Gastar Exploration Announces Second Quarter 2017 Results

HOUSTON, Aug. 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Gastar Exploration Inc. (NYSE MKT: GST) ("Gastar" or the "Company") today reported financial and operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.

Second quarter 2017 highlights include:

    --  Average daily production of 6,100 barrels of oil equivalent ("Boe") per
        day ("Boe/d"), exceeding high-end of guidance by 2%
    --  Production volumes comprised of 73% liquids, in line with high-end of
        guidance
    --  Mid-year proved reserves increased 18% over year-end 2016 proved
        reserves
    --  Completion of the conversion of $37.5 million of convertible notes into
        25,456,521 common shares

J. Russell Porter, Gastar's President and CEO, commented, "We continue to make progress delineating the Meramec and Osage formations across our acreage position. To date, we have drilled a total of 21 Meramec and 13 Osage wells across our STACK Play acreage. In addition, we have participated in numerous third-party wells within our footprint with initial production results that we believe confirm the quality of our acreage. With our operated wells and non-operated well participation, we have now accumulated a substantial amount of well and formation data regarding the STACK Play."

"We have decided to delay additional well completions across our acreage to allow Stephen Roberts, our newly appointed Chief Operating Officer, and his team the time necessary to evaluate recent results and determine the optimal completion procedures for our most recently drilled wells. This delay will allow us to implement refinements to our completion approach that are expected to improve production performance. We have already initiated enhancements and modifications to our drilling practices that have improved drilling times, eliminated certain drilling issues and reduced inefficiencies and costs. As we make similar changes to our completions, I expect much improved total drilling and completion costs as well as production performance that should be evident over the second half of this year."

"We are increasing our 2017 drilling capital budget by approximately $40 million, excluding land and other capitalized costs, to accommodate higher working interests in our operated wells, partially as a result of the termination of our drilling joint venture, more operated wells than originally budgeted and increased non-operated drilling activity. The higher drilling capital activity is resulting in an increase in our full-year mid-point production guidance by 700 Boe/d," concluded Porter.

Financial Review

Net loss attributable to Gastar's common stockholders for the second quarter of 2017 was $6.4 million, or a loss of $0.03 per share, compared to a second quarter 2016 net loss of $18.1 million, or a loss of $0.17 per share. Adjusted net loss attributable to common stockholders (non-GAAP), which excludes non-cash and unusual items, for the second quarter of 2017 was $9.8 million, or a loss of $0.05 per share, compared to an adjusted net loss attributable to common stockholders of $12.5 million, or a loss of $0.12 per share, for the second quarter 2016. (See the accompanying reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure adjusted net loss at the end of this news release.)

Adjusted earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization ("adjusted EBITDA") (non-GAAP) for the second quarter of 2017 was $9.8 million compared to adjusted EBITDA of $6.8 million for the second quarter of 2016 and $10.6 million for the first quarter of 2017. (See the accompanying reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial adjusted EBITDA at the end of this news release.)

Total Company revenues were $22.6 million in the second quarter of 2017, an 86% increase from $12.2 million in the second quarter of 2016 and a 21% increase from $18.7 million in the first quarter of 2017.

Revenues from oil, condensate, natural gas and natural gas liquids ("NGLs"), before the effects of commodity derivatives contracts, totaled $17.3 million in the second quarter of 2017, a 16% increase from $14.9 million in the second quarter of 2016 and a slight decrease from $17.4 million in the first quarter of 2017. The increase from second quarter of 2016 in oil, condensate, natural gas and NGLs revenues primarily resulted from a 21% increase in equivalent product pricing partially offset by a 4% decrease in equivalent production volumes. The slight decrease from first quarter 2017 revenues was due to a 9% decrease in equivalent product pricing offset by a 9% increase in equivalent production volumes.

Commodity hedges were in place for approximately 61% of our oil and condensate production, 59% of our natural gas production and 24% of our NGLs production for the second quarter of 2017. Commodity derivative contracts settled during the period resulted in a $2.0 million increase in revenue compared to a $565,000 increase in revenues in the second quarter of 2016.

The following table provides a summary of Gastar's overall average commodity prices for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016:


                            For the Three Months           For the Six Months
                               Ended June 30,                Ended June 30,
                               --------------                --------------

                           2017                       2016                          2017  2016(1)
                           ----                       ----                          ----   ------


    Average sales price
     per unit:

    Oil and condensate per
     Bbl, including impact
     of hedging activities
     (1)                                      $52.21                        $43.59       $53.31   $42.48

    Oil and condensate per
     Bbl, excluding impact
     of hedging activities                     $45.94                        $41.82       $47.28   $33.91

    Natural gas per Mcf,
     including impact of
     hedging activities
     (1)                                       $2.51                         $1.84        $2.85    $1.65

    Natural gas per Mcf,
     excluding impact of
     hedging activities                         $2.54                         $1.84        $2.76    $1.40

    NGLs per Bbl,
     including impact of
     hedging activities
     (1)                                      $19.41                        $12.62       $21.74    $9.38

    NGLs per Bbl,
     excluding impact of
     hedging activities                        $17.02                        $12.02       $19.45    $6.98

    Average sales price
     per Boe, including
     impact of hedging
     activities (1)                            $34.49                        $26.57       $36.02   $20.60

    Average sales price
     per Boe, excluding
     impact of hedging
     activities                                $30.88                        $25.60       $32.37   $16.49


    (1)              The impact of hedging
                     includes only the
                     gain (loss) on
                     commodity derivative
                     contracts settled
                     during the periods
                     presented.

For details on Gastar's current hedging position, please see our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

Average daily Mid-Continent production for the second quarter of 2017 was 6,100 Boe/d as compared to 6,200 Boe/d in the second quarter of 2016 and 5,700 Boe/d in the first quarter of 2017.

In the Mid-Continent area, average daily production in the second quarter of 2017 decreased 2% compared to the second quarter of 2016 and sequentially increased 7% primarily due to increased well completion activity. Second quarter 2017 Mid-Continent equivalent production consisted of approximately 73% liquids, comprised of 50% oil and 23% NGLs, up 2% from second quarter 2016 production and up 1% from first quarter 2017.

Lease operating expenses ("LOE") per Boe of production were $9.20 in the second quarter of 2017 versus $7.86 in the second quarter of 2016 and $9.93 in the first quarter of 2017, including workover costs. Excluding workover expense, LOE per Boe for the second quarter of 2017 was $8.49 as compared to $8.24 per BOE in the second quarter of 2016 and $7.73 per Boe for the first quarter of 2017.

General and administrative ("G&A") expense was $4.6 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared to $6.3 million in the second quarter of 2016 and $3.8 million in the first quarter of 2017. G&A expense for the second quarter of 2017 included $1.2 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense, versus $702,000 in the second quarter of 2016 and $996,000 in the first quarter of 2017. Increase in sequential cash G&A expense was primarily due to additional legal and public company costs.

Liquidity

Gastar's net capital expenditures, excluding acquisitions, in the second quarter of 2017 totaled $32.5 million, comprised of $24.6 million for drilling, completions and infrastructure costs, $5.7 million for unproved acreage extensions, renewals and additions and $2.2 million of other capitalized costs. For the remainder of 2017, our capital expenditure budget, including other capitalized costs, is $71.8 million, comprised of $53.6 million for drilling, completion and infrastructure costs, $11.9 million for lease renewal and extension costs and $6.3 million of other capitalized costs.

At June 30, 2017, Gastar had approximately $38.7 million in available cash and cash equivalents and $412.5 million in long-term borrowings outstanding.

Series A and Series B Preferred Dividends Suspended

To preserve our liquidity in the current commodity price environment, commencing August 2017, we are suspending the declaration and payment of monthly cash dividends on our outstanding Series A and Series B Preferred Stock. Dividends on the Series A and Series B Preferred Stock will accumulate regardless of whether any such dividends are declared or not.

Term Loan Amendment

Pursuant to an amendment to Gastar's term loan, commencing July 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018, the Company has elected to pay-in-kind ("PIK") 100% of the term loan interest. Effective January 1, 2019, the Company may elect to continue to PIK up to 50% of the term loan interest. The term loan interest increased to 10.25% per annum with the election to PIK effective July 1, 2017 and the PIK interest will be paid quarterly by issuing additional term loan notes.

Operations Review and Update

The following table provides a summary of Gastar's Mid-Continent production volumes and average commodity prices for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016:


                                For the Three Months Ended       For the Six Months Ended
                                                                         June 30,
                                         June 30,
                                         --------

                                  2017                      2016                            2017    2016
                                  ----                      ----                            ----    ----

    Net Production:

    Oil and condensate (MBbl)                           277                             271         527     548

    Natural gas (MMcf)                                  923                             970       1,784   1,920

    NGLs (MBbl)                                         128                             133         245     252

    Total net production (MBoe)                         559                             566       1,070   1,120

    Net Daily Production:

    Oil and condensate (MBbl/d)                         3.0                             3.0         2.9     3.0

    Natural gas (MMcf/d)                               10.1                            10.7         9.9    10.5

    NGLs (MBbl/d)                                       1.4                             1.5         1.4     1.4

    Total net daily production
     (MBoe/d)                                           6.1                             6.2         5.9     6.2

    Average sales price per
     unit(1):

    Oil and condensate (per
     Bbl)                                            $45.93                          $41.55      $47.28  $35.80

    Natural gas (per Mcf)                             $2.54                           $1.87       $2.76   $1.84

    NGLs (per Bbl)                                   $17.01                          $14.53      $19.45  $12.57

    Average sales price per
     Boe(1)                                          $30.88                          $26.54      $32.37  $23.50


    (1)               Excludes
                       the impact
                       of hedging
                       activities

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, Gastar commenced flow back on seven gross (0.8 net) and 13 gross (1.6 net) operated Meramec wells, respectively, and three gross (2.7 net) and four gross (2.8 net) operated Osage wells, respectively.

Subsequent to June 30, 2017 through July 31, 2017, Gastar commenced flow back on four gross (2.6 net) operated Osage wells.

Subsequent to May 10, 2017 and through July 31, 2017, nine gross Meramec wells obtained a 24-hour average peak production rate of 614 Boe/d (79% oil) and one gross Osage well obtained a 24-hour average peak production rate of 201 Boe/d (57% oil).

Joint Development Agreement

On July 31, 2017, pursuant to the development agreement, the investor notified Gastar that it has elected not to participate in the second 20-well tranche of the joint development drilling program. The investor will continue to participate in the completion and operation of the 20 wells drilled within the first tranche of the drilling program, of which as of the date of this release, 19 have been completed and are currently producing and one well is awaiting completion.

Capital Budget 2017

Gastar's Board of Directors has approved a revised 2017 capital budget of $129.2 million, an increase of $45.3 million comprised of $40.5 million of drilling and completion costs, $2.5 million for leasing costs and $2.3 million of other capitalized costs. Of the increase in budgeted drilling and completion costs, $35.4 million is in response to the termination of the joint development agreement, overall higher operated working interests and well costs to date and an increase in operated drilling activity of six additional gross (4.5 net) wells and $5.1 million for increased non-operated well drilling activity on the Company's acreage. The increase in the land budget primarily reflects the costs related to additional working interest acreage acquired from non-participating interest owners pursuant to the Oklahoma forced pooling process.

Guidance for Third Quarter 2017 and Full-Year 2017

We are updating our previously issued guidance for the full-year 2017.

Our guidance for the third quarter of and updated full-year 2017 is provided in the table below and represents the Company's best estimate of the range of likely future results. Guidance could be affected by the factors described below in "Forward Looking Statements."


    Production         Third Quarter             Full-Year 2017

                                            2017
    ---                                     ----


    Net average daily
     (MBoe/d)(1)         6.3 - 6.8                 6.2 - 6.8

    Liquids percentage
     (oil and NGLs)                    72% - 74%                72% - 75%


    Cash Operating
     Expenses
    --------------

    Production taxes
     (% of production
     revenues)                       2.6% - 2.8%              2.5% - 2.8%

    Direct lease
     operating ($/Boe)             $8.20 - $8.80             $8.50 - $9.00

    Transportation,
     treating &
     gathering ($/Boe)             $0.80 - $0.90             $0.80 - $0.86

    Cash general &
     administrative
     ($/Boe)                       $4.20 - $4.50             $4.80 - $5.00


                       Based on
                         equivalent of
                         6 thousand
                         cubic feet
                         (Mcf) of
                         natural gas
                         to one barrel
                         of oil,
                         condensate or
    (1)                  NGLs.

Mid-Year 2017 Reserve Update

SEC proved reserve estimates as of June 30, 2017 totaled 30.1 MMBoe, an 18% increase over year-end 2016 proved reserves. The mid-year 2017 reserves were 47% proved developed and comprised of 16.6 million barrels of crude oil and condensate, 6.3 million barrels of NGLs and 43.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas. The pre-tax SEC-priced present value of future cash flows of these reserves, discounted at 10% ("PV-10") (a non-GAAP financial measure defined below in "Information on Reserves and PV-10 Value"), was $199.3 million, a 41% increase as compared to year-end 2016 as a result of higher proved reserve volumes and SEC prices. In accordance with SEC regulations, estimates of proved reserves as of June 30, 2017 were calculated using the 12-month unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month in the period July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. For oil, the average 12-month West Texas Intermediate price utilized was $48.95 per barrel, compared to $42.75 per barrel for year-end 2016 SEC proved reserves, and for natural gas, the average 12-month Henry Hub price utilized was $3.01 per million British thermal unit ("MMBtu"), compared to $2.48 per MMBtu for year-end 2016 SEC proved reserves. These benchmark oil and natural gas prices were adjusted for energy content or quality, transportation and regional price differentials by area.

For a discussion of PV-10 and the standardized measure of future net cash flows, see "Information on Reserves and PV-10 Value."

Conference Call

Gastar has scheduled a conference call for 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time (8:00 a.m. Central Time) on Friday, August 4, 2017. Investors may participate in the call either by phone or audio webcast.


    By Phone:    Dial 1-412-902-0030 at least 10 minutes
                 before the call. A telephone replay
                 will be available through August 11 by
                 dialing 1-201-612-7415 and using the
                 conference ID: 13666599.


    By Webcast:  Visit the Investor Relations page of
                 Gastar's website at www.gastar.com
                 under "Events & Presentations." Please
                 log on a few minutes in advance to
                 register and download any necessary
                 software. A replay will be available
                 shortly after the call.
                ---------------------------------------

For more information, please contact Donna Washburn at Dennard-Lascar Associates at 713-529-6600 or e-mail dwashburn@DennardLascar.com.

About Gastar Exploration

Gastar Exploration Inc. is a pure play Mid-Continent independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil, condensate, natural gas and natural gas liquids. Gastar's principal business activities include the identification, acquisition and subsequent exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties with an emphasis on unconventional reserves, such as shale resource plays. Gastar holds a concentrated acreage position in what is believed to be the core of the STACK Play, an area of central Oklahoma which is home to multiple oil and natural gas-rich reservoirs including the Meramec, Oswego, Osage, Woodford and Hunton formations. For more information, visit Gastar's website at www.gastar.com.

Information on Reserves and PV-10 Value

At June 30, 2017, future cash inflows were computed using the 12-month unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month prices for natural gas and oil (the "benchmark base prices") adjusted by lease in accordance with sales contracts and for energy content, quality, transportation, compression and gathering fees and regional price differentials, relating to the Company's proved reserves. Benchmark base prices are held constant in accordance with SEC guidelines for the life of the wells but are adjusted by lease in accordance with sales contracts and for energy content, quality, transportation, compression and gathering fees and regional price differentials. The average benchmark base prices used in our June 30, 2017 SEC compliant reserves report are significantly above current market commodity prices.

PV-10 represents the present value, discounted at 10% per annum, of estimated future net revenue before income tax of our estimated proved reserves. PV-10 is a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by the SEC. We believe that the presentation of PV-10 is relevant and useful to our investors because it presents the discounted future net cash flows attributable to our reserves prior to taking into account corporate future income taxes and our current tax structure. We further believe investors and creditors use PV-10 as a basis for comparison of the relative size of our reserves as compared with other companies.

The financial measure most directly comparable to PV-10 is the standardized measure of future net cash flows ("Standardized Measure") which takes into account future income taxes and our current tax structure. As a result of our current net operating tax loss position, no future income taxes are anticipated and the PV-10 value shown should be reflective of our Standardized Measure.

The Company's June 30, 2017 total proved reserves estimates were prepared by Wright & Company, Inc.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release includes "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward looking statements give our current expectations, opinion, belief or forecasts of future events and performance. A statement identified by the use of forward looking words including "may," "expects," "projects," "anticipates," "plans," "believes," "estimate," "will," "should," and certain of the other foregoing statements may be deemed forward-looking statements. Although Gastar believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future activities and results to be materially different from those suggested or described in this news release. These include risks inherent in natural gas and oil drilling and production activities, including risks with respect to continued low or further declining prices for natural gas and oil that could result in further downward revisions to the value of proved reserves or otherwise cause Gastar to further delay or suspend planned drilling and completion operations or reduce production levels which would adversely impact cash flow; risks relating to the availability of capital to fund drilling operations that can be adversely affected by adverse drilling results, production declines and continued low or further declining prices for natural gas and oil; risks of fire, explosion, blowouts, pipe failure, casing collapse, unusual or unexpected formation pressures, environmental hazards, and other operating and production risks, which may temporarily or permanently reduce production or cause initial production or test results to not be indicative of future well performance or delay the timing of sales or completion of drilling operations; delays in receipt of drilling permits; risks relating to unexpected adverse developments in the status of properties; risks relating to the absence or delay in receipt of government approvals or third-party consents; risks relating to our ability to integrate acquired assets with ours and to realize the anticipated benefits from such acquisitions; and other risks described in Gastar's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC, available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Our actual sales production rates can vary considerably from tested initial production rates depending upon completion and production techniques and our primary areas of operations are subject to natural steep decline rates. By issuing forward looking statements based on current expectations, opinions, views or beliefs, Gastar has no obligation and, except as required by law, is not undertaking any obligation, to update or revise these statements or provide any other information relating to such statements.

Targeted expectations and guidance for the second quarter and full-year of 2017 are based upon the current 2017 planned capital expenditures budget, which may be subject to revision and reevaluation dependent upon future developments, including changes in commodity prices, drilling results, our liquidity position, availability of crews, supplies and production capacity, weather delays and significant changes in drilling costs.

Unless otherwise stated herein, equivalent volumes of production are based upon an energy equivalent ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to each barrel of liquids (oil, condensate and NGLs), which ratio is not reflective of relative value. Our NGLs are sold as part of our wet gas subject to an incremental NGLs pricing formula based upon a percentage of NGLs extracted from our wet gas production. Our reported production volumes reflect incremental post-processing NGLs volumes and residual gas volumes with which we are credited under our sales contracts.

Contacts:
Gastar Exploration Inc.
Michael A. Gerlich, Chief Financial Officer
713-739-1800 / mgerlich@gastar.com

Investor Relations Counsel:
Lisa Elliott, Dennard?Lascar Associates:
713-529-6600 / lelliott@DennardLascar.com

- Financial Tables Follow -


                                                                                                                    GASTAR EXPLORATION INC.

                                                                                                             CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS


                                    For the Three Months Ended                                            For the Six Months Ended
                                                                                                                  June 30,
                                             June 30,
                                             --------

                                                          2017                                                  2016                                           2017         2016
                                                          ----                                                  ----                                           ----         ----

                                                          (in thousands, except share and per share data)

    REVENUES:

    Oil and condensate                                                                    $12,744                                                      $11,345          $24,934       $20,158

    Natural gas                                                                             2,345                                                        1,876            4,933         5,894

    NGLs                                                                                    2,179                                                        1,710            4,770         3,405
                                                                                            -----                                                        -----            -----         -----

    Total oil and condensate,
     natural gas and NGLs revenues                                                         17,268                                                       14,931           34,637        29,457

    Gain (loss) on commodity
     derivatives contracts                                                                  5,378                                                      (2,778)           6,678       (2,493)
                                                                                            -----                                                       ------            -----        ------

    Total revenues                                                                         22,646                                                       12,153           41,315        26,964

    EXPENSES:

    Production taxes                                                                          469                                                          364              954         1,069

    Lease operating expenses                                                                5,146                                                        4,584           10,218        10,663

    Transportation, treating and
     gathering                                                                                440                                                          395              751         1,008

    Depreciation, depletion and
     amortization                                                                           6,051                                                        5,591           10,703        19,320

    Impairment of natural gas and
     oil properties                                                                             -                                                           -               -       48,497

    Accretion of asset retirement
     obligation                                                                                58                                                           89              109           194

    General and administrative
     expense                                                                                4,591                                                        6,272            8,415        11,947

    Total expenses                                                                         16,755                                                       17,295           31,150        92,698
                                                                                           ------                                                       ------           ------        ------

    INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS                                                           5,891                                                      (5,142)          10,165      (65,734)

    OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME:

    Interest expense                                                                      (8,736)                                                     (9,263)        (19,585)     (18,561)

    Loss on early extinguishment of
     debt                                                                                       -                                                           -        (12,172)            -

    Investment and other income                                                                66                                                         (76)             115          (43)

    LOSS BEFORE PROVISION FOR
     INCOME TAXES                                                                         (2,779)                                                    (14,481)        (21,477)     (84,338)

    Provision for income taxes                                                                  -                                                           -               -            -
                                                                                              ---                                                         ---             ---          ---

    NET LOSS                                                                              (2,779)                                                    (14,481)        (21,477)     (84,338)

    Dividends on preferred stock                                                          (3,619)                                                           -         (7,237)      (3,618)

    Undeclared cumulative dividends
     on preferred stock                                                                         -                                                     (3,619)               -      (3,619)
                                                                                              ---                                                      ------              ---       ------

    NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON
     STOCKHOLDERS                                                                        $(6,398)                                                   $(18,100)       $(28,714)    $(91,575)
                                                                                          =======                                                     ========         ========      ========

    NET LOSS PER SHARE OF COMMON
     STOCK ATTRIBUTABLE

       TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS:

    Basic                                                                                 $(0.03)                                                     $(0.17)         $(0.16)      $(1.00)
                                                                                           ======                                                       ======           ======        ======

    Diluted                                                                               $(0.03)                                                     $(0.17)         $(0.16)      $(1.00)
                                                                                           ======                                                       ======           ======        ======

    WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OF
     COMMON

       STOCK OUTSTANDING:

    Basic                                                                             199,547,446                                                  104,009,337      181,430,409    91,398,735

    Diluted                                                                           199,547,446                                                  104,009,337      181,430,409    91,398,735


                                                                       GASTAR EXPLORATION INC.

                                                                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


                                                                June 30,                                     December 31,

                                                                                2017                                  2016
                                                                                ----                                  ----

                                                   (in thousands, except share data)

                             ASSETS

    CURRENT ASSETS:

    Cash and cash equivalents                                                                        $38,686                    $71,529

    Accounts receivable, net of allowance
     for doubtful accounts of
     $1,953,respectively                                                                              56,273                     26,883

    Commodity derivative contracts                                                                     7,463                      6,212

    Prepaid expenses                                                                                     725                        755
                                                                                                         ---                        ---

    Total current assets                                                                             103,147                    105,379
                                                                                                     -------                    -------

    PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:

    Oil and natural gas properties, full
     cost method of accounting:

    Unproved properties, excluded from
     amortization                                                                                    126,501                     67,333

    Proved properties                                                                              1,277,551                  1,253,061
                                                                                                   ---------                  ---------

    Total natural gas and oil properties                                                           1,404,052                  1,320,394

    Furniture and equipment                                                                            3,015                      2,622
                                                                                                       -----                      -----

    Total property, plant and equipment                                                            1,407,067                  1,323,016

    Accumulated depreciation, depletion and
     amortization                                                                                (1,141,715)               (1,131,012)
                                                                                                  ----------                 ----------

    Total property, plant and equipment, net                                                         265,352                    192,004

    OTHER ASSETS:

    Restricted cash                                                                                      369                          -

    Commodity derivative contracts                                                                     1,973                      1,638

    Deferred charges, net                                                                                  -                       676

    Advances to operators and other assets                                                                54                        102

    Other                                                                                                405                        405
                                                                                                         ---                        ---

    Total other assets                                                                                 2,801                      2,821
                                                                                                       -----                      -----

    TOTAL ASSETS                                                                                    $371,300                   $300,204
                                                                                                    ========                   ========

              LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    CURRENT LIABILITIES:

    Accounts payable                                                                                 $15,064                     $8,867

    Revenue payable                                                                                   14,933                      6,690

    Accrued interest                                                                                     812                      3,515

    Accrued drilling and operating costs                                                               6,786                      2,615

    Advances from non-operators                                                                        2,895                      3,504

    Commodity derivative contracts                                                                         -                       338

    Commodity derivative premium payable                                                               1,492                      1,654

    Asset retirement obligation                                                                            -                        89

    Other accrued liabilities                                                                          2,858                      2,462
                                                                                                       -----                      -----

    Total current liabilities                                                                         44,840                     29,734
                                                                                                      ------                     ------

    LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:

    Long-term debt                                                                                   330,841                    404,493

    Commodity derivative premium payable                                                                 281                        969

    Asset retirement obligation                                                                        4,399                      5,443
                                                                                                       -----                      -----

    Total long-term liabilities                                                                      335,521                    410,905
                                                                                                     -------                    -------

    Commitments and contingencies

    STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

    Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per
     share, 40,000,000 shares authorized

    8.625% Series A Cumulative Preferred
     stock, 10,000,000 shares designated;
     4,045,000 shares issued and outstanding
     at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016,
     respectively, with liquidation
     preference  of $25.00 per share                                                                      41                         41

    10.75% Series B Cumulative Preferred
     stock, 10,000,000 shares  designated;
     2,140,000 shares issued and outstanding
     at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016,
     respectively, with liquidation
     preference of $25.00 per share                                                                       21                         21

    Common stock, par value $0.001 per
     share; 550,000,000 and 800,000,000
     shares  authorized at June 30, 2017 and
     December 31, 2016, respectively;
     213,947,634 and 150,377,870 shares
     issued and outstanding at June 30, 2017
     and  December 31, 2016, respectively                                                                214                        150

    Additional paid-in capital                                                                       815,842                    644,306

    Accumulated deficit                                                                            (825,179)                 (784,953)
                                                                                                    --------                   --------

    Total stockholders' equity                                                                       (9,061)                 (140,435)
                                                                                                      ------                   --------

    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
     EQUITY                                                                                         $371,300                   $300,204
                                                                                                    ========                   ========


                                                 GASTAR EXPLORATION INC.

                                          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


                                               For the Six Months Ended

                                                       June 30,
                                                       --------

                                             2017                               2016
                                             ----                               ----

                                                  (in thousands)

    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    Net loss                                                         $(21,477)       $(84,338)

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

    Depreciation, depletion and
     amortization                                                       10,703           19,320

    Impairment of natural gas and oil
     properties                                                              -          48,497

    Stock-based compensation                                             2,199            2,335

    Total (gain) loss on commodity
     derivatives contracts                                             (6,678)           2,493

    Cash settlements of matured commodity
     derivative contracts, net                                           3,553            9,581

    Cash premiums paid for commodity
     derivatives contracts                                                   -           (565)

    Amortization of deferred financing
     costs and debt discount                                             4,927            2,825

    Accretion of asset retirement
     obligation                                                            109              194

    Loss on sale of furniture and
     equipment                                                               -              97

    Loss on early extinguishment of debt                                12,172                -

    Changes in operating assets and
     liabilities:

    Accounts receivable                                               (29,115)           4,260

    Prepaid expenses                                                        30              175

    Accounts payable and accrued
     liabilities                                                         6,983              570
                                                                         -----              ---

    Net cash (used in) provided by
     operating activities                                             (16,594)           5,444
                                                                       -------            -----

    CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    Development and purchase of oil and
     natural gas properties                                           (48,274)        (23,370)

    (Acquisition of) refund for oil and
     natural gas properties                                           (54,462)           1,664

    Proceeds from sale of oil and natural
     gas properties                                                     26,780           77,621

    Application of proceeds from non-
     operators                                                           (609)           (162)

    Advances to operators                                                    -            (69)

    (Purchase) sale of furniture and
     equipment                                                           (393)              82
                                                                          ----              ---

    Net cash (used in) provided by
     investing activities                                             (76,958)          55,766
                                                                       -------           ------

    CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    Proceeds from term loan                                            250,000                -

    Proceeds from convertible notes                                    200,000                -

    Repayment of senior secured notes                                (325,000)               -

    Repayment of revolving credit
     facility                                                         (84,630)       (100,370)

    Loss on early extinguishment of debt                               (7,011)               -

    Proceeds from issuance of common
     shares, net of issuance costs                                      56,367           45,069

    Dividends on preferred stock                                      (18,092)         (3,618)

    Deferred financing charges                                         (9,971)           (893)

    Increase in restricted cash                                          (369)               -

    Tax withholding related to restricted
     stock and PBU vestings                                              (585)           (711)

    Net cash provided by (used in)
     financing activities                                               60,709         (60,523)
                                                                        ------          -------

    NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND
     CASH EQUIVALENTS                                                 (32,843)             687

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING
     OF PERIOD                                                          71,529           50,074
                                                                        ------           ------

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF
     PERIOD                                                            $38,686          $50,761
                                                                       =======          =======

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND RECONCILIATION

We use both GAAP and certain non-GAAP financial measures to assess performance. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's performance, financial position or cash flows that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Our management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide useful supplemental information to investors in order that they may evaluate our financial performance using the same measures as management. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. In evaluating these measures, investors should consider that the methodology applied in calculating such measures may differ among companies and analysts. A reconciliation is provided below outlining the differences between these non-GAAP measures and their most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP.


                                                     Reconciliation of Net Loss to Net Loss Excluding Special Items:


                                           For the Three Months Ended                                                For the Six Months Ended

                                                    June 30,                                                                 June 30,
                                                    --------                                                                 --------

                                     2017                                     2016                                      2017                          2016
                                     ----                                     ----                                      ----                          ----

                                      (in thousands, except share and
                                              per share data)

    NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON
     STOCKHOLDERS                                $(6,398)                                            $(18,100)                                $(28,714)    $(91,575)

    SPECIAL ITEMS:

    (Gains) losses related to the
     change in mark to market value
     for outstanding commodity
     derivatives contracts                        (3,356)                                                3,343                                   (2,774)        9,840

    Impairment of oil and natural
     gas properties                                     -                                                    -                                        -       48,497

    Loss on early extinguishment of
     debt                                               -                                                    -                                   12,172             -

    Non-recurring general and
     administrative costs related to
     acquisition of assets                              -                                                  124                                         -          399

    Non-recurring severance costs
     related to property divestments                    -                                                  140                                         -          677

    Allowance for bad debt                              -                                                1,953                                         -        1,953


    ADJUSTED NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE
     TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS                      $(9,754)                                            $(12,540)                                $(19,316)    $(30,209)
                                                  =======                                              ========                                  ========      ========


    ADJUSTED NET LOSS PER SHARE OF
     COMMON STOCK ATTRIBUTABLE TO
     COMMON STOCKHOLDERS:

    Basic                                         $(0.05)                                              $(0.12)                                  $(0.11)      $(0.33)
                                                   ======                                                ======                                    ======        ======

    Diluted                                       $(0.05)                                              $(0.12)                                  $(0.11)      $(0.33)
                                                   ======                                                ======                                    ======        ======

    WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OF
     COMMON STOCK

    Basic                                     199,547,446                                           104,009,337                               181,430,409    91,398,735

    Diluted                                   199,547,446                                           104,009,337                               181,430,409    91,398,735


                                                                         Reconciliation of Cash Flows before Working Capital Changes and as Adjusted for Special Items:


                                                  For the Three Months Ended                                      For the Six Months Ended

                                                           June 30,                                                       June 30,
                                                           --------                                                       --------

                                                   2017                                             2016                                                2017                    2016
                                                   ----                                             ----                                                ----                    ----

                                             (in thousands, except share and
                                                     per share data)

    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    Net loss                                                           $(2,779)                                                      $(14,481)                          $(21,477)    $(84,338)

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

    Depreciation, depletion and amortization                              6,051                                                           5,591                              10,703        19,320

    Impairment of oil and natural gas
     properties                                                               -                                                              -                                  -       48,497

    Stock-based compensation                                              1,203                                                             702                               2,199         2,335

    Mark to market of commodity derivatives
     contracts:

    Total (gain) loss on commodity
     derivatives contracts                                              (5,378)                                                          2,778                             (6,678)        2,493

    Cash settlements of matured commodity
     derivatives contracts, net                                           1,870                                                           1,423                               3,553         9,581

    Cash premiums paid for commodity
     derivatives contracts                                                    -                                                          (565)                                  -        (565)

    Amortization of deferred financing costs
     and debt discount                                                    3,217                                                           1,835                               4,927         2,825

    Accretion of asset retirement obligation                                 58                                                              89                                 109           194

    Loss on sale of assets                                                    -                                                             97                                   -           97

    Loss on early extinguishment of debt                                      -                                                              -                             12,172             -
                                                                            ---                                                            ---                             ------           ---

    Cash flows from operations before
     working capital changes                                              4,242                                                         (2,531)                              5,508           439

    Dividends on preferred stock(1)                                     (3,619)                                                        (3,619)                            (7,237)      (7,237)

    Non-recurring general and
     administrative costs related to
     acquisition of assets                                                    -                                                            124                                   -          399

    Non-recurring severance costs related
     to property divestments                                                  -                                                            140                                   -          677

    Allowance for bad debt                                                    -                                                          1,953                                   -        1,953
                                                                            ---                                                          -----                                 ---        -----

    Adjusted cash flows from operations                                    $623                                                        $(3,933)                           $(1,729)     $(3,769)
                                                                           ====                                                         =======                             =======       =======


    (1)              Excludes $10.9
                     million of
                     accumulated
                     dividends for
                     the period
                     April 2016 to
                     December 2016
                     declared and
                     paid in
                     January 2017.
                      The three
                      and six
                     months ended
                     June 30, 2016
                     includes
                     accumulated
                     undeclared
                     and unpaid
                     dividends for
                     preferred
                     stock of $3.6
                     million.


                                     Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Income Taxes, Depreciation, Depletion
                                                                     and Amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA"):


                                              For the Three Months Ended                                    For the Six Months Ended

                                                       June 30,                                                     June 30,
                                                       --------                                                     --------

                                                2017                                2016                                  2017                      2016
                                                ----                                ----                                  ----                      ----

                                          (in thousands, except share and
                                                 per share data)

    NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON
     STOCKHOLDERS                                      $(6,398)                                        $(18,100)                            $(28,714)    $(91,575)

    Interest expense                                      8,736                                             9,263                                19,585        18,561

    Loss on early extinguishment of
     debt                                                     -                                                -                               12,172             -

    Depreciation, depletion and
     amortization                                         6,051                                             5,591                                10,703        19,320

    Impairment of oil and natural
     gas properties                                           -                                                -                                    -       48,497
                                                            ---                                              ---                                  ---       ------

    EBITDA                                                8,389                                           (3,246)                               13,746       (5,197)

    Dividends on preferred stock                          3,619                                                 -                                7,237         3,618

    Undeclared cumulative dividends
     on preferred stock                                       -                                            3,619                                     -        3,619

    Accretion of asset retirement
     obligation                                              58                                                89                                   109           194

    Losses related to the change in
     mark to market value for
     outstanding commodity
     derivatives contracts                              (3,356)                                            3,343                               (2,774)        9,840

    Non-cash stock-based
     compensation expense                                 1,203                                               702                                 2,199         2,335

    Investment income and other                            (66)                                               76                                 (115)           43

    Non-recurring general and
     administrative costs related to
     acquisition of assets                                    -                                              124                                     -          399

    Non-recurring severance costs
     related to property divestments                          -                                              140                                     -          677

    Allowance for bad debt                                    -                                            1,953                                     -        1,953
                                                            ---                                            -----                                   ---        -----

    ADJUSTED EBITDA                                      $9,847                                            $6,800                               $20,402       $17,481
                                                         ======                                            ======                               =======       =======

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SOURCE Gastar Exploration Inc.