HOUSTON, Oct. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwestern Energy Company (NYSE: SWN) today announced its financial and operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2016.

"During the third quarter, we once again delivered on our commitments and delivered solid results through our relentless focus on value creation in the current pricing environment," remarked Bill Way, President and Chief Executive Officer of Southwestern Energy. "As operations ramp up, we are also enhancing our laser focus on growing margins, evidenced this quarter by a reduction of lease operating expenses per unit for the fifth consecutive quarter. As we look forward to 2017, our capital rigor and commitment to balance sheet strength will remain central to delivering value-adding growth from our vast portfolio."

Highlights for the third quarter include:


    --  Outstanding reinitiation of drilling and completion activities within
        each of the Company's core assets, highlighted by our ability to utilize
        our company-owned rig fleet to ramp activity quickly and resume our
        pacesetter results.
        --  Three-well pad placed to sales in Northeast Appalachia with a
            cumulative initial production rate exceeding 50 MMcf per day;
        --  Improved drilling performance in each operating area, surpassing
            levels achieved in late 2015 prior to pause in activity;
        --  Fayetteville wells placed to sales in the third quarter averaging
            6,701 Mcf per day;
    --  Total net production of 211 Bcfe, including 121 Bcfe from the
        Appalachian Basin and 90 Bcf from the Fayetteville Shale, largely due to
        impressive well performance and continuing optimization of gathering
        systems in all of our areas;
    --  Net cash provided by operating activities of $172 million and net cash
        flow (a non-GAAP measure reconciled below) of $173 million;
    --  Net loss attributable to common stock of $735 million, or $1.52 per
        diluted share, and adjusted net income attributable to common stock (a
        non-GAAP measure reconciled below) of $12 million, or $0.03 per diluted
        share;
    --  Completion of announced balance sheet strengthening initiatives
        resulting in a decrease in total debt and net debt (a non-GAAP measure
        reconciled below) of $1.1 billion and $1.6 billion, respectively, since
        June 30; and
    --  Continued progress on our hedging strategy; 535 Bcf of 2017 net gas
        production hedged utilizing fixed price swaps and collars with an
        average swap or purchased put strike price of $3.00 per Mcf.

Third Quarter of 2016 Financial Results

For the third quarter of 2016, Southwestern reported a net loss attributable to common stock of $735 million, or $1.52 per diluted share, and adjusted net income attributable to common stock (a non-GAAP measure) of $12 million, or $0.03 per diluted share. This compares to a net loss attributable to common stock of $1.8 billion, or $4.62 per diluted share, and an adjusted net income attributable to common stock of $3 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2015.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $172 million for the third quarter of 2016, compared to $287 million in the third quarter of 2015. Net cash flow (a non-GAAP measure) was $173 million for the third quarter of 2016, compared to $330 million for the same period in 2015.

E&P Segment - The operating loss from the Company's E&P segment was $777 million for the third quarter of 2016, compared to an operating loss of $2.9 billion during the third quarter of 2015. The decreased operating loss was primarily due to a smaller non-cash impairment in 2016. Adjusted operating income from the Company's E&P segment was $42 million for the third quarter of 2016 (a non-GAAP measure), compared to an adjusted operating loss of $71 million for the same period in 2015. The increase in adjusted operating income was primarily due to lower operating costs and higher realized NGL prices partially offset by decreased realized natural gas prices and decreased production.

Net production totaled 211 Bcfe in the third quarter of 2016, down from 249 Bcfe in the third quarter of 2015 as a result of limited drilling and completion activity. The quarter included 90 Bcf from the Fayetteville Shale, 84 Bcf from Northeast Appalachia and 37 Bcfe from Southwest Appalachia. This compares to 118 Bcf from the Fayetteville Shale, 93 Bcf from Northeast Appalachia and 37 Bcfe from Southwest Appalachia in the third quarter of 2015.

Due to the continued challenging commodity price environment, Southwestern's average realized gas price including the effect of derivatives in the third quarter of 2016 was $1.73 per Mcf, down from $2.21 per Mcf in the third quarter of 2015. The Company's commodity derivative activities decreased its average realized gas price by $0.05 per Mcf during the third quarter of 2016, compared to an increase of $0.44 per Mcf during the same period in 2015. As of October 18, 2016, the Company had approximately 99 Bcf of its remaining 2016 forecasted gas production protected at an average swap or purchased put strike price of $2.84 per Mcf with upside exposure on approximately 50% of those protected volumes. Additionally, the Company had approximately 535 Bcf of its 2017 forecasted gas production protected at an average swap or purchased put strike price of $3.00 per Mcf with upside exposure on approximately 45%, or 239 Bcf, of those protected volumes to $3.33 per Mcf. The Company also had approximately 160 Bcf of its 2018 forecasted gas production protected at an average swap or purchased put strike price of $2.94 per Mcf, with upside exposure on approximately 89%, or 141 Bcf, of those protected volumes to $3.35 per Mcf.

A detailed breakdown of the Company's natural gas derivative financial instruments as of October 18, 2016 is shown below:




                                         Weighted Average Price per MMBtu
                                         --------------------------------

                        Volume     Swaps                      Sold Puts      Purchased       Sold Calls
                        (Bcf)                                                   Puts
                         ----                                                   ----

    Financial
     protection on
     production

    2016
    ----

      Fixed price swaps         51                     $2.81               $               -             $      - $      -

      Purchased put
       options                   4       $                 -              $               -                $2.34  $      -

      Two-way costless-
       collars                  40       $                 -              $               -                $2.93     $3.33

      Three-way
       costless-collars          5       $                 -                          $2.30                 $3.00     $3.25
                               ---

      Total                     99

    2017
    ----

      Fixed price swaps        296                     $3.04               $               -             $      - $      -

      Two-way costless-
       collars                 103       $                 -              $               -                $2.94     $3.38

      Three-way
       costless-collars        135       $                 -                          $2.29                 $2.97     $3.30
                               ---

      Total                    535

    2018
    ----

      Fixed price swaps         18                     $3.00               $               -             $      - $      -

      Two-way costless-
       collars                  14       $                 -              $               -                $3.00     $3.46

      Three-way
       costless-collars        128       $                 -                          $2.31                 $2.93     $3.33
                               ---

      Total                    160


    Sold call options

    2016                        30       $                 -              $               -             $      -    $5.00

    2017                        86       $                 -              $               -             $      -    $3.25

    2018                        63       $                 -              $               -             $      -    $3.50

    2019                        52       $                 -              $               -             $      -    $3.50

    2020                        32       $                 -              $               -             $      -    $3.75
                               ---

    Total                      263



    Note: Amounts may not
     sum due to rounding

Like most producers, the Company typically sells its natural gas at a discount to NYMEX settlement prices. This discount includes a basis differential, third-party transportation charges and fuel charges. Disregarding the impact of derivatives, the Company's average price received for its gas production during the third quarter of 2016 was approximately $1.03 per Mcf lower than average NYMEX settlement prices, compared to approximately $1.00 per Mcf lower than average NYMEX settlement prices during the third quarter of 2015.

As is historically the case, the Company experiences its widest differentials in the third quarter. This widening basis for the third quarter of 2016 was influenced largely by regional storage levels being at or near capacity. Factoring in the forecasted gains of approximately $0.03 per Mcf on basis hedges currently in place, the Company anticipates its total company basis differential to end the year at the high end of its guidance, which is $0.83 per Mcf. Based on current expectations, these gains for 2016 are expected to total over $20 million and will be reported as part of hedge gains.

The Company's basis hedging program includes protection associated with physical sales agreements that is reported as a component of realized gas price excluding derivatives and; therefore, is included in the gas basis differential and transportation charge guidance. This program also includes financial instruments with the results of which are reported as realized gas price including derivatives and are not included in guidance.

As of September 30, 2016, the Company mitigated the volatility of basis differentials by protecting basis on approximately 75 Bcf of the remaining 2016 expected natural gas production through financial derivative instruments and physical sales arrangements at a basis differential to NYMEX natural gas prices of approximately ($0.08) per Mcf. Additionally, the Company has protected basis on approximately 196 Bcf of its 2017 forecasted natural gas production at a basis differential to NYMEX natural gas prices of approximately ($0.33) per Mcf. Please refer to our quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, for additional information on the Company's commodity, basis and interest rate protection.

Lease operating expenses per unit of production for the Company's E&P segment were down to $0.86 per Mcfe in the third quarter of 2016, compared to $0.92 per Mcfe in the third quarter of 2015. The decrease was primarily due to the successful renegotiation of the existing gathering and processing rates in Southwest Appalachia.

General and administrative expenses per unit of production were $0.23 per Mcfe in the third quarter of 2016, compared to $0.20 per Mcfe in the third quarter of 2015. This increase was primarily due to the decreased volumes in 2016. This excludes the restructuring charges associated with the workforce reduction, which were $2 million for the E&P segment in the third quarter of 2016.

Taxes other than income taxes were flat at $0.10 per Mcfe in the third quarter of 2016 as compared to the third quarter of 2015. Taxes other than income taxes per Mcfe vary from period to period due to changes in severance and ad valorem taxes that result from the mix of the Company's production volumes and fluctuations in commodity prices.

The Company's full cost pool amortization rate declined significantly to $0.35 per Mcfe in the third quarter of 2016, compared to $0.98 per Mcfe in the third quarter of 2015. The amortization rate is impacted by the timing and amount of reserve additions, the costs associated with those additions, revisions of previous reserve estimates due to both price and well performance, write-downs that result from full cost ceiling impairments, proceeds from the sale of properties that reduce the full cost pool and the levels of costs subject to amortization. The Company cannot predict its future full cost pool amortization rate with accuracy due to the variability of each of the factors discussed above, as well as other factors, including but not limited to the uncertainty of the amount of future reserve changes.

Midstream - Operating income for the Company's Midstream segment, comprised of gathering and marketing activities, was $52 million for the third quarter of 2016, compared to $68 million for the same period in 2015. Adjusted operating income (a non-GAAP measure) for the Company's Midstream segment was $52 million for the third quarter of 2016, compared to $69 million for the same period in 2015. The decrease in operating income was largely due to a decrease in volumes gathered, resulting from lower production volumes in the Fayetteville Shale.

First Nine Months of 2016 Financial Results

For the first nine months of 2016, Southwestern reported a net loss attributable to common stock of $2.5 billion, or $6.02 per diluted share, and an adjusted net loss attributable to common stock (a non-GAAP measure) of $52 million, or $0.12 per diluted share. This compares to a net loss attributable to common stock of $2.5 billion, or $6.65 per diluted share, and an adjusted net income attributable to common stock of $77 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2015.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $337 million for the first nine months of 2016, compared to $1.2 billion in the first nine months of 2015. Net cash flow (a non-GAAP measure) was $434 million for the first nine months of 2016, compared to $1.2 billion for the same period in 2015.

E&P Segment - The operating loss from the Company's E&P segment was $2.5 billion for the first nine months of 2016, compared to an operating loss of $4.5 billion during the first nine months of 2015. The decreased operating loss was primarily due to a smaller non-cash impairment in 2016. Adjusted operating loss from the Company's E&P segment was $91 million for the first nine months of 2016 (a non-GAAP measure), compared to an adjusted operating loss of $97 million for the same period in 2015. The improvement in adjusted operating loss was primarily due to lower operating costs partially offset by lower realized natural gas prices and decreased production.

Net production totaled 673 Bcfe in the first nine months of 2016, down from 727 Bcfe in the first nine months of 2015. The first nine months of 2016 included 289 Bcf from the Fayetteville Shale, 268 Bcf from Northeast Appalachia and 115 Bcfe from Southwest Appalachia. This compares to 354 Bcf from the Fayetteville Shale, 263 Bcf from Northeast Appalachia and 103 Bcfe from Southwest Appalachia in the first nine months of 2015.

Due to the continued challenging commodity price environment, in the first nine months of 2016, Southwestern's average realized gas price including the effect of derivatives was $1.51 per Mcf, down from $2.47 per Mcf in the first nine months of 2015. The Company's commodity derivative activities increased its average realized gas price by $0.04 per Mcf during the first nine months of 2016, compared to an increase of $0.42 per Mcf during the same period in 2015. Disregarding the impact of derivatives, the Company's average price received for its gas production during the first nine months of 2016 was approximately $0.82 per Mcf lower than average NYMEX settlement prices, compared to approximately $0.75 per Mcf lower than average NYMEX settlement prices during the first nine months of 2015.

Lease operating expenses per unit of production for the Company's E&P segment declined to $0.87 per Mcfe in the first nine months of 2016, compared to $0.92 per Mcfe in the first nine months of 2015. The decrease was primarily due to reduced workover activity and contract services as well as the successful renegotiation of the existing gathering and processing rates in Southwest Appalachia.

General and administrative expenses per unit of production decreased to $0.21 per Mcfe in the first nine months of 2016, compared to $0.22 per Mcfe in the first nine months quarter of 2015. The lower employee costs in 2016 more than offset the impact of declining production volumes. This excludes the restructuring charges associated with the workforce reduction, which were $71 million for the E&P segment in the first nine months of 2016.

Taxes other than income taxes were down to $0.09 per Mcfe in the first nine months of 2016, compared to $0.11 per Mcfe in the first nine months of 2015. This excludes the restructuring charges associated with the workforce reduction, which were $3 million for the E&P segment in the first nine months of 2016.

The Company's full cost pool amortization rate declined significantly to $0.40 per Mcfe in the first nine months of 2016, compared to $1.08 per Mcfe in the first nine months of 2015.

Midstream - Operating income for the Company's Midstream segment was $169 million for the first nine months of 2016, compared to $511 million for the same period in 2015. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to 2015 including a $277 million gain on sale of assets divested. Adjusted operating income (a non-GAAP measure) for the Company's Midstream segment was $172 million for the first nine months of 2016, excluding the impacts from restructuring charges, compared to $234 million for the same period in 2015, which excluded a $277 million gain on sale of assets divested. The decrease in adjusted operating income was largely due to a decrease in volumes gathered resulting from lower production volumes in the Fayetteville Shale and the sale of the Company's northeast Pennsylvania gathering assets.

Capital Structure and Investments - At September 30, 2016, the Company had total debt of approximately $4.7 billion and $3.2 billion in net debt (a non-GAAP measure).

As of September 30, 2016, there were no borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facilities; however, $174 million in letters of credit was outstanding under the new revolving credit facility. As a result of the equity offering closed in July 2016, the Company repaid $375 million of its $750 million term loan originally due in November 2018, which extended the maturity on this term loan to December 2020, subject to certain conditions. The Company paid down an additional $48 million following the closing of the previously announced sale of approximately 55,000 net acres in West Virginia. At September 30, 2016, the Company has $317 million in remaining 2017 and 2018 debt maturities, well below the $1.0 billion at December 31, 2015 and also well below the $1.5 billion cash balance.

During the first nine months of 2016, Southwestern invested a total of $376 million. This is down from $2.1 billion in the first nine months of 2015. The $376 million includes approximately $372 million invested in its E&P business, $3 million invested in its Midstream segment and $1 million invested for corporate and other purposes. Of the $376 million, approximately $123 million was associated with capitalized interest and $62 million was associated with capitalized expenses.

E&P Operations Review

During the first nine months of 2016, Southwestern invested approximately $372 million in its E&P business, including $189 million in investment capital and $183 in capitalized interest and expenses.

In Northeast Appalachia, the Company had net gas production of 84 Bcf in the third quarter of 2016, compared to 93 Bcf in the third quarter of 2015. In the third quarter of 2016, it invested $52 million, drilling 18 wells, completing 9 wells and placing 3 wells on production. Gross operated production in Northeast Appalachia was approximately 1,046 MMcf per day at September 30, 2016. The Company plans to place 21 wells on production in the fourth quarter of 2016.

During the third quarter, Northeast Appalachia drilled 18 wells utilizing advanced techniques, such as the use of rotary steerable tools, that resulted in an average drill to total depth of less than 8 days from re-entry to re-entry which is 5 percent faster than when the Company paused operations at the end of 2015. Included in these results was a well that drilled over 4,700 feet in 24 hours, a record for the Company in Northeast Appalachia. A number of the nine horizontal wells completed used a new completion design based on higher intensity stimulation. This, when coupled with optimized flow techniques, showed very encouraging early results. For example, the Racine pad, located in Susquehanna County, came online at greater than 50 million cubic feet per day from 3 wells, materially better than the previous offset wells.

In Southwest Appalachia, the Company invested $41 million during the third quarter of 2016, drilling 4 wells and completing 8 wells, the first of which is expected to be placed to sales in the fourth quarter of 2016. Net production was flat at 37 Bcfe in the third quarter of 2016 as compared to the third quarter of 2015. The gross operated production rate in Southwest Appalachia was approximately 621 MMcfe per day at September 30, 2016. Southwestern plans to place 9 wells on production in the fourth quarter of 2016.

The Company continues to focus on margin improvements and has reduced its lease operating expenses in Southwest Appalachia to $1.06 per Mcfe in the first nine months of 2016, compared to $1.39 per Mcfe in the first nine months of 2015. The reduction is a result of the successful renegotiation of its gathering and processing rates as well as operating efficiencies implemented throughout the year.

In the third quarter, Southwest Appalachia continued to realize efficiencies in its drilling and completions operations. Throughout the restart of activity, re-entry to re-entry days decreased and stages completed per day increased compared to the fourth quarter of 2015. Additionally, the Company continued to test tighter stage spacing, leveraging its learnings from previous tests such as the continued outperformance of the Alice Edge pad, which was brought online in the fourth quarter of 2015. Tighter stage spaced wells are continuing to perform materially better on an estimated ultimate recovery per foot basis than offset wells.

The Company achieved a monumental milestone in the Fayetteville Shale during the third quarter of 2016, surpassing 5 Tcf of cumulative production since its inception. After over a decade of development, this asset continues to account for approximately two percent of the nation's natural gas supply and remains a significant value creator for the Company.

In the Fayetteville Shale, Southwestern invested $17 million, drilling 1 well, completing 8 wells and placing 6 wells to sales in the third quarter of 2016. Net gas production was 90 Bcf in the third quarter of 2016, compared to 118 Bcf in the third quarter of 2015. Gross operated gas production in the Fayetteville Shale was approximately 1,443 MMcf per day at September 30, 2016. The company plans to place 22 wells on production in the fourth quarter of 2016.

The 6 wells in this operating area placed on production in the third quarter had an average initial production rate of 6,701 Mcf per day. Similar to the other operating areas, the Company is currently testing increased proppant volumes which are over two times greater than historical well completions in the Fayetteville Shale. Additionally, Southwestern is continuing testing of its concept surrounding the Moorefield Shale as it progresses its efforts to lower the breakeven prices in the Fayetteville operating area.

Company-wide as of September 30, Southwestern had 101 wells that were either waiting on completion or waiting to be placed to sales, including 37 in Northeast Appalachia, 36 in Southwest Appalachia and 28 in Fayetteville. The Company expects to exit 2016 with approximately 85 drilled but uncompleted wells, returning to a normal maintenance level for efficient operations of approximately 60 by early 2017.

Explanation and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). However, management believes certain non-GAAP performance measures may provide financial statement users with additional meaningful comparisons between current results, the results of its peers and of prior periods.

One such non-GAAP financial measure is net cash flow. Management presents this measure because (i) it is accepted as an indicator of an oil and gas exploration and production company's ability to internally fund exploration and development activities and to service or incur additional debt, (ii) changes in operating assets and liabilities relate to the timing of cash receipts and disbursements which the Company may not control and (iii) changes in operating assets and liabilities may not relate to the period in which the operating activities occurred.

Additional non-GAAP financial measures the Company may present from time to time are net debt, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA and its E&P and Midstream segment operating income, all which exclude certain charges or amounts. Management presents these measures because (i) they are consistent with the manner in which the Company's position and performance are measured relative to the position and performance of its peers, (ii) these measures are more comparable to earnings estimates provided by securities analysts, and (iii) charges or amounts excluded cannot be reasonably estimated and guidance provided by the Company excludes information regarding these types of items. These adjusted amounts are not a measure of financial performance under GAAP.

See the reconciliations throughout this release of GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP financial measures as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015, as applicable. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the Company's reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP.





                               3 Months Ended Sept 30,
                               -----------------------

                                 2016                    2015
                                 ----                    ----

                                    (in millions)

    Net income (loss)
     attributable to common
     stock:

    Net loss attributable to
     common stock                                 $(735)      $(1,766)

    Add back:

    Participating securities
     -mandatory convertible
     preferred stock                                 (2)           (0)

    Impairment of natural gas
     and oil properties                              817          2,839

    Restructuring charges                              2              1

    Loss on sale of assets,
     net                                               -             1

       Loss on early
        extinguishment of debt
        and other (1)                                 57              -

    Transaction costs                                  -             1

    (Gain) loss on certain
     derivatives                                    (81)            34

    Adjustments due to
     inventory valuation                             (1)             -

    Adjustments due to
     discrete tax items (2)                          256              -

    Tax impact on adjustments                      (301)       (1,107)
                                                    ----         ------

    Adjusted net income
     attributable to common
     stock                                           $12             $3
                                                     ===            ===



    (1)              Includes a $51 million loss for
                     the redemption of certain
                     senior notes and a $6 million
                     loss related to the
                     unamortized debt issuance
                     costs and debt discounts
                     associated with the
                     extinguished debt which were
                     included in other interest
                     charges.

    (2)              2016 primarily relates to the
                     exclusion of certain discrete
                     tax adjustments in the third
                     quarter of 2016 due to an
                     increase to the valuation
                     allowance against the
                     Company's deferred tax assets.
                      The Company expects its 2016
                      income tax rate to be 38.0%
                     before the impacts of any
                     valuation allowance.



                            3 Months Ended Sept 30,
                            -----------------------

                                               2016         2015
                                               ----         ----

    Diluted earnings per
     share:

    Diluted earnings per
     share                                          $(1.52)      $(4.62)

    Add back:

    Participating
     securities -mandatory
     convertible preferred
     stock                                           (0.00)       (0.00)

    Impairment of natural
     gas and oil properties                            1.69          7.43

    Restructuring charges                              0.01          0.00

    Loss on sale of assets,
     net                                                  -         0.00

    Loss on early
     extinguishment of debt
     and other (1)                                     0.12             -

    Transaction costs                                     -         0.00

    (Gain) loss on certain
     derivatives                                     (0.17)         0.09

    Adjustments due to
     inventory valuation                             (0.00)            -

    Adjustments due to
     discrete tax items(2)                             0.53             -

    Tax impact on
     adjustments                                     (0.63)       (2.89)
                                                      -----         -----

    Adjusted diluted
     earnings per share                               $0.03         $0.01
                                                      =====         =====



    (1)              Includes a $51 million loss for
                     the redemption of certain
                     senior notes and a $6 million
                     loss related to the
                     unamortized debt issuance
                     costs and debt discounts
                     associated with the
                     extinguished debt which were
                     included in other interest
                     charges.

    (2)              2016 primarily relates to the
                     exclusion of certain discrete
                     tax adjustments in the third
                     quarter of 2016 due to an
                     increase to the valuation
                     allowance against the
                     Company's deferred tax assets.
                      The Company expects its 2016
                      income tax rate to be 38.0%
                     before the impacts of any
                     valuation allowance.


                           9 Months Ended Sept 30,
                           -----------------------

                                              2016          2015
                                              ----          ----

                                (in millions)

    Net income (loss)
     attributable to
     common stock:

    Net loss attributable
     to common stock                               $(2,514)      $(2528)

    Add back:

    Participating
     securities -
     mandatory convertible
     preferred stock                                      -         (14)

    Impairment of natural
     gas and oil
     properties                                       2,321         4,374

    Restructuring charges                                77             1

    Gain on sale of
     assets, net                                        (2)        (276)

    Loss on early
     extinguishment of
     debt and other (1)                                  57             -

    Transaction costs                                     -           53

    Loss on certain
     derivatives                                         48           105

    Adjustments due to
     inventory valuation                                  3             -

    Adjustments due to
     discrete tax items
     (2)                                               903             -

    Tax impact on
     adjustments                                      (945)      (1,638)
                                                       ----        ======

    Adjusted net income
     (loss) attributable
     to common stock                                  $(52)          $77
                                                       ====           ===



    (1)              Includes a $51 million loss for
                     the redemption of certain
                     senior notes and a $6 million
                     loss related to the
                     unamortized debt issuance
                     costs and debt discounts
                     associated with the
                     extinguished debt which were
                     included in other interest
                     charges.

    (2)              2016 primarily relates to the
                     exclusion of certain discrete
                     tax adjustments in the third
                     quarter of 2016 due to an
                     increase to the valuation
                     allowance against the
                     Company's deferred tax assets.
                      The Company expects its 2016
                      income tax rate to be 38.0%
                     before the impacts of any
                     valuation allowance.



                            9 Months Ended Sept 30,
                           -----------------------

                                               2016         2015
                                               ----         ----

    Diluted earnings per
     share:

    Diluted earnings per
     share                                          $(6.02)      $(6.65)

    Add back:

    Participating
     securities -
     mandatory convertible
     preferred stock                                      -       (0.04)

    Impairment of natural
     gas and oil
     properties                                        5.56         11.51

    Restructuring charges                              0.19          0.00

    Gain on sale of
     assets, net                                     (0.01)       (0.73)

    Loss on early
     extinguishment of
     debt and other(1)                                 0.14             -

    Transaction costs                                     -         0.14

    Loss on certain
     derivatives                                       0.12          0.28

    Adjustments due to
     inventory valuation                               0.01             -

    Adjustments due to
     discrete tax items
     (2)                                              2.16             -

    Tax impact on
     adjustments                                     (2.27)       (4.31)
                                                      -----         -----

    Adjusted diluted
     earnings per share                             $(0.12)        $0.20
                                                     ======         =====



    (1)              Includes a $51 million loss for
                     the redemption of certain
                     senior notes and a $6 million
                     loss related to the
                     unamortized debt issuance
                     costs and debt discounts
                     associated with the
                     extinguished debt which were
                     included in other interest
                     charges.

    (2)              2016 primarily relates to the
                     exclusion of certain discrete
                     tax adjustments in the third
                     quarter of 2016 due to an
                     increase to the valuation
                     allowance against the
                     Company's deferred tax assets.
                      The Company expects its 2016
                      income tax rate to be 38.0%
                     before the impacts of any
                     valuation allowance.






                    3 Months Ended Sept 30,
                    -----------------------

                                       2016                2015
                                       ----                ----

                         (in millions)

    Cash flow from
     operating
     activities:

    Net cash
     provided by
     operating
     activities                                 $172                 $287

    Add back:

    Changes in
     operating
     assets and
     liabilities                                   -                  43

    Restructuring
     charges                                       1                    -
                                                 ---                  ---

    Net Cash Flow                               $173                 $330
                                                ====                 ====



                    9 Months Ended Sept 30,
                    -----------------------

                                       2016                2015
                                       ----                ----

                         (in millions)

    Cash flow from
     operating
     activities:

    Net cash
     provided by
     operating
     activities                                 $337               $1,227

    Add back:

    Changes in
     operating
     assets and
     liabilities                                  50                 (65)

    Restructuring
     charges                                      47                    -
                                                 ---                  ---

    Net Cash Flow                               $434               $1,162
                                                ====               ======



                    3 Months Ended Sept 30,
                    -----------------------

                                       2016                2015
                                       ----                ----

                         (in millions)

    E&P segment
     operating
     income (loss):

    E&P segment
     operating loss                           $(777)            $(2,910)

    Add back:

    Impairment of
     natural gas
     and oil
     properties                                  817                2,839

    Restructuring
     charges                                       2                    -
                                                 ---                  ---

    Adjusted E&P
     segment
     operating
     income (loss)                               $42                $(71)
                                                 ===                 ====



                    9 Months Ended Sept 30,
                    -----------------------

                                       2016                2015
                                       ----                ----

                         (in millions)

    E&P segment
     operating
     income (loss):

    E&P segment
     operating loss                         $(2,486)            $(4,471)

    Add back:

    Impairment of
     natural gas
     and oil
     properties                                2,321                4,374

    Restructuring
     charges                                      74                    -
                                                 ---                  ---

    Adjusted E&P
     segment
     operating loss                            $(91)               $(97)
                                                ====                 ====



                    3 Months Ended Sept 30,
                    -----------------------

                                       2016                2015
                                       ----                ----

                         (in millions)

    Midstream
     segment
     operating
     income:

    Midstream
     segment
     operating
     income                                      $52                  $68

    Add back:

    Loss on sale of
     assets, net                                   -                   1
                                                 ---                 ---

    Adjusted
     Midstream
     segment
     operating
     income                                      $52                  $69
                                                 ===                  ===



                    9 Months Ended Sept 30,
                    -----------------------

                                       2016                2015
                                       ----                ----

                         (in millions)

    Midstream
     segment
     operating
     income:

    Midstream
     segment
     operating
     income                                     $169                 $511

    Add back:

    Restructuring
     charges                                       3                    -

    Gain on sale of
     assets, net                                   -               (277)
                                                 ---                ----

    Adjusted
     Midstream
     segment
     operating
     income                                     $172                 $234
                                                ====                 ====


                         September 30,               June 30,

                                       2016                2016
                                       ----                ----

                         (in millions)

    Net debt:

    Total debt                                $4,652               $5,768

    Subtract:

    Cash and cash
     equivalents                             (1,474)               (998)
                                              ------                 ----

    Net debt                                  $3,178               $4,770
                                              ======               ======

Southwestern management will host a teleconference call on Friday, October 21, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern to discuss its third quarter 2016 results. The toll-free number to call is 877-407-8035 and the international dial-in number is 201-689-8035. The teleconference can also be heard "live" on the Internet at http://www.swn.com.

Southwestern Energy Company is an independent energy company whose wholly owned subsidiaries are engaged in natural gas and oil exploration, development and production, natural gas gathering and marketing. Additional information on the Company can be found on the Internet at http://www.swn.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to future events and anticipated results of operations, business strategies, and other aspects of our operations or operating results. In many cases you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "project," "estimate," "continue," "potential," "should," "could," "may," "will," "objective," "guidance," "outlook," "effort," "expect," "believe," "predict," "budget," "projection," "goal," "forecast," "target" or similar words. Statements may be forward looking even in the absence of these particular words. Where, in any forward-looking statement, the Company expresses an expectation or belief as to future results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. However, there can be no assurance that such expectation or belief will result or be achieved. The actual results of operations can and will be affected by a variety of risks and other matters including, but not limited to, changes in commodity prices; changes in expected levels of natural gas and oil reserves or production; operating hazards, drilling risks, unsuccessful exploratory activities; limited access to capital or significantly higher cost of capital related to illiquidity or uncertainty in the domestic or international financial markets; international monetary conditions; unexpected cost increases; potential liability for remedial actions under existing or future environmental regulations; potential liability resulting from pending or future litigation; and general domestic and international economic and political conditions; as well as changes in tax, environmental and other laws applicable to our business. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements include other economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting our business generally as set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Unless legally required, Southwestern Energy Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.





    OPERATING STATISTICS (Unaudited)

    Southwestern Energy Company and Subsidiaries


                                                 For the three months ended        For the nine months ended

                                                        September 30,                   September 30,

                                                                       2016              2015                   2016 2015
                                                                       ----              ----                   ---- ----

    Exploration & Production
    ------------------------

    Production

    Gas production (Bcf)                                                       189                              228          605      673

    Oil production (MBbls)                                                     536                              562        1,729    1,696

    NGL production (MBbls)                                                   3,068                            3,034        9,580    7,374

    Total production (Bcfe)                                                    211                              249          673      727

    Commodity Prices

    Average realized gas price per
     Mcf, including derivatives                                              $1.73                            $2.21        $1.51    $2.47

    Average realized gas price per
     Mcf, excluding derivatives                                              $1.78                            $1.77        $1.47    $2.05

    Average realized oil price per
     Bbl                                                                    $35.41                           $33.50       $28.53   $35.23

    Average realized NGL price per
     Bbl                                                                     $7.04                            $4.72        $6.11    $6.43

    Summary of Derivative Activity
     in the Statement of
     Operations

    Settled commodity amounts
     included in "Operating
     Revenues" (in millions)                                              $      -                             $50    $       -    $145

    Settled commodity amounts
     included in  "Gain (Loss) on
     Derivatives" (in millions)                                               $(9)                             $49          $22     $137

    Unsettled commodity amounts
     included in "Gain (Loss) on
     Derivatives" (in millions)                                                $81                            $(33)       $(45)  $(103)

    Average unit costs per Mcfe

    Lease operating expenses                                                 $0.86                            $0.92        $0.87    $0.92

    General & administrative
     expenses (1)                                                            $0.23                            $0.20        $0.21    $0.22

    Taxes, other than income taxes
     (2)                                                                    $0.10                            $0.10        $0.09    $0.11

    Full cost pool amortization                                              $0.35                            $0.98        $0.40    $1.08

    Midstream
    ---------

    Volumes marketed (Bcfe)                                                    264                              288          814      837

    Volumes gathered (Bcf)                                                     145                              186          463      620



    (1)              Excludes $2 million and $71
                     million of restructuring
                     charges for the three and nine
                     months ended September 30,
                     2016, respectively.

    (2)              Excludes $3 million of
                     restructuring charges for the
                     nine months ended September
                     30, 2016.





    STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

    Southwestern Energy Company and Subsidiaries


                                                 For the three months ended                               For the nine months ended

                                                        September 30,                                          September 30,

                                                                       2016                                     2015                        2016 2015
                                                                       ----                                     ----                        ---- ----

                                                                            (in millions, except share/per share amounts)

    Operating Revenues

    Gas sales                                                                                      $340                                    $458              $906      $1,540

    Oil sales                                                                                        19                                      19                50          60

    NGL sales                                                                                        22                                      14                59          47

    Marketing                                                                                       237                                     216               631         663

    Gas gathering                                                                                    33                                      42               106         136
                                                                                                    ---                                     ---               ---         ---

                                                                                                    651                                     749             1,752       2,446
                                                                                                    ---                                     ---             -----       -----

    Operating Costs and Expenses

    Marketing purchases                                                                             234                                     213               627         654

    Operating expenses                                                                              139                                     176               455         507

    General and administrative expenses                                                              61                                      60               171         188

    Restructuring charges                                                                             2                                       -               77           -

    Depreciation, depletion and
     amortization                                                                                    99                                     275               349         876

    Impairment of natural gas and oil
     properties                                                                                     817                                   2,839             2,321       4,374

    (Gain) loss on sale of assets, net                                                                -                                      1                 -      (276)

    Taxes, other than income taxes                                                                   24                                      27                69          84
                                                                                                    ---                                     ---               ---         ---

                                                                                                  1,376                                   3,591             4,069       6,407
                                                                                                  -----                                   -----             -----       -----

    Operating Loss                                                                                (725)                                (2,842)          (2,317)    (3,961)
                                                                                                   ----                                  ------            ------      ------

    Interest Expense

    Interest on debt                                                                                 59                                      51               168         153

    Other interest charges                                                                            8                                       2                12          54

    Interest capitalized                                                                           (41)                                   (53)            (123)      (155)
                                                                                                    ---                                     ---              ----        ----

                                                                                                     26                                       -               57          52


    Gain (Loss) on Derivatives                                                                       71                                      15              (28)         30

    Loss on Early Extinguishment of
     Debt                                                                                          (51)                                      -             (51)          -

    Other Income, Net                                                                                 3                                       -                -          2
                                                                                                    ---                                     ---              ---        ---


    Loss Before Income Taxes                                                                      (728)                                (2,827)          (2,453)    (3,981)

    Provision (Benefit) for Income
     Taxes

    Current                                                                                           -                                      -                -          7

    Deferred                                                                                       (20)                                (1,088)             (20)    (1,539)
                                                                                                    ---                                  ------               ---      ------

                                                                                                   (20)                                (1,088)             (20)    (1,532)
                                                                                                    ---                                  ------               ---      ------

    Net Loss                                                                                      (708)                                (1,739)          (2,433)    (2,449)

    Mandatory convertible preferred
     stock dividend                                                                                  27                                      27                81          79

    Net Loss Attributable to Common
     Stock                                                                                       $(735)                               $(1,766)         $(2,514)   $(2,528)
                                                                                                  =====                                 =======           =======     =======


    Loss Per Common Share

    Basic                                                                                       $(1.52)                                $(4.62)          $(6.02)    $(6.65)
                                                                                                 ======                                  ======            ======      ======

    Diluted                                                                                     $(1.52)                                $(4.62)          $(6.02)    $(6.65)
                                                                                                 ======                                  ======            ======      ======

    Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding

    Basic                                                                                   482,485,150                             382,098,080       417,222,661 379,909,748
                                                                                            ===========                             ===========       =========== ===========

    Diluted                                                                                 482,485,150                             382,098,080       417,222,661 379,909,748
                                                                                            ===========                             ===========       =========== ===========





    BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

    Southwestern Energy Company
     and Subsidiaries


                                  September 30,            December 31,
                                                                   2015
                                           2016
                                           ----

                                             (in millions)

    ASSETS

    Current assets                         $1,889                    $393

    Property and equipment                 24,290                  24,364

    Less: Accumulated
     depreciation, depletion and
     amortization                        (19,501)               (16,821)
                                          -------                 -------

    Total property and equipment,
     net                                    4,789                   7,543

    Other long-term assets                    212                     150
                                              ---                     ---

    Total assets                            6,890                   8,086
                                            =====                   =====


    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

    Current liabilities                       649                     707

    Long-term debt                          4,651                   4,704

    Pension and other
     postretirement liabilities                51                      50

    Other long-term liabilities               416                     343
                                              ---                     ---

    Total liabilities                       5,767                   5,804
                                            -----                   -----

    Equity:

    Common stock, $0.01 par
     value; 1,250,000,000 shares
     authorized; issued
     493,446,371 shares as of
     September 30, 2016 (does not
     include 2,043,780 shares
     issued on October 17, 2016,
     on account of a dividend
     declared on September 21,
     2016) and 390,138,549 as of
     December 31, 2015                          5                       4

    Preferred stock, $0.01 par
     value, 10,000,000 shares
     authorized, 6.25% Series B
     Mandatory Convertible,
     $1,000 per share liquidation
     preference, 1,725,000 shares
     issued and outstanding as of
     September 30, 2016 and
     December 31, 2015,
     conversion in January 2018                 -                      -

    Additional paid-in capital              4,673                   3,409

    Accumulated deficit                   (3,515)                (1,082)

    Accumulated other
     comprehensive loss                      (39)                   (48)

    Common stock in treasury;
     31,269 shares as of
     September 30, 2016 and
     47,149 as of December 31,
     2015                                     (1)                    (1)
                                              ---                     ---

    Total equity                            1,123                   2,282
                                            -----                   -----

    Total liabilities and equity           $6,890                  $8,086
                                           ======                  ======



    STATEMENTS OF CASH
     FLOWS (Unaudited)

    Southwestern Energy
     Company and
     Subsidiaries

                         For the nine months ended

                               September 30,

                                              2016          2015
                                              ----          ----

                               (in millions)

    Cash Flows From
     Operating
     Activities

    Net loss                                       $(2,433)      $(2,449)

    Adjustments to
     reconcile net loss
     to net cash
     provided by
     operating
    activities:

      Depreciation,
       depletion and
       amortization                                     349            877

      Impairment of
       natural gas and
       oil properties                                 2,321          4,374

      Amortization of
       debt issuance
       costs                                             12             50

      Deferred income
       taxes                                           (20)       (1,539)

      Loss on
       derivatives, net
       of settlement                                     48            105

      Stock-based
       compensation                                      24             18

      Gain on sales of
       assets, net                                        -         (276)

      Restructuring
       charges                                           30              -

      Loss on early
       extinguishment of
       debt                                              51              -

      Other                                               5              2

    Change in assets
     and liabilities                                   (50)            65
                                                        ---            ---

    Net cash provided
     by operating
     activities                                         337          1,227
                                                        ---          -----


    Cash Flows From
     Investing
     Activities

    Capital investments                               (391)       (1,392)

    Acquisitions                                          -         (582)

    Proceeds from sale
     of property and
     equipment                                          434            704

    Other                                                 -             7
                                                        ---           ---

    Net cash provided
     by (used in)
     investing
     activities                                          43        (1,263)
                                                        ---         ------


    Cash Flows From
     Financing
     Activities

    Payments on current
     portion of long-
     term debt                                          (1)           (1)

    Payments on long-
     term debt                                      (1,175)         (500)

    Payments on short-
     term debt                                            -       (4,500)

    Payments on
     revolving credit
     facility                                       (3,268)       (2,168)

    Borrowings under
     revolving credit
     facility                                         3,152          2,148

    Payments on
     commercial paper                                 (242)       (5,179)

    Borrowings under
     commercial paper                                   242          5,699

    Change in bank
     drafts outstanding                                (19)            26

    Proceeds from
     issuance of long-
     term debt                                        1,191          2,200

    Debt issuance costs                                (17)          (17)

    Proceeds from
     issuance of common
     stock                                            1,247            669

    Proceeds from
     issuance of
     mandatory
     convertible
     preferred stock                                      -         1,673

    Preferred stock
     dividend                                          (27)          (52)

    Other                                               (4)             -
                                                        ---            ---

    Net cash provided
     by (used in)
     financing
     activities                                       1,079            (2)
                                                      -----            ---


    Increase (decrease)
     in cash and cash
     equivalents                                      1,459           (38)

    Cash and cash
     equivalents at
     beginning of year                                   15             53
                                                        ---            ---

    Cash and cash
     equivalents at end
     of period                                       $1,474            $15
                                                     ======            ===



    SEGMENT INFORMATION (Unaudited)

    Southwestern Energy
     Company and
     Subsidiaries                   Exploration

                                        and

                                    Production            Midstream Other        Eliminations        Total
                                    ----------            --------- -----        ------------        -----

                                                    (in millions)

    Three months ended
     September 30, 2016
    -------------------

    Revenues                                       $378                     $682              $    -         $(409)      $651

    Marketing purchases                               -                     578                   -          (344)       234

    Operating expenses                              181                       23                   -           (65)       139

    General and
     administrative
     expenses                                        50                       11                   -              -        61

    Restructuring charges                             2                        -                  -              -         2

    Depreciation,
     depletion and
     amortization                                    83                       16                   -              -        99

    Impairment of natural
     gas and oil
     properties                                     817                        -                  -              -       817

    Taxes, other than
     income taxes                                    22                        2                   -              -        24

    Operating income
     (loss)                                       (777)                      52                   -              -     (725)

    Capital investments(1)                          179                        1                   -              -       180


    Three months ended
     September 30, 2015
    -------------------

    Revenues                                       $488                     $747              $    -         $(486)      $749

    Marketing purchases                               -                     615                   -          (402)       213

    Operating expenses                              228                       32                   -           (84)       176

    General and
     administrative
     expenses                                        50                       10                   -              -        60

    Depreciation,
     depletion and
     amortization                                   255                       20                   -              -       275

    Impairment of natural
     gas and oil
     properties                                   2,839                        -                  -              -     2,839

    (Gain) loss on sale of
     assets, net                                      -                       1                   -              -         1

    Taxes, other than
     income taxes                                    26                        1                   -              -        27

    Operating income
     (loss)                                     (2,910)                      68                   -              -   (2,842)

    Capital investments(1)                          461                        7                   -              -       468


    Nine months ended
     September 30, 2016
    -------------------

    Revenues                                       $998                   $1,862              $    -       $(1,108)    $1,752

    Marketing purchases                               -                   1,533                   -          (906)       627

    Operating expenses                              586                       71                   -          (202)       455

    General and
     administrative
     expenses                                       141                       30                   -              -       171

    Restructuring charges                            74                        3                   -              -        77

    Depreciation,
     depletion and
     amortization                                   300                       49                   -              -       349

    Impairment of natural
     gas and oil
     properties                                   2,321                        -                  -              -     2,321

    Taxes, other than
     income taxes                                    62                        7                   -              -        69

    Operating income
     (loss)                                     (2,486)                     169                   -              -   (2,317)

    Capital investments(1)                          372                        3                   1               -       376


    Nine months ended
     September 30, 2015
    -------------------

    Revenues                                     $1,633                   $2,451                  $1        $(1,639)    $2,446

    Marketing purchases                               -                   2,025                   -        (1,371)       654

    Operating expenses                              670                      103                   2           (268)       507

    General and
     administrative
     expenses                                       158                       30                   -              -       188

    Depreciation,
     depletion and
     amortization                                   824                       52                   -              -       876

    Impairment of natural
     gas and oil
     properties                                   4,374                        -                  -              -     4,374

    (Gain) loss on sale of
     assets, net                                      1                    (277)                  -              -     (276)

    Taxes, other than
     income taxes                                    77                        7                   -              -        84

    Operating income
     (loss)                                     (4,471)                     511                 (1)              -   (3,961)

    Capital investments(1)                        1,880                      164                  10               -     2,054



    (1)              Capital investments includes
                     increases of $27 million and $6
                     million for the three months
                     ended September 30, 2016 and
                     2015, respectively, and
                     decreases of $24 million and $5
                     million for the nine months
                     ended September 30, 2016 and
                     2015, respectively, relating to
                     the change in accrued
                     expenditures between periods.
                     E&P capital for the nine months
                     ended September 30, 2015
                     includes approximately $516
                     million related to the WPX
                     Property and Statoil Property
                     Acquisitions. Midstream capital
                     for the nine months ended
                     September 30, 2015 includes
                     approximately $119 million
                     associated with the intangible
                     asset related to the firm
                     transportation acquired through
                     the WPX Property Acquisition.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/southwestern-energy-announces-2016-third-quarter-operational-update-and-financial-results-300348822.html

SOURCE Southwestern Energy Company