differ by approximately $33 million.  A one percentage point change in the discount rate would result in a change of approximately $8 million. Actual cash payments to be made in future periods are dependent on realized actual production, prices, and costs associated with the properties in each individual pool of the Net Profits Plan.  Consequently, actual cash payments will be inherently different from the amounts estimated.

The following table presents the changes in the estimated future liability attributable to the Net Profits Plan:

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended June 30,

 

For the Six Months
Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

(In thousands)

 

Liability balance for Net Profits Plan as
of the beginning of the period

 

$

143,845

 

$

34,782

 

$

136,824

 

$

30,561

 

Increase in liability

 

20,992

 

17,078

 

34,894

 

23,964

 

Reduction in liability for cash payments
made or accrued and recognized as
compensation expense

 

(6,933

)

(4,903

)

(13,814

)

(7,568

)

Liability balance for Net Profits Plan as
of the end of the period

 

$

157,904

 

$

46,957

 

$

157,904

 

$

46,957

 

 

11




The Company records changes in the present value of estimated future payments under the Net Profits Plan as a separate item in the consolidated statements of operations.  The change in the estimated liability is recorded as an expense in the current period.  The amount recorded as an expense associated with the change in the estimated liability is not allocated to general and administrative costs or exploration costs because it is an estimate at the current time of the adjustment to the liability that is associated with the future net cash flows from oil and gas properties in the respective pools rather than current period realized performance.  The table below presents the estimated allocation of the change in the liability if the Company did allocate the adjustment to these specific line items:

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended June 30,

 

For the Six Months
Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

(In thousands)

 

General and administrative expense

 

$

5,768

 

$

5,989

 

$

8,964

 

$

8,131

 

Exploration expense

 

8,291

 

6,186

 

12,116

 

8,265

 

Total

 

$

14,059

 

$

12,175

 

$

21,080

 

$

16,396

 

 

Equity Incentive Compensation Plan

In May 2006, the stockholders approved the 2006 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2006 Plan”) to authorize the issuance of restricted stock, restricted stock units, non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, and stock based awards to key employees, consultants, and members of the Board of Directors of St. Mary or any affiliate of St. Mary.  The 2006 Plan serves as the successor to the St. Mary Land & Exploration Company Stock Option Plan, the St. Mary Land & Exploration Company Incentive Stock Option Plan, the St. Mary Land & Exploration Company Restricted Stock Plan, and the St. Mary Land & Exploration Company Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation Plan (collectively referred to as the “Predecessor Plans”).  All grants of equity are now made out of the 2006 Plan and no grants will be made under the Predecessor Plans.  Each outstanding award under a Predecessor Plan immediately prior to the effective date of the 2006 Plan continues to be governed solely by the terms and conditions of the instruments evidencing such grants or issuances.

As of June 30, 2006, there were 2.6 million remaining shares of common stock available for grant under the 2006 Plan.  Under the 2006 Plan, any issuances of a direct share benefit such as an outright grant of common stock, a grant of a restricted share or a restricted stock unit counts as two shares against the amount eligible to be granted under the 2006 Plan.  Each stock option and similar instrument granted counts as one share against the eligible shares authorized to be issued under the 2006 Plan.

St. Mary anticipates granting restricted stock and restricted stock units under the 2006 Plan for the foreseeable future.  The Company does however have outstanding stock option grants under the previous stock option plans.  The following sections describe the details of restricted stock units and stock options outstanding as of June 30, 2006.

Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for its stock-based compensation plans under the recognition and measurement provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB Opinion No. 25”) and related interpretations, as permitted by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS No. 123”). Accordingly, no stock option compensation expense was recognized in the consolidated statements of operations prior to January 1, 2006, as all options granted under the

12




Company’s stock-based employee compensation plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123R”) using the modified-prospective transition method. Under that transition method, compensation expense recognized in the six months ended June 30, 2006, includes: (a) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123, and (b) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123R.

Restricted Stock Incentive Program

The Company has a long-term incentive program whereby grants of restricted stock or restricted stock units (“RSUs”) have been awarded to eligible employees, consultants, and members of the Board of Directors.  Restrictions and vesting periods for the awards are determined at the discretion of the Board of Directors and are set forth in the award agreements.  Each RSU represents a right for one share of the Company’s common stock to be delivered upon settlement of the award at the end of a specified period.

St. Mary issued ­­­ 484,351 RSUs on February 28, 2006, related to 2005 performance and 195,312 RSUs on March 15, 2005, related to 2004 performance.  The total fair value associated with these issuances was $16.4 million in 2006 and $4.5 million in 2005 as measured on the respective grant dates.  The granted RSUs vest 25 percent immediately upon grant and 25 percent on each of the next three anniversary dates of the grant.  Compensation expense is recorded monthly over the vesting period of the award.  The vested shares underlying the RSU grants will be issued on the third anniversary of the grant, at which time the shares carry no further restrictions.  As of June 30, 2006, there was a total of 1,117,075 RSUs outstanding, of which 552,111 were vested.  Total compensation expense related to the RSUs for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2006, and 2005, were $2.7 million and $1.3 million, respectively, and total compensation expense related to the RSUs for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2006, and 2005, were $5.3 million and $2.3 million, respectively.  The 2006 period includes $1.1 million of compensation expense for the estimated value of grants expected to be issued in 2007 related to the 2006 performance year.

As part of hiring a new senior executive in the second quarter of 2006, St. Mary granted a special common stock award of 20,000 shares which vested immediately upon commencement of employment.  Approximately $737,000 of compensation expense was recorded related to this award.  In addition to this award, the employee may earn an additional 20,000 shares contingent on the Company meeting certain performance conditions.  The fair value of this award will be recorded to compensation expense over the vesting period.  As of June 30, 2006, approximately $7,000 of compensation expense had been recorded related to the contingent award.

13




A summary of the status and activity of non-vested RSUs for the period ended June 30, 2006, is presented below. 

 

Shares

 

Weighted-
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value

 

Non-vested, at beginning period

 

356,550

 

$

18.92

 

Granted

 

504,351

 

$

33.92

 

Vested

 

(295,852

)

$

25.12

 

Forfeited

 

(85

)

$

25.12

 

Non-vested, at end of period

 

564,964

 

$

28.66

 

In measuring compensation expense from the grant of RSUs, SFAS No. 123R requires companies to estimate the fair value of the award on the grant date.  The fair value of RSUs has been measured using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.  The fair value of the RSUs is inherently less than the market value of an unrestricted security; accordingly a fair value calculation is performed to determine the fair value of the grant.  The Company’s computation of expected volatility was based on historical volatility. The Company’s computation of expected life was determined based on historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the stock-based awards, vesting schedules, and expectations of future employee behavior.  The interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the award was based on the U.S. Treasury constant maturity yield at the time of grant.  The fair values of granted RSUs were estimated using the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

For the Six Months

 

 

 

Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Risk free interest rate:

 

4.70

%

4.03

%

Dividend yield:

 

0.68

%

0.40

%

Volatility factor of the expected marketprice of the Company’s common stock:

 

36.60

%

26.70

%

Expected life of the awards (in years):

 

3

 

3

 

Upon the adoption of SFAS No. 123R, the deferred compensation balance of $5.6 million related to outstanding RSU awards was reclassified to additional paid-in-capital within the shareholders’ equity section of the balance sheet.  This deferred compensation balance had been recorded in accordance with APB Opinion No. 25.  The Company had recorded compensation expense in periods prior to January 1, 2006, for restricted stock awards based on the intrinsic value on the date of grant.  The intrinsic value was recorded as deferred compensation in a separate component of shareholders’ equity and was amortized to compensation expense over the vesting period.  SFAS No. 123R requires expense recognized subsequent to the adoption date to be based on fair value.

Stock Option Grants

The Company has previously granted stock options under the St. Mary Land & Exploration Company Stock Option Plan.  The last issuance of stock options was December 31, 2004.  Stock options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock have been issued to eligible employees and members of the Board of Directors.  All options granted to date under the option plans have been granted at exercise prices equal to the respective market prices of the Company’s common stock on the grant dates. 

14




All stock options granted under the option plans are exercisable for a period of up to ten years from the date of grant.

During the six-month period ended June 30, 2006, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of approximately $1.0 million related to unvested stock options that were outstanding as of January 1, 2006.  There was no material impact related to the cumulative effect of adoption related to SFAS No. 123R.

Prior to adopting SFAS No. 123R, all tax benefits resulting from the exercise of stock options were presented as operating cash flows in the statement of cash flows. SFAS No. 123R requires cash flows resulting from excess tax benefits to be classified as a part of cash flows from financing activities. Excess tax benefits are realized tax benefits from tax deductions for exercised options in excess of the deferred tax asset attributable to stock compensation costs for such options. As a result of adopting SFAS No. 123R, $14.2 million of excess tax benefits for the six months ended June 30, 2006, has been classified as a financing cash inflow.  Cash received from option exercises under all share-based payment arrangements for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2006, and 2005, were $12.5 million and $2.9 million, respectively, and cash received from option exercises under all share-based payment arrangements for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2006, and 2005, were $14.5 million and $6.2 million, respectively.

The following table illustrates the effect on operating results and per share information had the Company accounted for share-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123R for the periods indicated:

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended June 30, 2005

 

For the Six Months
Ended June 30, 2005

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

As reported:

 

$

38,261

 

$

73,364

 

Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of related tax effects

 

783

 

1,435

 

Less: Stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value-based method for all awards, net of related income tax effects

 

(1,319

)

(2,455

)

Pro forma net income

 

$

37,725

 

$

72,344

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic net income per share

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

0.67

 

$

1.28

 

Pro forma

 

$

0.66

 

$

1.27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net income per share

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

0.59

 

$

1.13

 

Pro forma

 

$

0.58

 

$

1.11

 

For purposes of these pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the options and employee stock purchase plan grants are amortized to expense over the options’ vesting periods.  The effects of applying SFAS No. 123R in the pro forma disclosure are not necessarily indicative of actual future amounts.

15




The fair value of options and employee stock purchase plan (the “ESPP”) grants has been measured at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.  No options were granted during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2006, and 2005.  For the employee stock purchase plan offering period January 1, 2006, through June 30, 2006, the Company has expensed $117,566 based on the estimated fair value on the date of grant.

The following table summarizes the stock options outstanding as of June 30, 2006, as well as activity during the six months then ended:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

Average

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

Remaining

 

Intrinsic

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise

 

Contractual

 

Value

 

 

 

Options

 

Price

 

Term

 

(In thousands)

 

Outstanding at beginning of period

 

4,698,243

 

$

12.21

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(1,286,011

)

$

11.29

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at end of period

 

3,412,232

 

$

12.55

 

5.86

 

$

94,509

 

Exercisable at end of period

 

2,970,538

 

$

12.40

 

5.68

 

$

82,741

 

As of June 30, 2006, there was $1.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock option awards.

The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable.  In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility.  The Company’s stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, it is management’s opinion that the valuations afforded by the existing models are different from the value that the options would realize if traded in the market.

Note 6 - Income Taxes

Income tax expense for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2006, and 2005, differs from the amounts that would be provided by applying the statutory U.S. Federal income tax rate to income before income taxes primarily due to the effect of state income taxes, percentage depletion, the estimated effect of the domestic production activities deduction allowed in the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, and other permanent differences.

The Company’s current portion of income tax expense for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2006, and 2005, were $3.1 million and $14.5 million, respectively, and the current portion of income tax expense for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2006, and 2005, were $18.9 million and $24.9 million, respectively.  The Company’s effective tax rates for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2006, and 2005, were 37.4 percent and 36.9 percent, respectively, and the effective tax rates for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2006, and 2005, were 37.2 percent and 37.0 percent, respectively.  The change in tax rate reflects differences between the two quarters in the composition of the estimated highest marginal state tax rate as a result of 2006 Texas legislation instituting a new Margin Tax that will be effective for future tax periods and different impacts of acquisition and drilling activity between periods. It also reflects differing effects from the Company’s estimate of the effect of the domestic production activities deduction and the possible impact of state tax permanent differences.

16




Note 7 - Long-term Debt

Revolving Credit Facility

The Company executed an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement on April 7, 2005, to replace its previous credit facility. This credit facility specifies a maximum loan amount of $500 million and has a maturity date of April 7, 2010.  Borrowings under the facility are secured by a pledge in favor of the lenders of collateral that includes certain oil and gas properties and the common stock of the material subsidiaries of the Company.  The borrowing base under the credit facility as authorized by the bank group was voluntarily limited by the Company to the face amount of the credit facility of $500 million, and is subject to regular semi-annual redeterminations.  The borrowing base redetermination process considers the value of St. Mary’s oil and gas properties and other assets, as determined by the bank syndicate.  The Company has elected an aggregate commitment amount of $200 million under the credit facility.  The Company must comply with certain financial and non-financial covenants.  Interest and commitment fees are accrued based on the borrowing base utilization percentage table below.  Euro-dollar loans accrue interest at LIBOR plus the applicable margin from the utilization table, and Alternative Base Rate (ABR) loans accrue interest at prime plus the applicable margin from the utilization table.  Commitment fees are accrued on the unused portion of the aggregate commitment amount and are included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

Borrowing base
utilization percentage

 

<50%

 

³50%<75%

 

³75%<90%

 

³90%

 

Euro-dollar loans

 

1.000

%

1.250

%

1.500

%

1.750

%

 

ABR loans

 

0.000

%

0.250

%

0.250

%

0.500

%

 

Commitment fee rate

 

0.250

%

0.300

%

0.375

%

0.375

%

 

The Company had $51 million in loans outstanding under its revolving credit agreement as of June 30, 2006.

5.75% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2022

As of June 30, 2006, the Company had $100 million in outstanding borrowings under the Convertible Notes.  The Convertible Notes provide for the payment of contingent interest of up to an additional 0.5 percent during six-month interest periods based on the note trading price before the beginning of the particular six-month period.  Under that provision, interest was accrued at a total rate of 6.25 percent for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2006, and 2005.  Based on the trading price of the Convertible Notes over the determination period, the Company will be subject to the contingent interest payments for the period from March 15, 2006, to September 14, 2006.  The Company has the option to call the Convertible Notes in March 2007.  By doing so, the Convertible Note holders will have the right to convert the Convertible Notes to shares at the current conversion price of $13 per share.

Weighted-average Interest Rate Paid

The weighted-average interest rates paid for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2006, and 2005, were 8.1 percent and 6.9 percent, respectively, including commitment fees paid on the unused portion of the credit facility aggregate commitment, amortization of deferred financing costs, amortization of the contingent interest embedded derivative, and the effects of interest rate swaps.  The weighted-average interest rates paid for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, were 8.2 percent and 7.0 percent, respectively.  Capitalized interest costs for the Company for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2006, and 2005 were $704,000 and $445,000, respectively, and capitalized interest costs for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2006, and 2005, were $1.4 million and $842,000, respectively.

 

17




Note 8 — Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company recognized a net gain of $83,000 from its derivative contracts for the three-month period ended June 30, 2006, compared to a net loss of $2.3 million for the same period in 2005.  Comparative amounts for the six months ended June 30, 2006, and 2005, were a net gain of $4.4 million and a net loss of $1.9 million, respectively.

The following table summarizes derivative instrument gain (loss) activity (in thousands):

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended June 30,

 

For the Six Months
Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative contract settlements realized in oil and gas hedge gain (loss)

 

$

4,875

 

$

(2,086

)

$

9,980

 

$

(526

)

Ineffective portion of hedges qualifying for hedge accounting included in unrealized derivative loss

 

(4,918

)

(409

)

(5,754

)

(1,023

)

Non-qualified derivative contracts included in unrealized derivative loss

 

126

 

168

 

493

 

(347

)

Interest rate derivative contract settlements

 

 

 

(275

)

28

 

Total

 

$

83

 

$

(2,327

)

$

4,444

 

$

(1,868

)

 Oil and Gas Commodity Hedges

To mitigate a portion of the potential exposure to adverse market changes, the Company has entered into various derivative contracts.  The Company has in place derivative contracts, which include swap and collar arrangements for the sale of oil and natural gas.  Please refer to the tables under Summary of Oil and Gas Production Hedges in Place in Part I, Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, for details regarding the Company’s hedged volumes and associated prices.  As of June 30, 2006, the Company has hedge contracts in place through 2011 for a total of approximately 11 million Bbls and 84 million MMBtu of anticipated production.  The Company anticipates that all forecasted transactions will occur by the end of their originally specified periods.  All contracts are entered into for other than trading purposes.

The Company attempts to qualify its oil and natural gas derivative instruments as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes.  As of June 30, 2006, all oil and natural gas derivative instruments qualified as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes.  The estimated fair value of oil and natural gas derivative contracts designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS No. 133”), was a net liability of $91.5 million at June 30, 2006.

Gains or losses from the settlement of oil and gas derivative contracts are reported in the total operating revenues section on the consolidated statements of operations.  Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, to the extent they are effective in offsetting cash flows attributable to the hedged risk, are recorded in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings.  Any change in fair value resulting from ineffectiveness is recognized currently in derivative loss in the consolidated statement of operations.

The Company seeks to minimize ineffectiveness by entering into oil derivative contracts indexed to NYMEX and gas contracts indexed to regional index prices associated with pipelines in proximity to the Company’s areas of production.  As the Company’s derivative contracts contain the same index as

18




the Company’s sale contracts, this results in hedges that are highly correlated with the underlying hedged item.

Unrealized derivative loss for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2006, and 2005, were a net loss of $4.9 million and $409,000, respectively, from the ineffective portion of oil and natural gas derivative contracts.  Amounts for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2006, and 2005, were net losses of $5.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

As of June 30, 2006, the amount of unrealized loss net of deferred income taxes to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to oil and gas production operating revenues in the next twelve months was $4.4 million.

Interest Rate Derivative Contracts

The Company has various interest rate derivative contracts.  There are offsetting trades that have fixed the future payments under these derivative contracts.  The fair value of the interest rate derivatives was a liability of $383,000 as of June 30, 2006.  The Company recorded net derivative gain in the consolidated statements of operations of $130,000 for the three-month period ended June 30, 2006, and a net gain of $201,000 for the three-month period ended June 30, 2005, from mark-to-market adjustments for these derivatives.  Comparative amounts for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2006, and 2005, were a net gain of $262,000 and a net derivative loss of $475,000, respectively.  These derivatives do not qualify for fair value hedge treatment under SFAS No. 133 and related pronouncements.

Convertible Note Derivative Instrument

The contingent interest provision of the Convertible Notes is considered an embedded equity-related derivative that is not clearly and closely related to the fair value of an equity interest and therefore must be separately accounted for as a derivative instrument.  The value of the derivative at issuance of the Convertible Notes in March 2002 was $474,000.  This amount was recorded as a decrease to the Convertible Notes payable in the consolidated balance sheets.  Interest expense for each three-month period includes $24,000 of amortization of this derivative.  Derivative gain in the consolidated statements of operations for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2006, and 2005, were net losses of $4,000 and $33,000, respectively.  Comparative amounts for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2006, and 2005, includes a net gain of $231,000 and $128,000, respectively, from mark-to-market adjustments for this derivative. The fair value of this derivative was a liability of $238,000 at June 30, 2006.

Note 9 — Pension Benefits

The Company’s employees participate in a non-contributory pension plan covering substantially all employees who meet age and service requirements (the “Qualified Pension Plan”).  The Company also has a supplemental non-contributory pension plan covering certain management employees (the “Non-qualified Pension Plan”).

19




Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The following table presents the components of the net periodic cost for both the Qualified Pension Plan and the Non-qualified Pension Plan:

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended June 30,

 

For the Six Months
Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

(In thousands)

 

Service cost

 

$

421

 

$

346

 

$

842

 

$

693

 

Interest cost

 

163

 

134

 

326

 

267

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(107

)

(94

)

(190

)

(188

)

Amortization of net actuarial loss

 

74

 

60

 

148

 

120

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

551

 

$

446

 

$

1,126

 

$

892

 

Gains and losses in excess of ten percent of the greater of the benefit obligation and the market-related value of assets are amortized over the average remaining service period of active participants.

Contributions

St. Mary contributed $1.3 million to the Qualified Pension Plan during the second quarter of 2006.  No further contributions are planned for the remainder of 2006.

Note 10 — Asset Retirement Obligations

 The Company recognizes an estimated liability for future costs associated with the abandonment of its oil and gas properties.  A liability for the fair value of an asset retirement obligation and a corresponding increase to the carrying value of the related long-lived asset are recorded at the time a well is completed or acquired.  The increase in carrying value is included in proved oil and gas properties in the consolidated balance sheets.  The Company depletes the amount added to proved oil and gas property costs and recognizes accretion expense in connection with the discounted liability over the remaining estimated economic lives of the respective oil and gas properties.  Cash paid to settle asset retirement obligations is included in the operating section of the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows.

The Company’s estimated asset retirement obligation liability is based on historical experience in abandoning wells, estimated economic lives, estimates as to the cost to abandon the wells in the future, and federal and state regulatory requirements.  The liability is discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate estimated at the time the liability is incurred or revised.  The credit-adjusted risk-free rates used to discount the Company’s abandonment liabilities range from 6.50 percent to 7.25 percent.  Revisions to the liability could occur due to changes in estimated abandonment costs or well economic lives, or if federal or state regulators enact new requirements regarding the abandonment of wells.

20




A reconciliation of the Company’s asset retirement obligation liability is as follows:

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended June 30,

 

For the Six Months
Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning asset retirement obligation

 

$

67,196

 

$

43,462

 

$

66,078

 

$

40,911

 

Liabilities incurred

 

1,203

 

230

 

1,758

 

2,399

 

Liabilities settled

 

(573

)

(36

)

(1,162

)

(359

)

Accretion expense

 

1,185

 

727

 

2,337

 

1,432

 

Ending asset retirement obligation

 

$

69,011

 

$

44,383

 

$

69,011

 

$

44,383

 

 

Note 11 — Repurchase of Common Stock

Stock Repurchase Program

During the second quarter of 2006 St. Mary repurchased 3,319,300 shares of its common stock.  As of June 30, 2006, the Company had the authority to repurchase 526,818 shares under the stock repurchase program.  Subsequent to June 30, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an increase in the number of shares that may be repurchased under the Company’s authorized share repurchase program by an additional 5,473,182 shares.  Accordingly, as of the date of this filing the Company has Board authorization to repurchase an additional six million shares of common stock. The shares may be repurchased from time to time in open market transactions or privately negotiated transactions subject to market conditions and other factors including certain provisions of St. Mary’s existing credit facility agreement and compliance with securities laws.  Stock repurchases may be funded with existing cash balances, internal cash flow, and borrowings under the credit facility.  Additionally, in July 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a resolution to retire 3,275,689 shares of treasury stock.

21




ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This discussion contains forward-looking statements.  Please refer to the Cautionary Statement About Forward-Looking Statements at the end of this item for an explanation of these types of statements.

Overview of the Company

General Overview

We are an independent energy company focused on the exploration, exploitation, development, acquisition, and production of natural gas and crude oil in the United States.  We earn greater than 90 percent of our revenues and generate our cash flows from operations primarily from the sale of produced natural gas and crude oil.  Our oil and gas reserves and operations are concentrated primarily in various Rocky Mountain basins, including the Williston, Big Horn, Wind River, Powder River, and Greater Green River Basins; the Mid-Continent Anadarko and Arkoma Basins; the Permian Basin; the tight sandstone and limestone reservoirs of East Texas and North Louisiana; and onshore Gulf Coast and offshore Gulf of Mexico.  We have developed a balanced portfolio of proved reserves, development drilling opportunities, and non-conventional gas prospects.

 Oil and Gas Prices

Our results of operations and financial condition are significantly affected by oil and natural gas commodity prices, which can fluctuate dramatically.  The NYMEX natural gas price decreased by 25 percent and the NYMEX oil price increased 11 percent between the first quarter and second quarter of 2006.  We believe that the historically high volumes of natural gas in storage caused by a relatively warm winter pressured the spot NYMEX natural gas price downwards over the course of the quarter.  Throughout the quarter, however, most of our operating regions saw improvements in basis differentials in both absolute and percentage terms.  The three year NYMEX strip at June 30, 2006 was $8.74 per MMBtu and $74.57 per Bbl compared to $10.09 per MMBtu and $63.01 per Bbl at December 31, 2005.  Geopolitical tensions pressed NYMEX crude prices upward throughout the quarter.  In July, NYMEX crude oil reached an all-time high as tensions in the Middle East continued to increase. Domestically, we saw the first quarter basis differential on Rockies crude oil moderate in the second quarter.  The improvement is primarily due to refineries increasing activity for the summer driving season throughout the quarter as well as greater asphalt production.

For the three months ended June 30, 2006, our realized natural gas and oil prices, including the impacts of hedges, were $6.96 per Mcf and $59.62 per Bbl, respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2006, our realized natural gas and oil prices, including the impacts of hedges, were $7.59 per Mcf and $56.96 per Bbl, respectively.  These prices compare to average NYMEX prices of $6.82 per MMBtu and $70.70 per Bbl for the three months ended June 30, 2006, and $7.95 per MMBtu and $67.09 per Bbl for the six months ended June 30, 2006.  Excluding the effects of hedging our realized natural gas and oil prices for the three months ended June 30, 2006, were $6.20 per Mcf and $63.68 per Bbl, respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2006, our realized natural gas and oil prices, excluding the effects of hedging, were $6.86 per Mcf and $60.22 per Bbl, respectively.  Our natural gas price realizations for the three months ended June 30, 2006, were improved by $10.7 million of realized hedging gains while our oil price realization was negatively impacted by $5.8 million of realized hedging losses.  For the six months ended June 30, 2006, our natural gas price realizations were improved by $19.6 million of realized hedging gains and our oil price realization was negatively impacted by $9.6 million of realized hedging losses.

22




Cost Environment

Cost escalation in the service sector continues to affect our business.  Increases in rig rates, field service costs, workover costs, and materials prices continue to pressure the exploration and production sector.  Historically, cost changes have lagged commodity prices, both on upward and downward price trends.  Compounding the current situation is the scarcity of equipment and services in many of our regions.  We believe there is a highly dynamic relationship between service costs and commodity prices and that it is not possible to predict where the break-over point of one relative to the other will occur.  Although the spot NYMEX natural gas price has decreased over the quarter, the NYMEX future natural gas strip price has decreased to a lesser extent.  Because of commodity price volatility, we evaluate current economics on an individual investment basis prior to proceeding with making investment decisions.  We have a formal process for establishing our drilling budget, however, our prospect inventory and strong balance sheet give us the flexibility to adjust this budget, as additional opportunities arise or as the economics of our planned activities change.

As of the current time, our exploration and development budget for 2006 is $477 million and we have budgeted $100 million for acquisitions.  The current budget reflects the timing of drilling projects which have been impacted by service availability issues, timing of permitting, and the postponement of selected projects due to unfavorable economics given the current price and cost environment.  We contemplated the current cost environment in constructing our current drilling budget.

Hedging Activities

We have an active hedging program in which we hedge the first two to three years of an acquisition’s risked production, as well as a portion of our existing forecasted production on a discretionary basis.  In the fourth quarter of 2005, we hedged a significant portion of anticipated future production from our currently producing properties using zero-cost collars.  These contracts were a supplement to our previous swap and collar contracts.  We also hedged a portion of specific forecasted natural gas production for 2006 and 2007 using swap contracts.  Additionally, we hedged anticipated production in conjunction with the recent execution of our stock repurchase program for a commensurate amount of reserves that were represented by the proportionate number of total outstanding shares repurchased.  Taking into account all oil and gas production hedge contracts placed to date, we have hedged approximately 11 million Bbls and 84 million MMBtu of our anticipated production through the year 2011.  Overall we have hedged an estimated 58 percent of our remaining 2006 forecast oil production volumes and 37 percent of our remaining 2006 forecast natural gas production volumes using both zero-cost collars and swap contracts. Using current differentials, we estimate that the break-even NYMEX prices for these commodity derivatives are approximately $54.31 per Bbl and $8.51 per MMBtu over the remainder of 2006.  Primarily because of the basis expansion affecting oil in the Rockies, we recorded approximately $4.9 million of ineffectiveness related to our derivative contracts in the second quarter of 2006.  However we continue to have adequate correlation to maintain these derivatives as cash flow hedges.  Please see Note 8 — Derivative Financial Instruments in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information regarding our oil and gas hedges, and see the caption, Summary of Oil and Gas Production Hedges in Place, later in this section.

Execution of Share Repurchase Program

During the quarter ended June 30, 2006, we repurchased 3,319,300 shares of our common stock in the open market.  The weighted average price for these repurchases was $37.09 per share including commissions.  As of the end of June 2006, we had 526,818 shares remaining for authorized repurchase.  Subsequent to the close of the quarter, our Board authorized an increase in the number of shares available for repurchase under the plan to a total of six million shares thereby increasing the number of shares that were available to be repurchased under the program by an additional 5,473,182 shares.  Management plans to continue to evaluate the repurchase of common stock as a part of our business plan.

23




We evaluate the market price of our common stock relative to our assessment of net asset value per share.  To the extent the market price is sufficiently below what we believe to be the net asset value per share, we will repurchase shares under the program.  The repurchase activity was funded using cash on hand and bank borrowings.  As a result, we had $51 million in outstanding borrowings under our credit facility as of quarter-end.

Net Profits Plan

With the increase in future oil prices more than offsetting the relative decrease in near term natural gas prices the estimated liability associated with our Net Profits Plan recorded in the June 2006 financial statements has increased by $21.1 million.  We have also expensed $6.9 million and $13.8 million of compensation costs associated with the cash payments for the Net Profits Plan for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2006.  This amount is slightly lower than originally budgeted due to increased capital spending in existing payout pools, an increase in the timing of payout for newer pools, and a relative decrease in natural gas prices since the time the 2006 budget was developed.  The rate of increase for the liability associated with the Net Profits Plan should be fairly stable throughout the year based on current price projections.  We have adjusted our forecast to approximately $32 million for cash payments to be made for the 2006 period.  The actual cash payments made are dependent on actual production, realized prices, and operating and capital costs associated with the properties in each individual pool.  Actual cash payments will be inherently different from the estimated liability amount.  Additional discussion is included in the analysis in the Comparison of Financial Results and Trends section below.

The calculation of the estimated liability associated with the Net Profits Plan requires management to prepare an estimate of future amounts payable from the Net Profits Plan.  On a monthly basis, we calculate estimates of the payments to be made for each individual pool under the Net Profits Plan.  The underlying basis for our estimates are forecasted oil and gas production from the properties that comprise each individual pool, price assumptions, cost assumptions, and discount rate.  In most cases, the cash flow streams used in these calculations will span more than 20 years.  We generally use a 15 percent discount rate to calculate the present value of these future payments, and the resulting amount is recorded as a liability.  Commodity prices impact the calculated cash flows during periods after payout and can dramatically affect the timing of the estimated date of payout of the individual pools.  Our commodity price assumptions are currently determined from an average of actual prices realized over the prior 24 months together with adjusted NYMEX strip prices for the ensuing 12 months for a total of 36 months of data.  This average is supplemented by including the effect of hedge prices for the percentage of forecasted production hedged in the relevant period.  The calculation of the estimated liability for the Net Profits Plan is highly sensitive to our price estimates and discount rate assumptions.  For example, if we changed the commodity prices in our calculation by ten percent, the liability recorded at June 30, 2006, would differ by approximately $33 million.  A one percentage point change in the discount rate would result in a change of approximately $8 million.  We frequently evaluate the assumptions used in our calculations to evaluate the possible impacts stemming from the current market environment, including current and future oil and gas prices, discount rates, and overall market conditions.

Stock-Based Compensation

On January 1, 2006, we adopted SFAS No. 123R, Share Based Payments, which requires the measurement of compensation expense for all stock-based awards made to employees and directors including stock options, employee stock purchases under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and restricted stock units granted under the Restricted Stock Plan with future restricted stock units to be granted under the Equity Incentive Compensation Plan.  We adopted SFAS No. 123R using the modified-prospective transition method.  Our consolidated financial statements as of and for the three-months and six-months ended June 30, 2006, reflect the impact of SFAS No. 123R.  Total stock-based compensation expense for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2006, was approximately $3.4 million and

24




$6.6 million, respectively, which included $576,000 and $1.1 million, respectively, of expenses related to stock options and employee stock purchases under the ESPP recognized under SFAS No. 123R.  Upon adoption of SFAS No. 123R, we have expensed all costs associated with those individuals that do not have a future service requirement due to their existing term of service to us and their age.

As part of hiring a new senior executive, we granted a special stock award of 20,000 shares which vested immediately upon commencement of employment.  Approximately $737,000 of compensation expense was recorded related to this award.  In addition to this award the employee may earn an additional 20,000 shares contingent on certain performance conditions.  The fair value of this award will be recorded to compensation expense over the vesting period.  As of June 30, 2006, approximately $7,000 of compensation expense had been recorded related to this award.

Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R, we accounted for stock-based compensation expense using the intrinsic value and recognition and measurement principles detailed in APB Opinion No. 25.  Upon adoption of SFAS No. 123R on January 1, 2006, we selected the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the estimated fair value for stock-based awards.

Second Quarter 2006 Highlights

Our second quarter net income was $40.1 million or $0.61 per diluted share compared to 2005 results of $38.3 million or $0.59 per diluted share.  Production for the second quarter was 22.6 BCFE.  This represents a four percent increase from the same period a year ago and a three percent increase from the previous quarter.  Per MCFE lease operating expense and transportation expense increased $0.41 to $1.37 as compared to a year ago.  We are seeing increased lease operating expense in every region compared to last year due to a combination of increased equipment and service cost and more workover activity.  The increase in commodity prices over the past several years has led to increased levels of new drilling activity, as well as providing an incentive to perform maintenance on wells and infrastructure which may not have been performed in a lower commodity price environment.  While the demand for equipment and services has increased dramatically, the available supply from vendors has not increased as quickly.  Accordingly, equipment and service providers have been able to raise their prices in a period where we were increasing our activity.  With respect to workovers, we saw activity increase as we repaired and upgraded properties associated with recent acquisitions in the Rockies.  Additionally, we had several high-dollar operations on a few high-value properties in the Mid-Continent, Gulf Coast, and the Rockies.  Production taxes increased $0.12 to $0.54 per MCFE, and DD&A, including ARO accretion expense, increased $0.03 to $1.59 per MCFE.  We discuss these financial results and trends in more detail below.

25




The table below provides information regarding selected production and financial information for the quarter ended June 30, 2006, and the immediately preceding three quarters.  Additional detail of per MCFE cost is contained later in this section. 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2006

 

2005

 

2005

 

 

 

(In millions, except production sales data)

 

Production sales (BCFE)

 

22.6

 

22.0

 

21.9

 

23.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and gas production revenues
before the effects of hedging

 

$

178.0

 

$

184.1

 

$

231.6

 

$

203.1

 

Lease operating expense

 

$

28.3

 

$

26.3

 

$

23.8

 

$

22.9

 

Transportation costs

 

$

2.8

 

$

2.9

 

$

2.6

 

$

1.8

 

Production taxes

 

$

12.2

 

$

12.0

 

$

16.1

 

$

13.4

 

General and administrative expense

 

$

10.4

 

$

10.8

 

$

9.5

 

$

9.8

 

Net income

 

$

40.1

 

$

50.5

 

$

51.2

 

$

27.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage change from previous quarter:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production (MCFE)

 

3

%

%

(5

)%

6

%

Oil and gas production revenues
before the effects of hedging

 

(3

)%

(21

)%

14

%

27

%

Lease operating expense

 

8

%

11

%

4

%

19

%

Transportation costs

 

(3

)%

12

%

44

%

%

Production taxes

 

2

%

(25

)%

20

%

46

%

General and administrative expense

 

(4

)%

14

%

(3

)%

31

%

Net income

 

(21

)%

(1

)%

88

%

(29

)%

 

On May 15, 2006, we closed on a transaction whereby we exchanged non-core oil and gas properties located in the Uinta Basin for oil and gas properties located in Richland County, Montana.  The transaction was structured as an Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 tax-deferred exchange. For financial reporting purposes, the transaction is considered a non-monetary transaction and has been accounted for at estimated fair value, effectively resulting in the exchange being considered a sale and a purchase of oil and gas properties. The exchange of properties resulted in recognition of a gain of approximately $6 million.

First Six Months 2006 Highlights

In the first six months of 2006 our net income was $90.6 million or $1.38 per diluted share compared to 2005 income of $73.4 million or $1.13 per diluted share.  Production for the first six months was 44.6 BCFE.  This represents a five percent increase from the same period a year ago.  Per MCFE lease operating expense and transportation expense increased $0.34 to $1.36 as compared to a year ago. This increase over the last year’s comparable period is due to increased costs and higher levels of workover activity.  An increase in commodity prices over the past several years has led to increased levels of drilling and maintenance activity.  Service and equipment providers have struggled to keep up with the increase in demand, and have been able to increase prices for their goods and services.  In addition to the higher costs we are incurring on base levels of activity, we also have been actively repairing properties in the Rockies associated with transactions we completed in 2005.  Production taxes increased $0.09 to $0.54 per MCFE, and DD&A, including ARO accretion expense, increased $0.07 to $1.58 per MCFE.  We discuss these financial results and trends in more detail below.

26




Outlook for the Remainder of 2006

While oil and gas prices remain highly volatile, we have an inventory of drilling prospects that is attractive in various price environments.  We believe we will continue to have access to the drilling rigs we currently operate. Adding new rigs may remain a challenge because of the competitive state of the rig market.  The ability of drilling rig companies to hire qualified crews may impact our ability to drill wells. We continue to realize the impact of escalating rig and other service costs, particularly in marginal gas projects where economics have been pressured as natural gas prices declined due to historically high natural gas storage.  Robust oil prices, on the other hand, are resulting in superior returns and cash flow on oil properties.

The decreased emphasis on the acquisition component of our budget reflects the overall competitiveness of the acquisition market and the high prices being paid in recent acquisition transactions in our industry.  More importantly, it also reflects the strides we have made to advance our prospect inventory and drilling activity level.  We continue to maintain a disciplined approach to acquisitions as we actively evaluate acquisition opportunities and the potential impact such transactions will have on net asset value per share.  Over the remainder of 2006 we will continue to execute our business plan, including the following:

·                  Rockies Conventional — In the second quarter, we successfully completed 27 wells in the Rockies, with one dry hole.  In the Bakken, five wells were completed successfully during the quarter with four wells completing and two wells drilling as of quarter-end.  We continue to exploit the Bakken using a combination of grass roots drilling and re-entry wells.  Despite recent industry reports promoting the prospectivity of the North Dakota Bakken, we continue to be disappointed with the results we see there and accordingly are not actively drilling farther east of the Montana/North Dakota state line.  We plan to participate in more than 30 wells in the Bakken in 2006.  We also plan to continue taking advantage of our expertise in the Red River formation and to drill wells exploring the potential of a horizontal program in the Madison formation.

·                  Rockies — Hanging Woman Basin Coalbed Natural Gas — As of this filing, we have drilled a total of 296 wells in our Hanging Woman Basin coalbed natural gas project, of which 216 wells are currently producing.  We plan to drill over 140 wells during 2006.  Production for the project is currently approximately 10.5 MMCFD gross, 7.0 MMCFD net.

We plan on drilling two to four horizontal wells to test the deeper Roberts and Kendrick coals later this summer.  Horizontal completion techniques have successfully been used in similar coals in Oklahoma and Australia.  With respect to permitting wells on federal acreage in Montana, the supplemental environmental impact statement required by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is anticipated to be completed in June of 2007.  The state of Montana however continues to issue permits for wells on state and fee acreage.

·                  Mid-Continent — As of the end of the first six months of 2006 we have completed five horizontal Cromwell sandstone wells, two horizontal Woodford shale wells, and one Wapanucka limestone well in the Centrahoma area.  We are currently operating two rigs and are participating in one non-operated rig.  We plan to participate in the drilling of approximately 36, 19 of which we will operate, horizontal wells in the Centrahoma area during 2006.

In Northeast Mayfield, we successfully completed four wells during the second quarter.  Seven wells are completing and five wells are drilling as of the end of the second quarter.  We operate two drilling rigs in the field.  As the Atoka/Granite Wash program at Northeast Mayfield is sensitive to natural gas prices, we hedged approximately two-thirds of the production of our anticipated 2006 drilling program to protect our economics.  We continue

27




to evaluate the economics of proposed wells before drilling to ensure the wells meet minimum economic thresholds, although non-economic factors such as rig utilization for operated rigs are also considered in that decision.

The Paggi Broussard #2 well, which is an offset well to the Paggi Broussard #1 well at our Constitution field recently completed drilling.  The well began production in July with initial gross production of 14.6 MMCF and 810 Bbls of condensate per day.

·                  ArkLaTex — During the second quarter, we successfully completed 16 wells in the region, with one dry hole and two unsuccessful completions.  We continue to see improvements as a result of improved stimulation techniques at Spider field.  There are five wells planned in Spider in the second half of the year.  In Elm Grove, development is advancing southward onto acreage where we have higher working interests.  Thirty wells are budgeted in Elm Grove for the second half of the year where two non-operated rigs are running in this field.

·                  Gulf Coast and Permian — The SML 27-1, Viceroy, targeting the Rob L1 sand on our fee lands in St. Mary Parrish, Lousiana is currently drilling.  At Judge Digby, we experienced a successful new well and two successful recompletions during the first half of the year.  A second well, the Ivy Major #6, has recently been completed and is producing 10 MMCF per day.

·                  We continue to anticipate that production for 2006 will be between 96 BCFE and 98 BCFE, which exceeds 2005 reported production of 87.4 BCFE by approximately 11 percent.  This growth includes production from budgeted acquisitions and is a result of anticipated success in our drilling programs.

 

28




A quarter and six-month overview of selected production and financial information, including
trends:

Selected Operations Data (In Thousands, Except Price and Per MCFE Amounts):

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended June 30,

 

% of 
Change
Between

 

For the Six Months
Ended June 30,

 

% of 
Change
Between

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Periods

 

2006

 

2005

 

Periods

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net production volumes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas (Mcf)

 

14,023

 

13,184

 

6

%

26,812

 

25,231

 

6

%

Oil (Bbl)

 

1,429

 

1,428

 

%

2,957

 

2,862

 

3

%

MCFE (6:1)

 

22,595

 

21,754

 

4

%

44,556

 

42,401

 

5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average daily production

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas (MMcf per day)

 

154

 

145

 

6

%

148

 

139

 

6

%

Oil (MBbl per day)

 

16

 

16

 

-

%

16

 

16

 

3

%

MMCFE per day (6:1)

 

248

 

239

 

4

%

246

 

234

 

5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil & gas production revenues(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas production

 

$

97,669

 

$

89,220

 

9

%

$

203,560

 

$

164,111

 

24

%

Oil production

 

85,163

 

69,115

 

23

%

168,442

 

134,154

 

26

%

Total

 

$

182,832

 

$

158,335

 

15

%

$

372,002

 

$

298,265

 

25

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil & gas production expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease operating expenses

 

$

28,292

 

$

19,162

 

48

%

$

54,624

 

$

39,398

 

39

%

Transportation costs

 

2,748

 

1,813

 

52

%

5,595

 

3,693

 

51

%

Production taxes

 

12,238

 

9,213

 

33

%

24,273

 

19,256

 

26

%

Total

 

$

43,278

 

$

30,188

 

43

%

$

84,492

 

$

62,347

 

36

%