Jan 17, 2018   SOURCE: BusinessWire

SilverBow Resources Announces 2018 Capital Program and Guidance

SilverBow Resources, Inc. (NYSE: SBOW) (“SilverBow” or “the Company”) today provided its 2018 capital program of $245-$265 million. For 2018, total Company production is projected to average 175-195 million cubic feet of natural gas equivalent per day (“Mmcfe/d”), an increase of approximately 25-40% from 2017 levels, adjusted for small noncore divestitures in 2017 and the Olmos divestiture planned for the first quarter 2018.

2018 Capital Program Overview

  • Capital expenditures of $245-$265 million
  • 70% of capital expenditures allocated towards drilling and completions
  • Planned addition of second rig in second quarter
  • Average net production of approximately 175-195 Mmcfe/d (1)
  • 30-32 net wells drilled in 2018 compared to approximately 18 net wells in 2017

Sean Woolverton, SilverBow’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Our team did a tremendous job executing on multiple fronts in 2017, including prosecuting a successful delineation drilling campaign, adding over 35,000 high-graded acres to our leasehold position at an attractive cost, and increasing our liquidity to approximately $250 million. On the success of our 2017 activities, we have elected to add a second rig to our drilling program early in the second quarter.”

Woolverton added, “Our focus for 2018 now shifts to development as we plan to exploit our Eagle Ford asset base with a commitment to becoming a low cost operator in the region. Our current business plan positions us for significant value-added growth in 2018 and beyond. With our strong balance sheet, growing production and increasing cash flow, we have significant liquidity to fund our investments in production growth and inventory. Importantly, our business plan is fully funded with a decreasing leverage ratio and significant financial flexibility as we look to achieve positive cash flow in late 2019.”

The 2018 capital budget of $245 to $265 million provides for 30 to 32 net operated wells drilled compared to approximately 18 net operated wells in 2017. Approximately 70% of the 2018 capital budget is allocated towards drilling and completion capital, driven primarily by activity in Fasken (13 net wells drilled), AWP (7 net wells drilled), and Oro Grande (5 net wells drilled). Due to the timing of the back-end loaded drilling and completions program, the Company will bring 25 to 26 net wells to sales in 2018 compared to approximately 22 net wells in 2017. The Company plans to end 2018 with an inventory of 10 to 12 drilled but uncompleted wells (“DUCs”) compared to 6 DUCs at the end of 2017.

This drilling program provides for average production of 175-195 Mmcfe/d in 2018, as adjusted for small divestitures in 2017 and the planned Olmos divestiture in the first quarter of 2018. These noncore properties contributed approximately 10.5 Mmcfe/d of production in 2017 through September 30.

SilverBow expects further improvements in drilling and completion efficiencies in 2018 given the increased activity level combined with a greater focus on pad drilling. The Company continues to focus on longer laterals and optimized completions.

The company expanded its Eagle Ford footprint by over 50% in 2017, through a combination of an aggressive leasing campaign and strategically acquiring bolt-on producing acreage in our core AWP area. Specifically, the Company spent approximately $50 million on acquiring over 35,000 acres, primarily throughout the gas and rich gas windows of the Eagle Ford. SilverBow anticipates spending 20-25% of the 2018 drilling and completions budget on this acquired acreage. SilverBow plans to continue acquiring acreage in the core of its Eagle Ford leasehold positions during 2018 and has budgeted approximately $20-$30 million for core leasehold additions and extensions. The Company does not budget for acquisitions.

The 2018 budget is expected to be fully funded through cash flow from operations and available borrowing capacity within the Company’s revolving credit facility. As of September 30, 2017, SilverBow had approximately $250 million of available liquidity, pro forma for the December 2017 Second Lien Senior Notes.

The Company plans on providing detailed first quarter and full-year 2018 guidance on the fourth quarter 2017 earnings conference call. For more information regarding the Company’s 2018 capital program and guidance, please see the Corporate Presentation in the Investor Relations section on the Company’s website at www.sbow.com.

(1) Adjusted for non-core divestitures in 2017 and the Olmos divestiture planned for 1Q18. Together, these properties contributed approximately 10.5 Mmcfe/d to total production during 2017 through September 30.

About SilverBow Resources

SilverBow Resources (NYSE: SBOW) is a Houston-based energy company actively engaged in the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas from the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas. With almost 30 years of history operating in South Texas, the Company possesses a significant understanding of regional reservoirs which we leverage to assemble high quality drilling inventory while continuously enhancing our operations to maximize returns on capital invested.

Forward-Looking Statements

This 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. The opinions, forecasts, projections, or other statements other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurances can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Certain risks and uncertainties inherent in the company’s business are set forth in the filings of SilverBow Resources, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission.