Comstock Resources, Inc. reported financial and operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.
Highlights of 2023's First Quarter
• Generated operating cash flow of $255 million or $0.92 per diluted share.
• Adjusted net income to common stockholders for the quarter was $92 million or $0.33 per diluted share.
• Adjusted EBITDAX was $293 million.
• Oil and gas sales, including realized hedging gains, were $390 million.
• Solid results from Haynesville shale drilling program with 15 (9.8 net) operated wells turned to sales since our last update with an average initial production of 23 MMcf per day.
Financial Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
Comstock's revenues in the first quarter of 2023 totaled $390.4 million (including realized hedging gains of $10.4 million). Net cash provided by operating activities (excluding changes in working capital) generated in the first quarter of 2023 was $254.9 million, and net income available to common stockholders for the first quarter was $134.5 million or $0.49 per share. Reported net income in the quarter included a pre-tax $56.0 million unrealized gain on hedging contracts held for risk management. Excluding this item and certain other items, adjusted net income available to common stockholders for the first quarter of 2023 was $92.0 million, or $0.33 per diluted share.
Comstock's production cost per Mcfe in the first quarter averaged $0.83 per Mcfe, which was comprised of $0.36 for gathering and transportation costs, $0.27 for lease operating costs, $0.12 for production and other taxes and $0.08 for cash general and administrative expenses. Comstock's unhedged operating margin was 72% in the first quarter of 2023 and 73% after hedging.
Drilling Results
Comstock drilled 18 (13.7 net) operated horizontal Haynesville/Bossier shale wells in the first quarter of 2023 which had an average lateral length of 12,075 feet. The Company also participated in an additional 26 (2.6 net) non-operated Haynesville shale wells in the first quarter of 2023. Comstock turned 19 (11.6 net) operated wells and ten (1.2 net) non-operated wells to sales in the first quarter of 2023 and currently expects to turn an additional 17 (13.0 net) operated wells to sales in the second quarter of 2023.
Since its last operational update in February, Comstock has turned 15 (9.8 net) operated Haynesville/Bossier shale wells to sales. These wells had initial daily production rates that averaged 23 MMcf per day. The completed lateral length of these wells averaged 11,042 feet.
Included in the wells turned to sales was the Campbell #2H, Comstock's third successful Western Haynesville well. This well was drilled to a total vertical depth of 15,700 feet and has a 12,763 foot completed lateral. The well's initial production rate was 36 MMcf per day.
Declaration of Quarterly Dividend
On May 1, 2023, Comstock's Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.125 per common share. The dividend will be payable on June 15, 2023 to stockholders of record at the close of business on June 1, 2023.