Rex Energy Corporation Announces First Quarter 2009 Results


STATE COLLEGE, Pa., May 6, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rex Energy Corporation ("Rex Energy") (Nasdaq:REXX) today announced its first quarter 2009 results from continuing operations. Total revenues grew to $17.2 million, up 5% from the same period in 2008. The increase in revenue was in part due to an early redemption of certain oil derivatives associated with 2011 production which netted approximately $4.6 million in proceeds. First quarter of 2009 production was approximately 232 thousand barrels of oil equivalent ("MBOE"), which was 78% oil and 22% natural gas. EBITDAX grew to $8.7 million, up 19% over the first quarter 2008. The company recorded a net loss from continuing operations, consistent with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), for the quarter of $1.3 million, or $0.04 per share. Earnings comparable to analyst estimates were $2.1 million, or $0.06 per share. (EBITDAX and Earnings Comparable to Analyst Estimates are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see the accompanying definitions and tables for the reconciliation of each of these non-GAAP measures. The company has classified all first quarter 2009 and prior period amounts related to its operations in the Southwestern Region as discontinued operations due to the sale of these assets during the first quarter of 2009. Please see the accompanying tables for the reconciliation of the reported GAAP amounts to the amounts that would have been reported if Southwestern Region operations were included in continuing operations.)

Capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2009 were $13.3 million, of which $6.1 million was spent on exploration and developmental activities; $5.2 million was spent on leasing and acquisitions; and $2.0 million was spent on the company's tertiary recovery projects in the Illinois Basin.

Benjamin W. Hulburt, Rex Energy's President and CEO, commented, "The first quarter of 2009 was a solid start to the year. We completed the divestiture of our Southwestern Region assets, netting approximately $17.3 million which allowed us to reduce our debt to only $5 million and maintain approximately $4 million in cash on hand at the end of the quarter. Our low debt level, combined with 86% of current production hedged through 2010 at average floors prices of $62.99 per barrel and $7.32 per Mcf, sets us apart from many of our peers and allows us to not only endure in this challenging economic environment, but to continue to grow. I am also very pleased with the excellent progress our operations team has made in reducing operating expenses. As a result of their efforts, lease operating expenses in the first quarter were down 15% from the prior quarter and down 17% relative to the first quarter in 2008."

In a final comment, Hulburt stated, "I'm pleased to report that our 2009 Marcellus Shale horizontal drilling program is now underway. We have now completed drilling our first horizontal Marcellus well and are rigging up on the second. We expect to fracture, stimulate and put the first well into line during the month of June."

About Rex Energy Corporation

Rex Energy Corporation is an independent oil and gas company operating in the Illinois Basin and the Appalachian Basin of the United States. The company has pursued a balanced growth strategy of exploiting its sizable inventory of lower risk developmental drilling locations, pursuing its higher potential exploration drilling prospects and actively seeking to acquire complementary oil and natural gas properties. For more information about the company, please visit www.rexenergy.com. Please note that the company routinely posts important information about the company under the investor relations section of its web site.

The Rex Energy logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5489

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information, statements made in this release, including those relating to significant potential, future earnings, cash flow, capital expenditures, production growth and planned number of wells, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are based on assumptions and estimates that management believes are reasonable based on currently available information; however, management's assumptions and the company's future performance are subject to a wide range of business risks and uncertainties, and there is no assurance that these goals and projections can or will be met. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the deteriorating economic conditions in the United States and globally, the difficult and adverse conditions in the domestic and global capital and credit markets, domestic and global demand for oil and natural gas, sustained or further declines in the prices we receive for our oil and natural gas adversely affecting our operating results and cash flow, the effects of government regulation, permitting and other legal requirements, the quality of our properties with regard to, among other things, the existence of reserves in economic quantities, uncertainties about the estimates of our oil and natural gas reserves, our ability to increase our production and oil and natural gas income through exploration and development, our ability to successfully apply horizontal drilling techniques and tertiary recovery methods, the number of well locations to be drilled, the cost to drill and the time frame within they will be drilled, drilling and operating risks, the availability of equipment, such as drilling rigs and transportation pipelines, changes in our drilling plans and related budgets and the adequacy of our capital resources and liquidity including, but not limited to, access to additional borrowing capacity. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. Further information on risks and uncertainties is available in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are incorporated by reference.

The company's internal estimates of reserves may be subject to revision and may be different from estimates by the company's external reservoir engineers at year end. Although the company believes the expectations and forecasts reflected in these and other forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance they will prove to have been correct. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties.


                        REX ENERGY CORPORATION
                      CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                           ($ in Thousands)

                                          March 31,         Dec. 31,
                                            2009              2008
                                         (unaudited)        (audited)
                                        ------------      ------------
     ASSETS
 Current Assets
   Cash and Cash Equivalents            $      3,956      $      7,046
   Accounts Receivable                         5,423             5,840
   Short-Term Derivative Instruments           7,957             8,153
   Inventory, Prepaid Expenses and
    Other                                      1,204             3,068
                                        ------------      ------------
     Total Current Assets                     18,540            24,107
 Property and Equipment (Successful
  Efforts Method)
   Evaluated Oil and Gas Properties          190,682           185,108
   Unevaluated Oil and Gas Properties         70,662            65,564
   Other Property and Equipment               19,654            19,388
   Wells and Facilities in Progress           32,266            29,629
   Pipelines                                   3,466             3,457
                                        ------------      ------------
     Total Property and Equipment            316,730           303,146
   Less: Accumulated Depreciation,
    Depletion and Amortization               (58,802)          (53,288)
                                        ------------      ------------
     Net Property and Equipment              257,928           249,858
   Assets Held for Sale                           --            18,852
   Intangible Assets and Other
    Assets- Net                                1,499             1,628
   Long-Term Derivative Instruments            4,797             7,561
                                        ------------      ------------
 Total Assets                           $    282,764      $    302,006
                                        ============      ============

     LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 Current Liabilities
   Accounts Payable                     $      3,927      $      7,180
   Accrued Expenses                            4,162             7,388
   Short-Term Derivative
    Instruments                                   23                --
   Current Deferred Tax Liability              4,138             2,785
                                        ------------      ------------
     Total Current Liabilities                12,250            17,353

   Senior Secured Line of Credit
    and Long-Term Debt                         5,000            15,000
   Long-Term Derivative Instruments            1,194             1,476
   Long-Term Deferred Tax Liability            9,727            11,995
   Other Deposits and Liabilities              7,374             7,322
   Liabilities Related to Assets
    Held for Sale                                 --             1,838
   Future Abandonment Cost                    15,929            15,174
                                        ------------      ------------
 Total Liabilities                      $     51,474      $     70,158
 Owners' Equity
   Common Stock, $.001 par value
    per share, 100,000,000 shares
    authorized and 36,851,562
    shares issued and outstanding
    on March 31, 2009 and 36,569,712
    shares issued and outstanding on 
    December 31, 2008                             37                37
   Additional Paid-In Capital                291,601           291,133
   Accumulated Deficit                       (60,348)          (59,322)
                                        ------------      ------------
     Total Owners' Equity                    231,290           231,848
                                        ------------      ------------
 Total Liabilities, Minority Interests
  and Owners' Equity                    $    282,764      $    302,006
                                        ============      ============



                        REX ENERGY CORPORATION
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
     (Unaudited, $ and Shares in Thousands Except per Share Data)

                                     Rex Energy             Rex Energy
                                    Corporation            Corporation
                                   Consolidated           Consolidated
                                            Three Months Ended
                                                 March 31,
                                     ---------------------------------
                                       2009                    2008
                                     ---------              ----------
 OPERATING REVENUE
   Oil and Natural Gas Sales         $   8,798              $   19,647
   Other Revenue                            32                      32
   Realized Gain(Loss) on
    Derivatives                          8,345                  (3,281)
                                     ---------              ----------
     TOTAL OPERATING REVENUE            17,175                  16,398

 OPERATING EXPENSES
   Production and Lease Operating
    Expenses                             5,154                   6,225
   General and Administrative
    Expense                              3,751                   3,206
   (Gain) Loss on Sale or Disposal
    of Oil and Gas Properties              428                     (42)
   Exploration Expense                   1,082                     298
   Depreciation, Depletion,
    Amortization and Accretion           6,171                   4,795
                                     ---------              ----------
     TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES           16,586                  14,482
                                     ---------              ----------

     INCOME FROM OPERATIONS                589                   1,916

 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
   Interest Income                           1                       7
   Interest Expense                       (396)                   (436)
   Unrealized (Loss) on
    Derivatives                         (2,701)                (12,999)
   Other Income (Expense)                  (45)                      4
                                     ---------              ----------
     TOTAL OTHER INCOME
      (EXPENSE)                         (3,141)                (13,424)

 NET LOSS FROM CONTINUING
  OPERATIONS INCOME TAXES               (2,552)                (11,508)
   Income Tax Benefit                    1,203                   4,626
                                     ---------              ----------
 NET LOSS FROM CONTINUING
  OPERATIONS                            (1,349)                 (6,882)
 Income (Loss) from Discontinued
  Operations, Net of Income Taxes          323                    (293)
                                     ---------              ----------
     NET LOSS                        $  (1,026)             $   (7,175)
                                     ---------              ----------

 Earnings per common share:
 Basic and Diluted - loss from
  continuing operations              $   (0.04)             $    (0.22)
 Basic and Diluted - income
  (loss) from discontinued
  operations                              0.01                   (0.01)
                                     ---------              ----------
 Basic and Diluted - net loss        $   (0.03)             $    (0.23)
 Basic and Diluted - weighted
  average shares of common stock
  outstanding                           36,726                  30,795



                        REX ENERGY CORPORATION
                  CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
                              (Unaudited)

                                            Three Months Ended
                                                 March 31,
                                        ---------------------------
                                          2009                2008
                                        -------             -------

 Production:
   Oil (Bbls)                           181,183             188,695
   Natural gas (Mcf)                    306,631             243,554
                                        -------             -------
     Total (BOE)(a)                     232,288             229,287

 Average Daily Production:
   Oil (Bbls)                             2,013               2,074
   Natural gas (Mcf)                      3,407               2,676
                                        -------             -------
     Total (BOE)(a)                       2,581               2,520

 Average sales prices before
  derivatives:
   Oil (Bbls)                           $ 39.85             $ 92.93
   Natural gas (Mcf)                       5.15                8.67
                                        -------             -------
     Total (BOE)(a)                     $ 37.88             $ 85.69

 Average NYMEX prices(b)
   Oil (Bbls)                           $ 43.18             $ 97.90
   Natural gas (Mcf)                    $  4.49             $  8.83


 (a) Natural gas is converted at the rate of six Mcf to one BOE and
     oil is converted at a rate of one Bbl to one BOE
 (b) Based upon the average of bid week prompt month prices



                        REX ENERGY CORPORATION
                    REGIONAL OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
                              (Unaudited)

                                           Three Months Ended
                                                March 31,
                                      -----------------------------
                                        2009                2008
                                      ---------           ---------
 Appalachian
   Revenues before derivatives-
    Natural gas, ($ in Thousands)     $   1,578           $   2,112
   Volumes (MCF)                        306,631             243,554
   Average price before
    derivatives                       $    5.15           $    8.67

 Illinois
   Revenues before derivatives-
    Oil, ($ in Thousands)             $   7,220           $  17,536
   Volumes (BBL)                        181,183             188,695
   Average price before
    derivatives                       $   39.85           $   92.93



                        REX ENERGY CORPORATION
                        OIL AND GAS DERIVATIVES
                              (Unaudited)

                                % of
                              Current       Average           Average
   Year          Volume      Production      Floor            Ceiling
 ---------      ---------    ----------    ---------         ---------

   Oil
   ---
 Apr -
  Dec 2009      468 MBbls        86%        $ 63.35          $  75.57

   2010         588 MBbls        88%        $ 62.71          $  79.31


 Natural
  Gas
 -------
 Apr -
  Dec 2009      720 Mmcf         78%        $  7.00          $   8.88

   2010         960 Mmcf         87%        $  7.56          $  10.48

   2011         720 Mmcf         72%        $  8.00          $  14.75

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

EBITDAX

"EBITDAX", for any defined period, the sum of net income for such period plus the following expenses, charges or income to the extent deducted from or added to net income in such period: interest, income taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, accretion, unrealized losses from financial derivatives, exploration expenses, and other similar non-cash charges, minus all non-cash income, including but not limited to, income from unrealized financial derivatives, added to net income. EBITDAX, as defined above, is used as a financial measure by Rex Energy's management team and by other users of its financial statements, such as the company's commercial bank lenders, to analyze such things as:


  *   Rex Energy's operating performance and return on capital in 
      comparison to those of other companies in its industry, without
      regard to financial or capital structure; 
  *   The financial performance of the company's assets and valuation 
      of the entity, without regard to financing methods, capital
      structure or historical cost basis;  
  *   Rex  Energy's ability to generate cash sufficient to pay interest
      costs, support its indebtedness and make cash distributions to 
      its stockholders; and
  *   The viability of acquisitions and capital expenditure projects 
      and the overall rates or return on alternative investment 
      opportunities.

EBITDAX is not a calculation based on GAAP financial measures and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) in measuring the company's performance, nor used as an exclusive measure of cash flow, because it does not consider the impact of working capital growth, capital expenditures, debt principal reductions, and other sources and uses of cash, which are disclosed in the company's statements of cash flows.

Rex Energy has reported EBITDAX because it is a financial measure used by its existing commercial lenders, and because this measure is commonly reported and widely used by investors as an indicator of a company's operating performance and ability to incur and service debt. You should carefully consider the specific items included in the company's computations of EBITDAX. While Rex Energy has disclosed its EBITDAX to permit a more complete comparative analysis of its operating performance and debt servicing ability relative to other companies, you are cautioned that EBITDAX as reported by the company may not be comparable in all instances to EBITDAX as reported by other companies. EBITDAX amounts may not by fully available for management's discretionary use, due to requirements to conserve funds for capital expenditures, debt service and other commitments.

Rex Energy believes that EBITDAX assists its lenders and investors in comparing a company's performance on a consistent basis without regard to certain expenses, which can vary significantly depending upon accounting methods. Because the company may borrow money to finance its operations, interest expense is a necessary element of its costs and ability to generate cash available for distribution. Because Rex Energy uses capital assets, depreciation and amortization are also necessary elements of its costs. Additionally, the company is required to pay federal and state taxes, which are necessary elements of its costs. Therefore, any measures that exclude these elements have material limitations.

To compensate for these limitations, Rex Energy believes it is important to consider both net income (loss) determined under GAAP and EBITDAX to evaluate its performance.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the company's net (loss) from continuing operations to its EBITDAX from continuing operations for each of the periods presented ($ in thousands):


                                        Three Months Ended
                                             March 31,
                                    -----------------------------
                                       2009                2008
                                    ---------           ---------
 Net Loss from Continuing
  Operations                        $  (1,349)          $  (6,882)
   Add Back Depletion,
    Depreciation,
    Amortization and Accretion          6,171               4,795
   Add Back Non-Cash
    Compensation Expense                  475                 368
   Add Back Interest Expense              396                 436
   Add Back Exploration and
    Impairment Expenses                 1,082                 298
   Less Interest Income                    (1)                 (7)
   Add Back (Gains) Losses on
    Disposal of Assets                    428                 (42)
   Add Back Unrealized Losses
    from Financial Derivatives          2,701              12,999
   Less Income Tax Benefit             (1,203)             (4,626)
                                    ---------           ---------
 EBITDAX From Continuing
  Operations                        $   8,700           $   7,339
   Add EBITDAX From
    Discontinued Operations                53               1,327
 EBITDAX                            $   8,753           $   8,666

Earnings Comparable with Analyst Estimates

"Earnings Comparable with Analyst Estimates" means, for any period,the sum of net income for such period plus the following expenses,charges or income to the extent deducted from or added to net income in such period: deferred income taxes, unrealized gains or losses from financial derivatives, minus gains from unrealized financial derivatives, minus deferred income tax benefits, added to net income. Earnings Comparable with Analyst Estimates, as defined above, is used as a financial measure by Rex Energy's management team and by other users of its financial statements, to analyze its financial performance without regard to non-cash deferred taxes and non-cash unrealized losses or gains from oil and gas derivatives. Earnings Comparable with Analyst Estimates is not a calculation based on GAAP financial measures and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) in measuring the company's performance.

Rex Energy has reported Earnings Comparable with Analyst Estimates because it believes that this measure is commonly reported and widely used by investors as an indicator of a company's operating performance. You should carefully consider the specific items included in the company's computation of this measure. You are cautioned that Earning Comparable with Analyst Estimates as report by Rex Energy may not be comparable in all instances to that reported by other companies. To compensate for these limitations, the company believes it is important to consider both net income determined under GAAP and Earnings Comparable with Analyst Estimates.

The following table presents a reconciliation of Rex Energy's net loss from continuing operations to its Earnings Comparable with Analyst Estimates for each of the periods presented ($ in thousands):


                                          Three Months Ended
                                              March 31,
                                   --------------------------------
                                     2009                   2008
                                   ---------              ---------
 Net Loss From Continuing
  Operations                       $  (1,349)             $  (6,882)
   Unrealized Losses on
    Derivatives                        2,701                 12,999
   Exploration and Impairment
    Expense                            1,082                    298
   Non-cash Compensation
    Expense                              475                    368
   (Gain) Loss on Disposal of
    Assets                               428                    (42)
   Income Tax Benefit                 (1,203)                (4,626)
                                   ---------              ---------
 Net Income From Continuing
  Operations Comparable to
  Analyst Estimates                $   2,134              $   2,115

Discontinued Operations

On March 24, 2009, Rex Energy completed the previously announced divestiture of Southwestern Region operations, predominately located in the Permian Basin. The company received net cash proceeds of approximately $17.3 million, which may be adjusted by certain post-closing adjustments, plus the assumption of certain liabilities, based on an effective date of October 1, 2008.

Pursuant to accounting rules for discontinued operations, these assets were classified as Assets Held for Sale on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2008, and results of operations are reflected in discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations.At March 31, 2009, Rex Energy recorded a loss on sale of assets of approximately $425,000 in the consolidated statement of operations. Summarized financial information for discontinued operations is set forth below ($ in thousands):


                                          Three Months Ended
                                              March 31,
                                   --------------------------------
                                     2009                   2008
                                   ---------              ---------
 Revenues:
   Oil and Gas Sales               $     193              $   1,953
   Other Revenue                          --                     82
                                   ---------              ---------
     Total Operating Revenue             193                  2,035
                                   ---------              ---------

 Costs and Expenses:
   Production and Lease
    Operating Expense                    237                    443
   General and Administrative
    Expense                              (97)                   266
   Exploration Expense of Oil
    and Gas Properties                    --                  1,135
   Depreciation, Depletion,
    Amortization and Accretion            --                    688
   (Gain) Loss on Sale of Oil
    and Gas Properties                    --                     41
   Unrealized Gain from
    Derivatives                         (558)                    --
   Other Income                           --                     (1)
                                   ---------              ---------

     Total Costs and Expenses           (418)                 2,572
                                   ---------              ---------

 Income (Loss) from Discontinued
  Operations Before Income Taxes         611                   (537)

   Income Tax (Expense) Benefit          288                   (244)
                                   ---------              ---------

 Income (Loss) From Discontinued
  Operations, net of taxes         $     323              $    (293)
                                   =========              =========


            

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