Constellation Energy Partners Reports Third Quarter 2009 Results

• Press Release
• Source: Constellation Energy Partners LLC
• On 7:30 am EST, Friday November 6, 2009

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Constellation Energy Partners LLC (NYSE Arca: CEP) today reported third quarter 2009 results.

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Symbol	Price	Change
CEP	3.34	-0.16

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The company produced 4,414 MMcfe for the third quarter 2009, resulting in Adjusted EBITDA of $16.6 million for the quarter and $50.9 million for the year to date. Operating expenses, which include lease operating expenses, production taxes and general and administrative expenses, totaled $13.7 million for the quarter and $42.0 million for the year to date.

Average daily net production for the third quarter was 48.0 MMcfe, resulting in a daily average of 47.7 MMcfe for the nine months ending September 2009. Operating costs averaged $3.11 per Mcfe during the quarter, resulting in an average of $3.22 per Mcfe for the same nine month period.

“We continue to return solid operating results, quarter after quarter,” said Stephen R. Brunner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Constellation Energy Partners. “I attribute this to the team we have working to extract value from our asset base and the success they’ve delivered in drilling, risk management, and cost containment.”

On a GAAP basis for the third quarter 2009, the company reported a loss of $9.1 million, which includes a net loss from mark-to-market activities of $6.4 million.

Liquidity Update

The company also announced today that it reduced its outstanding debt by $20.0 million since the end of the third quarter. As of September 30, 2009, outstanding debt under the company’s credit facilities totaled $220.0 million and the company had a cash balance of $30.8 million. With the $20.0 million debt reduction, the balance of outstanding debt under the credit facilities is $200.0 million, which currently leaves the company with a cash balance of $17.0 million. The company is working to extend or refinance its credit facilities which mature in October 2010.

Financial Outlook for 2009

“Our performance through September has us well on our way to completing 2009 with the results we set out to achieve at the beginning of this year,” said Brunner. “This is a testament to the successful efforts of our operations team.”

The company’s 2009 business plan and forecast, announced in December 2008, calls for total capital spending to range between $28.0 million and $33.0 million. Total capital spending of $22.8 million for the nine months ending September 2009 has resulted in the completion of 77 net wells for the year to date versus the company’s forecast of 75 net wells for the year. The company currently anticipates capital spending for the entire year to come in below forecast at between $23 million and $25 million.

Net production is forecast to range between 17.0 and 18.5 Bcfe for 2009. Based on the mix of wells completed for the year to date and capital spending plans for the remainder of the year, the company anticipates that full year production will be at the low end of this range. Operating expenses for 2009 are forecast to range between $57.5 million to $63.5 million, and the company anticipates it will finish the year in this range.

The company maintains hedges on 2.3 Bcfe of the company’s Mid-Continent production for the balance of the year at an average price of $7.14 per Mcfe and an additional 1.2 Bcfe of production for the balance of the year at an average price of $8.01 per Mcfe. The remainder of the company’s production for 2009 is subject to market conditions and pricing.

During the first quarter 2009, the company discontinued hedge accounting on all existing commodity derivatives and now accounts for derivatives using the mark-to-market accounting method. As a result, the company will recognize all future changes in the fair value of its derivatives as gains and losses in earnings.

The company expects to present its 2010 business plan and forecast during its next earnings call in February 2010.

Distribution Outlook

Under the terms of the company’s credit facilities, no distributions to unitholders may be made if the borrowings outstanding under the credit facilities exceed 90% of the borrowing base. Management previously announced a temporary suspension of quarterly cash distributions to its common (or Class B) and Class A unitholders effective June 26, 2009. Management will continue to evaluate the company’s quarterly distribution, taking into account debt levels, liquidity, the provisions of the company’s credit and operating agreements, and business plans. The company currently anticipates that distributions will remain suspended until after such time that debt levels are reduced and market conditions again warrant resumption of capital spending at maintenance levels. All distributions are subject to approval by the company's Board of Managers.

Conference Call Information

The company will host a conference call at 8:30 a.m. (CST) on Friday, November 6, 2009 to discuss third quarter 2009 results.

To participate, analysts, investors, media and the public in the U.S. may dial (888) 889-1048 shortly before 8:30 a.m. (CST). The international phone number is (773) 756-0202. The conference password is PARTNERS.

A replay will be available beginning approximately one hour after the end of the call by dialing (866) 511-5153 or (203) 369-1953 (international). A live audio webcast of the conference call, presentation slides and the earnings release will be available on Constellation Energy Partners’ Web site (www.constellationenergypartners.com) under the Investor Relations page. The call will also be recorded and archived on the site.

About the Company

Constellation Energy Partners LLC is a limited liability company focused on the acquisition, development and production of oil and natural gas properties, as well as related midstream assets.

SEC Filings

The company intends to file its third quarter 2009 Form 10-Q on or about November 6, 2009.

Non-GAAP Measures

We present Adjusted EBITDA in addition to our reported net income in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that is defined as net income (loss) adjusted by interest (income) expense; depreciation, depletion and amortization; write-off of deferred financing fees; impairment of long-lived assets; accretion of asset retirement obligation; (gain) loss on sale of assets; (gain) loss from equity investment; unit-based compensation programs; unrealized (gain) loss on natural gas derivatives; and realized (gain) loss on cancelled natural gas derivatives.

Adjusted EBITDA is used as a quantitative standard by our management and by external users of our financial statements such as investors, research analysts and others to assess the financial performance of our assets without regard to financing methods, capital structure or historical cost basis; the ability of our assets to generate cash sufficient to pay interest costs and support our indebtedness; and our operating performance and return on capital as compared to those of other companies in our industry, without regard to financing or capital structure. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to represent cash flows for the period, nor is it presented as a substitute for net income, operating income, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP.

Forward-Looking Statements

We make statements in this news release that are considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are largely based on our expectations, which reflect estimates and assumptions made by our management. These estimates and assumptions reflect our best judgment based on currently known market conditions and other factors. Although we believe such estimates and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently uncertain and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are beyond our control. In addition, management's assumptions about future events may prove to be inaccurate. Management cautions all readers that the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are not guarantees of future performance, and we cannot assure you that such statements will be realized or the forward-looking events and circumstances will occur. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements due to factors listed in the "Risk Factors" section in our SEC filings and elsewhere in those filings. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. We do not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Constellation Energy Partners LLC
Investor Contact:
Charles C. Ward, 877-847-0009