3Q2008

Despite having to shut in 3 Bcf in 3Q2008, Ultra Petroleum Corp. saw its natural gas and oil output from continuing operations up 35% and profit jumping 227% from the same period a year ago. Double Eagle Petroleum Corp., which like Ultra operates in the Rocky Mountains, also hit on all cylinders during the quarter, with its gas output up 149% from 3Q2007.

ConocoPhillips kicked off the U.S.-based majors’ 3Q2008 earnings reports on Wednesday, and it delivered much stronger net income than in the same period a year ago, with profit rising to $5.19 billion ($3.39/share) from $3.67 billion ($2.23) in 3Q2007. Revenues also were strong, jumping to $70 billion versus $46.1 billion a year ago.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. is close to approaching a milestone of 600,000 boe/d net production worldwide, and assuming no significant weather-related challenges, 3Q2008 oil and natural gas output should be “above the midpoint” of its guidance of 51-54 million boe, said CEO Jim Hackett.

Oklahoma City-based GMX Resources Inc. plans to begin a drilling program in its Haynesville Shale and Bossier Shale holdings during 3Q2008. At 80-acre density, GMX estimates it would have five years of development on its 27,500 net acres. GMX plans to bump up its capital spending in 2008 to $271 million from $195 million, which would allow it to drill up to four to six net horizontal wells in the shale acreage. The new capital expenditure budget includes acreage acquisition costs, infrastructure build-out and equipment upgrades in East Texas and northwestern Louisiana. The company also increased its 2008 guidance for discretionary cash flow to $100 million, up from $80 million. Revenue is now forecast at $140 million, down from $125 million. In addition, production is seen to increase to 7.8 Bcfe in the second half of 2008 and is forecast to be 13.8 Bcfe for the full year. Daily production rates are expected to be 60 MMcfe/d by year’s end, up from previous guidance of 42 MMcfe/d.