Ascent Resources Utica Holdings Reports Third Quarter 2020 Operating And Financial Results

OKLAHOMA CITY, Nov. 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --

Third Quarter 2020 Highlights:

    --  Averaged net production of 2.0 bcfe per day, despite nearly 210 mmcfe
        per day of elective curtailments
    --  Decreased average well cost to approximately $569 per lateral foot
        during the quarter, resulting in capital expenditures incurred of $122
        million
    --  Adjusted EBITDAX((1)) of $210 million and net cash provided by operating
        activities of $183 million
    --  Generated $59 million of free cash flow((1) )during the quarter
    --  Deliberate, multi-year hedge program delivered realizations totaling
        $114 million, or $0.63 per mcfe
    --  Successfully exchanged 92.7% of our 10% Senior Notes due 2022 while
        extending our weighted average maturity profile to approximately five
        years
    --  Borrowing base reaffirmed at $1.85 billion in November 2020
    --  Reiterating production, free cash flow and capital guidance for the year


                        (1) A non-GAAP financial measure.
                         See the Non-GAAP reconciliations
                         included in this press release for
                         the definition of, and other
                         important information regarding,
                         this non-GAAP financial measure.

Ascent Resources Utica Holdings, LLC ("Ascent", "we" or "our") today reported its third quarter 2020 operating and financial results and reiterated full year 2020 guidance. In addition, Ascent announced a conference call with analysts and investors at 9 AM CST / 10 AM EST, Thursday, November 12, 2020. For more detailed information on Ascent, please refer to the latest investor presentation and additional information located on our website at https://www.ascentresources.com/investors.

"The third quarter of 2020 was yet another example of Ascent demonstrating our ability to deliver best-in-class operational results and basin-leading capital efficiencies while reaffirming our ability to generate sustainable positive free cash flow," said Jeff Fisher, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ascent. "During the quarter, we saw our overall capital efficiency continue to improve as we produced 2.0 bcfe net per day while only incurring $122 million of capital expenditures. We also made the strategic decision to curtail approximately 210 mmcfe per day of net production during the quarter due to low commodity prices and increased volatility. Our outstanding results this quarter were accomplished while continuing to prioritize the health and safety of our employees, contractors and the communities in which we operate. We are excited to reiterate our production and free cash flow guidance while projecting total capital to come in at the low end of our guidance range."

Third Quarter 2020 Results

For the third quarter of 2020, Ascent reported a net loss of $552 million and adjusted net loss of $22 million, compared to net income of $130 million and adjusted net income of $86 million in the third quarter of 2019. Ascent's adjusted EBITDAX and capital expenditures incurred for the third quarter of 2020 were $210 million and $122 million, respectively. Free cash flow increased by $130 million, to $59 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the same quarter last year.

Average net daily production for the third quarter of 2020 was 1,982 mmcfe per day, and if you include the 19 bcfe of net curtailments, this represents a 5% increase relative to the third quarter of 2019. Net production during the quarter consisted of 1,785 mmcf per day of natural gas, 12,185 bbls per day of oil and 20,652 bbls per day of natural gas liquids ("NGL").

Financial Position

As of September 30, 2020, Ascent's principal amount of debt outstanding was approximately $2.8 billion, including $1.2 billion drawn under its revolving credit facility. As of September 30, 2020, Ascent had $155 million of letters of credit issued and $527 million of available capacity under its fully committed $1.85 billion borrowing base. Combined with $5 million of cash on hand, Ascent had total liquidity of $532 million exiting the third quarter. As of September 30, 2020, Ascent's leverage ratio was 2.7x.

In November 2020, Ascent's borrowing base was reaffirmed at $1.85 billion pursuant to the scheduled semi-annual borrowing base redetermination under our credit agreement.

Successful Exchange of 2022 Senior Notes Completed

Subsequent to quarter end, Ascent successfully completed the exchange of $857 million, or 92.7%, of the outstanding principal value of its Senior Notes due 2022. The 2022 Notes were exchanged for $538 million of New Term Loans due 2025 and $340 million of New Senior Notes due 2027. Additionally, as part of the exchange, our sponsors contributed $20 million of new capital in a clean-up facility in order to provide incremental liquidity to the business and underscore their continued support of Ascent. "We are extremely pleased with the positive results and participation in the exchange as we believe it validates our high-quality assets, management team and operational capabilities that we have worked hard to establish. The transaction extends our weighted average maturity profile to approximately five years and provides us with the ability to use free cash flow to deleverage the balance sheet going forward," said Brooks Shughart, Chief Financial Officer of Ascent.

Hedging Update

Ascent has significant hedges in place for the balance of 2020 and beyond to prudently reduce exposure to volatility in commodity prices as well as to protect our expected operating cash flow. As of September 30, 2020, Ascent had hedged over 1.5 bcf per day of natural gas production for the remainder of the calendar year 2020 at approximately $2.68 per mmbtu ($2.87 per mcf). In addition, Ascent has hedged 2,500 bbls per day of crude oil production at an average price above $48.00 per bbl for the remainder of calendar year 2020.

About Ascent Resources

Ascent is the eighth largest producer of natural gas in the United States in terms of daily production and is focused on acquiring, developing, producing, and operating natural gas and oil properties located in the Utica Shale in Southeast Ohio. With a continued focus on good corporate citizenship, Ascent is committed to delivering low-cost clean-burning energy to our country and the world, while reducing environmental impacts. For more information, visit www.ascentresources.com.

Contact:
Chris Benton - Director of Finance & Investor Relations
investor.relations@ascentresources.com

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of US federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements express views of Ascent regarding future plans and expectations. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future operations, business strategy, liquidity and cash flows of Ascent. These statements are based on numerous assumptions and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, commodity price volatility, inherent uncertainty in estimating natural gas, oil and NGL reserves, environmental and regulatory risks, availability of capital, and the other risks described in Ascent's most recent investor presentation provided at www.ascentresources.com/investors. Actual future results may vary materially from those expressed or implied in this news release and Ascent's business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow could be materially and adversely affected by such risks and uncertainties. As a result, forward-looking statements should be understood to be only predictions and statements of Ascent's current beliefs; they are not guarantees of performance.


                                                                       
        
                ASCENT RESOURCES UTICA HOLDINGS, LLC


                                                                     
       
             CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS


                                                                             
              
                (Unaudited)




                                                                                                      Three Months Ended                         Nine Months Ended


                                                                                
              
                September 30,              
       
               September 30,




       
                
                  ($ in thousands)                            2020                                        2019                    2020               2019

    ---                                                                                                                                                            ---




       
                Revenues:



       Natural gas                                                                      $
              300,643                        $
       352,867                               $
        868,249  $
     1,173,381



       Oil                                                                   37,177                                        72,173                   107,736                          174,928



       NGL                                                                   27,243                                        29,379                    80,590                           90,971



       Commodity derivative (loss) gain                                   (386,020)                                      175,031                 (248,066)                          357,523




       Total Revenues                                                      (20,957)                                      629,450                   808,509                        1,796,803




       
                Operating Expenses:



       Lease operating expenses                                              19,203                                        18,128                    57,839                           52,279



       Gathering, processing and transportation expenses                    227,247                                       219,697                   689,896                          619,968



       Production and ad valorem taxes                                        9,344                                         9,522                    28,343                           25,969



       Exploration expenses                                                  28,096                                        25,178                    77,907                           82,916



       General and administrative expenses                                   15,063                                        14,864                    50,112                           45,705



       Natural gas and oil depreciation, depletion and amortization         195,120                                       183,815                   572,001                          499,323



       Depreciation and amortization of other assets                            928                                           817                     2,794                            2,364



       Total Operating Expenses                                             495,001                                       472,021                 1,478,892                        1,328,524




       
                (Loss) Income from Operations                         (515,958)                                      157,429                 (670,383)                          468,279



       
                Other (Expense) Income:



       Interest expense, net                                               (33,279)                                     (28,854)                  (98,432)                        (74,865)



       Change in fair value of embedded derivative                                -                                        1,259                                                     4,404



       (Losses) gains on purchases or exchanges of debt                     (3,632)                                                                 9,671



       Other income                                                             437                                           315                     1,024                            2,892




       Total Other Expense                                                 (36,474)                                     (27,280)                  (87,737)                        (67,569)




       
                Net (Loss) Income                                                 $
              (552,432)                       $
       130,149                             $
        (758,120)   $
     400,710


                                                                                
      
       ASCENT RESOURCES UTICA HOLDINGS, LLC


                                                                               
      
       CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


                                                                                    
     
                (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                            September 30,                               December 31,



       
                
                  ($ in thousands)                                                                                 2020                        2019

    ---                                                                                                                                                          ---




       
                Current Assets:



       Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                             $
         4,968                               $
         7,346



       Accounts receivable - natural gas, oil and NGL sales                                                                      177,183                       260,759



       Accounts receivable - joint interest and other                                                                             13,096                        20,425



       Short-term derivative assets                                                                                                2,482                       248,118



       Other current assets                                                                                                        6,508                         8,468




       Total Current Assets                                                                                                      204,237                       545,116




       
                Property and Equipment:



       Natural gas and oil properties, based on successful efforts accounting                                                  8,682,979                     8,233,964



       Other property and equipment                                                                                               31,517                        30,818



       Less: accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization                                                            (2,465,098)                  (1,890,506)




       Property and Equipment, net                                                                                             6,249,398                     6,374,276




       
                Other Assets:



       Long-term derivative assets                                                                                                   258                        70,778



       Other long-term assets                                                                                                     17,482                        20,248




       
                Total Assets                                                                                                         $
         6,471,375                           $
         7,010,418






       
                Current Liabilities:



       Accounts payable                                                                                                                     $
         54,524                              $
         68,364



       Revenue payable                                                                                                            69,905                        99,300



       Accrued interest                                                                                                           66,548                        36,787



       Current portion of long-term debt, net                                                                                     96,536



       Short-term derivative liabilities                                                                                         150,945



       Other current liabilities                                                                                                 220,512                       280,841




       Total Current Liabilities                                                                                                 658,970                       485,292




       
                Long-Term Liabilities:



       Long-term debt, net of current portion                                                                                  2,672,065                     2,838,676



       Long-term derivative liabilities                                                                                          211,073



       Other long-term liabilities                                                                                                 5,203                         5,067




       Total Long-Term Liabilities                                                                                             2,888,341                     2,843,743




       
                Member's Equity                                                                                            2,924,064                     3,681,383




       
                Total Liabilities and Member's Equity                                                                                $
         6,471,375                           $
         7,010,418


                                                                                                   
       
            ASCENT RESOURCES UTICA HOLDINGS, LLC


                                                                                                 
       
        CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


                                                                                                        
          
                (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                                                      Three Months Ended                            Nine Months Ended


                                                                                                                                 
              
                September 30,              
         
               September 30,

                                                                                                                                                                                                ---


       
                
                  ($ in thousands)                                                                            2020                                         2019                      2020               2019

    ---                                                                                                                                                                                                               ---




       
                Cash Flows from Operating Activities:



       Net (loss) income                                                                                                              $
              (552,432)                        $
         130,149                             $
         (758,120)   $
        400,710



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



       Depreciation, depletion and amortization                                                                             196,048                                        184,632                     574,795                           501,687



       Change in fair value of commodity derivatives                                                                        500,175                                       (67,418)                    677,647                         (246,380)



       Change in fair value of interest rate derivatives                                                                         26                                                                       528



       Impairment of unproved natural gas and oil properties                                                                 26,327                                         24,213                      75,006                            79,352



       Non-cash interest expense                                                                                              6,088                                          6,983                      19,394                            20,770



       Change in fair value of embedded derivative                                                                                -                                       (1,259)                                                     (4,404)



       Gains on purchases or exchanges of debt                                                                                    -                                                                 (13,303)



       Stock-based compensation                                                                                                 710                                                                       710



       Other                                                                                                                     37                                          (539)                    (1,564)                              508



       Changes in operating assets and liabilities                                                                            6,004                                         52,354                      79,454                           166,967




       
                Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities                                                               182,983                                        329,115                     654,547                           919,210




       
                Cash Flows from Investing Activities:



       Drilling and completion costs                                                                                      (126,353)                                     (292,166)                   (472,233)                         (889,878)



       Acquisitions of natural gas and oil properties                                                                      (30,512)                                      (56,849)                  (111,499)                         (202,141)



       Proceeds from divestitures of natural gas and oil properties                                                               -                                        11,218                                                       14,541



       Additions to other property and equipment                                                                               (84)                                         (970)                    (1,461)                          (2,964)




       
                Net Cash Used in Investing Activities                                                                 (156,949)                                     (338,767)                   (585,193)                       (1,080,442)




       
                Cash Flows from Financing Activities:



       Proceeds from credit facility borrowings                                                                             230,000                                        180,000                     695,000                           915,000



       Repayment of credit facility borrowings                                                                            (260,000)                                     (170,000)                   (715,000)                         (758,000)



       Repayment of long-term debt                                                                                             (23)                                                                 (50,995)



       Cash paid for debt issuance costs                                                                                        (4)                                                                  (2,294)



       Other                                                                                                                      -                                                                    1,557




       
                Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities                                                    (30,027)                                        10,000                    (71,732)                          157,000




       
                Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents                                                    (3,993)                                           348                     (2,378)                          (4,232)



       
                Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period                                                            8,961                                          6,450                       7,346                            11,030




       
                Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period                                                                              $
              4,968                           $
         6,798                               $
           4,968     $
         6,798


                                                                           
       
            ASCENT RESOURCES UTICA HOLDINGS, LLC


                                                                         
       
         NATURAL GAS, OIL AND NGL PRODUCTION AND PRICES


                                                                                 
          
                (Unaudited)




                                                                                                            Three Months Ended                          Nine Months Ended


                                                                                                            September 30,                           September 30,

                                                                                                                                                ---

                                                                                         2020                              2019           2020                           2019

                                                                                                                                                                       ---




     
                Net Production Volumes:



     Natural gas (mmcf)                                                              164,208                                     168,570                            490,108      455,330



     Oil (mbbls)                                                                       1,121                                       1,447                              3,404        3,446



     NGL (mbbls)                                                                       1,900                                       2,365                              7,423        5,682




     Natural Gas Equivalents (mmcfe)                                                 182,333                                     191,443                            555,068      510,097






     
                Average Daily Net Production Volumes:



     Natural gas (mmcf/d)                                                              1,785                                       1,832                              1,789        1,668



     Oil (mbbls/d)                                                                        12                                          16                                 12           13



     NGL (mbbls/d)                                                                        21                                          26                                 27           21




     Natural Gas Equivalents (mmcfe/d)                                                 1,982                                       2,081                              2,026        1,869




     % Natural Gas                                                                        90                                          88                                 88           89
                                                                                            %                                          %                                 %           %



     % Liquids                                                                            10                                          12                                 12           11
                                                                                            %                                          %                                 %           %





     
                Average Sales Prices:



     Natural gas ($/mcf)                                                                        $
              1.83                               $
            2.09                 $
       1.77   $
      2.58



     Oil ($/bbl)                                                                               $
              33.16                              $
            49.87                $
       31.65  $
      50.76



     NGL ($/bbl)                                                                               $
              14.34                              $
            12.42                $
       10.86  $
      16.01





     Natural Gas Equivalents ($/mcfe)                                                           $
              2.00                               $
            2.37                 $
       1.90   $
      2.82



     Settlements of commodity derivatives ($/mcfe)                                      0.63                                        0.56                               0.77         0.22




     Average sales price, after effects of settled derivatives ($/mcfe)                         $
              2.63                               $
            2.93                 $
       2.67   $
      3.04


                                                     
            
          ASCENT RESOURCES UTICA HOLDINGS, LLC


                                                        
            
          CAPITAL EXPENDITURES INCURRED


                                                               
        
                (Unaudited)




                                                                   Three Months Ended                              Nine Months Ended


                                                                      September 30,                                  September 30,

                                                                                                               ---


       
                
                  ($ in thousands)    2020                           2019                    2020                    2019

    ---                                                                                                                              ---




       Capital Expenditures Incurred:



       Drilling and completion costs incurred                $
        91,622                                $
     287,777                        $
     412,737    $
       880,473



       Acquisition and leasehold costs incurred      10,559                           31,664                           47,166                  111,148



       Capitalized interest incurred                 19,483                           28,736                           64,119                   98,896




       Total Capital Expenditures Incurred                  $
        121,664                                $
     348,177                        $
     524,022  $
       1,090,517


                                                                            
         
              ASCENT RESOURCES UTICA HOLDINGS, LLC


                                                                          
       
             RECONCILIATIONS OF ADJUSTED NET INCOME (LOSS)


                                                                                   
            
                (Unaudited)




                                                                                                       Three Months Ended                            Nine Months Ended


                                                                                   
            
                September 30,                
        
               September 30,

                                                                                                                                                 ---


              
                
                  ($ in thousands)                        2020                                      2019                      2020                2019

    ---                                                                                                                                                                ---




              Net (Loss) Income                                                        $
              (552,432)                          $
        130,149                            $
       (758,120)   $
     400,710



              Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to adjusted net
    (loss) income:



              Impairment of unproved natural gas and oil properties             26,327                                      24,213                      75,006                           79,352



              Change in fair value of commodity derivatives                    500,175                                    (67,418)                     677,647                        (246,380)



              Change in fair value of interest rate derivatives                     26                                                                    528



              Losses (gains) on purchases or exchanges of debt                   3,632                                                                (9,671)



              Stock-based compensation                                             710                                                                    710



              Non-recurring legal expense                                            -                                                                 5,572



              Change in fair value of embedded derivative                            -                                    (1,259)                                                    (4,404)



              Other                                                                  -                                         62                                                         314




              Adjusted Net (Loss) Income (Non-GAAP)(a)(b)                               $
              (21,562)                           $
        85,747                              $
       (8,328)   $
     229,592



     (a) As shown above,
          and on pages
          10, 11 and 12,
          Ascent uses
          adjusted net
          income (loss),
          EBITDAX,
          adjusted
          EBITDAX,
          discretionary
          cash flow and
          free cash flow
          (non-GAAP
          measures) as
          supplemental
          measures to
          evaluate the
          performance of
          its assets.
          Ascent believes
          these non-GAAP
          measures
          provide
          meaningful
          information to
          our investors,
          as discussed
          below.  These
          non-GAAP
          measures, as
          used and
          defined by
          Ascent, are not
          measures of
          performance as
          determined by
          United States
          generally
          accepted
          accounting
          principles (US
          GAAP) and may
          not be
          comparable to
          similarly
          titled measures
          employed by
          other
          companies.




         Non-GAAP
          measures should
          not be
          considered in
          isolation or as
          substitutes for
          operating
          income, net
          income or loss,
          cash flows
          provided by
          operating,
          investing and
          financing
          activities or
          other income or
          cash flow
          statement data
          prepared in
          accordance with
          US GAAP.  Non-
          GAAP measures
          provide no
          information
          regarding a
          company's
          capital
          structure,
          borrowings,
          interest costs,
          capital
          expenditures
          and working
          capital
          movement.  Non-
          GAAP measures
          do not
          represent funds
          available for
          discretionary
          use because
          those funds may
          be required for
          debt service,
          capital
          expenditures,
          working
          capital,
          exploration
          expenses and
          other
          commitments and
          obligations.
          However,
          Ascent's
          management team
          believes these
          non-GAAP
          measures are
          useful to an
          investor in
          evaluating
          Ascent's
          financial
          performance
          because these
          measures:




                        -- Are widely used by investors in
                           the natural gas and oil industry
                           to measure a company's operating
                           performance without regard to
                           items excluded from the
                           calculation of such term, which
                           can vary substantially from
                           company to company depending upon
                           accounting methods and book value
                           of assets, capital structure, and
                           the method by which assets were
                           acquired, among other factors;




                        -- Are more comparable to estimates
                           used by analysts;




                        -- Help investors to more
                           meaningfully evaluate and compare
                           the results of Ascent's
                           operations from period to period
                           by removing the effect of its
                           capital structure from its
                           operating structure;




                        -- Excludes one-time items, non-
                           cash items or items whose timing
                           cannot be reasonably estimated;
                           and




                        -- Are used by Ascent's management
                           team for various purposes,
                           including as a measure of
                           operating performance, in
                           presentations to its Board of
                           Managers and as a basis for
                           strategic planning and
                           forecasting.




         There are
          significant
          limitations to
          using non-GAAP
          measures as
          measures of
          performance,
          including the
          inability to
          analyze the
          effect of
          certain
          recurring and
          non-recurring
          items that
          materially
          affect Ascent's
          net income or
          loss, the lack
          of
          comparability
          of results of
          operations of
          different
          companies, and
          the different
          methods of
          calculating
          non-GAAP
          measures
          reported by
          different
          companies.




     (b) Ascent defines
          "adjusted net
          (loss) income"
          as net income
          (loss) before
          impairment of
          unproved
          natural gas and
          oil properties;
           changes in
           fair value of
          commodity
          derivatives;
          change in fair
          value of
          interest rate
          derivatives;
          (gains) losses
          on purchases or
          exchanges of
          debt; stock-
          based
          compensation;
          non-recurring
          legal expense
          (benefit);
          change in fair
          value of
          embedded
          derivative;
          acquisition
          expenses;
          impairment of
          other property
          and equipment;
          and other non-
          recurring
          items.


                                                                       
     
                ASCENT RESOURCES UTICA HOLDINGS, LLC


                                                                     
     
       RECONCILIATIONS OF EBITDAX, ADJUSTED EBITDAX AND NET DEBT


                                                                          
              
                (Unaudited)





       
                EBITDAX and Adjusted EBITDAX




                                                                                                     Three Months Ended                              Nine Months Ended


                                                                               
              
                September 30,                 
        
                September 30,

                                                                                                                                                ---


       
                
                  ($ in thousands)                           2020                                        2019                        2020                2019

    ---                                                                                                                                                                ---




       Net (Loss) Income                                                             $
              (552,432)                           $
        130,149                             $
        (758,120)   $
       400,710



       Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to EBITDAX:



       Exploration expenses                                                 28,096                                        25,178                        77,907                            82,916



       Natural gas and oil depreciation, depletion and amortization        195,120                                       183,815                       572,001                           499,323



       Depreciation and amortization of other assets                           928                                           817                         2,794                             2,364



       Interest expense, net                                                33,279                                        28,854                        98,432                            74,865




       EBITDAX (Non-GAAP)(a)(b)                                          (295,009)                                      368,813                       (6,986)                         1,060,178



       Adjustments to reconcile EBITDAX to Adjusted EBITDAX:



       Change in fair value of commodity derivatives                       500,175                                      (67,418)                       677,647                         (246,380)



       Losses (gains) on purchases or exchanges of debt                      3,632                                                                    (9,671)



       Stock-based compensation                                                710                                                                        710



       Non-recurring legal expense                                               -                                                                     5,572



       Change in fair value of embedded derivative                               -                                      (1,259)                                                       (4,404)



       Other                                                                     -                                           62                                                            314



       Adjusted EBITDAX (Non-GAAP)(b)(c)                                               $
              209,508                            $
        300,198                               $
        667,272    $
       809,708



     (a) Ascent defines "EBITDAX" as net
          income (loss) before exploration
          expenses; depreciation, depletion
          and amortization; and interest
          expense, net.




     (b) See footnote (a) on page 9 for a
          discussion around our uses of non-
          GAAP measures.




     (c) Ascent defines "adjusted EBITDAX" as
          EBITDAX before changes in fair
          value of commodity derivatives;
          (gains) losses on purchases or
          exchanges of debt; stock-based
          compensation; non-recurring legal
          expense (benefit); acquisition
          expenses; change in fair value of
          embedded derivative; and other non-
          recurring items.


                                                                                                       
            
                ASCENT RESOURCES UTICA HOLDINGS, LLC


                                                                                          
            
            RECONCILIATIONS OF EBITDAX, ADJUSTED EBITDAX AND NET DEBT (CONTINUED)


                                                                                                                 
              
                (Unaudited)





              
                Last Twelve Months ("LTM") EBITDAX and Adjusted EBITDAX




                                                                                                     
          
                Three Months                                                                           Twelve Months
                                                                                                          
                Ended                                                                        Ended



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



              
                
                  ($ in thousands)                                 2019                                2020                                         2020              2020                               2020

    ---                                                                                                                                                                                                                        ---




              Net Income (Loss)                                                                  $
          65,255                                       $
              85,362                               $
              (291,050)                    $
              (552,432)  $
       (692,865)



              Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to EBITDAX:



              Exploration expenses                                                       41,561                                26,953                                         22,858                                   28,096           119,468



              Natural gas and oil depreciation, depletion                               203,091                               175,550                                        201,331                                  195,120           775,092
    and amortization



              Depreciation and amortization of other assets                                 875                                   924                                            942                                      928             3,669



              Interest expense, net                                                      34,249                                33,920                                         31,233                                   33,279           132,681




              EBITDAX (Non-GAAP)(a)(b)                                                  345,031                               322,709                                       (34,686)                                (295,009)          338,045



              Adjustments to reconcile EBITDAX to Adjusted EBITDAX:



              Change in fair value of commodity                                         (3,077)                             (62,375)                                        239,847                                  500,175           674,570
    derivatives



              (Gains) losses on purchases or exchanges of                                     -                             (13,493)                                            190                                    3,632           (9,671)
    debt



              Stock-based compensation                                                        -                                                                                                                        710               710



              Non-recurring legal expense                                                     -                                                                              5,572                                                     5,572



              Change in fair value of embedded derivative                                 (622)                                                                                                                                       (622)



              Other                                                                          61                                                                                                                                           61



              Adjusted EBITDAX (Non-GAAP)(b)(c)                                                 $
          341,393                                      $
              246,841                                 $
              210,923                       $
              209,508   $
       1,008,665



     (a) Ascent defines "EBITDAX" as net
          income (loss) before exploration
          expenses; depreciation, depletion
          and amortization; and interest
          expense, net.




     (b) See footnote (a) on page 9 for a
          discussion around our uses of non-
          GAAP measures.




     (c) Ascent defines "adjusted EBITDAX" as
          EBITDAX before changes in fair
          value of commodity derivatives;
          (gains) losses on purchases or
          exchanges of debt; stock-based
          compensation; non-recurring legal
          expense (benefit); acquisition
          expenses; change in fair value of
          embedded derivative; and other non-
          recurring items.



       
                Net Debt and Net Debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDAX




                                                                     
          
           September 30,




       
                
                  ($ in thousands)                2020                          2019

    ---




       Net Debt:



       Total debt(a)                                                    $
       2,759,135                    $
     2,757,755



       Less: cash and cash equivalents                            4,968                           6,798




       Net Debt(b)                                                      $
       2,754,167                    $
     2,750,957






       Net Debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDAX:



       Net Debt(b)                                                      $
       2,754,167                    $
     2,750,957



       LTM Adjusted EBITDAX(c)                                          $
       1,008,665                    $
     1,128,110




       Net Debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDAX                             2.7      x                      2.4 x



     (a) Total debt represents outstanding
          principal balances and includes the
          current portion of our long-term
          debt.




     (b) Ascent defines "Net Debt" as total
          debt less cash and cash
          equivalents. Management uses net
          debt to determine our outstanding
          debt obligations that would not be
          readily satisfied by its cash and
          cash equivalents on hand.




     (c) Adjusted EBITDAX for the LTM ended
          September 30, 2020 and September
          30, 2019, respectively.


                                                                           
        
                ASCENT RESOURCES UTICA HOLDINGS, LLC


                                                                        
     
          RECONCILIATIONS OF DISCRETIONARY CASH FLOW AND FREE CASH FLOW


                                                                                  
              
                (Unaudited)




                                                                                                      Three Months Ended                                       Nine Months Ended


                                                                                 
              
                September 30,                         
        
                September 30,

                                                                                                                                                          ---


              
                
                  ($ in thousands)                      2020                                       2019                         2020                   2019

    ---                                                                                                                                                                       ---




              Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities                                $
              182,983                                      $
        328,982                       $
         654,547     $
        919,210



              Adjustments to reconcile Net Cash Provided by Operating
    Activities to Discretionary Cash Flow:



              Changes in operating assets and liabilities                    (6,004)                                    (52,354)                                (79,454)               (166,967)



              Discretionary Cash Flow (Non-GAAP)(a)(b)                       176,979                                      276,628                                  575,093                  752,243



              Adjustments to reconcile Discretionary Cash Flow to Free
    Cash Flow:



              Drilling and completion costs incurred                        (91,622)                                   (287,777)                                (412,737)                (880,473)



              Acquisition and leasehold costs incurred                      (10,559)                                    (31,664)                                (47,166)               (111,148)



              Capitalized interest incurred                                 (19,483)                                    (28,736)                                (64,119)                (98,896)



              Non-recurring legal expense                                          -                                                                               5,572



              Other                                                            3,632                                                                                3,632




              Free Cash Flow (Non-GAAP)(b)(c)                                           $
              58,947                                     $
        (71,549)                       $
         60,275   $
        (338,274)



     (a) Discretionary cash flow is widely
          accepted as a financial indicator
          of a natural gas and oil
          company's ability to generate
          cash which is used to internally
          fund exploration and development
          activities and service debt.
          Ascent defines "discretionary
          cash flow" as net cash provided
          by operating activities before
          changes in operating assets and
          liabilities.




     (b) See footnote (a) on page 9 for a
          discussion around our uses of
          non-GAAP measures.




     (c) Free cash flow is an indicator of
          a company's ability to generate
          funding to maintain or expand its
          asset base, make distributions
          and repurchase or extinguish
          debt.  Ascent defines "free cash
          flow" as discretionary cash flow
          less incurred drilling and
          completion costs, acquisitions of
          natural gas and oil properties
          and certain non-recurring items.

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SOURCE Ascent Resources, LLC