Private Equity | Job Cuts / Downsize / Layoff | Capital Markets | Capital Expenditure | Capital Expenditure - 2020 | 2020 Guidance | Curtailment/Shut-In

Gulfport's : Salary Cuts, 2021 Debt Maturity, Production Down 25% YOY

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   |    Tuesday,June 02,2020

Gulfport Energy re-initiated its 2020 guidances

New production range 1.0 to 1.075 Bcfe/d vs prior range of 1.1 to 1.15 Bcfe/d.  This will be down -25% vs full year 2019.

Capex remained unchanged from prior guidance of $297.5 midpoint (range of $285 to $310 mm)

Cash G&A further and plans to be at low end of previous guidance range (reduction of $2 to $4 mm) with senior management taking 10% pay cuts, the CEO taking a 20% cut, select furloughs, and other measures prompting the guidance reduction.

For 2021 the company see a maintenance budget of $300 mm and cash neutrality at $2.75.

The company does have its RBL ($700 million) with $400m drawn set to mature in Dec' 21.

Debt Maturity

PR in Full

Gulfport Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: GPOR) ("Gulfport" or the "Company") today announced an update to its 2020 operational and financial guidance and provided an update on the Company's ongoing cost savings initiatives. Key highlights are as follows:

• Optimized production profile to take advantage of higher commodity price environment in late 2020 and 2021
• New forecasted 2020 full year net production to average 1,000 MMcfe to 1,075 MMcfe per day
• Plan continues to generate positive free cash flow in 2020 at current strip prices⁽¹⁾
• Initiated plan to further reduce annual G&A expenses by approximately $2 to $4 million and targeting low end of previously provided guidance for 2020
• Optimization efforts expect to reduce near-term firm transportation expenses by more than $10 million through 2021 and targeting low end of previously provided natural gas differential guidance for 2020

David M. Wood, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "As stated on our recent earnings call, we are updating Gulfport's 2020 plan, which now defers production from mid-year when prices are low to late 2020 and into 2021 when prices are expected to be higher. We are also now planning on more completion activity late this year in the Utica to take advantage of potentially strong prices in the winter. The savings we are seeing in drilling and completion activities allows us to add this activity and still be at the midpoint of our previously provided capex guidance range. We believe these efforts will better position the Company as we enter 2021, adding meaningful value and allowing for higher production in a better forward commodity price environment to maximize returns and cash flow."

Mr. Wood continued, "As it relates to our outlook for 2021, under a maintenance level program, we would expect to invest approximately $300 million of capital spend to maintain a similar level of year over year production. Assuming strip pricing of $2.75 per MMBtu for natural gas in 2021, we would expect to be cash flow neutral under this program. Should gas prices be between $2.75 per MMBtu and $3.00 per MMBtu, we would remain disciplined to this maintenance program, generating incremental free cash flow and highlighting our focus on exercising capital discipline and maximizing cash flow generation."

2020 Operational Plans
As a result of the current commodity price environment, Gulfport recently made the strategic decision to defer near-term production to later periods in 2020 and early 2021, when natural gas prices are expected to be materially higher when compared to mid-year strip pricing. In addition, Gulfport plans to complete an additional 3 gross wells in the Utica Shale during in the second half of 2020, providing incremental production late this year and into early 2021 in the anticipation of higher prices during the winter months. Lastly, Gulfport's updated production guidance reflects the recent production impacts due to shut ins from both the Company and its non-operated partners due to low prices. Considering all these factors, Gulfport now expects 2020 full year net production to average 1,000 MMcfe to 1,075 MMcfe per day. In addition, Gulfport forecasts its second quarter of 2020 production to average approximately 1,000 MMcfe to 1,050 MMcfe per day.

With the addition of this activity in late 2020, Gulfport is currently projecting 2020 total capital expenditures to be at the midpoint of the previously provided range of $285 million to $310 million.

Cost Savings Initiatives
Gulfport recently implemented several general and administrative expense ("G&A") cost saving initiatives, including tiered salary reductions for most employees, its senior management team and its Board of Directors beginning early June 2020. This includes a 10% salary reduction to Gulfport's senior management team and a 20% salary reduction for the Company's Chief Executive Officer. The cash retainer paid to the Company's Board of Directors will also be reduced by 10%. In addition, select furloughs will be implemented to reduce costs and better align the Company with its updated operating plan. All health and related benefits will still be available to furloughed employees during their furlough time. The Company expects these cost saving items, combined with other non-payroll initiatives, to reduce its 2020 recurring total G&A by approximately $2 to $4 million and now forecasts its 2020 total recurring G&A to be at the low end of its original guidance range.

In addition, Gulfport has or expects to enter into agreements with third-parties to reduce midstream costs and obligations in both of its operating areas. Gulfport estimates these initiatives will reduce its midstream expenses, including transportation expenses, during the second half of 2020 and 2021 by more than $10 million. As a result of these cost savings initiatives, Gulfport expects to be at or below the low end of its previously provided natural gas differential guidance range for 2020.