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Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

Form 10-Q

 


 

x Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005

 

¨ Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the transition period from                      to                     

 

Commission file number 001-16009

 


 

SPINNAKER EXPLORATION COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   76-0560101
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

1200 Smith Street, Suite 800

Houston, Texas

  77002
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(713) 759-1770

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  x    No   ¨

 

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, on May 6, 2005 was 33,996,275.

 



Table of Contents

SPINNAKER EXPLORATION COMPANY

Form 10-Q

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005

 

          Page

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    

    Item 1.

   Financial Statements     

         Consolidated Balance Sheets March 31, 2005 (unaudited) and December 31, 2004

   3

         Consolidated Statements of Operations Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 (unaudited)

   4

         Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 (unaudited)

   5

         Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

   6

Cautionary Statement About Forward-Looking Statements

   11

    Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    12

    Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    23

    Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    26

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

    

    Item 6.

   Exhibits    26

SIGNATURES

   27

 

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SPINNAKER EXPLORATION COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

    

As of

March 31,

2005


   

As of
December 31,

2004


 
ASSETS                 

CURRENT ASSETS:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 14,395     $ 21,830  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,232 as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively

     50,606       48,785  

Hedging assets

     —         2,829  

Deferred tax assets

     38,727       —    

Other

     2,639       3,467  
    


 


Total current assets

     106,367       76,911  

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:

                

Oil and gas, on the basis of full-cost accounting:

                

Proved properties

     1,494,820       1,447,824  

Unproved properties and properties under development, not being amortized

     192,339       148,277  

Other

     6,966       6,651  
    


 


       1,694,125       1,602,752  

Less – Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

     (591,063 )     (541,615 )
    


 


Total property and equipment

     1,103,062       1,061,137  

OTHER ASSETS

     4,637       12,883  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 1,214,066     $ 1,150,931  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND EQUITY                 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

                

Accounts payable

   $ 26,631     $ 34,692  

Accrued liabilities and other

     57,415       47,264  

Hedging liabilities

     17,571       1,628  

Asset retirement obligations, current portion

     8,115       6,841  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     109,732       90,425  

LONG-TERM DEBT

     105,000       105,000  

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

     37,476       33,644  

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

     146,801       107,776  

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

                

EQUITY:

                

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively

     —         —    

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 33,967,367 shares issued and 33,960,227 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2005 and 33,927,158 shares issued and 33,920,018 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2004

     340       339  

Additional paid-in capital

     613,873       612,920  

Retained earnings

     211,143       199,882  

Less: Treasury stock, at cost, 7,140 shares as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively

     (18 )     (18 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (10,281 )     963  
    


 


Total equity

     815,057       814,086  
    


 


Total liabilities and equity

   $ 1,214,066     $ 1,150,931  
    


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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SPINNAKER EXPLORATION COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

 

    

Three Months

Ended March 31,


 
     2005

    2004

 

REVENUES

   $ 78,323     $ 59,791  

EXPENSES:

                

Lease operating expenses

     6,647       4,713  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization – oil and gas properties

     41,437       29,001  

Depreciation and amortization – other

     268       346  

Impairment of unproved properties

     7,743       —    

Accretion expense

     682       716  

Gain on settlement of asset retirement obligations

     (115 )     (126 )

General and administrative

     4,082       3,498  
    


 


Total expenses

     60,744       38,148  
    


 


INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

     17,579       21,643  

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

                

Interest income

     97       32  

Interest expense, net

     (271 )     (211 )
    


 


Total other income (expense)

     (174 )     (179 )
    


 


INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     17,405       21,464  

Income tax expense

     6,144       7,727  
    


 


NET INCOME

   $ 11,261     $ 13,737  
    


 


NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:

                

Basic

   $ 0.33     $ 0.41  
    


 


Diluted

   $ 0.32     $ 0.40  
    


 


WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:

                

Basic

     33,942       33,546  
    


 


Diluted

     34,916       34,636  
    


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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SPINNAKER EXPLORATION COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

    

Three Months

Ended March 31,


 
     2005

    2004

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                

Net income

   $ 11,261     $ 13,737  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

                

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     41,705       29,347  

Impairment of unproved properties

     7,743       —    

Accretion expense

     682       716  

Gain on settlement of asset retirement obligations

     (115 )     (126 )

Deferred income tax expense

     6,144       7,727  

Other

     1,607       403  

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

                

Accounts receivable

     (1,821 )     (5,518 )

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (13,785 )     3,562  

Other assets

     9,074       (2,381 )
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     62,495       47,467  

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                

Oil and gas properties

     (70,212 )     (83,476 )

Purchases of other property and equipment

     (315 )     (776 )
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (70,527 )     (84,252 )

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                

Proceeds from borrowings

     —         25,000  

Debt issue costs

     —         (39 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     597       4,041  
    


 


Net cash provided by financing activities

     597       29,002  
    


 


NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (7,435 )     (7,783 )

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year

     21,830       15,315  
    


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

   $ 14,395     $ 7,532  
    


 


SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES:

                

Cash paid for interest

   $ 1,085     $ 576  
    


 


Cash paid for income taxes

   $ —       $ —    
    


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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SPINNAKER EXPLORATION COMPANY

Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

March 31, 2005

 

1. Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Spinnaker Exploration Company (“Spinnaker” or the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments) necessary to present a fair statement of the results for the periods included herein have been made and the disclosures contained herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Interim period results are not necessarily indicative of results of operations or cash flows for a full year. These consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure,” amends SFAS No. 123 to provide alternative methods of transition for an entity that voluntarily changes to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and to require prominent disclosure about the effects on reported net income of an entity’s accounting policy decisions with respect to stock-based employee compensation. SFAS No. 148 amends Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 28, “Interim Financial Reporting,” to require disclosure about those effects in interim financial information.

 

SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” encourages, but does not require, companies to record compensation cost for stock-based employee compensation plans at fair value. The Company has chosen to account for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed in APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations. Accordingly, compensation cost for stock options is measured as the excess, if any, of the fair value of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), at the date of the grant over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the Common Stock. In accordance with APB Opinion No. 25, compensation expense related to stock-based compensation was $0 in each of the first quarter of 2005 and 2004, respectively. Had compensation cost for the Company’s stock option compensation plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates for awards under these plans consistent with the method of SFAS No. 123, the Company’s pro forma net income and pro forma net income per share of Common Stock would have been as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

    

Three Months

Ended March 31,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Net income, as reported

   $ 11,261     $ 13,737  

Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of related tax effects

     —         —    

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

     (1,270 )     (2,540 )
    


 


Pro forma net income

   $ 9,991     $ 11,197  
    


 


Net income per common share:

                

Basic, as reported

   $ 0.33     $ 0.41  
    


 


Basic, pro forma

   $ 0.29     $ 0.33  
    


 


Diluted, as reported

   $ 0.32     $ 0.40  
    


 


Diluted, pro forma

   $ 0.28     $ 0.31  
    


 


 

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On December 16, 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) revised SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” (“SFAS No. 123R”) that will require compensation costs related to share-based payment transactions to be recognized in the financial statements. With limited exceptions, the amount of compensation cost will be measured based on the grant-date fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. In addition, liability awards will be remeasured each reporting period. Compensation cost will be recognized over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award. SFAS No. 123R replaces SFAS No. 123 and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25. Adoption of SFAS No. 123R will require the Company to recognize compensation expense for all awards the Company grants after the date of adoption and for the unvested portion of all options granted that remain outstanding on the date of adoption.

 

On April 14, 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) announced that it would permit additional time to implement the requirements in SFAS No. 123R. As originally issued by the FASB, public companies were required to implement SFAS No. 123R as of the beginning of the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005. The Commission will permit companies to implement SFAS No. 123R at the beginning of their next fiscal year, instead of the next reporting period beginning after June 15, 2005 as required by SFAS No. 123R. The Commission is not changing any of the accounting requirements in SFAS No. 123R. The Company will be required to implement SFAS No. 123R as of January 1, 2006. All options that the Company granted prior to December 31, 2001 will be fully vested prior to adoption of SFAS No. 123R and will not be considered as part of the adoption in accordance with the new standard. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of adopting SFAS No. 123R.

 

3. Deferred Tax Assets

 

The Company was in a tax loss position as of December 31, 2004, and based on the first quarter 2005 results and review of the Company’s outlook on future operations, the Company expects that it will have taxable income in 2005. As a result, the Company has reclassified from deferred income taxes payable a current deferred tax asset of $32.5 million related to net operating loss carryforwards that it expects to utilize to offset taxable income in the next twelve months. As of March 31, 2005, deferred tax assets also included $6.2 million related to hedging activities.

 

4. Long-Term Debt

 

On December 19, 2003, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Spinnaker Exploration Company, L.L.C., entered into a $200.0 million revolving credit agreement (the “Revolver”) with a group of eight banks. The Revolver consists of two tranches, Tranche A and Tranche B. Borrowings under each tranche constitute senior indebtedness. The obligations under the Revolver are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Spinnaker.

 

Tranche A is available on a revolving basis through December 19, 2006, the maturity date of the Revolver, and availability is subject to the borrowing base determined by the banks. The borrowing base was $160.0 million as of March 31, 2005. Tranche B is $50.0 million, is available in multiple advances through October 31, 2005 and is not subject to the borrowing base. Borrowings under Tranche B cannot be reborrowed once repaid. Total availability under Tranche A and Tranche B cannot exceed $200.0 million. When the borrowing base exceeds $150.0 million, Tranche B is reduced by a like amount for the period the borrowing base exceeds $150.0 million until the maturity of Tranche B. The obligations under Tranche A are unsecured. At such time Tranche B is utilized, the banks are to be provided with security interests in virtually all of Spinnaker’s reserve base. Upon repayment of Tranche B, the security interests are to be released.

 

The borrowing base is re-determined semi-annually by the banks in their sole discretion and in their usual and customary manner. Spinnaker and the banks also have the right to request one additional re-determination annually. The amount of the borrowing base is a function of the banks’ view of Spinnaker’s reserve profile, future commodity prices and projected cash flows. In addition to the semi-annual re-determinations, the banks have the right to re-determine the borrowing base in the event of the sale, transfer or disposition of assets included in the borrowing base exceeding $25.0 million, or $10.0 million when Tranche B is utilized.

 

The Company has the option to elect to use a base interest rate as described below or the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus, for each such rate, a spread based on the percentage of the borrowing base used at that time. The base rate spread ranges from 0.0% to 0.5% for Tranche A borrowings and from 2.0% to 2.75% for Tranche B borrowings. The LIBOR spread ranges from 1.25% to 2.0% for Tranche A borrowings and from 3.0% to 3.75% for Tranche B borrowings. The base interest rate under the Revolver is a fluctuating rate of interest equal to the base rate spread plus the higher of either (i) The Toronto-Dominion Bank’s base rate for dollar advances made in the United States or (ii) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% per annum. The weighted average interest rate was 4.32% in the first quarter of 2005. The commitment fee rate ranges from 0.375% to 0.5%, depending on the borrowing base usage for Tranche A, and is 0.625% for Tranche B.

 

On February 8, 2005, Spinnaker and the banks amended the Revolver. The amendment was intended to give the Company:

 

    the flexibility to engage in business activities through entities other than its principal operating subsidiary, Spinnaker Exploration Company, L.L.C., including activities in international locations;

 

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    the ability to make investments and provide guarantees and extensions of credit to entities other than its principal operating subsidiary;

 

    a basket of up to $75.0 million a year to make distributions from its principal operating subsidiary to Spinnaker, to request letters of credit under the Revolver for activities other than those of its principal operating subsidiary, subject to the limits under the Revolver, and to provide extensions of credit from its principal operating subsidiary to other entities; and

 

    an increase in the aggregate amount of the borrowing base available under the Revolver for letters of credit up to $60.0 million, subject to certain limitations.

 

On March 29, 2005, Spinnaker Exploration Company, L.L.C. and the banks entered into a second amendment to the Revolver. Among other provisions, the amendment extended the Tranche B termination date to October 31, 2005, unless sooner terminated in accordance with the Revolver.

 

As of March 31, 2005, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $105.0 million. Current availability is $55.0 million and $40.0 million under Tranche A and Tranche B, respectively. As of March 31, 2005, the Company was in compliance with the provisions of the Revolver. Subsequent to March 31, 2005, Spinnaker had additional borrowings of $7.5 million and made payments of $12.5 million under the Revolver. The Company expects to incur additional borrowings in the remainder of 2005.

 

5. Asset Retirement Obligations

 

SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” requires entities to record liabilities for asset retirement obligations at fair value in the period in which the obligations are incurred and a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The reconciliation of the beginning and ending asset retirement obligations is as follows (in thousands):

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Asset retirement obligations, beginning of year

   $ 40,485     $ 32,994  

Liabilities incurred

     4,839       573  

Liabilities settled (1)

     (542 )     —    

Accretion expense

     682       716  

Revisions in estimated cash flows

     127       (309 )
    


 


Asset retirement obligations, end of period

   $ 45,591     $ 33,974  
    


 



(1) The costs associated with asset retirements in the first quarter of 2005 were approximately $0.4 million, resulting in a gain on settlement of asset retirement obligations of $0.1 million. The costs associated with asset retirements in the first quarter of 2004 were approximately $0.1 million, resulting in a gain on settlement of asset retirement obligations of approximately $0.1 million.

 

6. Commodity Price Risk Management Activities

 

The Company enters into New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) related swap contracts and collar arrangements from time to time. The natural gas swap contracts and collar arrangements will settle based on the reported settlement price on the NYMEX for the last trading day of each month. The crude oil swap contracts and collar arrangements will settle based on the average of the settlement price for each commodity business day in the contract month.

 

In a swap transaction, the counterparty is required to make a payment to Spinnaker for the difference between the fixed price and the settlement price if the settlement price is below the fixed price. Spinnaker is required to make a payment to the counterparty for the difference between the fixed price and the settlement price if the settlement price is above the fixed price. In a collar arrangement, the counterparty is required to make a payment to Spinnaker for the difference between the fixed

 

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floor price and the settlement price if the settlement price is below the fixed floor price. Spinnaker is required to make a payment to the counterparty for the difference between the fixed ceiling price and the settlement price if the settlement price is above the fixed ceiling price. Neither party is required to make a payment if the settlement price falls between the fixed floor and ceiling prices. As of March 31, 2005, Spinnaker’s commodity price risk management positions in swap contracts and collar arrangements were as follows:

 

Natural Gas

 

     Fixed Price Swaps

   Collars

    

Average

Daily

Volume

(MMBtus)


  

Weighted

Average

Price

(Per MMBtu)


  

Average

Daily

Volume

(MMBtus)


  

Weighted

Average Price

(Per MMBtu)


Period


            Floor

   Ceiling

Second Quarter 2005

   10,000    $ 6.40    —      $ —      $ —  

Third Quarter 2005

   10,000      6.40    —        —        —  

Fourth Quarter 2005

   3,370      6.40    —        —        —  

 

Oil

 

     Fixed Price Swaps

   Collars

Period


  

Average

Daily

Volume

(Bbls)


  

Weighted

Average

Price

(Per Bbl)


  

Average

Daily

Volume

(Bbls)


  

Weighted

Average Price

(Per Bbl)


              Floor

   Ceiling

Second Quarter 2005

   1,000    $ 40.78    3,000    $ 38.67    $ 44.73

Third Quarter 2005

   1,000      39.69    3,000      38.67      44.73

Fourth Quarter 2005

   1,000      38.78    3,000      38.67      44.73

 

The Company reported a net liability of $17.6 million and a net asset of $1.2 million related to financial derivative contracts as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. Amounts related to hedging activities were as follows (in thousands):

 

    

As of

March 31,

2005


   

As of

December 31,

2004


Current assets:

              

Hedging assets

   $ —       $ 2,829

Deferred tax asset related to hedging activities

     6,203       —  

Current liabilities:

              

Hedging liabilities

   $ 17,571     $ 1,628

Deferred tax liability related to hedging activities

     —         432

Equity:

              

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (10,281 )   $ 963

 

The ineffective component of the derivatives and net hedging gains (losses) were recorded in revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


     2005

    2004

Ineffective component of derivatives

   $ (1,682 )   $ —  
    


 

Net hedging income

   $ 593     $ 1,739
    


 

 

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Based on future oil and gas prices as of March 31, 2005, the Company would reclassify a net loss of approximately $10.3 million from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings in the remainder of 2005. The amounts ultimately reclassified into earnings will vary due to changes in the fair value of the open derivative contracts prior to settlement.

 

7. Earnings Per Share

 

Basic and diluted net income per common share is computed based on the following information (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

    

Three Months

Ended March 31,


     2005

   2004

Numerator:

             

Net income available to common stockholders

   $ 11,261    $ 13,737
    

  

Denominator:

             

Basic weighted average number of shares

     33,942      33,546
    

  

Dilutive securities:

             

Stock options

     974      1,090
    

  

Diluted adjusted weighted average number of shares and assumed conversions

     34,916      34,636
    

  

Net income per common share:

             

Basic

   $ 0.33    $ 0.41
    

  

Diluted

   $ 0.32    $ 0.40
    

  

 

8. Comprehensive Income

 

The following are components of comprehensive income (in thousands):

 

    

Three Months

Ended March 31,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Net income

   $ 11,261     $ 13,737  

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

                

Net change in fair value of derivative financial instruments

     (10,860 )     (2,362 )

Financial derivative settlements reclassified to income

     (384 )     (1,113 )
    


 


Comprehensive income

   $ 17     $ 10,262  
    


 


 

9. Impairment of Unproved Properties

 

Based on information available subsequent to March 31, 2005 that indicated unproved international oil and gas properties were impaired, the Company recorded a $7.7 million impairment charge, or $5.0 million after taxes, as a result of an unsuccessful well in its West African venture. The transfer of the 12.5% interest to the Company is still pending various approvals within the Nigerian government.

 

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Cautionary Statement About Forward-Looking Statements

 

In this quarterly report on Form 10-Q (“Quarterly Report”), unless the context requires otherwise, when we refer to “Spinnaker,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” we are describing Spinnaker Exploration Company and its subsidiaries.

 

Some of the information in this Quarterly Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “plan,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions that contemplate future events. Forward-looking statements include all statements under “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report involving the discussion of the following:

 

    financial position;

 

    business strategy;

 

    budgets;

 

    amount, nature and timing of capital expenditures, including future development costs;

 

    drilling of wells;

 

    oil and gas reserves;
    timing and amount of future production of oil and gas;

 

    marketing of oil and gas;

 

    operating costs and other expenses;

 

    cash flow and anticipated liquidity; and

 

    prospect development and property acquisitions.

 

Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, our expectations may not occur and we cannot provide assurance that the anticipated future operating results will meet our expectations or be achieved. Numerous factors, risks and uncertainties could cause our actual future results to differ materially from the results implied by these or other forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. These factors include, among other things:

 

    the risks associated with exploration;

 

    delays in anticipated production start-up dates;

 

    shut-ins of production for platform, pipeline and facility maintenance, additions and removals;

 

    potential mechanical failure or under-performance of significant wells;

 

    the relatively short production lives of certain properties;

 

    the concentration of production and reserves in a small number of properties;

 

    maturity of the Gulf of Mexico shelf;

 

    oil and gas price volatility;

 

    our hedging activities;

 

    our ability to find, replace, develop and acquire oil and gas reserves;

 

    uncertainties in the estimation of proved reserves and in the projection of future rates of production and the timing and amount of development expenditures;

 

    downward revisions of proved reserves and the related negative impact on the depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”) rate;

 

    write-downs of oil and gas properties if oil and gas prices decline, proved reserves are revised downward or our finding and development costs continue to increase;

 

    operating hazards attendant to the oil and gas business;

 

    drilling and completion risks, which costs are generally not recoverable from third parties or insurance;

 

    weather risks and natural disasters;

 

    availability and cost of material and equipment;

 

    actions or inactions of third-party operators of our properties;

 

    risks inherent in international operations;

 

    our ability to find and retain skilled personnel;

 

    availability of capital;

 

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    the strength and financial resources of competitors and customers;

 

    regulatory developments;

 

    environmental risks; and

 

    general economic conditions.

 

For additional discussion of these and other factors, risks and uncertainties, see “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in this Quarterly Report. You should pay particular attention to the risk factors and cautionary statements described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we undertake no obligation to update such forward-looking statements.

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Executive Overview

 

Our primary objective since inception has been to assemble a large 3-D seismic database and focus on exploration activities in the Gulf of Mexico because we believe that this area represents one of the most attractive exploration regions in North America. We also believe that a geographic focus provides an excellent opportunity to develop and maintain competitive advantages through our regional exploration and operating expertise. We try to maintain balance and diversity in our exploration approach by drilling both shallow water and deepwater prospects, ranging from lower-risk prospects to higher-risk, higher-potential prospects. We have also evaluated onshore and offshore opportunities outside the Gulf of Mexico in the past. In order to diversify our operations and apply our skill set to other opportunities, we entered into a farm-out agreement in December 2004 covering a 12.5% interest in OPL Block 256 offshore Nigeria from Devon Energy Corporation (“Devon”). The transfer of interest is pending various approvals within the Nigerian government. This opportunity gives us exposure to a large acreage position that contains multiple prospects in a prolific basin. We expect our capital requirements for exploratory activities in connection with this venture to be approximately $50 million to $60 million over a two to three year period. The first well offshore Nigeria was determined to be unsuccessful in April 2005. As a result, we recorded a $7.7 million pre-tax impairment charge related to unproved international oil and gas properties in the first quarter of 2005. We will record an additional impairment charge of approximately $0.5 million in the second quarter of 2005 related to well costs incurred subsequent to March 31, 2005. We have a commitment to drill a minimum of two additional exploratory wells on OPL Block 256, including one well we expect to drill later this year.

 

We recognized net income of $11.3 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2005 compared to net income of $13.7 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2004. The first quarter 2005 financial results were primarily impacted by the following:

 

    an $18.5 million, or 31%, increase in revenues, including a 181% increase in oil revenues as a result of a 109% increase in oil production and a 34% increase in the average oil price;

 

    a $12.4 million, or 43%, increase in DD&A as a result of a 15% increase in production and a 24% increase in the DD&A rate per Mcfe; and

 

    a $7.7 million, or $5.0 million after taxes, non-cash impairment of unproved properties related to an unsuccessful well offshore Nigeria.

 

We had $14.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and outstanding borrowings of $105.0 million under the Revolver as of March 31, 2005. We have experienced and expect to continue to experience substantial capital requirements. We incurred capital costs of approximately $91.4 million in the first quarter of 2005. Additionally, we have had negative working capital at the end of each of the past four years. Excluding current deferred tax assets of $38.7 million, our working capital deficit was $42.1 million as of March 31, 2005 compared to a deficit of $33.2 million as of December 31, 2004. We have capital expenditure plans for 2005 totaling approximately $294.0 million. We believe that cash flows from operations, proceeds from available borrowings under the Revolver and Green Canyon Blocks 338/339/382 (“Front Runner”) spar production facility financing opportunities will be sufficient to meet our capital requirements in the next twelve months.

 

Production of 11.8 Bcfe in the first quarter of 2005 was up 15% from the first quarter of 2004 production of 10.3 Bcfe. Although we have been able to maintain a drilling success rate of approximately 60% since inception, our exploratory drilling successes on the shelf and deep shelf since the second half of 2001 have been smaller and had less impact on our operating results than those prior to that time, resulting in a negative impact on our subsequent production and reserve growth and an increase in our DD&A rate per Mcfe. Additionally, several of our discoveries since mid-2001 were in the deep water. In particular, Front Runner commenced production from the first of nine wells in December 2004, and two additional wells have been completed and are producing in 2005 as ramp-up activities continue.

 

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Production

 

Since inception, 87% of our total production has been natural gas, including 65% in the first quarter of 2005. Oil production increased 109% in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the first quarter of 2004 primarily due to production at Front Runner. Front Runner commenced production in December 2004 from the first of nine wells. One additional well was completed and commenced production in the first quarter of 2005 and another well was completed and commenced production subsequent to March 31, 2005. Six additional wells will be completed at the Front Runner spar production facility. Considering the oil and condensate production from deepwater projects in 2005, we anticipate that the historical concentration in natural gas production will decrease to approximately one-half of total production by year-end 2005. As a result, our revenues, profitability and cash flows will be less sensitive to natural gas prices and more sensitive to oil prices.

 

Generally, our producing properties on the shelf have high initial production rates followed by steep declines. As a result, we must continually drill for and develop new oil and gas reserves on the shelf and in deep water to replace those being depleted by production. Substantial capital expenditures are required to find and develop these reserves. Our challenge is to find and develop reserves at economic rates and commence production of these reserves as quickly and efficiently as possible. Our near-term production growth is dependent upon the success of our shelf drilling activities since large deepwater development projects require significantly more time before production commences.

 

Drilling Activities and Oil and Gas Property Costs

 

From inception through March 31, 2005, we participated in drilling 179 wells in the Gulf of Mexico resulting in 107 discoveries. Historically, most of the wells we drilled were on the shelf. However, we are transitioning to more deepwater operations. Prior to 2001, we drilled nine deepwater wells, three of which were successful. Since 2001 and through March 31, 2005, we have drilled 33 deepwater wells, 22 of which were successful. We currently plan to drill and evaluate several additional deepwater wells in the Gulf of Mexico and one deepwater well in West Africa in the remainder of 2005. Our most significant deepwater projects include oil discoveries at Front Runner and natural gas discoveries in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico at DeSoto Canyon Blocks 618/619/620/621 (“Eastern Gulf Project”). Front Runner commenced production in December 2004 from the first of nine wells. The Eastern Gulf Project development plan is complete. Our fields, along with several other dedicated fields in the Eastern Gulf, will be developed via subsea tieback to a floating production facility located in Mississippi Canyon 920 that will be capable of processing 850 MMcf of natural gas per day. We own 10.6% of the processing rights associated with this facility and the export pipelines. We anticipate first production from the Eastern Gulf Project in 2007.

 

We participated in three successful wells in three attempts in the first quarter of 2005. Capital costs incurred totaled $91.4 million in the first quarter of 2005, including approximately $14.7 million for leasehold and other acquisition activities, $48.5 million for exploration activities, $27.9 million for development activities and $0.3 million for acquisitions of other property and equipment.

 

Our current capital expenditure budget for 2005 is approximately $294.0 million, including $201.0 million for exploration activities and geological and geophysical expenditures, $50.0 million for development activities, $40.0 million for leasehold acquisitions and $3.0 million for other property and equipment. We currently plan to drill and evaluate 20 wells in the remainder of 2005, including 13 wells on the Gulf of Mexico shelf, six wells in the deep water of the Gulf of Mexico and one additional well in West Africa. Exploration and development activities in deep water require significant capital commitments. If we are successful in our exploration efforts in 2005, currently budgeted capital requirements in 2005 will increase.

 

Finding and Development Costs

 

We believe that the DD&A rate is the best measure for evaluating finding and development costs per Mcfe since the rate generally considers all acquisition, exploration and development costs. The rate also considers any additional development costs associated with proved reserves, such as costs for drilling new wells, sidetracks and recompletions, which we will incur in the future to produce the oil and gas reserves and an estimate of the costs to abandon wells, platforms, facilities and pipelines after reservoirs are depleted. However, other factors must also be considered when relying on the DD&A rate as a measure for evaluating a company’s finding and development costs per Mcfe. In most cases, the total estimated resource of a reservoir is not usually proved with only one well, and the initial proved reserves are generally burdened with 100% of the development costs as well as any future development costs. In addition, the costs of successful wells may impact the DD&A rate before associated proved reserves are booked in some instances.

 

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The DD&A rate per Mcfe is calculated quarterly and increased 24% to $3.51 in the first quarter of 2005 from $2.82 in the first quarter of 2004. The DD&A rate increased 2% in the first quarter of 2005 from $3.43 per Mcfe in the fourth quarter of 2004. Of the $0.08 increase in the DD&A rate from the fourth quarter of 2004, $0.03 related to increased future development costs based on current cost estimates, $0.02 related to increased asset retirement costs associated with anticipated 2005 abandonments and $0.02 related to capitalized general and administrative expenses, insurance, interest, seismic and other costs.

 

Proved Oil and Gas Reserves

 

We have achieved reserve growth through exploration activities and have not acquired any reserves through acquisition activities. As of December 31, 2004, Ryder Scott Company, L.P. (“Ryder Scott”) estimated net proved reserves at approximately 306.7 Bcfe, with a present value of future net cash flows (before income taxes) of approximately $1.046 billion. Proved reserves were down 8% from the end of 2003. Proved oil and condensate reserves were 52% of total proved reserves and proved undeveloped reserves were approximately 66% of total proved reserves as of December 31, 2004. Front Runner represented approximately 67% of our total proved undeveloped reserves. Our 2004 proved reserve additions totaled approximately 40.8 Bcfe, offset in part by a net downward revision of 20.4 Bcfe.

 

Oil and Gas Prices and Hedging Activities

 

Oil and gas prices fluctuate widely, primarily affecting the amount of cash flow available for capital expenditures, our ability to borrow and raise additional capital and the amount of oil and gas that we can economically produce. Natural gas prices have been extremely volatile recently as a result of various factors, including weather, industrial demand and uncertainty related to the ability of the energy industry to provide supply to meet future demand. There are questions whether fundamentals support current natural gas prices.

 

We enter into hedging arrangements from time to time to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in oil and gas prices and to achieve more predictable cash flow. However, these contracts limit the benefits we would realize if prices increase. We recorded a net hedging gain of $0.6 million in the first quarter of 2005 compared to a net hedging gain of $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2004. If oil and gas prices stabilize at current levels, we will incur hedging losses in the remainder of 2005. Major challenges related to our hedging activities include a determination of the proper production volumes to hedge and acceptable commodity price levels for each hedge transaction.

 

Revenues, profitability, cash flow and future growth depend substantially on prevailing oil and gas prices and our ability to find and develop oil and gas reserves that are economically recoverable. A substantial or extended decline in the prices for oil and gas could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, quantities of oil and gas reserves that may be economically produced and access to capital.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates include DD&A of proved oil and gas properties. Oil and gas reserve estimates, which are the basis for unit-of-production DD&A and the full cost ceiling test, are inherently imprecise and are expected to change as future information becomes available. In addition, alternatives may exist among various accounting methods. In such cases, the choice of accounting method may also have a significant impact on reported amounts. Our critical accounting policies are as follows:

 

Full Cost Method of Accounting

 

The accounting for oil and gas exploration and production is subject to special accounting rules that are specific to the industry. Two allowable methods exist for these activities: the successful efforts method and the full cost method. Several significant differences exist between the two methods. The major difference is under the successful efforts method, costs such as geological and geophysical, exploratory dry holes and delay rentals are expensed as incurred whereas under the full cost method, these types of charges are capitalized into the full cost amortization base.

 

We use the full cost method of accounting for investments in oil and gas properties. Under this method, cost centers are established on a country-by-country basis, and all acquisition, exploration and development costs, including certain related employee costs incurred for the purpose of exploring for and developing oil and gas properties, are capitalized. Acquisition

 

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costs include costs incurred to purchase, lease or otherwise acquire property. Exploration costs include the costs of drilling exploratory wells, including those in progress, and geological and geophysical service costs. Development costs include the costs of drilling development wells, completions, platforms, facilities, pipelines and the costs related to the retirement of these assets. Costs associated with production and general corporate activities are expensed in the period incurred. Sales of oil and gas properties, whether or not being amortized currently, are accounted for as adjustments of capitalized costs, with no gain or loss recognized, unless such adjustments would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved oil and gas reserves.

 

Application of the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas properties generally results in higher capitalized costs, no exploration costs and higher DD&A rates than the application of the successful efforts method of accounting. Although some of these costs will ultimately result in no additional proved reserves, we expect the benefits of successful wells to more than offset the costs of any unsuccessful ones. As a result, we believe that the full cost method of accounting better reflects the true economics of exploring for and developing oil and gas reserves. Our financial position and results of operations would have been significantly different had we used the successful efforts method of accounting for our oil and gas investments.

 

Since inception, we have had a single cost center for our U.S. Gulf of Mexico operations. In connection with our West African venture, we now have a separate cost center for our Nigerian operations.

 

Proved Reserve Estimates

 

Ryder Scott prepares estimates of our proved oil and gas reserves as of June 30 and December 31 each year. These estimates of proved reserves are based on the quantities of oil and gas which geological and engineering data demonstrate, with reasonable certainty, to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data, engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. For example, we must estimate, among others, the amount and timing of future production, operating, workover and transportation expenses and development and abandonment costs, all of which may vary considerably from actual results. In addition, as prices and cost levels change from year to year, the estimate of proved reserves also changes. Any significant variance in these assumptions could materially affect the estimated quantity and value of our proved oil and gas reserves.

 

Despite the inherent imprecision in these engineering estimates, our proved reserves are used throughout our financial statements. For example, we use the unit-of-production method to amortize our oil and gas properties and the quantity of proved reserves could significantly impact our DD&A rate and related expense. Our oil and gas properties are also subject to a ceiling limitation based in part on the quantity of our proved reserves. Finally, these proved reserves are the basis for our supplemental oil and gas disclosures.

 

Depreciation, Depletion & Amortization

 

DD&A expense is comprised of many factors, including costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration and development of proved oil and gas reserves, production levels, estimates of proved reserve quantities and future development and abandonment costs. We compute the provision for DD&A of oil and gas properties on a quarterly basis using the unit-of-production method. The calculation is based on quarterly production and estimates of proved reserves. Unevaluated costs are excluded from the amortization base until the properties associated with these costs are evaluated. In addition to costs associated with evaluated properties, the amortization base includes estimated future development costs and dismantlement, restoration and abandonment costs and estimated salvage values of platforms and other equipment associated with future asset retirement obligations.

 

Certain future development costs may be excluded from amortization when incurred in connection with major development projects expected to entail significant costs to ascertain the quantities of proved reserves attributable to the properties under development. The amounts that may be excluded are portions of the costs that relate to the major development project and have not previously been included in the amortization base and the estimated future expenditures associated with the development project. Such costs may be excluded from costs to be amortized until the earlier determination of whether additional reserves are proved or impairment occurs.

 

As of March 31, 2005, we excluded from the amortization base estimated future expenditures of $28.6 million associated with common development costs for our deepwater discovery at Front Runner. This estimate of future expenditures associated with common development costs is based on existing proved reserves to total proved reserves expected to be established upon completion of the Front Runner project. If the $28.6 million had been included in the amortization base as

 

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of March 31, 2005, and no additional reserves were assigned to the Front Runner project, the DD&A rate would have been $3.60 per Mcfe, or an increase of $0.09 over the actual first quarter 2005 DD&A rate of $3.51 per Mcfe. All future development costs associated with the deepwater discovery at Front Runner are included in the determination of estimated future net cash flows from proved oil and gas reserves used in the full cost ceiling calculation.

 

Full Cost Ceiling

 

Under full cost accounting rules, total capitalized costs within each of our cost centers are limited to a ceiling equal to the present value of future net cash flows from proved oil and gas reserves located within the applicable region, discounted at 10% per annum, plus the lower of cost or fair value of unproved properties less income tax effects (the “ceiling limitation”). We perform a quarterly ceiling test to determine whether the net book value of our full cost amortization base within each of our cost centers exceeds the ceiling limitation. If capitalized costs, net of accumulated DD&A, less related deferred taxes are greater than the ceiling limitation, a write-down or impairment of the full cost amortization base is required. A write-down of the carrying value of oil and gas properties is a non-cash charge that reduces earnings and typically results in lower DD&A expense in future periods.

 

In accordance with Commission guidelines, we include estimated future cash flows from our hedging program in our ceiling test calculation. In addition, subsequent to the adoption of SFAS No. 143, the future cash outflows associated with the settlement of asset retirement obligations are not included in the computation of the discounted present value of future net cash flows for the purposes of the ceiling test calculation.

 

In calculating the ceiling test for our U.S. cost center as of March 31, 2005, we estimated a full cost ceiling “cushion” of $325.9 million, using prices of $7.35 per Mcf of natural gas and $51.65 per barrel of oil and condensate. Considering the volatility of oil and gas prices, it is probable that our estimate of discounted future net cash flows from proved oil and gas reserves will change in the near term. Capitalized costs related to our operations in Nigeria will be subject to a separate ceiling limitation as the costs are evaluated. If oil and gas prices decline, even if for only a short period of time, if we incur significant costs associated with unsuccessful drilling operations or if we have downward revisions to our estimated proved reserves, it is possible that write-downs of oil and gas properties could occur in the future.

 

Unproved Properties

 

The costs associated with unproved properties and properties under development are not initially included in the amortization base and primarily relate to unevaluated leasehold costs, delay rentals, geological and geophysical costs, wells in-progress and wells pending determination.

 

Geological and geophysical costs, including 3-D seismic data costs and related seismic hardware and software costs, are included in the full cost amortization base as incurred when such costs cannot be associated with specific unevaluated properties for which we own a direct interest. Seismic data costs are associated with specific unevaluated properties if the seismic data may be used to evaluate acreage that is covered by a leasehold interest owned by Spinnaker. We make this determination based on an analysis of leasehold and seismic maps and discussions with our management and exploration managers. Seismic hardware and software costs are associated with specific unevaluated properties if the hardware and software was acquired specifically to process or reprocess certain 3-D seismic data that covers an area or trend containing a leasehold interest owned by Spinnaker. We make this determination based on discussions with our management and information technology and seismic processing specialists. When such seismic data, hardware and software costs can be associated with specific unevaluated properties and excluded from the full cost amortization base, we allocate the costs based on management’s judgment of the potential economic value to be realized upon determination of whether or not proved reserves can be assigned to the properties. Significant assumptions used by management in determining the potential economic value of an owned leasehold interest include the number of successful and unsuccessful wells drilled within and around the lease and trend, the number of prospects on the lease and the size of the potential resource associated with the lease.

 

Unevaluated leasehold costs, delay rentals and geological and geophysical costs associated with specific properties are transferred to the amortization base either upon determination of whether or not proved reserves can be assigned to the properties or if impairment has occurred. The costs of drilling exploratory dry holes are transferred to the amortization base immediately upon determination that the well is unsuccessful. The costs associated with wells in-progress and wells pending determination are transferred to the amortization base upon determination of whether or not proved reserves can be assigned to the properties.

 

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Leasehold Costs

 

In September 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. FAS 142-2, “Application of FASB Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets to Oil and Gas Producing Entities.” This FSP confirms that SFAS No. 142 did not change the balance sheet classification or disclosure requirements for drilling and mineral rights of oil and gas producing entities. We classify the costs of oil and gas drilling and mineral rights as property and equipment.

 

Asset Retirement Obligations

 

We recognize the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the asset. The fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation is the amount which that liability could be settled in a current transaction between willing parties. Spinnaker uses the expected cash flow approach for calculating asset retirement obligations. The liability is discounted using the credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate in effect when the liability is initially recognized. The changes in the liability for an asset retirement obligation due to the passage of time are measured by applying an interest method of allocation to the amount of the liability at the beginning of the period. This amount is recognized as an increase in the carrying amount of the liability and as accretion expense classified as an operating item in the statement of operations.

 

Financial Instruments and Price Risk Management Activities

 

As of March 31, 2005, our financial instruments consisted of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, payables and derivative instruments. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables and payables approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these items. We enter into hedging arrangements from time to time to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in oil and gas prices and to achieve more predictable cash flow. These hedging arrangements take the form of swap contracts or cashless collars and are placed with major trading counterparties. We recorded net hedging income of $0.6 million and $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2005 and 2004, respectively.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

SFAS No. 148 amends SFAS No. 123 to provide alternative methods of transition for an entity that voluntarily changes to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and to require prominent disclosure about the effects on reported net income of an entity’s accounting policy decisions with respect to stock-based employee compensation. SFAS No. 148 amends APB Opinion No. 28 to require disclosure about those effects in interim financial information.

 

SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” encourages, but does not require, companies to record compensation cost for stock-based employee compensation plans at fair value. We elected to account for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed in APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations. Accordingly, compensation cost for stock options is measured as the excess, if any, of the fair value of the Common Stock at the date of the grant over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the Common Stock.

 

On December 16, 2004, the FASB revised SFAS No. 123 that will require compensation costs related to share-based payment transactions to be recognized in the financial statements. With limited exceptions, the amount of compensation cost will be measured based on the grant-date fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. In addition, liability awards will be remeasured each reporting period. Compensation cost will be recognized over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award. SFAS No. 123(R) replaces SFAS No. 123 and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25. Adoption of SFAS No. 123R will require us to recognize compensation expense for all awards we grant after the date of adoption and for the unvested portion of all options granted that remain outstanding on the date of adoption.

 

On April 14, 2005, the Commission announced that it would permit additional time to implement the requirements in SFAS No. 123R. As originally issued by the FASB, public companies were required to implement SFAS No. 123R as of the beginning of the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005. The Commission will permit companies to implement SFAS No. 123R at the beginning of their next fiscal year, instead of the next reporting period beginning after June 15, 2005 as required by SFAS No. 123R. The Commission is not changing any of the accounting requirements in SFAS No. 123R. We will be required to implement SFAS No. 123R as of January 1, 2006. All options that we granted prior to December 31, 2001 will be fully vested prior to adoption of SFAS No. 123R and will not be considered as part of the adoption in accordance with the new standard. We are currently evaluating the effect of adopting SFAS No. 123R.

 

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Related Parties

 

We purchase oilfield goods, equipment and services from Cooper Cameron Corporation (“Cooper Cameron”) and National-Oilwell, Inc. (“National-Oilwell”) and other oilfield services companies in the ordinary course of business. We incurred charges of less than $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2005 from Cooper Cameron. Mr. Sheldon R. Erikson, a director of Spinnaker, serves as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of Cooper Cameron. We incurred charges of less than $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2005 from National-Oilwell. Mr. Roger L. Jarvis, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of Spinnaker, serves as a director of National-Oilwell. These amounts represent less than 1% of Cooper Cameron’s and National-Oilwell’s total revenues in the first quarter of 2005 and only reflect charges directly incurred by us. Our partners may incur charges from these related parties that are not included above.

 

We believe that these transactions are at arm’s-length and the charges we pay for such goods, equipment and services are competitive with the charges and fees of other companies providing oilfield goods, equipment and services to the oil and gas exploration and production industry. Each of these companies is a leader in its respective segments of the oilfield services sector. We could be at a disadvantage if we were to discontinue using these companies as vendors.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

On December 16, 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets,” an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29, to clarify the accounting for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets. SFAS No. 153 eliminates the exception from the fair value measurement for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do not have commercial substance. A nonmonetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. SFAS No. 153 will be applied prospectively and is effective for nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 153 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Results of Operations

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,

 
     2005

    2004

   Variance

 

Production:

                             

Natural gas (MMcf)

     6,702       7,816      (1,114 )   (14 )%

Oil and condensate (MBbls)

     693       332      361     109 %

Natural gas liquids (thousands of Gallons)

     6,668       3,412      3,256     95 %

Total (MMcfe)

     11,811       10,295      1,516     15 %

Revenues (in thousands):

                             

Natural gas

   $ 42,617     $ 44,198    $ (1,581 )   (4 )%

Oil and condensate

     32,391       11,547      20,844     181 %

Natural gas liquids

     4,282       2,024      2,258     112 %

Net hedging income (loss)

     593       1,739      (1,146 )   (66 )%

Other

     (1,560 )     283      (1,843 )   (651 )%
    


 

  


     

Total

   $ 78,323     $ 59,791    $ 18,532     31 %

Average realized sales price per unit:

                             

Natural gas revenues from production (per Mcf)

   $ 6.36     $ 5.65    $ 0.71     13 %

Effects of hedging activities (per Mcf)

     0.40       0.22      0.18     82 %
    


 

  


     

Average realized price (per Mcf)

   $ 6.76     $ 5.87    $ 0.89     15 %

Oil and condensate revenues from production (per Bbl)

   $ 46.76     $ 34.79    $ 11.97     34 %

Effects of hedging activities (per Bbl)

     (3.03 )     —        (3.03 )   —    
    


 

  


     

Average realized price (per Bbl)

   $ 43.73     $ 34.79    $ 8.94     26 %

Natural gas liquids revenues from production (per Gallon)

   $ 0.64     $ 0.59    $ 0.05     8 %

Effects of hedging activities (per Gallon)

     —         —        —       —    
    


 

  


     

Average realized price (per Gallon)

   $ 0.64     $ 0.59    $ 0.05     8 %
    


 

  


     

Total revenues from production (per Mcfe)

   $ 6.71     $ 5.61    $ 1.10     20 %

Effects of hedging activities (per Mcfe)

     0.05       0.17      (0.12 )   (71 )%
    


 

  


     

Total average realized price (per Mcfe)

   $ 6.76     $ 5.78    $ 0.98     17 %
    


 

  


     

Expenses (per Mcfe):

                             

Lease operating expenses

   $ 0.56     $ 0.46    $ 0.10     22 %

Depreciation, depletion and amortization – oil and gas properties oil and gas properties

   $ 3.51     $ 2.82    $ 0.69     24 %

 

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Table of Contents

Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 as Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004

 

Revenues and Production

 

Revenues increased $18.5 million, or 31%, in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the first quarter of 2004. The increase was primarily due to 15% higher production and a 20% higher average commodity price in the first quarter of 2005, partially offset by a $1.1 million decrease in hedging gains and a $1.8 million net decrease in other revenues resulting primarily from the ineffective component of derivatives of $1.7 million.

 

Production increased approximately 1.5 Bcfe, or 15%, in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the first quarter of 2004 primarily due to Front Runner oil production. Front Runner commenced production in December 2004 from the first of nine wells. One additional well was completed and commenced production in the first quarter and another well was completed and commenced production subsequent to March 31, 2005. Six additional wells will be completed at the Front Runner spar production facility. Average daily production in the first quarter of 2005 was 131 MMcfe compared to 113 MMcfe in the first quarter of 2004. Natural gas revenues decreased $1.6 million, or 4%, due primarily to lower production of 1.1 Bcf, or 14%, partially offset by a 13% higher average price in the first quarter of 2005. Excluding the effects of hedging activities, the first quarter 2005 average natural gas price was $6.36 per Mcf compared to $5.65 per Mcf in the same period of 2004. Oil and condensate revenues increased $20.8 million, or 181%, due primarily to an increase in production of 361 MBbls, or 109%, and a 34% higher average price. Excluding the effects of hedging activities, the first quarter 2005 average oil price was $46.76 per barrel compared to $34.79 per barrel in the same period of 2004. Natural gas liquids revenues increased $2.3 million, or 112%, in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same period of 2004 based on natural gas production and related processing requirements.

 

Lease Operating Expenses

 

Lease operating expenses are costs incurred to operate and maintain wells and related equipment and facilities. These costs may include, among others, workover expenses, labor, materials, supplies, property taxes, insurance, severance taxes and transportation, gathering and processing expenses. Lease operating expenses increased $1.9 million, or 41%, in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004. Of the total increase, approximately $1.1 million was related to lease operating expenses at Front Runner, our deepwater project that commenced production in December 2004, and $1.3 million related to lease operating expenses on other blocks where production commenced during and subsequent to the first quarter of 2004, offset in part by a net $0.5 million decrease in costs associated with producing wells as of March 31, 2004.

 

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

 

DD&A increased $12.4 million, or 43%, in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the first quarter of 2004. Of the total increase in DD&A, $8.1 million related to a higher DD&A rate and $4.3 million related to higher production of 1.5 Bcfe. The 24% increase in the DD&A rate per Mcfe to $3.51 in the first quarter of 2005 from $2.82 in the same period in 2004 was primarily due to costs associated with unsuccessful wells in 2004, a net downward revision to proved reserves in 2004 and higher finding costs associated with certain discoveries due primarily to the timing of reserve recognition.

 

Impairment of Unproved Properties

 

Based on information available subsequent to March 31, 2005 that indicated unproved international oil and gas properties were impaired, we recorded a $7.7 million impairment charge as a result of an unsuccessful well in our West African venture. The transfer of the 12.5% interest to Spinnaker is still pending various approvals within the Nigerian government.

 

General and Administrative

 

General and administrative expenses are overhead-related expenses, including among others, wages and benefits for non-capitalized employees, auditing fees, legal fees, Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 compliance fees, insurance, office rent, travel and entertainment, computer supplies and maintenance and investor relations expenses. General and administrative expenses increased $0.6 million, or 17%, in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the first quarter of 2004. The increase was primarily due to higher employment-related expenses, legal fees and costs associated with Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 compliance.

 

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Income Tax Expense

 

Income tax expense decreased $1.6 million, or 20%, due to lower pre-tax income and a reduction in the effective tax rate to 35.3% in the first quarter of 2005 from 36.0% in the first quarter of 2004. The effective tax rate was reduced to 35.3% in the first quarter of 2005 due to lower expected deferred state income taxes resulting from a lower state apportionment factor.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our revenues, profitability, cash flow and future growth depend substantially on prevailing oil and gas prices and our ability to find and develop oil and gas reserves that are economically recoverable. A substantial or extended decline in oil and gas prices could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, quantities of oil and gas reserves that may be economically produced and access to capital.

 

We have experienced and expect to continue to experience substantial capital requirements, primarily due to our active exploration and development programs in the Gulf of Mexico. Net additions to property and equipment in the first quarter of 2005 were $91.4 million. We have capital expenditure plans for 2005 totaling approximately $294.0 million. Based on this level of capital expenditures and current oil and gas prices, we expect our cash flow from operations to exceed our capital expenditures for the first time since our inception. However, we use a systematic risking process to select prospects for drilling. If we experience greater than anticipated success on budgeted projects, capital expenditures will increase.

 

Oil and gas prices have a significant impact on our cash flows available for capital expenditures and our ability to borrow and raise additional capital. The amount we can borrow under the Revolver is subject to semi-annual re-determination based in part on changing expectations of future prices. Lower prices may also reduce the amount of oil and gas that we can economically produce. Lower prices and/or lower production may decrease revenues, cash flows and the borrowing base under the Revolver, thus reducing the amount of financial resources available to meet our capital requirements. We believe that cash flows from operations, proceeds from available borrowings under the Revolver and Front Runner spar production facility financing opportunities will be sufficient to meet our capital requirements in the next twelve months. However, additional debt or equity financing may be required in the future to fund growth and acquisition, exploration and development activities. In the event additional capital resources are unavailable, we may curtail drilling, development and other activities or be forced to sell some of our assets on an untimely or unfavorable basis.

 

As of March 31, 2005, we had outstanding borrowings of $105.0 million and were in compliance with provisions of the Revolver. Subsequent to March 31, 2005, we had additional borrowings of $7.5 million and made payments of $12.5 million. We expect to incur additional borrowings in 2005. See “–Financing Activities” for more information.

 

Spinnaker has an effective shelf registration statement relating to the potential public offer and sale by us or certain of our affiliates of up to $500.0 million of any combination of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, warrants, stock purchase contracts and trust preferred securities from time to time or when financing needs arise. The registration statement does not provide assurance that we will or could sell any such securities.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

In the ordinary course of business, we enter into purchase obligations and contracts. As part of our project-oriented exploration and production activities, we routinely enter into these contracts for certain aspects of a project, such as engineering, drilling, subsea work and other equipment and services. We also lease administrative offices, office equipment and oil and gas equipment under non-cancelable operating leases. We had no capital lease or purchase obligations or other contractual long-term liabilities as of March 31, 2005, except for obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business.

 

As of March 31, 2005, we had borrowings of $105.0 million outstanding under Tranche A of the Revolver, which are due on December 19, 2006. Subsequent to March 31, 2005, Spinnaker had additional borrowings of $7.5 million and made payments of $12.5 million under the Revolver.

 

Components of Cash Flow

 

Cash and cash equivalents decreased $7.4 million to $14.4 million as of March 31, 2005. The components of the decrease in cash and cash equivalents included $62.5 million provided by operating activities, $70.5 million used in investing activities and $0.6 million provided by financing activities.

 

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Table of Contents

Operating Activities

 

Net cash provided by operating activities in the first quarter of 2005 increased 32% to $62.5 million primarily due to higher production and commodity prices. Cash flow from operations is dependent upon our ability to increase production through exploration and development activities and oil and gas prices. We have made significant investments to expand our operations in the Gulf of Mexico.

 

We sell our oil and gas production under fixed and floating market price contracts each month. We enter into hedging arrangements from time to time to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in oil and gas prices and to achieve more predictable cash flow. However, these contracts limit the benefits we would realize if prices increase. See “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

 

As of March 31, 2005, Spinnaker had negative working capital of $3.4 million. Excluding current deferred tax assets of $38.7 million, we had negative working capital $42.1 million as of March 31, 2005. Our cash flow from operations depends on our ability to manage working capital, including accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The net increase of $1.8 million in accounts receivable since December 31, 2004 was primarily related to a $1.9 million increase in oil and gas revenues receivable, offset in part by a net $0.1 million decrease in joint interest billings and other. Oil and gas revenues receivable increased primarily due to higher oil prices in March 2005 compared to December 2004. Joint interest billings fluctuate from period to period based on the number of wells we operate and the timing of billings to and collections from other working interest owners. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities increased $2.1 million from December 31, 2004. Fluctuations from period to period occur based on exploratory and development activities in progress and the timing of our payments to vendors and other operators.

 

Investing Activities

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $70.5 million in the first quarter of 2005 and included oil and gas property expenditures of $70.2 million and purchases of other property and equipment of $0.3 million.

 

As part of our strategy, we explore for oil and gas at deeper drilling depths and in the deep water of the Gulf of Mexico, where operations are more difficult and costly than at shallower drilling depths and in shallower water. Along with higher risks and costs associated with these areas, greater opportunity exists for reserve additions. We have experienced and will continue to experience significantly higher drilling costs for deep shelf and deepwater projects relative to the drilling costs on shallower depth shelf projects in the Gulf of Mexico. Historically, most of the wells we drilled were on the shelf. However, we are transitioning to more deepwater operations. Prior to 2001, we drilled nine deepwater wells, three of which were successful. Since 2001 and through March 31, 2005, we have drilled 33 deepwater wells, 22 of which were successful. We currently plan to drill and evaluate several additional deepwater wells in the Gulf of Mexico and one deepwater well in West Africa in the remainder of 2005.

 

In order to diversify our operations, we entered into a farm-out agreement in December 2004 covering a 12.5% interest in OPL Block 256 offshore Nigeria from Devon. The transfer of interest is pending various approvals within the Nigerian government. We expect our capital requirements for exploratory activities in connection with this venture to be approximately $50 million to $60 million over a two to three year period. The first well offshore Nigeria was determined to be unsuccessful in April 2005. As a result, we recorded a $7.7 million pre-tax impairment charge related to unproved international oil and gas properties in the first quarter of 2005. We will record an additional impairment charge of approximately $0.5 million in the second quarter of 2005 related to well costs incurred subsequent to March 31, 2005. We have a minimum of two additional exploratory wells to drill on OPL Block 256, including one well we expect to drill later this year.

 

We drilled three successful wells in three attempts in the first quarter of 2005. We drilled 27 wells in 2004, 14 of which were successful. Since inception and through March 31, 2005, we drilled 179 wells, 107 of which were successful, representing a success rate of 59%. Dry hole costs, including associated leasehold costs, were approximately $2.2 million in the first quarter of 2005 and primarily related to costs incurred in 2005 on unsuccessful wells in progress as of December 31, 2004 and cost adjustments to prior year unsuccessful wells. Our current capital expenditure budget for 2005 is approximately $294.0 million, including $201.0 million for exploration activities and geological and geophysical expenditures, $50.0 million for development activities, $40.0 million for leasehold acquisitions and $3.0 million for other property and equipment. We currently plan to drill and evaluate 20 wells in the remainder of 2005, including 13 wells on the Gulf of Mexico shelf, six wells in the deep water of the Gulf of Mexico and one additional well in West Africa. Actual levels of capital expenditures may vary due to many factors, including drilling results, oil and gas prices, the availability of capital, industry conditions, acquisitions, decisions of operators and other prospect owners and the prices of drilling rig dayrates and other oilfield goods and services.

 

We settled asset retirement obligations of $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2005. Current liabilities include asset retirement obligations of $8.1 million, the settlements of which will depend on the timing of abandonment decisions and equipment availability in 2005.

 

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Table of Contents

The costs associated with unproved properties and properties under development not included in the amortization base were as follows (in thousands):

 

    

As of

March 31,

2005


  

As of

December 31,

2004


Leasehold, delay rentals and seismic data, hardware and software costs

   $ 157,094    $ 128,465

Wells in-progress

     18,548      3,836

Wells pending determination

     15,492      14,820

Other

     1,205      1,156
    

  

Total

   $ 192,339    $ 148,277
    

  

 

Financing Activities

 

Net cash provided by financing activities of $0.6 million in the first quarter of 2005 related to proceeds from stock option exercises.

 

On December 19, 2003, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Spinnaker Exploration Company, L.L.C., entered into a $200.0 million Revolver with a group of eight banks. The Revolver consists of two tranches, Tranche A and Tranche B. Borrowings under each tranche constitute senior indebtedness. The obligations under the Revolver are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Spinnaker.

 

Tranche A is available on a revolving basis through December 19, 2006, the maturity date of the Revolver, and availability is subject to the borrowing base determined by the banks. The borrowing base was $160.0 million as of March 31, 2005. Tranche B is $50.0 million, is available in multiple advances through October 31, 2005 and is not subject to the borrowing base. Borrowings under Tranche B cannot be reborrowed once repaid. Total availability under Tranche A and Tranche B cannot exceed $200.0 million. When the borrowing base exceeds $150.0 million, Tranche B is reduced by a like amount for the period the borrowing base exceeds $150.0 million until the maturity of Tranche B. The obligations under Tranche A are unsecured. At such time Tranche B is utilized, the banks are to be provided with security interests in virtually all of our reserve base. Upon repayment of Tranche B, the security interests are to be released.

 

The borrowing base is re-determined semi-annually by the banks in their sole discretion and in their usual and customary manner. Spinnaker and the banks also have the right to request one additional re-determination annually. The amount of the borrowing base is a function of the banks’ view of our reserve profile, future commodity prices and projected cash flows. In addition to the semi-annual re-determinations, the banks have the right to re-determine the borrowing base in the event of the sale, transfer or disposition of assets included in the borrowing base exceeding $25.0 million, or $10.0 million when Tranche B is utilized.

 

We have the option to elect to use a base interest rate as described below or the LIBOR plus, for each such rate, a spread based on the percentage of the borrowing base used at that time. The base rate spread ranges from 0.0% to 0.5% for Tranche A borrowings and from 2.0% to 2.75% for Tranche B borrowings. The LIBOR spread ranges from 1.25% to 2.0% for Tranche A borrowings and from 3.0% to 3.75% for Tranche B borrowings. The base interest rate under the Revolver is a fluctuating rate of interest equal to the base rate spread plus the higher of either (i) The Toronto-Dominion Bank’s base rate for dollar advances made in the United States or (ii) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% per annum. The weighted average interest rate was 4.32% in the first quarter of 2005. The commitment fee rate ranges from 0.375% to 0.5%, depending on the borrowing base usage for Tranche A, and is 0.625% for Tranche B.

 

The Revolver also includes the following restrictions and covenants:

 

    Incurrence of other debt is prohibited except that senior debt may not exceed $10.0 million ($5.0 million when Tranche B is used), vendor indebtedness for the purchase of seismic data may not exceed $25.0 million, subordinated debt is permitted subject to certain conditions and a lease transaction involving the Front Runner spar production facility is specifically permitted.

 

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    Liens are generally prohibited; however, we may grant a lien in connection with the purchase of seismic data, pledges and deposits to secure hedging arrangements not to exceed $15.0 million and lease financing arrangements involving our interest in the Front Runner spar production facility.

 

    Stock buy-backs exceeding $10.0 million are prohibited in any fiscal year.

 

    The ratio of debt to EBITDA may not exceed 2.50 to 1.00.

 

    The ratio of current assets to current liabilities may not be less than 1.00 to 1.00. For purposes of the calculation, availability under the Revolver is added to current assets and maturities of the Revolver are excluded from current liabilities. Hedging assets and liabilities and asset retirement obligations are also excluded from this calculation.

 

    Our tangible net worth is required to exceed 80% of the level at September 30, 2003, plus 50% of future net income with certain non-cash gains and losses excluded from net income, plus 75% of future equity issuances.

 

    Our hedging transactions must not exceed 66 2/3% of estimated future production for the next 18 months and 33 1/3% for the period 19 to 36 months from the date of the transaction. There are also credit rating restrictions on counterparties as well as concentration limits.

 

On February 8, 2005, Spinnaker and the banks amended the Revolver. The amendment was intended to give us:

 

    the flexibility to engage in business activities through entities other than our principal operating subsidiary, Spinnaker Exploration Company, L.L.C., including activities in international locations;

 

    the ability to make investments and provide guarantees and extensions of credit to entities other than our principal operating subsidiary;

 

    a basket of up to $75.0 million a year to make distributions from our principal operating subsidiary to us, to request letters of credit under the Revolver for activities other than those of our principal operating subsidiary, subject to the limits under the Revolver, and to provide extensions of credit from our principal operating subsidiary to other entities; and

 

    an increase in the aggregate amount of the borrowing base available under the Revolver for letters of credit up to $60.0 million, subject to certain limitations.

 

On March 29, 2005, Spinnaker Exploration Company, L.L.C. and the banks entered into a second amendment to the Revolver. Among other provisions, the amendment extended the Tranche B termination date to October 31, 2005, unless sooner terminated in accordance with the Revolver.

 

As of March 31, 2005, we had outstanding borrowings of $105.0 million. Current availability is $55.0 million and $40.0 million under Tranche A and Tranche B, respectively. As of March 31, 2005, we were in compliance with the provisions of the Revolver. Subsequent to March 31, 2005, we had additional borrowings of $7.5 million and made payments of $12.5 million under the Revolver. We expect to incur additional borrowings in the remainder of 2005.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Commodity Price Risk

 

Our revenues, profitability and future growth depend substantially on prevailing oil and gas prices. Oil and gas prices also affect the amount of cash flow available for capital expenditures and our ability to borrow and raise additional capital. Lower prices may also reduce the amount of oil and gas that we can economically produce. We sell our oil and gas production under fixed and floating market price contracts each month. We enter into hedging arrangements from time to time to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in oil and gas prices and to achieve more predictable cash flow. We do not enter into such hedging arrangements for trading purposes. However, these contracts limit the benefits we would realize if prices increase. Our current financial derivative contracts include fixed price swap contracts and cashless collar arrangements that have been placed with major trading counterparties we believe represent minimum credit risks. We cannot provide assurance

 

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that these trading counterparties will not become credit risks in the future. Under our current hedging practice, we generally do not hedge more than 66 2/3% of our estimated twelve-month production quantities without the prior approval of the Risk Management Committee of our Board of Directors.

 

We enter into NYMEX related swap contracts and collar arrangements from time to time. The natural gas swap contracts and collar arrangements will settle based on the reported settlement price on the NYMEX for the last trading day of each month. The crude oil swap contracts and collar arrangements will settle based on the average of the settlement price for each commodity business day in the contract month.

 

In a swap transaction, the counterparty is required to make a payment to us for the difference between the fixed price and the settlement price if the settlement price is below the fixed price. We are required to make a payment to the counterparty for the difference between the fixed price and the settlement price if the settlement price is above the fixed price. In a collar arrangement, the counterparty is required to make a payment to us for the difference between the fixed floor price and the settlement price if the settlement price is below the fixed floor price. We are required to make a payment to the counterparty for the difference between the fixed ceiling price and the settlement price if the settlement price is above the fixed ceiling price. Neither party is required to make a payment if the settlement price falls between the fixed floor and ceiling prices. As of March 31, 2005, our commodity price risk management positions in swap contracts and collar arrangements were as follows:

 

Natural Gas

 

     Fixed Price Swaps

   Collars

    

Average

Daily

Volume

(MMBtus)


  

Weighted

Average

Price

(Per MMBtu)


  

Average

Daily

Volume

(MMBtus)


  

Weighted

Average Price

(Per MMBtu)


Period


            Floor

   Ceiling

Second Quarter 2005

   10,000    6.40    —      —      —  

Third Quarter 2005

   10,000    6.40    —      —      —  

Fourth Quarter 2005

   3,370    6.40    —      —      —  

 

Oil

 

     Fixed Price Swaps

   Collars

    

Average

Daily

Volume

(Bbls)


  

Weighted

Average

Price

(Per Bbl)


  

Average

Daily

Volume

(Bbls)


  

Weighted

Average Price

(Per Bbl)


Period


            Floor

   Ceiling

Second Quarter 2005

   1,000    $ 40.78    3,000    $ 38.67    $ 44.73

Third Quarter 2005

   1,000      39.69    3,000      38.67      44.73

Fourth Quarter 2005

   1,000      38.78    3,000      38.67      44.73

 

We reported a net liability of $17.6 million and a net asset of $1.2 million related to financial derivative contracts as of March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. Amounts related to hedging activities were as follows (in thousands):

 

    

As of

March 31,

2005


   

As of

December 31,

2004


Current assets:

              

Hedging assets

   $ —       $ 2,829

Deferred tax asset related to hedging activities

     6,203       —  

Current liabilities:

              

Hedging liabilities

   $ 17,571     $ 1,628

Deferred tax liability related to hedging activities

     —         432

Equity:

              

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (10,281 )   $ 963

 

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Table of Contents

The ineffective component of the derivatives and net hedging gains (losses) were recorded in revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 as follows (in thousands):

 

    

Three Months

Ended March 31,


     2005

    2004

Ineffective component of derivatives

   $ (1,682 )   $ —  
    


 

Net hedging income

   $ 593     $ 1,739
    


 

 

Based on future oil and gas prices as of March 31, 2005, we would reclassify a net loss of approximately $10.3 million from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings in the remainder of 2005. The amounts ultimately reclassified into earnings will vary due to changes in the fair value of the open derivative contracts prior to settlement.

 

To calculate the potential effect of the derivative contracts on future revenues, we applied NYMEX oil and gas forward prices as of March 31, 2005 to the quantity of our oil and gas production covered by those derivative contracts as of that date. The following table shows the estimated potential effects of the derivative financial instruments on future revenues (in thousands):

 

Derivative Instrument


  

Estimated Decrease

in Revenues at

Current

Prices


   

Estimated Decrease

in Revenues with

10% Decrease

in Prices


   

Estimated Decrease

in Revenues with

10% Increase in

Prices


 

Natural gas swaps

   $ (2,885 )   $ (2,780 )   $ (4,101 )

Oil swaps

     (4,578 )     (3,356 )     (7,080 )

Oil collars

     (10,108 )     (6,432 )     (15,949 )

 

Subsequent to March 31, 2005, the fair value of our open commodity price risk management positions in swap contracts and collar arrangements using average oil and gas forward prices of $52.81 and $6.77, respectively, as of May 6, 2005 was a net liability of approximately $9.7 million, excluding April and May 2005 settlements resulting in losses of $1.5 million. We did not enter into any additional derivative transactions subsequent to March 31, 2005.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

We are exposed to changes in interest rates. Changes in interest rates affect the interest earned on cash and cash equivalents and the interest rate paid on borrowings under the Revolver. We do not currently use interest rate derivative financial instruments to manage exposure to interest rate changes, but may do so in the future.

 

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Table of Contents

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as this term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2005.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2005, we made no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

See “Exhibit Index.”

 

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

          SPINNAKER EXPLORATION COMPANY

Date:

  

            May 9, 2005            

   By:   

/s/ ROBERT M. SNELL


              

Robert M. Snell

Vice President, Chief Financial

Officer and Secretary

Date:

  

            May 9, 2005            

   By:   

/s/ JEFFREY C. ZARUBA


              

Jeffrey C. Zaruba

Vice President, Treasurer and

Assistant Secretary

 

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Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number


  

Description


12.1 –    Calculation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends
31.1 –    Certification of Principal Executive Officer of Spinnaker Exploration Company Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
31.2 –    Certification of Principal Financial Officer of Spinnaker Exploration Company Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
32.1 –    Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Spinnaker Exploration Company Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350
32.2 –    Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Spinnaker Exploration Company Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350

 

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