RAME Ram Energy Resources, Inc. (MM)

RAM Energy Resources, Inc. (Nasdaq: RAME) today announced fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2006 earnings and operating results. 2006 Highlights Oil and gas sales for the year rose three percent to $68.0 million; Operating income for the year increased to $23.3 million, or 67 percent, compared to $13.9 million in 2005; Net income for the year was $5.0 million, or $0.20 per share, compared to $543,000 in 2005; Cash flow from operations, a non-GAAP measure, was $18.1 million compared to $23.0 million in 2005; Average daily production for the year was 3,533 BOE compared with 3,848 BOE in the 2005 year. Fourth Quarter 2006 Highlights RAM reports income of $1.1 million or $0.03 a share; Cash flow from operations, a non-GAAP measure, was $3.2 million versus $5.4 million in fourth quarter 2005; Fourth quarter production of 301,000 barrel equivalents (BOE) of oil and natural gas was negatively impacted by weather and gas plant related curtailments. Although winter weather related curtailments also negatively affected production in the first quarter of 2007, daily production is estimated to have averaged approximately 3,500 BOE or a total for the quarter of approximately 315,000 BOE; Capital spending of $6.6 million in the quarter raises the total for the year to $28.1 million, compared to $13.5 million spent during 2005. Current Quarter Highlights Activity aimed at developing the company�s Barnett Shale acreage continues; RAM recently proposed its third well to date in 2007 to EOG Resources, while Devon Energy�s first well of this year on jointly held acreage has been drilled and is awaiting completion; In the company�s Wolfcamp shale exploration play, two vertical wells drilled in the fourth quarter of 2006 are currently undergoing fracture stimulation and initial testing; In conjunction with its regularly scheduled semi-annual redetermination, RAM�s borrowing base was reaffirmed at $140 million by the company�s commercial lenders based on the company�s proved reserves at year-end 2006; The company completed its offering of 7.5 million common shares in February, adding significantly to liquidity, which is estimated to be $68 million at March 31, 2007. �2006 was a year of substantial change for the company as it transitioned from a private to a publicly traded entity. A significant portion of our efforts focused upon the work program preparing to accelerate the development of our Barnett Shale acreage and the initiation of the Wolfcamp shale exploration play. The groundwork laid in 2006, in combination with EBITDA and cash flow in the fourth quarter, along with the liquidity from our successful equity offering in early 2007, positions us well to fund our 2007 capital budget and take advantage of growth opportunities during the year,� said Larry Lee, Chairman and CEO. �We continue to position the company to grow through a balanced strategy of acquisition, exploitation and exploration,� added Mr. Lee. 2006 Results For the 2006 year RAM reported net income of $5.0 million, or $0.20 a share, on 25.6 million weighted average fully diluted shares outstanding. For the 2005 year, RAM recorded income of $543,000. Total production for the year was 1.3 million BOE, down 8 percent from the prior year. However after giving pro forma effect to a reversionary interest burdening our properties in our Boonsville shallow gas area that vested in September 2005, which reduced our interest in the related properties, our production in 2006 would have decreased by four percent compared to that of 2005. The average price for oil and for natural gas liquids rose 19 percent and 11 percent respectively but their impact was partially offset by a 9 percent decline in the price of natural gas. The beneficial effect of hydrocarbon prices more than offset the decline in production volumes allowing oil and gas sales to rise nearly three percent for the year to $68.0 million, compared to $66.2 million in 2005. Cash flow from operations, a non-GAAP measure, was $18.1 million for the 2006 year compared to $23.0 million for the same period in 2005. See the attached table for reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the corresponding GAAP amounts of cash provided by operating activities of $30.5 million for the 2006 year and $18.4 million for the period ended December 31, 2005. Fourth Quarter 2006 Income and Cash Flow For the quarter ended December 31, 2006 RAM had net income of $1.1 million, or $0.03 per share, based upon 33.6 million weighted average fully diluted shares outstanding. Results of the current quarter were driven by reduced production, a rise in production expenses and share based compensation, somewhat offset by slightly lower interest expense. By comparison, in the fourth quarter 2005 RAM Energy, Inc. reported $4.1 million net income, which included a $5.0 million gain on derivatives. All comparative information in this release relates to the same 2005 period financial and operating results of RAM Energy, Inc., the exploration and production entity acquired by the company in May 2006. Cash flow from operations, a non-GAAP measure, was $3.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2006 compared to cash flow of $5.4 million in the same quarter of 2005. See the attached table for reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the corresponding GAAP amounts of cash provided by operating activities of $5.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2006 and $7.8 million for the same quarter in 2005. Production, Commodity Prices and Revenues Total production for the fourth quarter 2006 was 301,000 BOE, a decline of 74,000 BOE compared to the year-ago quarter of 375,000 BOE. Production in the 2006 quarter was negatively impacted by weather and gas plant related curtailments. By contrast, fourth quarter 2005 production of 375,000 was impacted beneficially by substantial accruals of production attributable to non-operated properties from prior quarters during the year. The company�s realized price for oil increased 15 percent to an average of $63.89 per barrel in the fourth quarter of 2006, compared with last year�s fourth quarter average realized price of $55.37 per barrel. The company�s realized price for natural gas decreased nearly 21 percent to average $5.42 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) compared to an average of $6.82 per Mcf in the fourth quarter of 2005. The benefit from the increase in the average price of oil was almost entirely offset by the decline in the average realized price of natural gas and natural gas liquids, allowing much of the impact of the decline in production to be reflected in oil and gas sales. Oil and gas sales dropped 17 percent to $15.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2006 compared to $18.1 million in the same quarter of 2005. The company does not formally designate its derivative contracts as hedges, nor are its derivative contracts associated with its production; therefore realized prices are not associated with derivative gains or losses. With the addition to oil and gas sales of $655,000 attributable to the net of derivative contract settlements, premiums, unrealized mark-to-market gains on derivatives and other revenues and operating income, total revenues for the fourth quarter of 2006 fell to $15.6 million, compared to $22.9 million of total revenues, in the same period of 2005. Costs and Expenses Production costs, in the fourth quarter of 2006, totaled $5.0 million, or $16.76 per BOE, 35 percent higher than the $12.38 per BOE in the previous year�s quarter. The increase in the per BOE rate was primarily due to lower production volumes, increased utility costs and higher maintenance costs due to additional producing wells. Production taxes were $800,000, or $2.66 per BOE, in this year�s fourth quarter, compared to $860,000, or $2.29 per BOE, in the fourth quarter of 2005. General and administrative expenses of $2.9 million, or $9.80 per BOE, increased 58 percent on a BOE basis, excluding share based compensation expense. Operations Update Oil and gas related capital expenditures totaled $6.6 million in the fourth quarter: $4.1 million was allocated to lower risk development activities and $2.5 million for exploratory activities, bringing total capital spending for the year to $28.1 million. RAM participated in the drilling of 18 gross (18.0 net) development wells and three gross (2.1 net) exploratory wells in the fourth quarter in contrast to a total of 17 gross (15.5 net) wells drilled in the same period of 2005. In the Electra/Burkburnett area of North Texas, responsible for approximately 55 percent of total net production in the fourth quarter 2006, the company continues its high level of development drilling and recompletion activity. A total of 18 net wells were drilled, of which 13 were completed as producing wells, and five were in various stages of completion at the end of the year. By contrast, 15 wells were drilled and completed in the fourth quarter of 2005. The company owns a 100 percent working interest in and operates Electra/Burkburnett. The company has an interest in nine producing wells in its Barnett Shale play in Jack and Wise Counties, Texas and a seismic acquisition program which has identified a growing inventory of potential drilling locations. Over the last two years, RAM has acquired and interpreted thirty-five square miles of 3-D seismic which supports the current inventory of 18 drilling locations, with additional locations expected to be identified from existing seismic. Accordingly, early in 2007, RAM has proposed the drilling of two wells to EOG Resources and other joint interest owners in the property with the result that EOG and other interest owners have consented to drill the first two wells proposed. In mid-March of this year, RAM proposed a third well to the parties, which have 30 days from the date of proposal to consent to drill the well or opt out. In order to continue to build on its inventory of potential drilling locations for future development, RAM plans to acquire an additional 60 square miles of 3-D seismic during 2007. During the fourth quarter 2006 the company initiated an exploration play in Southwest Texas, targeting the Wolfcamp shale. RAM has acquired leases and options covering 15,000 acres in which it currently holds a 100 percent working interest. The company drilled two vertical wells in the prospect during the fourth quarter; currently both wells are being fracture stimulated and tested. RAM to Webcast Third Quarter 2006 Conference Call The company�s teleconference call to review fourth quarter and year-end 2006 results will be broadcast live on a listen-only basis over the internet on Tuesday, April 3, at 3:00 p.m. Central Time. Interested parties may access the webcast by visiting the RAM Energy Resources, Inc. website at www.ramenergy.com. From the home page, select the Investor Relations tab and then click on the microphone icon. The teleconference may be accessed by dialing 1(888) 396-2356 (domestic) or 1(617)847-8709 (international) and providing the call passcode �66484342� to the operator. The webcast and the accompanying slide presentation will be available for replay on the company�s website. An audio replay will be available until April 10, 2006 by dialing 1(888) 286-8010 (domestic) or 1(617) 801-6888 (international) and using passcode �19577040�. Forward-Looking Statements This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be �forward-looking statements� within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts that address estimates of capital spending, prices of oil and gas and company realizations, the impact of oil and gas derivatives, drilling activities, borrowing availability, estimated production and events or developments that the company expects or believes are forward-looking statements. Although the company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include oil and gas prices, exploitation and exploration successes, actions taken and to be taken by the government as a result of political and economic conditions, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions as well as other risk factors described from time to time in the company�s filings with the SEC. The company assumes no obligation to update publicly such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. RAM Energy Resources, Inc. is an independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploitation, exploration, and development of oil and gas properties and the marketing of crude oil and natural gas. Company headquarters are in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and its common shares are traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol RAME. For additional information, visit the company website at www.ramenergy.com. RAM Energy Resources, Inc. Consolidated balance sheets (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) � As of December 31, 2006� 2005� � ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,721� $ 70� Accounts receivable: Oil and natural gas sales 6,194� 7,422� Joint interest operations, net of allowance of $187 ($31 at December 31, 2005) 750� 566� Related party -� 142� Income taxes 121� -� Other, net of allowance of $33 ($13 at December 31, 2005) 236� 175� Derivative assets 677� -� Prepaid expenses 1,013� 756� Other current assets -� 484� Total current assets 15,712� 9,615� PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT, AT COST: Oil and natural gas properties and equipment, using full cost accounting 185,284� 160,704� Other property and equipment 6,098� 7,276� 191,382� 167,980� Less accumulated amortization and depreciation (48,577) (36,848) Total properties and equipment 142,805� 131,132� OTHER ASSETS: Deferred loan costs, net of accumulated amortization of $4,840 ($4,095 at December 31, 2005) 2,593� 1,613� Other 615� 916� Total assets $ 161,725� $ 143,276� � LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable: Trade $ 7,810� $ 4,343� Oil and natural gas proceeds due others 3,886� 3,201� Related party 14� 41� Other 31� -� Accrued liabilities: Compensation 1,611� 749� Interest 3,849� 1,745� Income taxes 223� 146� � RAM Energy Resources, Inc. Consolidated balance sheets (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) continued � As of December 31, 2006� 2005� Derivative liabilities -� 3,510� Long-term debt due within one year 756� 560� Total current liabilities 18,180� 14,295� OIL & NATURAL GAS PROCEEDS DUE OTHERS 2,481� 1,972� LONG-TERM DEBT 131,481� 112,286� DEFERRED AND OTHER NON-CURRENT INCOME TAXES 26,677� 25,300� ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION 10,801� 10,192� � STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT: Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 100,000,000 and 30,000,000 shares authorized, 33,630,000 and 7,700,000 shares issued, 33,439,530 and 7,700,000 outstanding at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively 3� 1� Additional paid-in capital 2,308� 95� Treasury stock - 837,275 shares at cost (3,768) -� Accumulated deficit (26,438) (20,865) Stockholders' deficit (27,895) (20,769) Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit $161,725� $143,276� � (1) See RAM Energy Resources Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2006. The accompanying notes contained therein are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements � RAM Energy Resources, Inc. Consolidated statements of operations Years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) � 2006� 2005� REVENUES AND OTHER OPERATING INCOME Oil and natural gas sales $68,015� $66,243� Gain on sale of subsidiary -� -� Other 640� 851� Realized and unrealized gains (losses) from derivatives 1,589� (11,695) Total revenues and other operating income 70,244� 55,399� OPERATING EXPENSES: Oil and natural gas production taxes 3,329� 3,320� Oil and natural gas production expenses 18,266� 16,099� Depreciation and amortization 13,252� 12,972� Accretion expense 535� 510� Share-based compensation 2,308� -� General and administrative, overhead and other expenses, net of operator's overhead fees 9,300� 8,610� Total operating expenses 46,990� 41,511� Operating income 23,254� 13,888� OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): Interest expense (17,050) (12,614) Interest income 309� 75� INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 6,513� 1,349� INCOME TAX PROVISION 1,465� 806� Net Income $5,048� $543� BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE $0.21� $0.07� BASIC WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING 24,347,607� 7,700,000� DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE $0.20� $0.07� DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING 25,658,711� 7,700,000� � (1) See RAM Energy Resources Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2006. The accompanying notes contained therein are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements � RAM Energy Resources, Inc. Consolidated statements of cash flows Years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands) � 2006� 2005� OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net Income $5,048� $543� Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities - Depreciation and amortization 13,252� 12,972� Amortization of deferred loan costs and Senior Notes discount 988� 839� Write off loan fees due to debt refinancing 1,055� -� Accretion expense 535� 510� Gain on sale of subsidiary -� -� Provisions for doubtful accounts -� -� Unrealized (gain) loss on derivatives (6,239) 6,302� Derivative premiums net of amortization -� 634� Deferred income taxes 1,311� 1,199� Share-based compensation 2,308� -� Gain on disposal of other property and equipment (142) -� Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions Accounts receivable 1,012� (2,608) Prepaid expenses and other assets 229� (143) Accounts payable 4,173� (165) Accrued liabilities 6,025� (1,331) Income taxes payable 105� (393) Gas balancing liability -� -� Total adjustments 24,612� 17,816� Net cash provided by operating activities 29,660� 18,359� INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Payments for oil and natural gas properties and equipment (28,145) (13,528) Proceeds from sales of oil and natural gas properties 3,565� 2,471� Payments for other property and equipment (812) (1,497) Proceeds from sales of other property and equipment 461� -� Payments of merger cost (4,187) -� Cash acquired in merger 3,801� -� RWG acquisition, net of cash acquired -� -� Proceeds from the sale of subsidiary -� -� Proceeds from short-term investments -� -� Net cash used in investing activities (25,317) (12,554) � (1) See RAM Energy Resources Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2006. The accompanying notes contained therein are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements � RAM Energy Resources, Inc. Consolidated statements of cash flows Years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands) � 2006� 2005� FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Payments on long-term debt (88,094) (15,615) Proceeds from borrowings on long-term debt 107,443� 10,670� Payments for deferred loan costs (2,981) (565) Stock redemption (9,792) -� Stock repurchased (3,768) -� Dividends paid (500) (1,400) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 2,308� (6,910) INCREASE (DECEASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 6,651� (1,105) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year 70� 1,175� CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year $6,721� $70� SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Cash paid for income taxes $124� $20� Cash paid for interest $10,080� $3,297� � DISCLOSURE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Accrued interest added to principal balance of credit facility $2,848� $8,093� � (1) See RAM Energy Resources Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2006. The accompanying notes contained therein are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements � RAM Energy Resources, Inc. Production and Price Summary � Year ended Percent December 31, Increase 2005� 2006� (Decrease) � Production volumes: (1) Oil (MBbls) 787� 752� (4.5%) NGL (MBbls) 170� 143� (16.1%) Natural gas (MMcf) 2,861� 2,365� (11.8%) Total Mboe 1,405� 1,290� (8.2%) � Average sale prices: (2) Oil (per Bbl) $ 53.75� $ 63.82� 18.7% NGL (per Bbl) $ 36.33� $ 40.33� 11.0% Natural gas (per Mcf) $ 6.61� $ 6.02� (9.0%) Per Boe $ 47.16� $ 52.54� 11.4% � (1) A reversionary interest burdening our properties in our Boonsville shallow gas area vested September 2005, which reduced our interest in the related properties. The effect of the reversionary interest reduced total daily production by four percent in 2006 compared to 2005. � (2) Average realized prices before effects of derivative contracts. � (3) See RAM Energy Resources Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2006. The accompanying notes contained therein are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements � RAM Energy Resources, Inc. Selected Quarterly Financial Data ($ In thousands except per share data) � Quarter Ended December 31, 2006� 2005� � Net revenue - $15,620� $22,889� Net operating expenses 12,255� 11,883� Operating income (loss) 3,365� 11,006� Interest expense (3,837) (3,845) Interest income 71� 34� Income before income taxes (401) 7,195� Income tax provision (benefit) (1,459) 3,028� Net income (loss) $1,058� $4,167� � Basic net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders per common share $0.03� $0.54� � Diluted net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders per common share $0.03� $0.54� � RAM Energy Resources, Inc. Reconciliation of cash flow from operations (a non-GAAP measure) to GAAP net cash provided by operating activities � Non-GAAP Financial Measure Cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, represents cash provided by operating activities before the impact of discontinued operations, changes in working capital items related to operating activities, and further adjusted for unrealized gains or losses on derivative transactions. This non-GAAP measure is presented because management believes it is a useful adjunct to cash provided by operating activities under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). This non-GAAP cash flow measure is widely accepted as a financial indicator of an oil and gas company's ability to generate cash which is used to internally fund exploration and development activities and to service debt. This non-GAAP measure is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to cash provided (used) by operating, investing, or financing activities as an indicator of cash flows, or as a measure of liquidity. � 2006� Three months ended Year Ended December 31 December 31 � Cash flow from operations (a non-GAAP measure) $3,167� $18,144� Plus: working capital changes 2,042� 11,516� Less: deferred income taxes on share-based compensation classified as financing activities (34) (877) Net cash provided by operating activities per condensed consolidated statements of cash flow $5,243� $30,537� � Cash flow from operations (a non-GAAP measure) $3,167� $18,144� Less: realized (losses) on derivatives 116� (4,650) Less: unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives per condensed consolidated statements of cash flow 365� 6,239� Cash flow from operations (a non-GAAP measure) excluding realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives $2,686� $16,555� � 2005� Three months ended Year Ended December 31 December 31 � Cash flow from operations (a non-GAAP measure) $5,355� $22,999� Plus: working capital changes 2,388� (4,640) Less: deferred income taxes on share-based compensation classified as financing activities -� -� Net cash provided by operating activities per condensed consolidated statements of cash flow $7,743� $18,359� � Cash flow from operations (a non-GAAP measure) $5,355� $22,999� Less: realized (losses) on derivatives (3,293) (5,393) Less: unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives per condensed consolidated statements of cash flow 8,211� (6,302) Cash flow from operations (a non-GAAP measure) excluding realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives $437� $34,694�