EX-99.1 2 a07-11246_2ex99d1.htm EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE
FOR RELEASE AT 7:00 AM EDT ON MAY 10, 2007

Contact:

William Kent, Director, Investor Relations

303-991-5070

STORM CAT ENERGY CORPORATION PROVIDES OPERATIONS UPDATE;

ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER 2007 RESULTS

·                  CURRENT PRODUCTION AT 9.6  MILLION CUBIC FEET PER DAY NET

·                  FOUR RIGS RUNNING IN THE POWDER RIVER BASIN

·                  FAYETTEVILLE DRILLING OPERATIONS TO COMMENCE WITHIN 75 DAYS

·                  MAINTAINING STRONG DE-WATER RATES IN ELK VALLEY

DENVER and CALGARY, Alberta — May 10, 2007 — Storm Cat Energy Corporation (AMEX: SCU; TSX: SME) today provided an operations update and announced first quarter 2007 financial results.

Operations Update (all figures in U.S. Dollars)

Current net production in the Powder River Basin (PRB) is 9.6 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) an increase of 20% from 8.0 MMcf/d at year end 2006.  The Company drilled and completed 20 wells in the PRB during the first quarter of 2007.  Storm Cat currently has an average of four rigs running in the PRB and expects to drill approximately 130 additional wells during the remainder of 2007.  The total capital budget for the PRB for 2007 is $20.0 million.

With respect to the Company’s Fayetteville Shale acreage, located in the Arkoma Basin in Arkansas, preparations are underway to begin drilling the first of Storm Cat’s operated wells within the next 75 days.  The Company has staked its initial well locations and is completing final negotiations with drilling and pipeline contractors.  During the first quarter 2007, the Company added approximately 2,320 gross and net acres in the Fayetteville Shale which are contiguous and interspersed among the Company’s current acreage.  This brings Storm Cat’s current acreage position to 21,200 gross acres and 16,670 net acres.  The Company expects to spend approximately $10.0 million in the Fayetteville Shale during 2007 to drill and complete four to six Company wells.

In Elk Valley the Company currently has 10 wells on production and de-watering.  Wells completed in 2006 are maintaining strong and sustained water rates and have begun to see increases in associated gas rates.  The early performance of these wells has exhibited higher production rates than previous well completions performed to date. The Company expects to be in a position to report determinative results from these wells in the fourth quarter of 2007.

The Company drilled one Horseshoe Canyon / Belly River sand well during the first quarter of 2007 in Alberta.  Completion and production test results from this well are pending.  During 2007 the Company intends to target conventional prospects in Alberta that also present unconventional opportunities.  Storm Cat expects to spend $10.0 million in Canada this year.




Acting Storm Cat President and CEO, Keith J. Knapstad, said:  “The first quarter has set Storm Cat on a path to success for the full year.  We intend to continue to grow our assets, execute in all operating areas and expand credibility with the broader investment community. We believe that year-end results will demonstrate increased production, cash flows and reserves. Two projects, Fayetteville and Elk Valley, are poised to have meaningful impacts on the Company in 2007.  Initial well locations on our Fayetteville Shale acreage are staked, and we expect to spud our first operated well within the next 75 days.  The Elk Valley pilot wells drilled in 2006 are performing as expected and are maintaining their de-watering progression.  We are seeing increases in associated gas rates in these wells and remain on track to provide results and next steps during the fourth quarter. These upside projects are joined by our predictable and increasing cash flow from the Powder River Basin.  We are optimistic that our fully funded 2007 capital program coupled with success in our operating areas will increase net asset value to Storm Cat’s shareholders.”

Financial Overview (all figures in U.S. Dollars)

For the quarter ended March 31, 2007 Storm Cat reported oil and gas sales revenue of $3.9 million, a 206% increase over first quarter 2006 sales of $1.3 million.  Sales volumes increased to 665.5 million cubic feet (MMcf) for the first quarter 2007 from 225.4 MMcf in the first quarter 2006, an increase of 195%. Increased volumes are attributed primarily to acquisitions and successful drilling over the past year.  The Company’s average sales price for natural gas increased 3.6% to $5.88 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) in the first quarter 2007 from $5.67 per Mcf in the first quarter 2006.

The Company reported a net loss of $1.4 million, or $0.02 per share, for the first quarter 2007, as compared to a net loss of $1.3 million, or $0.02 per share, in the same period in 2006.  The net loss includes higher than average legal and public filing expenses relating to the Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders required to close our Series B Convertible Notes, the remaining amortization of expenses relating to the payoff of the $7.5 million bridge loan from JP Morgan, and the discontinuation of capitalizing internal costs related to project development.  The Company’s net loss for the first quarter 2007 also reflected a tax benefit of $1.1 million related to the Canadian flow-through shares issued in September of 2006.  Gathering and transportation, lease operating expenses and production taxes decreased to $2.19 per Mcf in the first quarter of 2007 from $3.82 per Mcf in the first quarter of 2006.

Weighted average shares outstanding for the first quarter 2007 increased to 80.5 million as compared to 66.0 million in the first quarter 2006.  The increase in average shares outstanding is attributed to the private placement the Company completed in Canada in September 2006 as well as the exercise of outstanding warrants and options.

Storm Cat’s fixed-price natural gas hedges are summarized as follows:

2007 remaining — 1,764,500 MMBtu at average price $6.30 Colorado Interstate Gas (CIG)

2008 — 3,149,200 MMBtu at average price $7.10 CIG

2009 — 2,365,000 MMBtu at average price $7.33 CIG

2010 through April — 557,000 MMBtu at average price $7.75 CIG

Chief Financial Officer Paul Wiesner commented “Positive cash flow continues to grow as a result of the ongoing development in the PRB.  We have protected our cash flow by hedging 80% of our year-end 2006 proved producing production through April of 2010.  Our hedging program is providing relief from the current abnormally high differential in the Rockies due to pipeline capacity. Our projected 2007 cash flow together with the closing of the Series A and B Convertible Notes and the negotiated increase in the Company’s borrowing base provides Storm Cat the capital to fully fund its 2007 $40.0 million CAPEX budget.”




Financial and operations tables accompany this release.  Please reference the Company’s filing on Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission and with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR for important notes to the financial statements.

About Storm Cat Energy

Storm Cat Energy is an independent oil and gas company focused on the pursuit, exploration and development of large unconventional gas reserves from fractured shales, coal beds and tight sand formations. The Company has producing properties in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin, and exploitation and development acreage in Canada, Arkansas and Alaska. The Company’s shares trade on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol “SCU” and in Canada on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “SME.”

Company Contact:

William Kent

Director,

Investor Relations

Phone: 303-991-5070

www.stormcatenergy.com

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements”, as defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, relating to the proposed use of proceeds.  Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “aims,” “potential,” “goal,” “objective,” “prospective,” and similar expressions, or that events or conditions “will,” “would,” “may,” “can,” “could” or “should” occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Storm Cat’s management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties.  Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.  Storm Cat undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.  Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to the volatility of natural gas prices, the possibility that exploration efforts will not yield economically recoverable quantities of gas, accidents and other risks associated with gas exploration and development operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, the Company’s need for and ability to obtain additional financing, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company’s exploration and development plans, and the other risk factors discussed in greater detail in the Company’s various filings on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) with Canadian securities regulators and its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.

NO STOCK EXCHANGE HAS REVIEWED OR ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY

FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.




SELECT OPERATING DATA (UNAUDITED)

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

Selected Operating Data:

 

2007

 

2006

 

Net Sales Volume:

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas (MMcf)

 

665.5

 

225.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and Gas Sales (In Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas

 

$

3,912

 

$

1,279

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Sales Prices:

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas (per Mcf)

 

$

5.88

 

$

5.67

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Data (per Mcf):

 

 

 

 

 

Gathering and transportation

 

$

0.84

 

$

1.45

 

Lease operating expenses

 

$

0.86

 

$

1.51

 

Ad valorem and property taxes

 

$

0.49

 

$

0.86

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

$

2.45

 

$

2.17

 

General and administrative, net of capitalization

 

$

3.33

 

$

3.70

 

Stock-based compensation

 

$

0.67

 

$

3.40

 

 




CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Stated in U.S. Dollars and in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

6,732

 

$

5,299

 

Accounts receivable:

 

 

 

 

 

Joint interest billing

 

850

 

1,932

 

Revenue receivable

 

1,765

 

2,121

 

Fair value of derivative instruments - current

 

1,932

 

2,670

 

Subscription receivable on Series B convertible notes

 

17,485

 

 

Prepaid costs and other current assets

 

1,686

 

1,445

 

Total Current Assets

 

30,450

 

13,467

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and gas properties:

 

 

 

 

 

Unproved properties, net of impairments

 

57,927

 

54,873

 

Proved properties

 

54,499

 

46,446

 

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion, and amortization

 

(6,262

)

(4,764

)

Oil and gas properties, net

 

106,164

 

96,555

 

Fixed assets

 

1,072

 

1,057

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

(484

)

(408

)

Total other property, net

 

588

 

649

 

Total property and equipment, net

 

106,752

 

97,204

 

Restricted investments

 

511

 

511

 

Debt issuance costs

 

1,306

 

 

Fair value of derivative instruments - long term

 

 

782

 

 

 

1,817

 

1,293

 

Total Assets

 

$

139,019

 

$

111,964

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

36

 

$

7,302

 

Revenue payable

 

1,584

 

2,063

 

Accrued and other liabilities

 

5,781

 

10,011

 

Flow-through shares liability

 

147

 

1,233

 

Notes payable - current

 

 

7,500

 

Interest payable

 

446

 

952

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

7,994

 

29,061

 

Asset retirement obligation

 

1,977

 

1,871

 

Fair value of derivative instruments - long term

 

73

 

 

Bank debt — long term

 

19,220

 

19,350

 

Series A & B convertible notes

 

50,195

 

 

 

 

71,465

 

21,221

 

Total Liabilities

 

79,459

 

50,282

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Common Shares, without par value, unlimited authorized, issued and outstanding: 80,939,820 at March 31, 2007 and 80,429,820 at December 31, 2006

 

69,695

 

69,518

 

Contributed surplus

 

5,240

 

4,910

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

2,598

 

3,877

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(17,973

)

(16,623

)

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

59,560

 

61,682

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

139,019

 

$

111,964

 

 




CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(Stated in U.S. Dollars and in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

OPERATING REVENUES:

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and gas revenue

 

$

3,912

 

$

1,279

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

Operating costs:

 

 

 

 

 

Gathering & transportation

 

561

 

326

 

Operating expenses

 

903

 

533

 

General & administrative expenses

 

2,662

 

1,602

 

Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion

 

1,634

 

503

 

Other

 

 

(185

)

Total operating expenses

 

5,760

 

2,779

 

Operating loss

 

(1,848

)

(1,500

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

629

 

6

 

Interest and other miscellaneous income

 

(32

)

(201

)

Total other expense (income)

 

597

 

(195

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss before taxes

 

(2,445

)

(1,305

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recovery of future income tax asset from flow-through shares

 

(1,095

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET LOSS

 

$

(1,350

)

$

(1,305

)

Basic and diluted loss per share

 

$

(.02

)

$

(.02

)

Weighted average number of shares outstanding

 

80,498,487

 

66,013,392

 

 




CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(Stated in U.S. Dollars and in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss

 

$

(1,350

)

$

(1,305

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in
operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Recovery of future tax asset

 

(1,090

)

 

Stock-based compensation

 

454

 

758

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

1,574

 

503

 

Asset retirement obligation

 

103

 

 

Gain on disposition of properties

 

 

185

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

1,437

 

(552

)

Prepaid costs and other current assets

 

(1,538

)

(148

)

Accounts payable

 

(456

)

(2,296

)

Accrued and other current liabilities

 

(1,736

)

(3,342

)

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(2,602

)

(6,197

)

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted investments

 

 

(3

)

Capital expenditures — oil and gas properties

 

(21,446

)

(2,651

)

Fair value of derivatives

 

378

 

 

Proceeds from sale

 

 

(1,000

)

Other capital expenditures

 

(11

)

(78

)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

(21,079

)

(3,732

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common shares for cash

 

811

 

1,669

 

Proceeds from bank debt

 

(7,630

)

 

Proceeds from Series A & B convertible notes

 

32,950

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

26,131

 

1,669

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

(1,017

)

319

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

1,433

 

(7,941

)

Cash and cash equivalents and beginning of period

 

5,299

 

29,502

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

6,732

 

$

21,561

 

Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

792

 

$