Cimarex Posts Lower Q1 Earnings

Cimarex Energy Co. on Wednesday reported first-quarter 2007 net income of $64.6 million, or $0.77 per share. This compares to first-quarter 2006 earnings of $110.2 million, or $1.29 per diluted share.

Revenues from oil and gas sales in the first quarter of 2007 were $293.5 million, compared to $322.0 million in the same period of 2006. First-quarter 2007 cash flow from operations totaled $215.4 million versus $227.1 million in the same period of 2006.

The decrease in first-quarter 2007 revenues, earnings and cash flow is primarily a result of lower oil and gas prices. First-quarter 2007 gas prices decreased 6% to $6.73 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) and oil fell 7% to $55.22 per barrel.

First-quarter 2007 oil and gas production volumes averaged 441.5 million cubic feet equivalent per day (MMcfe/d). The current quarter's average daily production was comprised of 324.2 million cubic feet of gas and 19,552 barrels of oil.

Capital

First-quarter 2007 exploration and development expenditures totaled $246 million as compared to $273 million in the first quarter of 2006. In the first quarter of 2007, Cimarex drilled 110 gross (62 net) wells, completing 94% as producers. Exploration and development capital investment for 2007 is still projected to range from $800 million to $1 billion.

Outlook

Second-quarter 2007 production volumes are projected to range between 440 - 450 MMcfe/d. Full-year 2007 production volumes are still expected to average 450 - 470 MMcfe/d.

Expenses for the remainder of 2007 are expected to fall within the following ranges:

    Expenses ($/Mcfe):
       Production expense                             $1.10  -  $1.15
       Transportation expense                          0.13  -  0.17
       DD&A and ARO accretion                          2.75  -  2.90
       General and administrative expense              0.27  -  0.30
       Production taxes (% of oil and gas              7.0%  -  8.0%
       revenue)

Denver-based Cimarex Energy Co. is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company with principal operations in the Mid-Continent, Permian Basin and Gulf Coast areas of the U.S.