Emerald Oil Reports Third Quarter 2015 Financial and Operational Results and Guidance Increase

DENVER, CO--(Marketwired - November 04, 2015) - Emerald Oil, Inc. (NYSE MKT: EOX) ("Emerald" or the "Company") today announced financial and operational results for the quarter ended September 30, 2015.

Highlights

  • Third quarter production of 523,202 BOE increased 49% as compared to 351,755 BOE in the third quarter of 2014. Daily production averaged 5,687 BOEPD, 17% above the midpoint and 14% above the high end of Emerald's third quarter 2015 guidance range;

  • 2015 fourth quarter production guidance raised 500 Boe/d to 4,700 - 5,000 Boe/d;

  • Reduction of per unit LOE costs during the third quarter of 2015 to approximately $12.96 per BOE, a decrease of 31% compared to the second quarter of 2015;

  • Third quarter oil and natural gas revenue of $17.8 million, not including effect of settled derivatives;

  • Third quarter Adjusted EBITDA of $5.9 million

Third Quarter 2015 Production

For the third quarter of 2015, Emerald's total production volumes on a BOE basis increased 49% as compared to the third quarter of 2014. During the third quarter of 2015, Emerald realized a $37.65 average price per Bbl of oil (including settled derivatives) compared to an $82.61 average price per Bbl of oil during the third quarter of 2014.

Quarter Ended September 30,

2015

2014

Sales Volume (Total)

Oil (Bbls)

496,829

338,352

Gas (Mcf)

158,240

80,417

Sales volumes (Boe)

523,202

351,755

Average Daily Sales

Oil (Bbls)

5,400

3,678

Gas (Mcf)

1,720

874

Sales volumes (Boe)

5,687

3,823

Average Sales Prices

Oil (Bbl)

$

34.92

$

83.54

Effect of Settled Oil Derivatives

2.73

(0.93

)

Oil Net of Settled Derivatives (Bbl)

$

37.65

$

82.61

Gas (Mcf)

$

3.13

$

5.73

Barrel of Oil Equivalent with Settled Derivatives

$

36.70

$

80.78

Financial Results

Revenues from sales of oil and natural gas for the third quarter of 2015 were $17.8 million compared to $28.7 million for the same period in 2014. The decrease was due to lower realized crude oil prices during the third quarter of 2015. Crude oil revenue accounted for approximately 97% of oil and natural gas sales.

Lease operating expenses for the third quarter of 2015 were $6.8 million compared to $4.5 million for the same period in 2014. On a per unit basis, lease operating expenses were $12.96 per BOE in the third quarter of 2015 compared to $12.70 per BOE in the third quarter of 2014. Emerald also incurred workover expenses for the third quarter of 2015 of $1.4 million, or $2.71 per BOE.

General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2015 were $3.8 million compared to $5.5 million for the same period in 2014. On a per unit basis, G&A expenses (excluding non-cash stock-based compensation) were $6.50 per BOE in the third quarter of 2015 compared to $7.58 per BOE in the third quarter of 2014. Share-based compensation expenses, which are included in G&A expense, totaled $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2015 compared to $2.8 million for the same period in 2014.

Adjusted EBITDA was $5.9 million for the third quarter of 2015, as compared to $15.3 million for the same period in 2014. Adjusted Net Income (Loss) was $(12.1) million for the third quarter of 2015. Emerald recognized a $158.3 million non-cash impairment expense for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 due primarily to the substantial declines in commodity prices. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) are non-GAAP financial measures. For additional information please refer to the reconciliation of these measures at the end of this news release.

Revolving Credit Facility Update

The Company and its advisors are continuing to work with the bank group regarding a payment schedule for the previously announced borrowing base deficiency of $19.6 million. Additionally, Emerald and its advisors are working with a group of second lien term providers for a term debt solution to address both the borrowing base and working capital.

Conference Call

Emerald will host a conference call on Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time (7:30 a.m. Mountain Time) to discuss financial and operational results for the quarter end.

Emerald Oil, Inc. 3Q2015 Financial and Operational Results Conference Call

Date:

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Time:

9:30 a.m. Eastern Time

8:30 a.m. Central Time

7:30 a.m. Mountain Time

6:30 a.m. Pacific Time

Webcast:

Live and rebroadcast over the Internet at the Emerald Oil website

Website:

www.emeraldoil.com

Telephone Dial-In:

877-407-8831 (toll-free) and 201-493-6736 (international)

Telephone Replay:

Available through Thursday, November 12, 2015

877-660-6853 (toll-free) and 201-612-7415 (international)

Passcode: 413333

About Emerald

Emerald is an independent exploration and production operator that is focused on acquiring acreage and developing wells in the Williston Basin of North Dakota and Montana, targeting the Bakken and Three Forks shale oil formations and Pronghorn sand oil formation. Emerald is based in Denver, Colorado. More information about Emerald can be found at www.emeraldoil.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical facts included herein may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this document may include statements regarding the Company's expectations regarding the Company's operational, exploration and development plans; expectations regarding the nature and amount of the Company's reserves; and expectations regarding production, revenues, cash flows and recoveries. When used in this press release, the words "will," "potential," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "expect," "may," "should," "anticipate," "could," "plan," "predict," "project," "profile," "model," or their negatives, other similar expressions or the statements that include those words, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied or expressed by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices, uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of oil and natural gas reserves and projecting future rates of production and timing of development activities, competition, operating risks, acquisition risks, liquidity and capital requirements, the effects of governmental regulation, adverse changes in the market for the Company's oil and natural gas production, dependence upon third-party vendors, and other risks detailed in the Company's periodic report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

EMERALD OIL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

September 30, 2015

December 31, 2014

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and Cash Equivalents

$

5,068,320

$

12,389,230

Accounts Receivable - Oil and Natural Gas Sales

4,002,942

7,203,455

Accounts Receivable - Joint Interest Partners

8,370,512

31,842,464

Other Receivables

860,980

980,317

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

681,581

289,061

Fair Value of Commodity Derivatives

6,336,057

5,044,125

Total Current Assets

25,320,392

57,748,652

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Oil and Natural Gas Properties, Full Cost Method, at cost:

Proved Oil and Natural Gas Properties

697,814,220

593,472,170

Unproved Oil and Natural Gas Properties

141,768,220

166,708,263

Equipment and Facilities

15,220,754

6,086,896

Other Property and Equipment

4,266,762

2,583,372

Total Property and Equipment

859,069,956

768,850,701

Less - Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

(486,650,786

)

(149,703,417

)

Total Property and Equipment, Net

372,419,170

619,147,284

Restricted Cash

-

4,000,000

Fair Value of Commodity Derivatives

1,375,070

-

Debt Issuance Costs, Net of Amortization

4,183,174

5,779,125

Deposits on Acquisitions

-

140,173

Deferred Tax Assets, Net

1,813,561

1,813,796

Other Non-Current Assets

329,572

430,846

Total Assets

$

405,440,939

$

689,059,876

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Accounts Payable

$

38,762,753

$

120,136,903

Revolving Credit Facility

159,683,000

-

Convertible Senior Notes

151,500,000

-

Accrued Expenses

5,073,975

11,267,831

Advances from Joint Interest Partners

802,119

2,577,247

Deferred Tax Liability, Net

1,813,561

1,813,796

Total Current Liabilities

357,635,408

135,795,777

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

Revolving Credit Facility

-

75,000,000

Convertible Senior Notes

-

151,500,000

Asset Retirement Obligations

3,265,518

2,671,975

Warrant Liability

187,000

2,199,000

Fair Value of Commodity Derivatives

-

-

Total Liabilities

361,087,926

367,166,752

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Preferred Stock - Par Value $.001; 20,000,000 Shares Authorized;

Series B Voting Preferred Stock - 255,732 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Liquidation preference value of $256 as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

256

256

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Common Stock, Par Value $.001; 500,000,000 Shares Authorized, 8,708,499 and 3,891,431 Shares Issued and Outstanding, respectively

8,709

3,891

Additional Paid-In Capital

507,612,218

455,087,277

Accumulated Deficit

(463,268,170

)

(133,198,300

)

Total Stockholders' Equity

44,352,757

321,892,868

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

$

405,440,939

$

689,059,876

EMERALD OIL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,

2015

2014

2015

2014

REVENUES

Oil Sales

$

17,350,524

$

28,266,332

$

52,981,871

$

76,989,268

Natural Gas Sales

494,804

460,857

1,224,667

2,061,201

Net Gains on Commodity Derivatives

12,699,147

11,184,716

8,148,386

3,722,780

Total Revenues

30,544,475

39,911,905

62,354,924

82,773,249

OPERATING EXPENSES

Production Expenses

8,201,949

6,962,450

25,972,453

13,477,176

Production Taxes

1,653,989

3,142,998

5,488,364

8,632,608

General and Administrative Expenses

3,821,473

5,483,655

12,495,471

21,609,218

Depletion of Oil and Natural Gas Properties

11,242,324

9,193,566

31,622,386

24,071,676

Impairment of Oil and Natural Gas Properties

158,278,000

-

304,903,000

-

Depreciation and Amortization

232,350

104,465

559,139

251,722

Accretion of Discount on Asset Retirement Obligations

52,500

28,037

153,007

63,837

Standby Rig Expense

3,800,446

-

6,173,111

-

Total Operating Expenses

187,283,031

24,915,171

387,366,931

68,106,237

INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS

(156,738,556

)

14,996,734

(325,012,007

)

14,667,012

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

Interest Expense

(2,735,348

)

(1,206,571

)

(7,044,901

)

(2,515,034

)

Warrant Revaluation Gain (Expense)

221,000

216,000

2,012,000

(1,751,000

)

Other Income (Expense)

281

(347,088

)

539

(343,041

)

Total Other Expense, Net

(2,514,067

)

(1,337,659

)

(5,032,362

)

(4,609,075

)

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

(159,252,623

)

13,659,075

(330,044,369

)

10,057,937

INCOME TAX PROVISION

-

-

-

-

NET INCOME (LOSS)

$

(159,252,623

)

$

13,659,075

$

(330,044,369

)

$

10,057,937

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share - Basic

$

(19.85

)

$

4.11

$

(52.10

)

$

3.03

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share - Diluted

$

(19.85

)

$

3.29

$

(52.10

)

$

2.89

Weight Average Shares Outstanding - Basic

8,021,992

3,324,970

6,334,549

3,316,751

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding -Diluted

8,021,992

4,419,020

6,334,549

4,093,377

EMERALD OIL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30,

2015

2014

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net Loss

$

(330,044,369

)

$

10,057,937

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Loss to Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities:

Depletion of Oil and Natural Gas Properties

31,622,386

24,071,676

Impairment of Oil and Natural Gas Properties

304,903,000

-

Depreciation and Amortization

559,138

251,722

Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs

2,145,832

727,997

Accretion of Discount on Asset Retirement Obligations

153,007

63,837

Net Gains on Commodity Derivatives

(8,148,386

)

(3,722,780

)

Net Cash Settlements Received (Paid) on Commodity Derivatives

5,481,384

(2,775,591

)

Warrant Revaluation (Gain) Expense

(2,012,000

)

1,751,000

Share-Based Compensation Expense

2,710,683

9,497,044

Changes in Assets and Liabilities:

Decrease (Increase) in Trade Receivables - Oil and Natural Gas Revenues

3,200,513

(1,390,582

)

Decrease (Increase) in Accounts Receivable - Joint Interest Partners

23,471,952

(1,224,056

)

Decrease (Increase) in Other Receivables

119,337

(1,132,418

)

Increase in Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

(392,520

)

(223,875

)

(Increase) Decrease in Other Non-Current Assets

(35,882

)

67,463

(Decrease) Increase in Accounts Payable

6,585,510

2,364,168

Decrease in Accrued Expenses

(4,867,351

)

(7,813,470

)

Increase in Other Non-Current Liabilities

-

198,551

(Decrease) Increase in Advances from Joint Interest Partners

(1,775,128

)

200,434

Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities

33,677,105

30,969,057

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Purchases of Other Property and Equipment

(1,683,390

)

(1,015,677

)

Restricted Cash Released

4,000,000

11,000,512

Payments of Restricted Cash

-

(2,648,721

)

Decrease (Increase) in Deposits for Acquisitions

140,173

(648,441

)

Proceeds from Sale of Oil and Natural Gas Properties, Net of Transaction Costs

-

36,155,859

Investment in Oil and Natural Gas Properties

(175,371,888

)

(391,368,324

)

Net Cash Used For Investing Activities

(172,915,105

)

(348,524,792

)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Proceeds from Issuance of Convertible Senior Notes, Net of Transaction Costs

-

166,893,211

Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock, Net of Transaction Costs

48,049,115

-

Advances on Revolving Credit Facility

100,000,000

55,000,000

Payments on Revolving Credit Facility

(15,317,000

)

(35,000,000

)

Cash Paid for Finance Costs

(265,144

)

(24,605

)

Cash Paid for Debt Issuance Costs

(549,881

)

(1,117,871

)

Proceeds from Exercise of Stock Options and Warrants

-

110,750

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

131,917,090

185,861,485

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

(7,320,910

)

(131,694,250

)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF PERIOD

12,389,230

144,255,438

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD

$

5,068,320

$

12,561,188

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

Cash Paid During the Period for Interest

$

4,124,010

$

1,867,433

Cash Paid During the Period for Income Taxes

$

-

$

-

Non-Cash Financing and Investing Activities:

Oil and Natural Gas Properties Included in Accounts Payable

$

19,997,664

$

92,963,874

Stock-Based Compensation Capitalized to Oil and Natural Gas Properties

$

708,600

$

2,020,992

Asset Retirement Obligation Costs and Liabilities

$

440,536

$

1,669,757

In addition to reporting net income (loss) as defined under GAAP, we also present net earnings before interest, income taxes, depletion, depreciation, and amortization, accretion of discount on asset retirement obligations, impairment of oil and natural gas properties, warrant revaluation (gains) and expenses, net gain (loss) from mark-to-market on commodity derivatives, cash settlements received (paid), standby rig expenses and non-cash expenses relating to share based payments recognized under ASC Topic 718 ("Adjusted EBITDA"), which is a non-GAAP performance measure. Adjusted EBITDA consists of net earnings after adjustment for those items described in the table below. Adjusted EBITDA does not represent, and should not be considered an alternative to GAAP measurements, such as net income (loss) (its most directly comparable GAAP measure), and our calculations thereof may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. By eliminating the items described below, we believe the measure is useful in evaluating its fundamental core operating performance. We also believe that Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors because similar measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties in their evaluation of companies in similar industries. Our management uses Adjusted EBITDA to manage our business, including in preparing our annual operating budget and financial projections. Our management does not view Adjusted EBITDA in isolation and also uses other measurements, such as net income (loss) and revenues to measure operating performance. The following table provides a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented:

Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,

2015

2014

2015

2014

Net loss

$

(159,252,623

)

$

13,659,075

$

(330,044,369

)

$

10,057,937

Impairment of oil and natural gas properties

158,278,000

-

304,903,000

-

Interest expense

2,735,348

1,206,571

7,044,901

2,515,034

Accretion of discount on asset retirement obligations

52,500

28,037

153,007

63,837

Depletion, depreciation and amortization

11,474,674

9,298,031

32,181,525

24,323,398

Stock-based compensation

423,145

2,818,161

2,586,898

9,497,044

Warrant revaluation (gain) expense

(221,000

)

(216,000

)

(2,012,000

)

1,751,000

Net gains on commodity derivatives

(12,699,147

)

(11,184,716

)

(8,148,386

)

(3,722,780

)

Net cash settlements received (paid) on commodity derivatives

1,354,804

(313,451

)

5,481,384

(2,775,591

)

Standby rig expense

3,800,446

-

6,173,111

-

Adjusted EBITDA

$

5,946,147

$

15,295,708

$

18,319,071

$

41,709,879

In addition to reporting net income (loss) as defined under GAAP, we also present "adjusted income (loss)", which we define as net earnings before the effect of any impairment of oil and natural gas properties, unrealized gain (loss) from mark-to-market on commodity derivatives, mark-to-market on our warrant liability, share-based compensation expense and the other items described in the table below. Adjusted income (loss) is a non-GAAP performance measure. Adjusted income (loss) does not represent, and should not be considered an alternative to GAAP measurements, such as net income (loss), and our calculations thereof may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. By eliminating the items described below, we believe the measure is useful in evaluating our fundamental core operating performance. We also believe that adjusted income (loss) is useful to investors because similar measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties in their evaluation of companies in similar industries. Our management uses adjusted income to manage our business, including in preparing our annual operating budget and financial projections. Our management does not view adjusted income (loss) in isolation and also uses other measurements, such as net income (loss) and revenues to measure operating performance. The following table provides a reconciliation of net income (loss), to adjusted income (loss) for the periods presented:

Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,

2015

2014

2015

2014

Net loss

$

(159,252,623

)

$

13,659,075

$

(330,044,369

)

$

10,057,937

Impairment of oil and natural gas properties

158,278,000

-

304,903,000

-

Stock-based compensation

423,145

2,818,161

2,586,898

9,497,044

Warrant revaluation (gain) expense

(221,000

)

(216,000

)

(2,012,000

)

1,751,000

Net gains on commodity derivatives

(12,699,147

)

(11,184,716

)

(8,148,386

)

(3,722,780

)

Net cash settlements received (paid) on commodity derivatives

1,354,804

(313,451

)

5,481,384

(2,775,591

)

Adjusted net income (loss)

$

(12,116,821

)

$

4,763,069

$

(27,233,473

)

$

14,807,610

Net Adjusted Income (Loss) Per Common Share - Basic

$

(1.51

)

$

1.43

$

(4.30

)

$

4.46

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic

8,021,992

3,324,970

6,334,549

3,316,751

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