SM Energy (SM) Says Q2 Production is Exceeding Expectations

SM Energy Company (NYSE: SM) today provides operational updates for the second quarter of 2018 and raises expected production guidance.

President and Chief Executive Officer Jay Ottoson comments: "Our production volumes for the second quarter will be higher than we anticipated due to better than expected well performance. We could not be more pleased with the high caliber operational execution our team is delivering in the field, with continued improvement in drilling and completion efficiencies. At this point, we are ahead of schedule for this year's capital program; however, we do not expect to change our planned overall activity level for 2018, which includes approximately 125 net completions and a total capital budget of approximately $1.27 billion."

Operations Updates:

• 2Q18 Production: Based on the first two months of the quarter and expectations for the month of June, Midland Basin production is exceeding the Company's 2018 Plan, primarily due to better than expected well performance from both new and existing wells. Second quarter total Company production guidance is increased to a range of 10.1-10.4 MMBoe (111-114 MBoe/d), up from 9.7-10.1 MMBoe (106-111 MBoe/d), with approximately 41% oil in the commodity mix.
• 2Q18 Operational Efficiencies: The Company continues to drill and complete wells faster than scheduled in its 2018 Plan, accelerating the 2018 Midland program.
  • As a result of this faster pace, certain third quarter flowing completions from several pads are expected to be accelerated to earlier in the third quarter, which is expected to benefit third quarter production volumes. The majority of the capital spend associated with completing these wells will be spent in the second quarter.
  • Also as a result of improved efficiencies, the Company is currently running three completions crews in the Midland Basin, compared with five employed through May, and the Company expects to be able to reduce its active rig count in the Midland Basin to seven earlier than originally planned.
  • In addition, the Company has completed the core build out of its water handling infrastructure project in the Midland Basin, spending the majority of expected infrastructure capital investment in the first half of 2018.
• 2Q18 Capital spend: Accelerated activity into the first half of the year results in the expectation that approximately 60-65% of the total 2018 capital budget will be spent in the first half of 2018, or approximately 5% of the original budget is accelerated into the first half of the year. Cost inflation remains consistent with the Company's original February plan. Therefore, second quarter capital spend is expected to range between $400-440 million, while total capital spend guidance for 2018 remains unchanged at approximately $1.27 billion. Total capital spend (before acquisitions) is a non-GAAP measure. The Company is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of this forward-looking, non-GAAP financial measure without unreasonable effort because acquisition costs are inherently unpredictable.

Mr. Ottoson also stated: "We market our Midland Basin production through firm sales agreements that cover current and projected oil production over the next year. We also have substantial price protection for our Midland Basin oil production in the form of WTI Cushing-to-Midland basis swaps. Our basis swaps represent more than 70% of estimated second-half of 2018 Midland oil production and more than 50% of estimated 2019 Midland oil production at ($1.06)-($4.49)/Bbl. For context, if actual market differentials are ($15.00)/Bbl through the second half of 2018 and 2019, our expected realized differential on total Midland oil production, net of hedges, would be approximately ($5.00)/Bbl for 2H18 and ($8.50)/Bbl in 2019. I should also note that price realizations for our Eagle Ford production are currently benefitting from strong benchmark prices. Eagle Ford condensate sales are tied to LLS and NGL sales are tied to Mt. Belvieu."

Midland – Cushing Oil Basis Swaps by Quarter:

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