U.S. Energy Corp. Announces Second Quarter 2017 Results; 2017 Mid-Year Reserve Report

DENVER, Aug. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- U.S. Energy Corp. (NASDAQ:USEG) (“U.S. Energy” or the “Company”) today announced financial and operational results for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, mid-year proved oil & gas reserves, and Revolving Credit Facility (“Credit Facility”) updates.

Highlights

• Second quarter production of 58,369 BOE increased 17% as compared to the first quarter of 2017.  Daily production averaged 641 BOEPD;
• Second quarter oil and gas revenue of $2.0 million increased 17% as compared to the first quarter of 2017;
• Second quarter lease operating expenses of $0.5 million, or $9.18 per BOE, decreased 35% as compared to the first quarter of 2017;
• Second quarter Adjusted EBITDA of $0.4 million;
• Total proved reserves of 1,458 MBOE at 6/30/2017;
• PV-10 of $13.9 million at 6/30/2017;
• Cash and cash equivalents of $2.0 million at 6/30/2017;
• Current shares outstanding of 6,134,506; and
• Extended maturity of Credit Facility to 7/30/2019 and set new financial ratio covenants

Second Quarter 2017 Production

For the second quarter of 2017, U.S. Energy’s total production volumes on a BOE basis increased 17% as compared to the first quarter of 2017. During the second quarter of 2017, U.S. Energy realized a $44.19 average price per Bbl of oil compared to an $42.70 average price per Bbl of oil during the first quarter of 2017.

2017 Mid-Year Reserves

As of June 30, 2017, U.S. Energy had total proved reserves of approximately 1,458 MBoe, all of which are proved developed producing reserves (“PDP”). The proved reserves total had a pre-tax PV10% value of $13.9 million.

*SEC pricing of $48.95/bbl of oil and $3.01/mcf of gas

Financial Results

Revenues from sales of oil and natural gas for the second quarter of 2017 were $2.0 million compared to $1.7 million for the first quarter of 2017.  The 17% quarter over quarter increase in revenue is primarily associated with an increase in production. Revenue from oil production represented 80% of Company revenue during the second quarter of 2017.

Lease operating expenses for the second quarter of 2017 were $0.5 million compared to $0.7 million for the first quarter of 2017.  On a per unit basis, lease operating expenses were $9.18 per BOE in the second quarter of 2017 compared to $14.03 per BOE in the first quarter of 2017.  This decrease on a per unit basis compared to the first quarter of 2017 was primarily due to the implementation of cost reduction strategies by the operators of our wells.  The Company expects to continue realizing the positive effects of cost reduction strategies going forward. General and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2017 were $1.0 million compared to $1.3 million for the same first quarter in 2017.  The quarter over quarter decrease is primarily associated with a reduction in professional fees associated with the assignement and transfer of the Company’s Credit Facility.

Adjusted EBITDA was $0.4 million for the second quarter of 2017, as compared to $(0.5) million for the first quarter of 2017.  Net Income (Loss) was $0.3 million for the second quarter of 2017 compared to $(0.7) million for the first quarter of 2017.  Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure.  For additional information please refer to the reconciliation of this measure at the end of this news release.

Credit Facility Update

On May 2, 2017, the Credit Facility between the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Energy One and Wells Fargo Bank N.A. was sold, assigned and transferred to APEG Energy II, L.P. (“APEG”).  On June 28, 2017, the Company and APEG entered into the Fifth Amendment to the Credit Agreement providing for, among other things, an extension of the maturity date to July 19, 2019, new financial coverage ratio covenants and a limited release and waiver with respect to any historical Company non-compliance with any and all financial covenants. As of June 30, 2017, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants and fully confirming with all requirements under its credit facility. Accordingly, the entire outstanding balance under the Credit Facilty of $6.0 million has been classified as a long-term liability.

*Represents amounts subject to calculation per Credit Agreement amendment

Update to Hedging Activity

Crude oil price swaps were entered into during the second quarter of 2017 for the remainder of the year. On July 26, 2017, the Company entered into natural gas price swaps for the entirety of 2018.  An overview of outstanding Company hedges is summarized below:

Management Comment

David Veltri, U.S. Energy’s Chief Executive Officer, stated, “U.S. Energy posted its strongest quarter since the beginning of the global commodity price decline.  Production increased 17% quarter over quarter while LOE per barrel decreased 35% over the same time period.  These highly positive outcomes are a direct result of the U.S. Energy team working with the operators of its wells to maximize cash flow from operations through optimizing existing production while remaining focused on implementing cost reduction strategies. We anticipate additional consolidation efforts and acreage trades involving our North Dakota Assets along with upcoming development opportunities on our South Texas projects in the near future.”

Mr. Veltri added, “U.S. Energy is also pleased to be working with its new strategic partner and existing lender, APEG Energy II and its parent, Angelus Capital. Our mutual goal is to position ourselves to capitalize on the significant growth and consolidation opportunities we are currently seeing in the market and expect to see more of going forward. The Company will continue to focus on accretive capital allocation, growing reserves and increasing production to help prepare us for future opportunities and value creation for all shareholders.”

About U.S. Energy Corp.

We are an independent energy company focused on the lease acquisition and development of oil and gas producing properties in the continental United States. Our business is currently focused in the Williston Basin of North Dakota and South Texas. We continue to focus on increasing production, reserves, and cash flow from operations while pro-actively managing our debt levels. More information about U.S. Energy Corp. can be found at www.usnrg.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.

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:

Corporate Contact: U.S. Energy Corp. Ryan Smith Chief Financial Officer (303) 993-3200 www.usnrg.com