Rosetta Resources Inc. has just announced the approval of its 2012 capital budget of $640 million which includes approximately $590 million (over 90%) allocated for activities in the liquids-rich window of the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas. The Eagle Ford is the largest producing area in the company's portfolio.
This capital expenditure program will be funded from internally-generated cash flow supplemented by borrowings under its current credit facility.
"Our 2012 budget reflects the continuing success of our Eagle Ford program that has resulted in strong growth in production and reserves while generating significant returns on our investments. More than 50% of our current production is now associated with liquids, lowering our cost structure and delivering increased cash margin performance. Our primary focus remains the evaluation and development of our Eagle Ford assets which we expect to deliver production increases of approximately 40% in 2012," said Randy Limbacher, chairman, CEO and president. "
Rosetta's 2012 capital program includes a four-rig program in the Eagle Ford shale and the completion of 60 new wells, located both in the Gates Ranch area as well as new sections in the liquids window of the play. During 2011, Rosetta completed 45 wells in the Eagle Ford area. The company's total exit rate for the year is expected to be approximately 195 million cubic feet equivalent per day (MMcfe/d). In January 2012, Eagle Ford firm gross wet gas capacity of 160 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) will become available allowing Rosetta to move 216 MMcfe/d of net Eagle Ford volumes on a firm basis. By mid-year 2012, the company's net Eagle Ford firm capacity will increase to 263 MMcfe/d.
The 2012 budget allocates approximately 5% of funds for evaluation of the Southern Alberta Basin. Rosetta continues to implement the previously announced seven-well horizontal drilling program to test the economic potential in the Banff, Bakken, and Three Forks reservoirs across its approximately 300,000 net acre position in northwestern Montana. To date, the company has successfully drilled four of the seven horizontal wells with the remaining three scheduled to be drilled in early 2012. Two of the four wells drilled to date have been completed in the Middle Bakken and have tested at stabilized rates of 154 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d") and 104 boe/d. Completion operations continue on the third well. The remaining four horizontal completions will be tested during the first half of 2012.
Based on the approved capital level, Rosetta expects full year 2012 production guidance to range from 220 — 240 MMcfe/d. The projected 2012 exit rate is anticipated to range from 250 — 280 MMcfe/d, including liquids production of 24,000 — 27,000 barrels per day (bbls/d).
Rosetta also expects approximately a 30% decline in unit lifting costs in 2012. Total lifting costs, including direct LOE, workover expenses, insurance, and ad valorem tax, are anticipated to range from $0.42 — $0.46 per Mcfe in 2012.
Rosetta recently placed additional hedges for its 2012 crude oil and NGL production. The company added hedges for 600 bbls/d of oil for a total of 5,600 bbls/d of 2012 oil production with collars at an average floor price of $79.12 per barrel and an average ceiling price of $115.41 per barrel. Rosetta also added 2,750 bbls/d of NGLs for a total of 4,700 bbls/d of NGLs with fixed price swaps at an average price of $63.77 per barrel for 2012, excluding the ethane component. Natural gas hedges for 2012 and all 2013 hedges are unchanged.
