EP Energy Reports 2Q'18 Results - Operating and Financial Results Continue to Demonstrate Strong Improvement Under New Leadership

HOUSTON, Aug. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- EP Energy Corporation (NYSE:EPE) today reported second quarter 2018 financial and operational results.

2Q'18 Updates - Executing Strategy to Drive Long-Term Value Creation

    --  Equivalent production of 82.5 MBoe/d
    --  Oil production of 47.2 MBbls/d
    --  Net Loss of $58MM
    --  Adjusted EBITDAX of $215MM
    --  Oil and Gas Expenditures of $203MM
    --  Completed (based on wells fracture stimulated or frac'd) 37 gross wells
    --  Lease Operating Expense of $4.95 per Boe
    --  New completion designs generating ~20% improvement in F&D costs versus
        pre-2018 wells
    --  Eagle Ford enhanced oil recovery (EOR) pilot project in second injection
        cycle and expanding to three pilot projects this year
    --  Drilled two horizontal wells in Altamont 2Q'18 and expect to complete in
        3Q'18 - two additional horizontal wells to be drilled and completed in
        3Q'18
    --  Amended Reserve-Based Loan Facility (RBL Facility) and extended the
        maturity to November 2021
    --  Issued $1 billion senior secured notes and used proceeds to fully repay
        RBL Facility borrowings
    --  Ended the quarter with $708MM of liquidity, $98MM of cash and 100%
        undrawn RBL Facility capacity
    --  Redirecting second half capital to the Eagle Ford from the Permian to
        benefit higher margin basin
    --  Updating full year capital and production guidance

2Q'18 Results Continue to Show Positive Change With New Leadership Team

The second quarter results continue to demonstrate improvement in operational and financial metrics. The company has increased oil production and Adjusted EBITDAX, while continuing to reduce lease operating and general and administrative costs. Below is a summary of second quarter 2018 results compared to the last three quarters.


                3Q'17       4Q'17       1Q'18       2Q'18          2Q'18

                                                                 vs. 3Q'17
                                                                 ---------

     Oil
     Production
     (MBbls/
     d)                45.1        43.6        45.4         47.2               +5%

     Equivalent
     Production
     (MBoe/
     d)                81.0        80.6        80.1         82.5               +2%

     Percent
     Oil
     (%)              55.7        54.1        56.7         57.2               +3%

     LOE
     per
     Unit
     ($/Boe)           5.66        5.60        5.48         4.95              -13%

     Lease
     Operating
     Expense
     ($MM)             42.2        41.5        39.5         37.6              -11%

     Boe/
     d
     per
     G&A
     Headcount          229         238         253          321              +40%

     Net
     (Loss)
     Income
     ($MM)             (72)       (72)         18         (58)             -19%

     Adjusted
     EBITDAX
     ($MM)(1)           159         181         189          215              +35%


     (1) See Disclosure of Non-GAAP Financial Measures for applicable definitions and reconciliations to GAAP terms.

Eagle Ford: Increase in Oil Production and Improvement in Capital Efficiency

The company produced 39.2 MBoe/d, including 25.8 MBbls/d of oil in the second quarter of 2018, a nine percent and eight percent increase from the first quarter of 2018, respectively. Production in the second quarter benefited from the increase in activities in early 2018, improved production results from new well designs and completion techniques, and acquisition properties. EP Energy averaged three drilling rigs, invested $122 million and completed (frac'd) 17 gross and net wells in the second quarter of 2018 in its Eagle Ford program.

EP Energy continues to make great progress on its EOR pilot project. In the second quarter of 2018, EP Energy initialized its second injection cycle and plans for two more pilot projects to be operational by year end. Due to the promising long-term value creation potential of the project, the company has decided to accelerate the timing, allocate incremental capital, and increase the number of pilot projects above what was originally planned. The expansion of the EOR pilot projects will allow the company to accelerate the delineation of the EOR applicability across the company's Eagle Ford position.

The company continues to optimize completion designs for each pad to maximize returns and minimize finding and development costs. Based on new wells completed during 1Q'18, the company estimates an approximately 20% improvement in recoverable reserves per drilling and completion capital invested versus offset wells completed prior to 2018.

In July, the company drilled two 16,000 foot lateral wells, which are the longest laterals in company history. This is an important step forward in the Eagle Ford asset as the company looks to develop remaining acreage in the most capitally efficient manner going forward. The company believes 15,000 foot laterals will be the future of development for a large portion of the remaining acreage. The step change from 7,500 foot laterals creates a significant savings in total infrastructure costs. The company expects the average lateral length for the second half of 2018 to be 16% greater than the first half of 2018. In the second half of 2018, the company plans to reallocate capital from the Permian to the Eagle Ford to take advantage of the improved returns and capital efficiency driven by the favorable LLS and Brent pricing.

Permian: Reducing Operating Costs

In the second quarter of 2018, the company produced 26.5 MBoe/d, including 9.7 MBbls/d of oil, effectively flat compared to the first quarter of 2018. In the second quarter of 2018, the company averaged approximately one drilling rig, invested $48 million in capital and completed (frac'd) 13 gross and nine net wells.

In the second quarter of 2018, the company constructed and operationalized its first produced water pond for recycle use. The facility became operational in April and is lowering operating costs by approximately $1.54/Bbl of water. In addition, the facility lowers completion costs by providing a low-cost direct source of water for completion operations instead of trucking in fresh water saving approximately $0.45/Bbl of water.

The company maintains ample take-away capacity out of the basin through contractual agreements with third-party processors and marketing companies. In addition, EP Energy has 100% of its Midland to Cushing basis exposure hedged in 2018 at -$1.02 per barrel.

Altamont: Two Horizontal Wells Drilled and First Quarter Recompletion Record Broken

In the second quarter of 2018, the company produced 16.8 MBoe/d, including 11.7 MBbls/d of oil, effectively flat compared to the first quarter of 2018. The gas production was impacted by downtime related to unexpected plant maintenance during May 2018.

EP Energy operated two joint venture drilling rigs and completed (frac'd) seven gross wells and two net wells in the second quarter of 2018. Total capital invested in the Altamont program in the second quarter of 2018 was $33 million. The company also accelerated its high-return recompletion program, successfully recompleting 29 wells during the quarter, which broke the company's all-time record from the first quarter of 2018.

The company spud and rig released its first two horizontal wells during the quarter. The two horizontal wells have an average lateral length of 9,000 feet. The company has commenced completion operations and expects to initialize flowback on both wells over the next 30-60 days. In addition, the company expects to drill two incremental horizontal wells in the third quarter to accelerate the delineation of the horizontal potential of the field.

Multi-year Commodity Hedge Program: Well Positioned in 2018 and ~51 Percent Hedged in 2019(1)

EP Energy maintains a solid hedge program, which provides continued commodity price protection. A summary of the company's current open hedge positions is listed below:


                                2018        2019
                                ----        ----

    Total Fixed Price Hedges

    Oil volumes (MMBbls)(2)      7.6           8.6

    Average ceiling price
     ($/Bbl)                         $63.96        $66.60

    Average floor price ($/Bbl)      $58.45        $57.63


    Natural Gas volumes (TBtu)  12.9           7.3

    Average price ($/MMBtu)           $3.04         $2.97


    Note: Positions are as
     of August 7, 2018
     (Contract months: June
     30, 2018 -Forward)


    1 Percentage based on
     mid-point of 2018
     production guidance

    2 2018 and 2019 positions include WTI three way collars of 4.5 MMBbls and 6.6 MMBbls, respectively, and WTI collars of 0.6 MMBbls in 2018 and 1.3 MMBbls in 2019.

Liquidity - Financial Flexibility Significantly Improved

The company ended the quarter with $708 million of available liquidity and $4.3 billion of net debt (total debt of $4.4 billion less cash of $98 million). In May 2018, the company issued $1 billion of senior secured notes and used the proceeds to fully repay the RBL Facility. In addition, the company amended its RBL Facility agreement by extending the maturity date from May 2019 to November 2021. The maintenance covenant was also amended to a maximum ratio of first-lien debt to EBITDAX of 2.25 to 1.00 through maturity.

2018 Outlook Updated to Reflect Reallocation of Capital For Long-Term Value Creation

The table below summarizes the company's current operational and financial guidance for the second half of 2018. The company has increased the full year 2018 Oil & Gas Expenditures midpoint, excluding acquisitions, to $650 million. The increase is driven by incremental activity during the second half of the year that will result in incremental 2019 EBITDAX growth. The company expects to increase gross completions six percent from the original guidance, add a third EOR pilot, and two incremental Altamont horizontal wells. The company has increased the full year Eagle Ford capital allocation from ~50% to ~65%.

Due to the acceleration of activities in the Eagle Ford, and changing the development approach, the company expects to temporarily shut-in more recently completed offset wells than planned during the second half of 2018. These intentional shut-ins will temporarily lower near-term production, but will reduce the future impact of offset frac interference and provide greater long-term value over the life of the field benefiting 2019 and beyond production and cash flow. In addition, the company's original guidance was based on $55 per barrel for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude. Given the rise in current commodity prices, the company expects higher cash flows. However, the company will experience an increased burden in the Permian sliding scale royalty agreement, resulting in approximately 500 Bbls/d lower volumes during 2Q'18 to 4Q'18.


                          1H'18          2H'18            FY 2018
                         Actuals        Estimate          Estimate
                         -------        --------          --------


    Production Volumes

    Oil production
     (MBbls/d)                     46.3  45 - 47           45 - 47

    Total production
     (MBoe/d)                      81.3  79 - 82           79 - 82


    Oil & Gas
     Expenditures ($
     million)                      $411       $220 - $260    $630 - $670(1)

    Eagle Ford                     $257                                ~65%

    Permian                         $91                                ~15%

    Altamont                        $63                    ~20%(2)


    Average Gross
     Drilling Rigs

    Eagle Ford                        3                                   3

    Permian                         0.6                                   -

    Altamont                          2                                   2


    Operating Costs

    Lease operating
     expense ($/Boe)              $5.21                       $5.00 - $5.70

    Reported G&A expense
     ($/Boe)                      $3.17                       $2.90 - $3.25

    Adjusted G&A expense
     ($/Boe)(3)                   $2.47                       $2.30 - $2.60

    Transportation and
     commodity purchases
     ($/Boe)                      $3.46                       $3.15 - $3.45

    Taxes, other than
     income ($/Boe)4              $2.78                       $2.75 - $2.85


    DD&A ($/Boe)                 $16.95                     $17.00 - $17.50


    1 Full year 2018 includes ~$120
     million non-drill capital
     including: ~$55 million for
     general equipment, ~$20 million
     for capitalized G&A and interest,
     ~$20 million for enhanced facility
     projects, ~$15 million for EOR
     projects, and ~$10 million for
     leasing and seismic, and does not
     include acquisition costs.

    2 Full year 2018 Altamont capital
     includes ~81 recompletions for $47
     million.

    (3) Adjusted G&A represents G&A
     expense less approximately $0.30
     per Boe of non-cash compensation
     expense and $0.40 per Boe in
     transition, restructuring and
     other costs in 1H'18 reported G&A
     and $0.60 - $0.65 per Boe of non-
     cash compensation expense in FY
     2018 Estimate.

    4 Severance taxes estimates are
     based on current WTI prices.

Webcast Information

EP Energy has scheduled a webcast at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, 9:00 a.m. Central Time, on August 10, 2018, to discuss its second quarter financial and operational results. The webcast may be accessed online through the company's website at epenergy.com in the Investor Center. Materials relating to the webcast will be available in the Investor Center. A limited number of telephone lines will be available to participants by dialing 888-317-6003 (conference ID#6173767) 10 minutes prior to the start of the webcast. A replay of the webcast will be available through September 14, 2018 on the company's website in the Investor Center or by dialing 877-344-7529 (conference ID#10122575).

About EP Energy

The EP Energy team is driven to deliver superior returns for our investors by developing the oil and natural gas that feeds America's growing energy needs. The company focuses on enhancing the value of its high quality asset portfolio, increasing capital efficiency, maintaining financial flexibility, and pursuing accretive acquisitions and divestitures. EP Energy is working to set the standard for efficient development of hydrocarbons in the U.S. Learn more at epenergy.com.

The following table provides the company's production results, average realized prices, results of operations and certain non-GAAP financial measures for the periods presented.


                            Quarter ended

                   June 30,      March 31,          September
                                                        30,
                       2018            2018                2017
                       ----            ----                ----

    Oil Sales
     Volumes
     (MBbls/
     d)

    Eagle Ford         25.8                    24.0                 20.0

    Permian             9.7                     9.8                 12.6

    Altamont           11.7                    11.6                 12.5
                       ----                    ----                 ----

    Total Oil
     Sales
     Volumes           47.2                    45.4                 45.1

    Natural
     Gas Sales
     Volumes
     (MMcf/d)

    Eagle Ford           40                      36                   37

    Permian              54                      56                   55

    Altamont             30                      34                   34
                        ---                     ---                  ---

    Total
     Natural
     Gas Sales
     Volumes            124                     126                  126

    NGLs Sales
     Volumes
     (MBbls/
     d)

    Eagle Ford          6.8                     5.9                  6.7

    Permian             7.8                     7.8                  8.2

    Altamont              -                      -                   -
                        ---                    ---                 ---

    Total NGLs
     Sales
     Volumes           14.6   -                           13.7           14.9

    Equivalent
     Sales
     Volumes
     (MBoe/d)

    Eagle Ford         39.2                    35.9                 32.9

    Permian            26.5                    27.0                 29.9

    Altamont           16.8                    17.2                 18.2
                                              ----                 ----

    Total
     Equivalent
     Sales
     Volumes           82.5                    80.1                 81.0
                       ====                    ====                 ====


    Net (loss)
     income ($
     in
     millions)         (58)                     18                 (72)

    Adjusted
     EBITDAX
     ($ in
     millions)          215                     189                  159

    Basic and
     diluted
     net
     (loss)
     income
     per
     common
     share ($)       (0.23)                   0.07               (0.29)

    Adjusted
     EPS ($)         (0.01)                 (0.07)              (0.12)

    Capital
     Expenditures
     ($ in
     millions)(1)       203                     208                  162

    Total
     Operating
     Expenses
     ($/Boe)          32.20                   31.11                31.79

    Adjusted
     Cash
     Operating
     Costs
     ($/Boe)          13.85                   13.97                14.73

     Depreciation,
     depletion
     and
     amortization
     rate
     ($/Boe)          17.20                   16.69                15.92

    Average
     realized
     prices(2)

    Oil price
     on
     physical
     sales
     ($/Bbl)          65.53                   61.56                45.49

    Oil,
     including
     financial
     derivatives
     ($/Bbl)(3)       62.30                   58.86                51.75

    Natural
     gas price
     on
     physical
     sales
     ($/Mcf)           1.58                    1.94                 2.26

    Natural
     gas,
     including
     financial
     derivatives
     ($/Mcf)(3)        1.96                    2.03                 2.49

    NGLs price
     on
     physical
     sales
     ($/Bbl)          22.65                   20.93                18.98

    NGLs,
     including
     financial
     derivatives
     ($Bbl)(3)        22.07                   20.91                18.45


    (1)              The quarters ended
                     June 30, 2018 and
                     March 31, 2018 do
                     not include $16
                     million and $248
                     million,
                     respectively, of
                     acquisition
                     capital.

    (2)              Oil and natural
                     gas prices on
                     physical sales
                     reflect operating
                     revenues for oil
                     and natural gas
                     reduced by oil
                     and natural gas
                     purchases
                     associated with
                     managing our
                     physical sales.

    (3)              Prices per unit
                     are calculated
                     using total
                     financial
                     derivative cash
                     settlements.


                                                           EP ENERGY CORPORATION

                                                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                                                               (In millions)

                                                                (Unaudited)


                                                                          Quarter ended

                                                       June 30,             March 31,            September 30,
                                                            2018                  2018                      2017
                                                            ----                  ----                      ----

    Operating revenues

    Oil                                                              $281                                        $252        189

    Natural gas                                               18                              22                          27

    NGLs                                                      30                              26                          26

    Financial derivatives                                   (64)                           (14)                       (23)
                                                             ---                             ---                         ---

    Total operating revenues                                 265                             286                         219
                                                             ---                             ---                         ---


    Operating expenses

    Oil and natural gas purchases                              -                              -                          -

    Transportation costs                                      26                              25                          29

    Lease operating expense                                   38                              39                          42

    General and administrative                                28                              19                          25

    Depreciation, depletion and amortization                 129                             120                         118

    Impairment charges                                         -                              -                          1

    Exploration and other expense                              -                              1                           6

    Taxes, other than income taxes                            21                              20                          16
                                                             ---                             ---                         ---

    Total operating expenses                                 242                             224                         237
                                                             ---                             ---                         ---


    Operating income (loss)                                   23                              62                        (18)

    Gain on extinguishment/modification of debt                7                              41                          24

    Interest expense                                        (88)                           (85)                       (80)
                                                             ---                             ---                         ---

    (Loss) income before income taxes                       (58)                             18                        (74)

    Income tax benefit                                         -                              -                          2
                                                             ---                            ---                        ---

    Net (loss) income                                               $(58)                                        $18             $(72)
                                                                     ====                                         ===              ====


                                                    EP ENERGY CORPORATION

                                            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                                        (In millions)

                                                         (Unaudited)


                                              June 30, 2018             March 31, 2018        December 31,
                                                                                              2017
                                              -------------             --------------       -------------

    ASSETS

    Current assets(1)                                            $329                                        $237         $466

    Property, plant and equipment, net(2)             4,832                            4,741                      4,422

    Other non-current assets                                     13                                          11           12
                                                                ---                                         ---          ---

       Total assets                                            $5,174                                      $4,989       $4,900
                                                               ======                                      ======       ======


    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

    Current liabilities                                          $479                                        $436         $448

    Long-term debt, net of debt issue costs           4,291                            4,104                      4,022

    Other non-current liabilities                        49                               39                         38

    Total stockholders' equity                          355                              410                        392
                                                        ---                              ---                        ---

    Total liabilities and equity                               $5,174                                      $4,989       $4,900
                                                               ======                                      ======       ======


    (1)              Balance as of December 31,
                     2017 includes $172 million
                     of assets held for sale.

    (2)              Balance is net of accumulated
                     depreciation, depletion and
                     amortization of $3,424
                     million, $3,307 million and
                     $3,179 million as of June
                     30, 2018, March 31, 2018 and
                     December 31, 2017,
                     respectively.


                                         EP ENERGY CORPORATION

                            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                             (In millions)

                                              (Unaudited)


                                           Six months ended June 30,

                                              2018                 2017
                                              ----                 ----

    Net loss                                         $(40)                         $(50)

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

    Non-cash
     expenses                                  214                             305

    Asset and
     liability
     changes                                    43                            (74)
                                               ---                             ---

    Net cash
     provided by
     operating
     activities                                217                             181

    Net cash used in
     investing
     activities                              (454)                          (266)

    Net cash
     provided by
     financing
     activities                                291                             109


    Change in cash,
     cash
     equivalents and
     restricted cash                            54                              24


    Cash, cash
     equivalents and
     restricted cash
     -beginning of
     period                                     45                              20
                                               ---                             ---

    Cash, cash
     equivalents and
     restricted cash
     -end of period                                    $99                            $44
                                                       ===                            ===

Disclosure of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Securities and Exchange Commission's Regulation G applies to any public disclosure or release of material information that includes a non-GAAP financial measure. In the event of such a disclosure or release, Regulation G requires (i) the presentation of the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP and (ii) a reconciliation of the differences between the non-GAAP financial measure presented and the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.

Non-GAAP Terms

Adjusted EPS is defined as diluted earnings per share adjusted for certain items that EP Energy considers to be significant to understanding our underlying performance for a given period. Adjusted EPS is useful in analyzing the company's ongoing earnings potential and understanding certain significant items impacting the comparability of EP Energy's results. Adjusted EPS is calculated as net income (loss) per common share adjusted for the impact of financial derivatives (mark-to-market effects of financial derivatives, net of cash settlements and cash premiums related to these derivatives), gains and losses on extinguishment/modification of debt, impairment charges, other costs that affect comparability, including transition, severance and other costs and changes in the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.

Below is a reconciliation of consolidated diluted net income (loss) per share to Adjusted EPS:


                                                           Quarter ended June 30, 2018

                                                Pre Tax            After Tax                 Diluted

                                                                                             EPS(1)
                                                                                              -----

                                                     ($ in millions, except earnings per share
                                                                     amounts)

    Net loss                                                                       $(58)                                $(0.23)


    Adjustments(2)

    Impact of financial derivatives(3)                       $54                                           $42                       $0.17

    Transition, severance and other costs              6                                5                          0.02

    Gain on extinguishment/modification of debt      (7)                             (5)                       (0.02)

    Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets                            13                              0.05
                                                                         ---                              ----

    Total adjustments                                        $53                                           $55                       $0.22


    Adjusted EPS                                                                                      $(0.01)
                                                                                                       ======


    Diluted weighted average shares                                                               248
                                                                                                  ===


                                                        Quarter ended March 31, 2018

                                                Pre Tax            After Tax                 Diluted

                                                                                             EPS(1)
                                                                                              -----

                                                 ($ in millions, except earnings per share
                                                                  amounts)

    Net income                                                                       $18                                   $0.07


    Adjustments(2)

    Impact of financial derivatives(3)                        $4                                            $3                       $0.01

    Gain on extinguishment/modification of debt     (41)                            (32)                       (0.13)

    Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets                           (5)                           (0.02)
                                                                         ---                             -----

    Total adjustments                                      $(37)                                        $(34)                    $(0.14)


    Adjusted EPS                                                                                      $(0.07)
                                                                                                       ======


    Diluted weighted average shares                                                               247
                                                                                                  ===


                                                      Quarter ended September 30, 2017

                                                Pre Tax            After Tax                 Diluted

                                                                                             EPS(1)
                                                                                              -----

                                                 ($ in millions, except earnings per share
                                                                  amounts)

    Net loss                                                                       $(72)                                $(0.29)


    Adjustments(2)

    Impact of financial derivatives(3)                       $50                                           $32                       $0.13

    Gain on extinguishment of debt                  (24)                            (15)                       (0.06)

    Impairment charges                                 1                                -                            -

    Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets                            24                              0.10
                                                                         ---                              ----

    Total adjustments                                        $27                                           $41                       $0.17


    Adjusted EPS                                                                                      $(0.12)
                                                                                                       ======


    Diluted weighted average shares                                                               246
                                                                                                  ===


    (1)              Diluted per share
                     amounts are based
                     on actual amounts
                     rather than the
                     rounded totals
                     presented.

    (2)              All individual
                     adjustments for
                     all periods
                     presented assume
                     a statutory
                     federal and
                     blended state tax
                     rate, as well as
                     any other income
                     tax effects
                     specifically
                     attributable to
                     that item.

    (3)              Represents mark-
                     to-market impact
                     net of cash
                     settlements and
                     cash premiums
                     related to
                     financial
                     derivatives.
                     There were no
                     cash premiums
                     received or paid
                     for the periods
                     presented.

EBITDAX is defined as net income (loss) plus interest and debt expense, income taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization and exploration expense. Adjusted EBITDAX is defined as EBITDAX, adjusted as applicable in the relevant period for the net change in the fair value of derivatives (mark-to-market effects of financial derivatives, net of cash settlements and cash premiums related to these derivatives), the non-cash portion of compensation expense (which represents non-cash compensation expense under our long-term incentive programs adjusted for cash payments made under these plans), transition, severance and other costs that affect comparability, fees paid to the Sponsors, gains and losses on extinguishment/modification of debt and impairment charges.

Below is a reconciliation of our consolidated net income (loss) to EBITDAX and Adjusted EBITDAX:


                                                                               Quarter ended

                                                    September 30, December 31,                March 31,  June 30,
                                                    ------------- ------------                ---------  --------

                                                                                    2017

                                                                                                                  2018
                                                                                                                  ----

                                                                               ($ in millions)

    Net (loss) income                                                    $(72)                     (72)                           $18         $(58)

    Income tax benefit                                        (2)                       (2)                             -           -

    Interest expense, net of capitalized interest              80                         81                             85           88

    Depreciation, depletion and amortization                  118                        119                            120          129

    Exploration expense                                         3                          2                              1            1
                                                              ---                        ---                            ---          ---

    EBITDAX                                                   127                        128                            224          160

    Mark-to-market on financial derivatives(1)                 23                         51                             14           64

    Cash settlements and cash premiums on financial
     derivatives(2)                                            27                          7                           (10)        (10)

    Non-cash portion of compensation expense(3)                 5                       (29)                             2            2

    Transition, severance and other costs(4)                    -                        19                              -           6

    Fees paid to Sponsors(5)                                    -                         5                              -           -

    Gain on extinguishment/modification of debt              (24)                                   -                       (41)         (7)

    Impairment charges                                          1                                    -                          -           -
                                                                                                                                         ---

    Adjusted EBITDAX                                                      $159                       181                           $189          $215
                                                                          ====                       ===                           ====          ====


    (1)              Represents the
                     income statement
                     impact of
                     financial
                     derivatives.

    (2)              Represents actual
                     cash settlements
                     related to
                     financial
                     derivatives.
                     There were no
                     cash premiums
                     received or paid
                     for the periods
                     presented.

    (3)              Non-cash portion
                     of compensation
                     expense
                     represents
                     compensation
                     expense (net of
                     forfeitures)
                     under long-term
                     incentive
                     programs adjusted
                     for cash payments
                     made under these
                     plans.

    (4)              Reflects
                     transition and
                     severance costs
                     related to
                     workforce
                     reductions.

    (5)              Represents fees
                     paid in
                     connection with
                     the release of
                     members of the
                     new leadership
                     team from a
                     portfolio company
                     of funds managed
                     by Apollo Global
                     Management LLC
                     and payment of
                     certain legal
                     expenses.

Adjusted cash operating costs is a non-GAAP measure that is defined as total operating expenses, excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, exploration expense, impairment charges, the non-cash portion of compensation expense (which represents compensation expense under our long-term incentive programs adjusted for cash payments made under these plans) and transition, severance and other costs that affect comparability. We use this measure to describe the costs required to directly or indirectly operate our existing assets and produce and sell our oil and natural gas, including the costs associated with the delivery and purchases and sales of produced commodities. Accordingly, we exclude depreciation, depletion, and amortization and impairment charges as such costs are non-cash in nature. We exclude exploration expense from our measure as it is substantially non-cash in nature and is not related to the costs to operate our existing assets. We exclude the non-cash portion of compensation expense as well as transition, severance and other costs that affect comparability, as we believe such adjustments allow investors to evaluate our costs against others in our industry and this item can vary across companies due to different ownership structures, compensation objectives or the occurrence of transactions.

Below is a reconciliation of our GAAP operating expenses to non-GAAP adjusted cash operating costs:


                                                                                Quarter ended

                                     June 30, 2018                            March 31, 2018                                  September 30, 2017

                               Total                      Per-Unit(1)                  Total                        Per-Unit(1)                  Total            Per-Unit(1)
                               -----                      ----------                   -----                        ----------                   -----            ----------

                                                                   ($ in millions, except per unit costs)

    Oil and natural gas
     purchases                       $                  -                                    $                   -                                     $      -                 $            -                $      -     $        -

    Transportation costs            26                                        3.49                                             25                             3.43                 29                    3.91

    Lease operating expense         38                                        4.95                                             39                             5.48                 42                    5.66

    General and administrative      28                                        3.74                                             19                             2.58                 25                    3.28

    Depreciation, depletion
     and amortization              129                                       17.20                                            120                            16.69                118                   15.92

    Impairment charges               -                                          -                                             -                               -                 1                    0.09

      Exploration and other
       expense                       -                                          -                                             1                             0.18                  6                    0.83

     Taxes, other than income
      taxes                         21                                        2.82                                             20                             2.75                 16                    2.10
                                   ---                                        ----                                            ---                             ----                ---                    ----

    Total operating expenses                         $242                                                    $32.20                                          $224                          $31.11                     $237          $31.79
                                                     ====                                                    ======                                          ====                          ======                     ====          ======

    Adjustments:

    Depreciation, depletion
     and amortization                              $(129)                                                 $(17.20)                                       $(120)                       $(16.69)                  $(118)       $(15.92)

    Impairment charges               -                                          -                                             -                               -               (1)                 (0.09)

    Exploration expense              -                                          -                                           (1)                          (0.18)               (3)                 (0.40)

    Non-cash portion of
     compensation expense(2)       (2)                                     (0.38)                                           (2)                          (0.27)               (5)                 (0.65)

    Transition, severance and
     other costs(2)                (6)                                     (0.77)                                             -                               -                 -                      -
                                   ---                                       -----                                            ---                             ---               ---                    ---

    Adjusted cash operating
     costs and per-unit
     adjusted cash costs                             $105                                                    $13.85                                          $101                          $13.97                     $110          $14.73
                                                     ====                                                    ======                                          ====                          ======                     ====          ======


    Total consolidated
     equivalent volumes (MBoe)                                  7,512                                                                  7,208                                  7,456
                                                                =====                                                                  =====                                  =====


    (1)              Per unit costs
                     are based on
                     actual total
                     amounts
                     rather than
                     the rounded
                     totals
                     presented.

    (2)              Amounts are
                     excluded in
                     the
                     calculation
                     of adjusted
                     general and
                     administrative
                     expense.

Adjusted general and administrative expenses are defined as general and administrative expenses excluding the non-cash portion of compensation expense which represents compensation expense (net of forfeitures) under our long-term incentive programs adjusted for cash payments under these plans and transition, severance and other costs.

Below is a reconciliation of our GAAP general and administrative expense to non-GAAP adjusted general and administrative expense:


                                                              Actuals                                                       FY 2018 Estimate
                                                              -------                                                       ----------------


                                                           Quarter ended

                                 June 30,                    March 31,                           September 30,          Low                High
                                          2018                          2018                                2017


                          Total           ($/Boe)      Total              ($/Boe)              Total            ($/Boe)  ($/Boe)             ($/Boe)
                          -----           -------      -----              -------              -----            -------  -------             -------

                                                           ($ in millions, except per Boe costs)

    GAAP general and
     administrative
     expense                         $28                           $3.74                                    $19                         $2.58               $25          $3.28   $2.90 $3.25

    Less non-cash
     compensation expense       2                 0.38                            2                         0.27                    5                  0.65        0.60     0.65

    Less transition,
     severance and other
     costs                      6                 0.77                            -                           -                   -                    -          -       -
                              ---                 ----                          ---                         ---                 ---                  ---        ---     ---

    Adjusted general and
     administrative
     expense                         $20                           $2.59                                    $17                         $2.31               $20          $2.63   $2.30 $2.60
                                     ===                           =====                                    ===                         =====               ===          =====   ===== =====


    (1)              Per unit
                     costs are
                     based on
                     actual
                     total
                     amounts
                     rather
                     than the
                     rounded
                     totals
                     presented.

Net Debt is a non-GAAP measure defined as long-term debt less cash and cash equivalents.

EBITDAX and Adjusted EBITDAX are used by management and we believe provide investors with additional information (i) to evaluate our ability to service debt adjusting for items required or permitted in calculating covenant compliance under our debt agreements, (ii) to provide an important supplemental indicator of the operational performance of our business without regard to financing methods and capital structure, (iii) for evaluating our performance relative to our peers, (iv) to measure our liquidity (before cash capital requirements and working capital needs) and (v) to provide supplemental information about certain material non-cash and/or other items that may not continue at the same level in the future. Adjusted EPS is used by management and we believe is a valuable measure of operating performance. Adjusted Cash Operating Costs per unit is used by management as a performance measure, and we believe provides investors valuable information related to our operating performance and our operating efficiency relative to other industry participants and comparatively over time across our historical results. Adjusted General and Administrative expense is used by management and investors as additional information. Net Debt is used by management for analysis of the company's financial position and/or liquidity. In addition, the company believes that these measures are widely used by professional research analysts and others in the valuation, comparison and investment recommendations of companies in the oil and gas exploration and production industry.

Adjusted EPS, EBITDAX, Adjusted EBITDAX, Adjusted Cash Operating Costs, Adjusted General and Administrative expense and Net Debt have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Adjusted EPS should not be used as an alternative to earnings (loss) per share or other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP. EBITDAX and Adjusted EBITDAX should not be used as an alternative to net income (loss), operating income (loss), operating cash flows or other measures of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted Cash Operating Costs should not be used as an alternative to operating expenses, operating cash flows or other measures of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted General and Administrative expense should not be used as an alternative to GAAP general and administrative expense. Our presentation of Adjusted EPS, EBITDAX, Adjusted EBITDAX, Adjusted Cash Operating Costs, Adjusted General and Administrative expense and Net Debt may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies in our industry. Furthermore, our presentation of Adjusted EPS, EBITDAX, Adjusted EBITDAX, Adjusted Cash Operating Costs, Adjusted General and Administrative expense and Net Debt should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by the items noted above or what we believe to be other unusual items, or that in the future we may not incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in this presentation.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes certain forward-looking statements and projections of EP Energy. We have made every reasonable effort to ensure that the information and assumptions on which these statements and projections are based are current, reasonable, and complete. However, a variety of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, anticipated results or other expectations expressed, including, without limitation, the volatility of and potential for sustained low oil, natural gas and NGL prices; the supply and demand for oil, natural gas and NGLs; the company's ability to meet production volume targets; changes in commodity prices and basis differentials for oil and natural gas; the uncertainty of estimating proved reserves and unproved resources; the future level of operating and capital costs; the availability and cost of financing to fund future exploration and production operations; the success of drilling programs with regard to proved undeveloped reserves and unproved resources; the company's ability to comply with the covenants in various financing documents; the company's ability to obtain necessary governmental approvals for proposed E&P projects and to successfully construct and operate such projects; actions by the credit rating agencies; credit and performance risk of our lenders, trading counterparties, customers, vendors, suppliers and third party operators; general economic and weather conditions in geographic regions or markets served by the company, or where operations of the company are located, including the risk of a global recession and negative impact on oil and natural gas demand; the uncertainties associated with governmental regulation, including any potential changes in federal and state tax laws and regulations; competition; and other factors described in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. While the company makes these statements and projections in good faith, neither the company nor its management can guarantee that anticipated future results will be achieved. Reference must be made to those filings for additional important factors that may affect actual results. EP Energy assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by EP Energy, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Contact
Investor and Media Relations
Jordan Strauss
713-997-6791
jordan.strauss@epenergy.com

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