Stone Energy Corporation Reaffirms Borrowing Base, Increases Third Quarter Production Guidance and Provides Operational Update
13 Oktober 2009 - 2:31PM
PR Newswire (US)
LAFAYETTE, La. Oct. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Stone Energy
Corporation (NYSE:SGY) today announced that its semi-annual
borrowing base re-determination process has been completed and the
borrowing base will remain at $425 million. As of September 30,
2009, Stone had $250 million in borrowings outstanding on its
credit facility and another $69 million in outstanding letters of
credit, leaving $106 million in availability on the facility.
Stone's cash position as of September 30, 2009 was approximately
$97 million. Stone also announced that for the third quarter of
2009 net daily production is expected to average between 230-235
MMcfe, which is in the upper end of the previously announced
guidance of 215-235 MMcfe. Stone now expects its full year 2009
average daily production to be in the range of 210-220 MMcfe per
day compared to its previous annual guidance of 205-225 MMcfe per
day. Operational Update Stone also announced operational updates on
the following activities: Garden Banks Block 293 (Pyrenees
Prospect). The delineation well at Pyrenees is now complete and
provided the necessary information to appraise the three pay zones
discovered in the initial well. Using this data, Stone (15% working
interest) and Newfield Exploration (operator) expect to propose a
development program which might include the appraisal of several
shallow sands and possibly a deeper objective at 25,000 ft which we
were unable to evaluate with the delineation well due to mechanical
issues. Mississippi Canyon 109 (Amberjack Field). Production into
the new re-routed pipeline at Amberjack commenced in early August
and barging operations ceased at that time. In early November,
Stone expects to mobilize a platform rig to the Amberjack platform
and initiate drilling operations in December. Stone expects to
drill 4 or 5 wells during 2010. Stone operates Amberjack and owns a
100% working interest. Vermilion Block 96 (Cardinal/Blue Jay). A
drilling rig is on location at Vermilion Block 96 and has spud the
first of possibly two wells. The first prospect (Cardinal) will be
drilled to approximately 8,000 ft. If successful, it will be
followed by a second well (Blue Jay), which will be drilled to
approximately 10,850 ft. Both wells have multiple hydrocarbon
targets and each should take approximately 15-20 days to drill.
Stone has a 100% working interest in the wells. Appalachia Basin
(Marcellus Shale Play). Stone has more than 30,000 net acres leased
in the Marcellus Shale Play. Stone currently has two operated rigs
in West Virginia and northeastern Pennsylvania. Stone expects to
drill 4 or 5 wells in West Virginia during the remainder of this
year as well as 2 or 3 wells in Pennsylvania. The latest vertical
well in West Virginia tested at a rate of 1.5 MMcfe per day and
another vertical well is scheduled to be fractured this week. Stone
continues to permit a number of horizontal and vertical wells in
both West Virginia and Pennsylvania, and expects to ramp up its
horizontal drilling activity in 2010. The Company is also engaged
in activities to enhance its leasehold. Stone is designated
operator on most of its leasehold and generally owns a 50%-100%
working interest in all of its leases. Stone plans to release its
third quarter 2009 results on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 after the
close of the market, and will hold its earnings conference call on
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. CST. Anyone wishing to
participate should visit our website at http://www.stoneenergy.com/
for a live web cast or dial 1-877-228-3598 and request the "Stone
Energy Call." Forward Looking Statement Certain statements in this
press release are forward-looking and are based upon Stone's
current belief as to the outcome and timing of future events. All
statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address
activities that Stone plans, expects, believes, projects, estimates
or anticipates will, should or may occur in the future, including
future production of oil and gas, future capital expenditures and
drilling of wells and future financial or operating results are
forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those in the
forward-looking statements herein include the timing and extent of
changes in commodity prices for oil and gas, operating risks,
liquidity risks, and other risk factors and known trends and
uncertainties as described in Stone's Annual Report on Form 10-K
and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Should one or more of these risks or
uncertainties occur, or should underlying assumptions prove
incorrect, Stone's actual results and plans could differ materially
from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Stone
Energy is an independent oil and natural gas company headquartered
in Lafayette, Louisiana, and is engaged in the acquisition,
exploration, exploitation, development and operation of oil and gas
properties located primarily in the Gulf of Mexico. Stone is also
active in the Appalachia region. For additional information,
contact Kenneth H. Beer, Chief Financial Officer, at 337-521-2210
phone, 337-521-9880 fax or via e-mail at . DATASOURCE: Stone Energy
Corporation CONTACT: Kenneth H. Beer, Chief Financial Officer of
Stone Energy Corporation, +1-337-521-2210, or Fax, +1-337-521-9880,
Web Site: http://www.stoneenergy.com/
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