Date: 5/3/2007     Form: 8-K - Current report
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 
FORM 8-K

 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 3, 2007

 
Unit Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


 
Delaware
1-9260
73-1283193
 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


7130 South Lewis, Suite 1000, Tulsa, Oklahoma
74136
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)


Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (918) 493-7700

 
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

___ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
___ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
___ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
___ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
Section 2 - Financial Information.
 
Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On May 3, 2007, the Company issued a press release announcing its results of operations for the three month period ending March 31, 2007. A copy of that release is furnished with this filing as Exhibit 99.1.

The press release furnished as an exhibit to this report includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, as disclosed by the Company from time to time in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result of these factors, the Company's actual results may differ materially from those indicated or implied by such forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise forward looking statements after the date of this report to conform them to actual results.
 
Section 9 - Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired.
 
Not Applicable.

(b) Pro Forma Financial Information.

Not Applicable.

(c) Shell Company Transactions.
 
Not Applicable.
 
(d) Exhibits.
 
 
99.1
Press release dated May 3, 2007
 
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 
   
Unit Corporation
       
       
 
Date: May 3, 2007
By:
/s/ David T. Merrill
     
David T. Merrill
Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer
 
1



EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.        Description.

 
99.1
Press release dated May 3, 2007




news
UNIT CORPORATION
 
7130 South Lewis Avenue, Suite 1000, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136
 
Telephone 918 493-7700, Fax 918 493-7714



Contact:
David T. Merrill
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
and Treasurer
  (918) 493-7700
 
www.unitcorp.com



For Immediate Release…
May 3, 2007

UNIT CORPORATION REPORTS 2007 FIRST QUARTER RESULTS;
COMPANY ON TARGET WITH 2007 DRILLING PROGRAM, WITH 74 WELLS COMPLETED OR IN PROGRESS;
RIG FLEET EXPANDS AND MARGINS REMAIN STRONG

Tulsa, Oklahoma . . . Unit Corporation (NYSE - UNT) announced today its financial and operational results for the three months ended March 31, 2007. Net income for the first quarter of 2007 was $64.5 million, or $1.39 per diluted share, on revenues of $277.3 million, compared with net income of $74.9 million, or $1.61 per diluted share, on revenues of $282.8 million for the first quarter of 2006.
First quarter oil and natural gas segment production decreased from the fourth quarter of 2006 primarily due to factors outside of Unit’s control. The company is very pleased with its contract drilling segment utilization of 83% during the first quarter of 2007 given the industry slowdown in drilling activity.

CONTRACT DRILLING RESULTS
·  
103 drilling rigs currently under contract (87% of drilling rig fleet).
·  
65% of drilling rigs are contracted by public companies and major private independents.
·  
New drilling rig placed in service at dayrate of $26,000, significantly higher than the company’s average
 
  dayrate.

First quarter drilling operation profits increased significantly over the same quarter last year. Operating profits (not including depreciation) increased by $2.9 million as a result of operating costs falling 5% from the same quarter last year, more than offsetting a 0.7% decline in contract drilling revenues to $160.3 million. Average operating margins for the first quarter reached $10,161 per day (before elimination of intercompany drilling rig profit of $4.5 million) as compared to $8,625 per day (before elimination of intercompany drilling rig profit of $3.2 million) for 2006, an increase of 18%.

Unit’s newest drilling rig was put into service in March at a dayrate of $26,000, significantly higher than the company’s first quarter average of $19,427 per day, which itself was up 13% from the comparable quarter of 2006.

Average drilling rig utilization was 96.8 drilling rigs in the first quarter of 2007, or 83%, down 11% from 2006’s first quarter utilization of 108.6 drilling rigs. Currently, Unit has 118 operational drilling rigs of which 103 are under contract. The following table illustrates Unit’s drilling rig count at the end of each period and average utilization rate during the period:

 
1st Qtr 07
4th Qtr 06
3rd Qtr 06
2nd Qtr 06
1st Qtr 06
4th Qtr 05
3rd Qtr 05
2nd Qtr 05
1st Qtr 05
Rigs
118
117
116
115
111
112
111
103
102
Utilization
83%
92%
96%
97%
98%
96%
98%
98%
98%

 

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The drilling rig utilization decline was primarily due to two factors: inclement weather, which prevented certain rig mobilizations, and the continuation of weak natural gas commodity prices that began in mid-2006. Contracts for drilling rigs currently being marketed are indicating that utilization is stabilizing and inquiries of drilling rig availability from private company customers is more active.

EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION RESULTS
·  
Completed 54 gross wells out of 270 planned for 2007 at an 87% success rate.
·  
First quarter production constrained by approximately 8.9 MMcfe per day,
·  
Production for 2007 estimated to be 56 to 58 Bcfe.

First quarter production for Unit’s oil and natural gas operations was 356,000 barrels of oil and 10.7 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas, or 12.8 billion cubic feet equivalent (Bcfe). Revenues for the first quarter were $86.1 million, or 9% lower than 2006’s first quarter. Production in the first quarter was constrained by the following factors having an estimated combined effect of 8.9 MMcfe per day:

·  
A fire at the Valero refinery, which processes oil from a majority of our Texas Panhandle production.
·  
Pipeline and compression capacity restrictions.
·  
Adverse weather conditions effecting well completions and pipeline construction.

Excluding the production constraints, first quarter production would have been an estimated 13.6 Bcfe or 151.0 MMcfe per day, a 2% decrease from 2006 fourth quarter production of 154 MMcfe per day. The production constraints are expected to be resolved by the end of May. In April, the outside processing plant for the Segno field area was shut down for 13 days for scheduled maintenance, curtailing approximately 20 MMcfe per day of net production.

Taking the above factors into account, Unit’s 2007 production target is now anticipated to be 56 to 58 Bcfe, an increase of 6% to 10% from 2006 production.

Unit’s average natural gas price for the first quarter of 2007 decreased 10% to $6.37 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) as compared to $7.04 per Mcf for the first quarter of 2006. Unit’s average oil price for the first quarter of 2007 was $47.59 per barrel compared to $54.53 per barrel for the first quarter of 2006, a 13% decrease.

The following table illustrates Unit’s production and certain results for the periods indicated:

 
1st Qtr 07
4th Qtr 06
3rd Qtr 06
2nd Qtr 06
1st Qtr 06
4th Qtr 05
3rd Qtr 05
2nd Qtr 05
1st Qtr 05
Production, Bcfe
 
12.8
 
14.2
 
13.5
 
12.6
 
12.7
 
11.8
 
10.0
 
9.4
 
9.3
Realized Price, Mcfe
 
$6.63
 
$6.26
 
$6.68
 
$6.41
 
$7.36
 
$9.71
 
$8.28
 
$6.49
 
$6.00
Wells Drilled
54
66
75
62
41
57
52
57
26
Success Rate
87%
89%
88%
85%
88%
100%
90%
89%
92%

During the first quarter of 2007, Unit began drilling operations on 56 wells of which 20 wells were still in progress at the end of the first quarter. Unit completed 54 wells with a success rate of 87%.


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MID-STREAM RESULTS
·  
Unit’s gas gathering and processing business delivered 10.6% gross margin.
·  
Operating profits (not including depreciation) of $3.3 million in first quarter.
·  
Improving strategic position creates reliable cash flow.

First quarter 2007 gathering volumes for Unit’s gas gathering and processing operations were 226,081 MMBtu per day, a 5% increase from the first quarter of 2006. Operating profit (as defined below in the financial tables) for the first quarter was $3.3 million or 22% higher than 2006’s first quarter.

The following table illustrates certain results from Unit’s mid-stream operations at the end of each period:

 
1st Qtr 07
4th Qtr 06
3rd Qtr 06
2nd Qtr 06
1st Qtr 06
4th Qtr 05
3rd Qtr 05
2nd Qtr 05
1st Qtr 05
Gas gathered
MMBtu/day
226,081
253,776
276,888
243,399
215,341
180,098
159,821
121,611
107,254
Gas processed
MMBtu/day
43,327
44,781
35,124
31,000
30,668
24,391
36,061
31,670
30,336

First quarter gas gathering and processing volumes increased 5% and 41% over the same quarter last year, respectively. The increase in processing volumes was primarily attributable to the addition of a system acquired in the third quarter of 2006 and the conversion of an existing system from a gathering facility to a processing facility. Gas gathering volumes per day in the first quarter of 2007 were down 11% compared to the fourth quarter of 2006 primarily due to a slowdown of new well connections for many of the same factors previously noted under Exploration and Production Results. Gas processing volumes per day in the first quarter of 2007 were down 3% due to new production in the fourth quarter of 2006 at one processing system declining in the first quarter of 2007.

Unit’s mid-stream companies operate four natural gas treatment plants, owns six processing plants, 37 active gathering systems and 614 miles of pipeline.

STRONG BALANCE SHEET, REDUCED DEBT AND RESOURCES TO FUND CAPITAL PLAN

·  
Reduced debt by $22.3 million since December 31, 2006.
·  
Debt to capitalization 11%, as of March 31, 2007.
·  
Ample cash flow and credit availability to fund capital expenditures for drilling an estimated 270 new gross
    wells, placing three new additional drilling rigs into service and growing capacity of mid-stream business.

Unit continues to maintain a conservative balance sheet. Unit reduced long-term debt by $22.3 million from December 31, 2006 to $152.0 million, which was 11% of capitalization as of March 31, 2007. Also, Unit had working capital of $47.3 million and $123.0 million of borrowing capacity associated with its current credit facility as of March 31, 2007. The company has adequate cash flow and credit to fully fund its capital plan.

MANAGEMENT COMMENT
Larry Pinkston, President and Chief Executive Officer, said: "During the first quarter we experienced several unpredictable and uncontrollable events that negatively affected our exploration and production business. The refinery shut-in, adverse winter weather and pipeline construction delays all combined to constrain production, resulting in a sequential quarterly decline in volume. We expect to restore existing producing wells feeding into the refinery in an orderly manner, as repairs are made and completed on the refinery. We remain confident in our high-quality E&P assets and have several new, production-ready wells waiting on pipeline completion. We are in a planned position of having enough cash flow and available credit to fully fund our proposed 2007 capital plan. Regarding our drilling rig fleet, we are receiving a high level of inquiries from operators regarding rig availability, margins are strong and our drilling rig fleet is well positioned in some of the country’s most active drilling areas. Our newest drilling rig entered service during the quarter under a two-year contract at a rate significantly higher than our current average rate, which we believe is an indicator of strong demand for our most capable drilling rigs. Our mid-stream business continues to be a source of reliable cash flow. We are pleased at how this operation has grown and continues to build on its strategic position in the Arkoma and Mid-Continent Basins, two of our country’s vital gas plays.”


3

WEBCAST
Unit will webcast its first quarter earnings conference call live over the Internet on May 3, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To listen to the live call, please go to www.unitcorp.com at least fifteen minutes prior to the start of the call to download and install any necessary audio software. For those who are not available to listen to the live webcast, a replay will be available shortly after the call and will remain on the site for twelve months.




_____________________________________________________
 
Unit Corporation is a Tulsa-based, publicly held energy company engaged through its subsidiaries in oil and gas exploration, production, contract drilling and gas gathering and processing. Unit’s Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol UNT. For more information about Unit Corporation, visit its website at http://www.unitcorp.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the private Securities Litigation Reform Act. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements, including the productive capabilities of the Company’s wells, future demand for oil and natural gas, future drilling rig utilization and dayrates, the timing of the completion of drilling rigs currently under construction, projected additions and date of service to the Company’s drilling rig fleet, projected growth of the Company’s oil and natural gas production, our ability to meet our consecutive quarterly positive net income goals, oil and gas reserve information, as well as our ability to meet our future reserve replacement goals, anticipated gas gathering and processing rates and throughput volumes, the prospective capabilities of the reserves associated with the Company’s inventory of future drilling sites, anticipated oil and natural gas prices, the number of wells to be drilled by the Company’s exploration segment, development, operational, implementation and opportunity risks, and other factors described from time to time in the Company’s publicly available SEC reports. The Company assumes no obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


4
 
 


Unit Corporation
Selected Financial and Operations Highlights
(In thousands except per share and operations data)

 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31,
 
 
2007
 
2006
 
Statement of Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contract drilling
$
160,285
 
$
161,430
 
Oil and natural gas
 
86,106
 
 
94,326
 
Gas gathering and processing
 
30,768
 
 
25,482
 
Other
 
112
 
 
1,570
 
Total revenues
 
277,271
 
 
282,808
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contract drilling:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating costs
 
76,287
 
 
80,309
 
Depreciation
 
12,717
 
 
11,841
 
Oil and natural gas:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating costs
 
22,139
 
 
18,306
 
    Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
29,347
 
 
24,182
 
Gas gathering and processing:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating costs
 
27,501
 
 
22,801
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
2,339
 
 
1,150
 
General and administrative
 
5,182
 
 
3,966
 
Interest
 
1,641
 
 
990
 
Total expenses
 
177,153
 
 
163,545
 
Income Before Income Taxes
 
100,118
 
 
119,263
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Tax Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
 
22,697
 
 
30,158
 
Deferred
 
12,939
 
 
14,192
 
Total income taxes
 
35,636
 
 
44,350
 
Net Income
$
64,482
 
$
74,913
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income per Common Share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
1.39
 
$
1.62
 
Diluted
$
1.39
 
$
1.61
 
Weighted Average Common
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares Outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
46,330
 
 
46,200
 
Diluted
 
46,533
 
 
46,414
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5
 
 

 
 
March 31,
 
 
 
 December 31,
 
 
 
 2007
 
 
 
 2006
 
 Balance Sheet Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Current assets
 
$
222,229
 
 
 
 $
232,940
 
 Total assets
 
$
1,946,265
 
 
 
 $
1,874,096
 
 Current liabilities
 
$
174,937
 
 
 
 $
160,942
 
 Long-term debt
 
$
152,000
 
 
 
 $
174,300
 
 Other long-term liabilities
 
$
55,680
 
 
 
 $
55,741
 
 Deferred income taxes
 
$
337,997
 
 
 
 $
325,077
 
 Shareholders’ equity
 
$
1,225,651
 
 
 
 $
1,158,036
 

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
 March 31,
 
 
 
 2007
 
 
 
2006
 
Statement of Cash Flows Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow From Operations before Changes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 in Working Capital (1)
 
$
124,417
 
 
 
$
127,937
 
Net Change in Working Capital
 
 
4,289
 
 
 
 
12,912
 
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
 
$
128,706
 
 
 
$
140,849
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
 
$
(111,251
)
 
 
$
 (81,159
)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
 
$
(17,441
) 
 
 
$
(59,816

 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31,
 
 
2007
 
2006
 
Contract Drilling Operations Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rigs Utilized
 
96.8
 
 
108.6
 
Operating Margins (2)
 
52%
 
 
50%
 
Operating Profit Before
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Depreciation (2) ($MM)
$
84.0
 
$
81.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil and Natural Gas Operations Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil - MBbls
 
356
 
 
327
 
Natural Gas - MMcf
 
10,673
 
 
10,713
 
Average Prices:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil - MBbls
$
47.59
 
$
54.53
 
Natural Gas - MMcf
$
6.37
 
$
7.04
 
Operating Profit Before
 
 
 
 
 
 
    DD&A (2) ($MM)
$
64.0
 
$
76.0
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mid-Stream Operations Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gas Gathering - MMBtu/day
 
226,081
 
 
215,341
 
Gas Processing - MMBtu/day
 
43,327
 
 
30,668
 
Operating Profit Before
           
    Depreciation (2) ($MM)
$
3.3
 
$
2.7
 
_____________
(1) Unit Corporation considers Unit’s cash flow from operations before changes in working capital an important measure in meeting the performance goals of the company.
(2) Operating profit before depreciation is calculated by taking operating revenues by segment less operating expenses by segment excluding depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment, general and administrative and interest expense. Operating margins are calculated by dividing operating profit by segment revenue.
 
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