W&T Offshore Announces Fourth Quarter 2017 Operational And Financial Results, Year-End 2017 Proved Reserves, 2018 Guidance and 2018 Capital Plan

HOUSTON, Feb. 28, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- W&T Offshore, Inc. (NYSE: WTI) today reported its fourth quarter 2017 operational and financial results. The Company also reported its year-end 2017 proved reserves with a 100% reserve replacement rate and provided its 2018 capital expenditure program, and first quarter and full year 2018 production and expense guidance. Some of the key highlights for the fourth quarter and full year 2017 included:

    --  The Company's year-end 2017 SEC proved reserves were 74.2 million
        barrels of oil equivalent, thus, the Company replaced just over 100% of
        its production for the year.
    --  Production for the fourth quarter of 2017 averaged 37,526 barrels of oil
        equivalent ("Boe") per day (or 3.5 million Boe for the quarter), 58% of
        which was oil and natural gas liquids ("NGLs"), compared to 40,254 Boe
        per day in the fourth quarter of 2016. Fourth quarter production was
        impacted by well maintenance, weather, pipeline outages, and platform
        maintenance that collectively resulted in deferred production of almost
        6,100 Boe per day.
    --  Revenues were $129.1 million, up $13.9 million, or 12.1% compared to the
        fourth quarter of 2016. Oil and NGLs sales made up 78% of revenues in
        the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to 72% in the fourth quarter of
        2016.
    --  Operating income was $33.2 million, an increase of 55.6% over the fourth
        quarter of 2016.
    --  Net income was $23.4 million or $0.16 per share. Excluding special
        items, our adjusted net income for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $24.2
        million, representing a $16.5 million increase over the fourth quarter
        of 2016. Excluding special items, our earnings were $0.17 per share
        which represents an increase of $0.11 per share over the fourth quarter
        of 2016. (See definitions for a description of special items and
        reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to GAAP measures at the end of this
        news release.)
    --  Net income for the year 2017 was $79.7 million and earnings were $0.56
        per share.
    --  For the year 2017 cash flow from operating activities was $159.4 million
        which represents an increase of $145.2 million over the year 2016.
    --  Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $72.9 million, up
        $3.3 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2016. Adjusted EBITDA for
        the full year of 2017 was $268.4 million, up $89.3 million over the full
        year 2016. Our Adjusted EBITDA margin was 55% for the year of 2017, up
        from 45% in 2016. (See definitions and reconciliations of non-GAAP
        measures to GAAP measures at the end of this news release.)

Tracy W. Krohn, W&T Offshore's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Our successful drilling program, combined with the effective development and excellent performance of some of our major fields, allowed us to replace just over 100% of our production on capital expenditures of only $130 million for the year, which we funded with cash on hand and cash flow from operations, i.e., within cash flow. Production was down about 5% compared to 2016, primarily due to pipeline and platform outages along with tropical storm downtime.

"One of our objectives over the last few years following the industry downturn has been to build our cash position while maintaining steady production and proved reserve levels. In 2017, we successfully met those goals while increasing our cash balance by $28.8 million to $99.1 million. We expect to see further improvement in our 2018 cash flow as well as increases in our cash balances as our unhedged production benefits from higher oil prices and our 2018 capital plan remains a modest $130 million.

"Additionally, we expect to receive $65.1 million of tax refunds in 2018, although a portion of it could occur later, related to plugging and abandonment activities that allow us to capture net operating loss carrybacks. By ending 2017 with a strong cash balance and building cash throughout 2018, we expect to be in a good position to be able to either fund our upcoming 2019 debt maturities during 2018 or refinance, or a combination of both, as appropriate.

"Our capital expenditure program for 2018 is composed of select lower-risk, high-return, oil-focused projects combined with higher risk, higher return oil focused wells that, assuming success, would be placed on production fairly quickly. Our inventory of high quality exploration drilling and field extension projects in the Gulf of Mexico is based on advanced seismic and processing which provide further insight into some of our key fields.

"To provide additional financial flexibility, as we have previously reported, throughout 2017 and now into 2018 we have been working to establish a drilling joint venture with private investors. We are in the final stages of establishing such a drilling joint venture that will allow us to drill and exploit assets on a promoted basis and with reduced capital outlay. We have completed negotiations with an initial group of investors but are subject to funding at an initial closing expected to occur by mid-March. More investors may join the joint venture before or after the initial closing.

"It's important to note that establishing an investment vehicle with outside parties that will allow us to drill our wells on a promoted basis, will enable our 2018 capital spending requirements, as outlined in this press release, to be much lower. Once all conditions to the initial closing of this joint venture are met we will announce final terms and revise our 2018 capital budget. Additionally, this joint venture could position us in the future to participate in high quality prospects that we may not otherwise be able to participate in," concluded Mr. Krohn.

It is expected that entities owned and controlled by Tracy W. Krohn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and his family will invest on the same terms as are negotiated with unaffiliated investors to acquire an approximate 4% interest in the drilling joint venture.

Production, Prices and Revenues: Production for the fourth quarter of 2017 was 3.5 million Boe compared to the fourth quarter 2016 of 3.7 million Boe. Fourth quarter 2017 production was comprised of 1.6 million barrels of oil, 0.4 million barrels of NGLs and 8.7 billion cubic feet ("Bcf") of natural gas. Oil and NGLs production comprised 58% of total production in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to 55% of total production in the fourth quarter of 2016. Production for the fourth quarter of 2017 was primarily impacted by well maintenance, weather, pipeline outages, and platform maintenance that collectively resulted in deferred production of almost 6,100 Boe per day.

For the full year 2017, production was 14.6 million Boe, compared to 15.4 million Boe in 2016. Total 2017 production was comprised of 7.1 million barrels of oil, 1.4 million barrels of NGLs and 36.8 Bcf of natural gas. For the full year, production was impacted by well maintenance, weather, pipeline outages, and platform maintenance that collectively resulted in deferred production of over 4,600 Boe per day.

The Mahogany, Ewing Bank 910, and Virgo fields delivered the largest production increases for the year 2017 compared to the 2016 period because of our successful drilling, completion, recompletion and workover programs.

For the fourth quarter of 2017 our realized crude oil sales price was $55.83 per barrel, our realized NGL sales price was $27.55 per barrel and our realized natural gas sales price was $2.95 per Mcf. The combined average realized sales price was $36.79 per Boe compared to $30.83 per Boe in the fourth quarter of 2016. For the full year of 2017 our realized sales price for crude oil was $48.13 per barrel (representing an increase of 28.9% over 2016), our NGL realized sales price was $23.35 per barrel (representing an increase of 36.2% over 2016) and our realized sales price for natural gas was $2.96 per Mcf (representing an increase of 17.0% over 2016). Our combined realized sales price was $33.02 per Boe compared to $25.76 per Boe for the full year 2016, representing an increase of 28.2%. During the last two months of 2017 our crude oil price differentials became positive as the Brent/WTI differentials widened and the light/heavy crude differentials narrowed. We believe this is primarily attributable to the turmoil in Venezuela that has led to reduced imports of sour and heavy crude oil into the United States.

Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2017 increased 12.1% to $129.1 million compared to $115.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. The increase in revenues was due to a 19.3% increase in our realized commodity price, offset by production volumes that were adversely impacted by 6,100 Boe per day of deferred production as previously mentioned. We sold 37,526 Boe per day at an average realized sales price of $36.79 per Boe compared to 40,254 Boe per day as compared to an average realized sales price of $30.83 per Boe in the fourth quarter of 2016.

For the year 2017, revenues were $487.1 million, up 22% or $87.1 million over the 2016 period. Revenues were up $100.8 million due to higher prices, partially offset by lower production volumes.

Lease Operating Expenses: Lease operating expense ("LOE"), which includes base lease operating expenses, insurance premiums, workovers and facilities maintenance, was $36.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $33.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. On a component basis, base lease operating expenses were $30.4 million, insurance premiums were $2.6 million, workovers were $0.3 million and facilities maintenance was $3.6 million. Base LOE was up $2.2 million over the fourth quarter of 2016 with higher incentive compensation accruals due to significantly better financial performance and due to increased activities at three of our fields. Insurance premiums were up $0.6 million while workover expenses decreased $1.9 million due to the 2016 period reflecting higher activity. Facilities maintenance increased $1.0 million due to increased activity at several fields but primarily associated with work at Matterhorn. Finally, the 2016 period reflected a portion of an insurance reimbursement related to settlement of a Hurricane Ike claim.

For the year 2017, LOE was $143.7 million which was $8.7 million below the 2016 period due to lower base LOE and lower insurance premiums. Base LOE was lower by $10.5 million on a decrease in the cost of goods and services resulting from structural operational changes, reduced vendor pricing in the Gulf of Mexico and higher production handling fees (cost offsets) at certain fields.

Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion ("DD&A"): DD&A, including accretion for asset retirement obligations ("ARO"), was $11.25 per Boe for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $10.50 per Boe for the fourth quarter of 2016. On a nominal basis, DD&A was $38.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 which was flat with the fourth quarter of 2016. For the year 2017, DD&A on a nominal basis was $155.7 million which is down $55.9 million from the 2016 period primarily because of the ceiling test write-downs of $279.1 million in the 2016 period which lowered the full cost pool subject to depletion.

General and Administrative Expenses ("G&A"): G&A was $14.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 and flat with the fourth quarter of 2016. Decreases in medical claims and lower legal costs were entirely offset by higher professional services associated with reservoir engineering and higher surety bond premiums. G&A for the full year 2017 was also flat compared to the full year of 2016.

Derivative (gain) loss: Fourth quarter of 2017 reflects a loss of $0.6 million associated with crude oil derivative contracts compared to a loss of less than $0.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. For the year 2017, the Company realized a gain of $4.2 million compared to a loss of $2.9 million in the 2016 period.

Interest expense: Interest expense was $11.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, flat with the fourth quarter of 2016. For the year 2017, interest expense was $45.8 million which represents a decrease of $46.4 million from the 2016 period due to the Exchange Transaction that was completed on September 7, 2016, when we exchanged $710.2 million of our Unsecured Senior Notes for $301.8 million of new secured notes and 60.4 million shares of common stock, and at the same time, closed on a $75.0 million, 1.5 Lien Term Loan. Interest expense was also lower because we had no borrowings on the $150 million revolving bank credit facility during 2017 compared to borrowings averaging approximately $150.0 million from the beginning of January 2016 until we closed on the Exchange Transaction.

Income Tax: We recorded an income tax benefit of $1.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 on pre-tax income of $21.9 million compared to income tax expense of $1.0 million on pre-tax income of $17.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. Our annualized effective tax rate for both periods was not meaningful. The income tax benefit in the 2017 period relates to NOL carryback claims made pursuant to IRC Section 172(f) (related to rules for "specified liability losses"-, which permit certain platform dismantlement, well abandonment and site clearance costs to be carried back 10 years. The full year 2017 reflects a tax benefit of $12.6 million on pre-tax income of $67.1 million. The benefit for 2017 reflects an estimated tax refund of $13.0 million that we expect to receive sometime in the second or third quarter of 2018 that relates to our specified liability loss carryback for plugging and abandonment expenditures made in 2017.

As of December 31, 2017, the balance sheet reflects current income tax receivables of $13.0 million and non-current income tax receivables of $52.1 million. The non-current income tax receivable relates to our NOL claims for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014 that were carried back to prior years. These various carryback claims are made pursuant to IRC Section 172(f) described above.

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA"): The TCJA of 2017 modified certain U.S. Federal income tax provisions available to corporations. Along with lowering the corporate income tax rate, the TCJA changed certain income tax rules and deductions including cost recovery, limits on the deductions of interest expense, the elimination of the deduction from domestic production activities and utilization of net operating losses. Under the TCJA effective in 2018, the rules related to specified liability losses have been eliminated and additional claims will not be allowed in 2018 and forward. The TCJA does not affect the NOL carryback claims that we previously filed and are referenced above, nor does the TCJA affect the review process for such claims. As a result of TCJA, our net deferred tax assets and associated valuation allowance were provisionally adjusted downwards by $105.9 million as of December 31, 2017. No other changes were needed to either the income statement or balance sheet as a result of the TCJA.

Net Income (Loss) & Earnings Per Share: We reported net income for the fourth quarter of 2017 of $23.4 million or $0.16 per common share. Excluding special items, our adjusted net income was $24.2 million and our earnings were $0.17 per share. For the fourth quarter of 2016 we reported net income of $16.5 million, or $0.12 per common share; excluding special items, adjusted net income for the fourth quarter of 2016 would have been $7.7 million, or $0.06 per share. (See the "Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Net Income (Loss) Excluding Special Items" and related earnings per share, excluding special items in the table under "Non-GAAP Information" at the end of this news release for a description of the special items.)

Cash Flow and Adjusted EBITDA: Net cash provided by operating activities for the year 2017 was $159.4 million which represents an increase of $145.2 million over the year 2016. Cash flows from operating activities, (before changes in working capital, insurance reimbursements, escrow deposits and ARO settlements), were $235.6 million in 2017 compared to $103.1 million in 2016.

The increase in cash flows in 2017 was primarily due to higher realized prices for all our commodities - crude oil, NGLs and natural gas, lower operating expenses and lower interest payments, primarily offset by deferred production volumes. Our combined average realized sales price per Boe increased 28.2%, which increased revenues by $100.8 million. However, production volumes decreased on a Boe basis by 5.2%, which lowered revenues by $15.4 million. Operating expenses decreased by $11.3 million and interest expense decreased $46.4 million. Interest payments related to the debt that was part of the Exchange Transaction are reported as a part of "cash flows from financing activities". Other items affecting operating cash flows for 2017 were ARO settlements of $72.4 million and an escrow deposit of $49.5 million to secure the appeal of the Apache lawsuit, partially offset by insurance reimbursements of $31.7 million.

Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $72.9 million and our Adjusted EBITDA margin was 56%. Adjusted EBITDA for the year 2017 was $268.4 million, up from $179.1 million in the 2016 period. Our Adjusted EBITDA margin was 55% for the year 2017 compared to 45% for the 2016 period.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP measures and are defined in the "Non-GAAP Information" section at the end of this news release.

Liquidity: At December 31, 2017, our total liquidity was $248.8 million, consisting of an unrestricted cash balance of $99.1 million and $149.7 million of availability under our $150 million revolving bank credit facility.

Capital Expenditures: Our capital expenditures for oil and gas properties on an accrual basis for the year 2017 were $130.0 million compared to $48.6 million for the 2016 period ($106.2 million in the 2017 period on a cash basis compared to $83.8 million for the 2016 period). In 2017 about 44% of our capital expenditures were dedicated to four drill wells at our Mahogany field while the remainder was dedicated to new exploration wells at Ship Shoal 300, Main Pass 286, and an unsuccessful well at South Timbalier 224. We also performed recompletions at Main Pass 69, High Island 22, Main Pass 108 and a number of other fields. The remaining expenditures were associated with development activities and seismic.

2018 Capital Expenditure Program: Currently, we have established a 2018 capital program of $130.0 million that includes 12 wells to be drilled (four of which were started in 2017, one of which has been abandoned as a dry hole), of which seven are deepwater wells and five are shelf wells. Six of the deepwater wells and four of the shelf wells are exploratory. The budget also includes 12 recompletes that are expected to cost approximately $7.5 million. Approximately $35 million of the budget is related to projects that commenced in 2017 with the remainder dedicated to new projects in 2018. Additionally, we estimate we will spend approximately $24 million on plugging and abandonment activities in 2018.

We expect that this budget may result in a slight decrease in our 2018 production compared to 2017. Our estimates of production for 2018 are a function of the timing of the expenditures and the success of the wells and our other work programs. Our estimates do not yet reflect the full impact of our proposed drilling joint venture. Nor do these estimates reflect what we believe are viable acquisition opportunities that can increase both production and reserves. We continue to evaluate these opportunities and are confident that we can execute on them as they arise.

Projects included in the 2018 capital spending plan that are already under way include the completion of Ship Shoal 349 (Mahogany) A-17, a well that has found two new objectives in two new sands; development of the Main Pass 286 #1, a successful 2017 exploration well; and Viosca Knoll 823 (Virgo) A-10 ST, a deepwater development well that is up-dip to known pay.

New projects in our 2018 capital program include two more wells at the Mahogany field, the SS 349 A-5 ST2, a low-cost side track well targeting the "P" sand; and the SS 359 A-20, an exploration/exploitation well. Two wells are also planned at Ewing Bank 910 field, the ST 311 A-2 and A-3 wells, both of which are low-risk, high-return exploration opportunities with multiple stacked pay sands. If successful, all of these wells can be brought on line quickly via existing infrastructure and pipelines. Additionally, we expect the recompletions that are planned will provide low-cost production additions.

Virtually all of these projects meet our objectives of having a very high probability of success, expected high rates of return and short-term payout, and the ability to boost production levels in 2018 or early 2019.

OPERATIONS UPDATE

Ship Shoal 349 "Mahogany" (100% WI, operated, shelf): We recently completed the drilling of the A-17 well that found a previously undiscovered deeper sand (V-Sand) and extended the known limits of one of the field pay sands seen in earlier wells, resulting in proved reserve additions with significant upside. The A-17 well will initially be completed in the newly discovered sands with production expected to commence late in the first quarter. Following the A-17 well, we will begin drilling the A-5 ST well targeting the 'Q' and 'P' sands that were logged and evaluated in the A-18 well drilled in 2017. Workover and recompletion opportunities continue to exist at Mahogany and will be done as time and operating conditions permit. Mahogany production averaged over 6,900 Boe per day net to our interest in 2017.

Viosca Knoll 823 "Virgo": We recently mobilized a rig to our Virgo Platform to commence what we anticipate will be a multi-well deepwater drilling program. Our first well in the program, the A-10 ST well, targeted an up-dip attic position nearby to a logged well in some of the deep main field pays. The well recently reached total depth of 16,770 feet and logged a significant hydrocarbon column in our target objective. We are now moving into completion mode and will likely have the well on line during early second quarter. Following the completion of the A-10 ST, we expect to begin drilling the second well in our drilling program at Virgo. One attractive feature of this drilling program is our ability to achieve early cash flow from the wells due to the presence of infrastructure and our Virgo production platform. W&T Offshore, Inc. is the operator with an 80% working interest in the A-10 ST well. The co-owner is EnVen Energy Ventures, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of EnVen Energy Corporation, with 20% working interest.

Ewing Bank 910 (36% - 50% WI, operated, deepwater): Two wells are planned in our Ewing Bank 910 field, which are the South Timbalier 311 A-2 and A-3 wells. We anticipate beginning rig mobilization in the first quarter of 2018 with a likely spud date sometime in the second quarter of 2018. We believe both of these wells are low-risk exploration opportunities with multiple stacked pay sands. Assuming success, these wells can be brought on line quickly via existing infrastructure and pipelines.

Main Pass 286 (100% WI, operated, shelf): This well was drilled late in the fourth quarter of 2017 resulting in a new field discovery. We are evaluating our optimal development scenarios, which will likely include bringing the production back to a platform at MP 283 which is a nearby W&T owned facility. We expect to proceed with development later this year. Although dependent upon final project sanction and our development solution, we are expecting this discovery to achieve first production sometime during early 2019.

Well Recompletions and Workovers: During 2017, we performed 16 recompletions that added approximately 4,440 Boe per day of initial production and 11 workovers that added approximately 6,600 Boe per day of initial production. For 2018 we anticipate performing 12 recompletions for a cost of around $7.5 million that will lead to additional production.

Year-End 2017 Proved Reserves

The Company's year-end 2017 SEC proved reserves were 74.2 million Boe, or 445.3 Bcfe, with 57% comprised of liquids (46% crude oil and 11% NGLs) and 43% natural gas. The Company achieved a reserve replacement rate in excess of 100% for calendar year 2017. At year end, approximately 74% of our 2017 proved reserves were classified as proved developed producing, 10% as proved developed non-producing and 16% as proved undeveloped. This represents an increase 15.2% in our proved developed reserves over 2016.

Total production in 2017 of approximately 14.6 million Boe was more than offset by upward revisions to previous reserve estimates due to successful well performance in several key fields, as well as new extensions and discoveries. We also had favorable revisions due to an increase of $8.59 per barrel in crude prices and an increase of $0.50 per Mcf in natural gas prices. Total proved reserves at year-end 2016 were 74.0 million Boe, 55% of which were comprised of crude oil and NGLs.

The present value of our reported SEC proved reserves, discounted at 10% ("PV-10"), at such date was $992.9 million, up 32% from $754.9 million at the end of 2016. The standardized measure of future net cash flows of our SEC proved reserves was $740.6 million at December 31, 2017. The 2017 SEC PV-10 is based on an average crude oil price of $51.34 per barrel and average natural gas price of $2.98 per Mcf, both after adjustment for quality, transportation, fees, energy content, and regional price differentials. For purposes of calculating the SEC PV-10 for 2016, the average crude oil price was $42.75 per barrel and the average natural gas price was $2.48 per Mcf.


    Summary Reconciliation W&T Offshore, Inc


                                              Oil           NGL            Gas             Net              Net

                                             MBbls         MBbls          MMcf            MMcfe             MBoe              PV-10
                                             -----         -----          ----            -----             ----              -----

    BALANCE, DECEMBER 31,
     2016                                           32,886          8,150         197,798           444,011            74,002       $754,933

    REVISIONS OF PREVIOUS
     ESTIMATES                                       3,045            545          15,561            37,100             6,183

    REVISIONS DUE TO SEC
     BASE PRICE CHANGE                               1,457            229          10,182            20,297             3,383

    EXTENSIONS, DISCOVERIES                          4,063            261           5,391            31,333             5,222

    PURCHASES OF MINERALS
     IN PLACE                                            0              0               0                 0                 0

    SALES OF MINERALS IN
     PLACE                                               0              0               0                 0                 0

    PRODUCTION                                     (7,064)       (1,381)       (36,754)         (87,428)         (14,571)
                                                    ------         ------         -------           -------           -------

    BALANCE, DECEMBER 31,
     2017                                           34,386          7,803         192,179           445,314            74,219       $992,858
                                                    ======          =====         =======           =======            ======       ========


    (1)              PV-10 for this presentation
                     excludes any provision for asset
                     retirement obligations or income
                     taxes.


    (2)              In accordance with guidelines
                     established by the SEC, our
                     estimated proved reserves as of
                     December 31, 2017 were determined
                     to be economically producible
                     under existing economic
                     conditions, which requires the use
                     of the 12-month average commodity
                     price for each product, calculated
                     as the unweighted arithmetic
                     average of the price on the first
                     day of each month for the year end
                     December 31, 2017.  The West Texas
                     Intermediate spot price and the
                     Henry Hub spot price were utilized
                     as the referenced price and after
                     adjusting for quality,
                     transportation, fees, energy
                     content and regional price
                     differentials. In determining the
                     estimated realized price for NGLs,
                     a ratio was computed for each
                     field of the NGLs realized price
                     compared to the crude oil realized
                     price.  Then, this ratio was
                     applied to the crude oil price
                     using SEC guidance.  Such prices
                     were held constant throughout the
                     estimated lives of the reserves.
                     Future production and development
                     costs are based on year-end costs
                     with no escalations.


    (3)              Standardized measure of future net
                     cash flows of our SEC proved
                     reserves was (i) $478 million at
                     December 31, 2016, which excludes
                     from PV-10 $ 277 million of
                     discounted asset retirement
                     obligations and no amount for
                     discounted future income taxes and
                     (ii) $ 741 million at December 31,
                     2017, which excludes from PV-10
                     $192 million of discounted asset
                     retirement obligations and $60
                     million of discounted future
                     income taxes.  PV-10 for this
                     presentation excludes any
                     provision for asset retirement
                     obligations or income taxes.

For comparative purposes, utilizing the forward closing prices on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) for crude oil and natural gas on December 29, 2017 (the last day of trading in 2017), totaled proved reserves would have been 74.3 million Boe, with a PV-10 value of $1.1 billion.

First Quarter and Full Year 2018 Production and Expense Guidance:

Our guidance for the first quarter and full year 2018 in the table below 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" and our estimates do not yet reflect the full impact of our proposed drilling joint venture.


                                             First Quarter            Full Year

                              Production                        2018                   2018
                              ----------                        ----                   ----


    Oil and NGL's (MMBbls)                     1.8 - 2.0              7.5 - 8.3


    Natural Gas (Bcf)                          7.9 - 8.8             31.7 - 35.1


    Total (Bcfe)                              18.7 - 20.7            76.8 - 84.8


    Total (MMBoe)                              3.1 - 3.5             12.8 - 14.1


                          Operating Expenses First Quarter            Full Year

                           ($ in millions)                      2018                   2018
                            --------------                      ----                   ----


    Lease operating expenses                               $34 - $38           $154 - $170


    Gathering, transportation &

    production taxes                                         $5 - $6             $23 - $26


    General and administrative                             $13 - $14             $55 - $61


    Income tax rate benefit                                        -                    0%

Conference Call Information: W&T will hold a conference call to discuss our financial and operational results on Thursday, March 1, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (9:00 a.m. Central Time). To participate, dial 412-902-0030 a few minutes before the call begins. The call will also be broadcast live over the Internet from the Company's website at www.wtoffshore.com. A replay of the conference call will be available after the call until March 8, 2018, and may be accessed by calling 201-612-7415 and using the passcode 13676094#.

About W&T Offshore

W&T Offshore, Inc. is an independent oil and natural gas producer with operations offshore in the Gulf of Mexico and has grown through acquisitions, exploration and development. The Company currently has working interests in 49 producing fields in federal and state waters and has under lease approximately 700,000 gross acres, including approximately 470,000 gross acres on the Gulf of Mexico Shelf and approximately 230,000 gross acres in the deepwater. A majority of the Company's daily production is derived from wells it operates. For more information on W&T Offshore, please visit the Company's website at www.wtoffshore.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains 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. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events, based on what we believe are reasonable assumptions. No assurance can be given, however, that these events will occur. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially including, among other things, market conditions, oil and gas price volatility, uncertainties inherent in oil and gas production operations and estimating reserves, unexpected future capital expenditures, competition, the success of our risk management activities, governmental regulations, uncertainties and other factors discussed in W&T Offshore's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and subsequent Form 10-Q reports found at www.sec.gov or at our website at www.wtoffshore.com under the Investor Relations section. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosures and risk factors in these reports.


    CONTACT: Lisa Elliott                      Danny Gibbons

             Dennard Lascar Investor Relations SVP & CFO

             lelliott@dennardlascar.com        investorrelations@wtoffshore.com

             713-529-6600                      713-624-7326


                                                W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                        Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)

                                                            (Unaudited)


                                      Three Months Ended                               Twelve Months Ended

                                         December 31,                                     December 31,
                                       ------------                                 ------------

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

                                          (In thousands, except per share data)



    Revenues                                $129,099                              $115,213                            $487,096              $399,986
                                            --------                              --------                            --------              --------


    Operating costs and expenses:

    Lease operating expenses                36,921                                33,788                             143,738               152,399

    Gathering, transportation costs
     and production taxes                    5,242                                 6,788                              22,181                24,817

    Depreciation, depletion,
     amortization and accretion             38,839                                38,883                             155,682               211,609

    Ceiling test write-down of oil
     and natural gas properties        -                                    -                                  -               279,063

    General and administrative
     expenses                               14,365                                14,370                              59,744                59,740

    Derivative (gain) loss                     566                                    65                             (4,199)                2,926
                                               ---                                   ---                              ------                 -----

    Total costs and expenses                95,933                                93,894                             377,146               730,554
                                            ------                                ------                             -------               -------

    Operating income (loss)                 33,166                                21,319                             109,950             (330,568)


    Interest expense, net of
     amounts capitalized                    11,552                                11,511                              45,836                92,271

    Gain on exchange of debt           -                                 (37)                              7,811                123,923

    Other (income) expense, net              (261)                              (7,729)                              4,812               (6,520)
                                              ----                                ------                               -----                ------

    Income (loss) before income tax
     expense (benefit)                      21,875                                17,500                              67,113             (292,396)

    Income tax expense (benefit)           (1,490)                                1,017                            (12,569)             (43,376)
                                            ------                                 -----                             -------               -------

    Net income (loss)                        $23,365                               $16,483                             $79,682            $(249,020)
                                             =======                               =======                             =======             =========



    Basic and diluted
     earnings (loss) per
     common share                              $0.16                                 $0.12                               $0.56               $(2.60)


    Weighted average common shares
     outstanding                           137,826                               137,031                             137,617                95,644


                                               W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                     Condensed Operating Data

                                                           (Unaudited)


                                        Three Months Ended

                                           December 31,                                                   Variance
                                         ------------

                                      2017                      2016               Variance Percentage(2)
                                      ----                      ----               --------  ------------

    Net sales volumes:

    Oil  (MBbls)                               1,637                                1,670          (33)             -2.0%

    NGL (MBbls)                                  358                                  361           (3)             -0.8%

    Oil and NGLs (MBbls)                       1,994                                2,031          (37)             -1.8%

    Natural gas (MMcf)                         8,749                               10,035       (1,286)            -12.8%

    Total oil and natural gas (MBoe)
     (1)                                       3,452                                3,703         (251)             -6.8%

    Total oil and natural gas (MMcfe)
     (1)                                      20,714                               22,220       (1,506)             -6.8%


    Average daily equivalent sales
     (Boe/d)                                    37.5                                 40.3         (2.7)             -6.8%

    Average daily equivalent sales
     (MMcfe/d)                                 225.2                                241.5        (16.4)             -6.8%


    Average realized sales prices:

    Oil ($/Bbl)                                 $55.83                               $45.10        $10.73              23.8%

    NGLs ($/Bbl)                               27.55                                21.37          6.18              28.9%

    Oil and NGLs ($/Bbl)                       50.76                                40.87          9.89              24.2%

    Natural gas ($/Mcf)                         2.95                                 3.11        (0.16)             -5.1%

    Barrel of oil equivalent ($/Boe)           36.79                                30.83          5.96              19.3%

    Natural gas equivalent ($/Mcfe)             6.13                                 5.14          0.99              19.3%


    Average per Boe ($/Boe):

    Lease operating
     expenses                                   $10.69                                $9.12         $1.57              17.2%

    Gathering and transportation
     costs and production taxes                 1.52                                 1.83        (0.31)            -16.9%

    Depreciation, depletion,
     amortization and accretion                11.25                                10.50          0.75               7.1%

    General and administrative
     expenses                                   4.16                                 3.88          0.28               7.2%


    Average per Mcfe ($/Mcfe):

    Lease operating
     expenses                                    $1.78                                $1.52         $0.26              17.1%

    Gathering and transportation
     costs and production taxes                 0.25                                 0.31        (0.06)            -19.4%

    Depreciation, depletion,
     amortization and accretion                 1.88                                 1.75          0.13               7.4%

    General and administrative
     expenses                                   0.69                                 0.65          0.04               6.2%


    (1) MMcfe and MBoe are
     determined using the ratio of
     six Mcf of natural gas to one
     Bbl of crude oil, condensate
     or NGLs (totals may not
     compute due to rounding).  The
     conversion ratio does not
     assume price equivalency and
     the price on an equivalent
     basis for oil, NGLs and
     natural gas may differ
     significantly.


    (2) Variance percentages are
     calculated using rounded
     figures and may result in
     slightly different figures for
     comparable data.


                                                W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                     Condensed Operating Data

                                                            (Unaudited)


                                        Twelve Months Ended

                                           December 31,                                                    Variance
                                         ------------

                                      2017                       2016               Variance Percentage(2)
                                      ----                       ----               --------  ------------

    Net sales volumes:

    Oil  (MBbls)                               7,064                                 7,201         (137)             -1.9%

    NGL (MBbls)                                1,382                                 1,542         (160)            -10.4%

    Oil and NGLs (MBbls)                       8,446                                 8,743         (297)             -3.4%

    Natural gas (MMcf)                        36,754                                39,731       (2,977)             -7.5%

    Total oil and natural gas (MBoe)
     (1)                                      14,571                                15,365         (794)             -5.2%

    Total oil and natural gas (MMcfe)
     (1)                                      87,428                                92,188       (4,760)             -5.2%


    Average daily equivalent sales
     (Boe/d)                                    39.9                                  42.0         (2.1)             -4.9%

    Average daily equivalent sales
     (MMcfe/d)                                 239.5                                 251.9        (12.4)             -4.9%


    Average realized sales prices:

    Oil ($/Bbl)                                 $48.13                                $37.35        $10.78              28.9%

    NGLs ($/Bbl)                               23.35                                 17.14          6.21              36.2%

    Oil and NGLs ($/Bbl)                       44.08                                 33.79         10.29              30.5%

    Natural gas ($/Mcf)                         2.96                                  2.53          0.43              17.0%

    Barrel of oil equivalent ($/Boe)           33.02                                 25.76          7.26              28.2%

    Natural gas equivalent ($/Mcfe)             5.50                                  4.29          1.21              28.2%


    Average per Boe ($/Boe):

    Lease operating
     expenses                                    $9.86                                 $9.92       $(0.06)             -0.6%

    Gathering and transportation
     costs and production taxes                 1.52                                  1.62        (0.10)             -6.2%

    Depreciation, depletion,
     amortization and accretion                10.68                                 13.77        (3.09)            -22.4%

    General and administrative
     expenses                                   4.10                                  3.89          0.21               5.4%


    Average per Mcfe ($/Mcfe):

    Lease operating
     expenses                                    $1.64                                 $1.65       $(0.01)             -0.6%

    Gathering and transportation
     costs and production taxes                 0.25                                  0.27        (0.02)             -7.4%

    Depreciation, depletion,
     amortization and accretion                 1.78                                  2.30        (0.52)            -22.6%

    General and administrative
     expenses                                   0.68                                  0.65          0.03               4.6%


    (1) MMcfe and MBoe are
     determined using the ratio of
     six Mcf of natural gas to one
     Bbl of crude oil, condensate
     or NGLs (totals may not
     compute due to rounding).  The
     conversion ratio does not
     assume price equivalency and
     the price on an equivalent
     basis for oil, NGLs and
     natural gas may differ
     significantly.


    (2) Variance percentages are
     calculated using rounded
     figures and may result in
     slightly different figures for
     comparable data.


                               W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                              Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                           (Unaudited)


                                                December 31,                  December 31,

                                                        2017                           2016
                                                        ----                           ----

                                                         (In thousands, except

                                                               share data)

                     Assets

    Current assets:

    Cash and cash equivalents                                       $99,058                               $70,236

    Receivables:

       Oil and natural gas sales                                   45,443                                43,073

       Joint interest                                              19,754                                21,885

       Insurance reimbursement                             -                                30,100

       Income taxes                                                13,006                                11,943
                                                                   ------                                ------

          Total receivables                                        78,203                               107,001

    Prepaid expenses and other assets                              13,419                                14,504
                                                                   ------                                ------

    Total current assets                                          190,680                               191,741


    Property and equipment                                      8,123,875                             7,953,402

    Less accumulated depreciation,
     depletion and amortization                                 7,544,859                             7,406,349
                                                                ---------                             ---------

    Net property and equipment                                    579,016                               547,053

    Restricted deposits for asset
     retirement obligations                                        25,394                                27,371

    Income tax receivables                                         52,097                                52,097

    Escrow deposit - Apache lawsuit                                49,500                                     -

    Other assets                                                   10,893                                11,464
                                                                   ------                                ------

    Total assets                                                   $907,580                              $829,726
                                                                   ========                              ========


          Liabilities and Shareholders'
                     Deficit

    Current liabilities:

    Accounts payable                                                $83,665                               $81,039

    Undistributed oil and natural gas
     proceeds                                                      20,129                                26,254

    Asset retirement obligations                                   23,613                                78,264

    Long-term debt                                                 22,925                                 8,272

    Accrued liabilities                                            17,930                                 9,200

    Total current liabilities                                     168,262                               203,029

    Long-term debt:

    Principal                                                     889,790                               873,733

    Carrying value adjustments                                     79,337                               138,722
                                                                   ------                               -------

              Long-term debt, less current
               portion - carrying value                           969,127                             1,012,455


    Asset retirement obligations, less
     current portion                                              276,833                               256,174

    Apache lawsuit liability                                       49,500                                     -

    Other liabilities                                              17,366                                17,105

    Commitments and contingencies                          -                                     -

    Shareholders' deficit:

    Common stock, $0.00001 par value;
     200,000,000 shares authorized;
     141,960,462 issued and 139,091,289
     outstanding at December 31, 2017;
     140,543,545 issued and 137,674,372
     outstanding at December 31, 2016                                   1                                     1

    Additional paid-in capital                                    545,820                               539,973

    Retained earnings (deficit)                               (1,095,162)                          (1,174,844)

    Treasury stock, at cost                                      (24,167)                             (24,167)

    Total shareholders' deficit                                 (573,508)                            (659,037)
                                                                 --------                              --------

    Total liabilities and
     shareholders' deficit                                         $907,580                              $829,726
                                                                   ========                              ========


                                  W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                            Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                                              (Unaudited)


                                                             Twelve Months Ended

                                                                 December 31,
                                                               ------------

                                                           2017                  2016
                                                           ----                  ----

                                                              (In thousands)


    Operating activities:

    Net Income (loss)                                                $79,682                      $(249,020)

    Adjustments to reconcile net income
     (loss) to net cash provided by operating
     activities:

    Depreciation, depletion, amortization and
     accretion                                                     155,682                         211,609

    Ceiling test write-down of oil and
     natural gas properties                                   -                         279,063

    Gain on exchange of debt                                       (7,811)                      (123,923)

    Debt issuance costs write-down/
     amortization of debt items                                      1,715                           2,548

    Share-based compensation                                         7,191                          11,013

    Derivative (gain) loss                                         (4,199)                          2,926

    Cash receipts on derivative settlements,
     net                                                             4,199                           4,746

    Deferred income taxes                                              217                          28,392

    Changes in operating assets and
     liabilities:

       Oil and natural gas receivables                             (2,371)                        (7,005)

       Joint interest receivables                                    2,131                              12

       Insurance reimbursements                                     31,740                               -

       Income taxes                                                (1,063)                       (64,274)

       Prepaid expenses and other assets                             3,238                        (14,946)

       Escrow deposit - Apache lawsuit                            (49,500)                              -

       Asset retirement obligation settlements                    (72,409)                       (72,320)

       Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and
        other                                                       10,966                           5,359

      Net cash provided by operating activities                    159,408                          14,180
                                                                   -------                          ------


    Investing activities:

    Investment in oil and natural gas
     properties and equipment                                    (130,048)                       (48,606)

    Changes in operating assets and
     liabilities associated with investing
     activities                                                     23,874                        (35,194)

    Proceeds from sales of assets                             -                           1,500

    Purchases of furniture, fixtures and
     other                                                           (933)                           (96)
                                                                      ----                             ---

    Net cash used in investing activities                        (107,107)                       (82,396)
                                                                  --------                         -------


    Financing activities:

    Borrowings of long-term debt -
     revolving bank credit facility                           -                         340,000

    Repayments of long-term debt -
     revolving bank credit facility                           -                       (340,000)

    Issuance of 1.5 Lien Term Loan                            -                          75,000

    Payment of interest on 1.5 Lien Term Loan                      (8,227)                        (2,570)

    Payment of interest on 2nd Lien PIK
     Toggle Notes                                                  (7,335)                              -

    Payment of interest on 3rd Lien PIK
     Toggle Notes                                                  (6,201)                              -

    Debt exchange/issuance costs                                     (421)                       (18,464)

    Other                                                          (1,295)                          (928)
                                                                    ------                            ----

    Net cash provided by (used in) financing
     activities                                                   (23,479)                         53,038
                                                                   -------                          ------

    Increase (decrease) in cash and cash
     equivalents                                                    28,822                        (15,178)

    Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of
     period                                                         70,236                          85,414
                                                                    ------                          ------

    Cash and cash equivalents, end
     of period                                                       $99,058                         $70,236
                                                                     =======                         =======

W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Non-GAAP Information

Certain financial information included in our financial results are not measures of financial performance recognized by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures are "Net Income Excluding Special Items," "EBITDA" and "Adjusted EBITDA." Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in its analysis of our performance. These disclosures may not be viewed as a substitute for results determined in accordance with GAAP and are not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures which may be reported by other companies.

Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Net Income (Loss) Excluding Special Items

"Net Income (Loss) Excluding Special Items" does not include the unrealized commodity derivative (gain) loss, default in payment by joint interest partners, write-down of debt issue costs, ceiling test write-down of oil and natural gas properties, gain on exchange of debt, Apache lawsuit, East Cameron 321 settlement, civil penalties, certain cost recovery from insurance settlement, and associated income tax adjustments. Net Income (Loss) Excluding Special Items is presented because the timing and amount of these items cannot be reasonably estimated and affect the comparability of operating results from period to period, and current periods to prior periods.


                 Three Months Ended                              Twelve Months Ended

                    December 31,                                     December 31,
                    ------------                                     ------------

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

                             (In thousands, except per share amounts)

                                           (Unaudited)


    Net income
     (loss)                                          $23,365                           $16,483         $79,682  $(249,020)

    Unrealized
     commodity
     derivative
     loss                                                841                                65               -      7,672

    Default in
     payment by
     joint
     interest
     partners                                             28                             1,622             888       3,615

    Write-down
     debt issue
     costs                                                 -                                -              -      1,368

    Ceiling test
     write-down
     of oil and
     natural gas
     properties                                            -                                -              -    279,063

    Gain on
     exchange of
     debt                                                  -                               37         (7,811)  (123,923)

    Apache
     lawsuit                                               -                                -          6,285           -

    EC 321
     settlement                                            -                                -        (1,109)          -

    Civil
     Penalties                                             -                                -          1,820           -

    Certain cost
     recovery
     from
     insurance
     settlement                                            -                         (11,028)              -   (11,028)

    Income tax
     adjustment
     for the
     items above                                        (59)                              540            (14)   (23,202)
                                                         ---                               ---             ---     -------

    Net income
     (loss)
     excluding
     special
     items                                           $24,175                            $7,719         $79,741  $(115,455)
                                                     =======                            ======         =======   =========


    Basic and
     diluted
     income
     (loss) per
     common
     share,
     excluding
     special
     items                                             $0.17                             $0.06           $0.56     $(1.21)
                                                       =====                             =====           =====      ======

W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Non-GAAP Information

Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA

We define EBITDA as net income (loss) plus income tax expense (benefit), net interest expense, depreciation, depletion, amortization, and accretion and ceiling test write-down of oil and natural gas properties. Adjusted EBITDA excludes the unrealized commodity derivative (gain) loss, default in payment by joint interest partners, gain on exchange of debt, Apache lawsuit, East Cameron 321 settlement, civil penalties, and write-down of debt issue costs. We believe the presentation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information regarding our ability to service debt and to fund capital expenditures. We believe this presentation is relevant and useful because it helps our investors understand our operating performance and makes it easier to compare our results with those of other companies that have different financing, capital and tax structures. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for net income (loss), as an indication of operating performance or cash flows from operating activities or as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, as we calculate them, may not be comparable to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA measures reported by other companies. In addition, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not represent funds available for discretionary use. Adjusted EBITDA margin represents the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to total revenues.

The following table presents a reconciliation of our net income (loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA along with our Adjusted EBITDA margin.


                       Three Months Ended                    Twelve Months Ended

                          December 31,                           December 31,
                          ------------                           ------------

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

                                          (In thousands)

                                            (Unaudited)


    Net income (loss)                                $23,365                     $16,483         $79,682  $(249,020)

    Income tax expense
     (benefit)                                       (1,490)                      1,017        (12,569)   (43,376)

    Net interest
     expense                                          11,290                      11,508          45,521      92,109

    Depreciation,
     depletion,
     amortization and
     accretion                                        38,839                      38,883         155,682     211,609

    Ceiling test
     write-down of
     oil and natural
     gas properties                                        -                          -              -    279,063
                                                         ---                        ---            ---    -------

    EBITDA                                            72,004                      67,891         268,316     290,385


    Adjustments:

    Unrealized
     commodity
     derivative (gain)
     loss                                                841                          65               -      7,672

    Default in payment
     by joint interest
     partners                                             28                       1,622             888       3,615

    Gain on exchange
     of debt                                               -                         37         (7,811)  (123,923)

    Apache lawsuit                                         -                          -          6,285           -

    EC 321 settlement                                      -                          -        (1,109)          -

    Civil Penalties                                        -                          -          1,820           -

    Write-down debt
     issue costs                                           -                          -              -      1,368
                                                         ---                        ---            ---      -----

    Adjusted EBITDA                                  $72,873                     $69,615        $268,389    $179,117
                                                     =======                     =======        ========    ========



    Adjusted EBITDA
     Margin                                              56%                        60%            55%        45%

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SOURCE W&T Offshore, Inc.