Apache: Record Worldwide Production in 1Q (USA)

Apache Corporation reported record worldwide production in the first-quarter of 2012 as the company benefitted from higher prices for oil and natural gas liquids and its balanced approach helped it weather the continuing deterioration of North American natural gas prices. Daily production increased 7 percent over the same period the prior year, adjusted for dispositions.

Worldwide production was 769,000 barrels of oil equivalent (boe) per day, compared with 732,000 boe per day the same period the year before. Last year’s total included 11,000 boe per day from certain assets in Canada and East Texas that were sold in the second half of 2011.

U.S. liquids production reached 148,000 barrels per day, representing an 11 percent increase over first-quarter 2011 results, as global liquids production rose 6 percent over the same period.

Apache reported earnings of $778 million, or $2.00 per diluted share, for the three-month period ending March 31, 2012, reflecting the impact of a $390-million non-cash, after-tax reduction in the carrying value of its oil and gas properties in Canada stemming from lower North American natural gas prices. For the same period last year, Apache reported earnings of $1.1 billion, or $2.86 per diluted share.

Apache’s adjusted earnings, which exclude the write-down and certain other items that impact the comparability of operating results, totaled $1.2 billion or $3.00 per diluted common share compared to adjusted earnings of $1.1 billion or $2.90 per share in the prior-year period.

Apache reported record revenues of $4.5 billion in the first quarter. Cash from operations before changes in operating assets and liabilities* rose 18 percent to $2.6 billion.

“Apache is off to a strong start with first-quarter daily production growth of 7 percent, adjusted for 2011 asset sales,” said G. Steven Farris, chairman and chief executive officer. “We expect overall production to continue to grow on the strength of an active worldwide drilling program, including accelerated activity on the 312,000 newly acquired acres in the Anadarko Basin.”

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Source: Apache, May 4, 2012