Forest Oil Announces Continued Progress on Deleveraging Plan with Agreement to Sell South Louisiana

Updated

Forest Oil Announces Continued Progress on Deleveraging Plan with Agreement to Sell South Louisiana Properties

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Forest Oil Corporation (NYS: FST) (Forest or the Company) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell all of its properties located in South Louisiana for approximately $220 million. The transaction is expected to close on November 16, 2012, with an effective date of August 1, 2012, and is subject to customary closing conditions and post-closing purchase price adjustments. The properties produced 20 MMcfe/d (65% liquids) during the third quarter of 2012 and had estimated proved reserves of 45 Bcfe (62% liquids) as of December 31, 2011. Forest intends to use the proceeds from this divestiture to repay outstanding borrowings under its bank credit facility.

Since embarking on its deleveraging plan in early July, Forest has completed or has under contract, transactions totaling approximately $277 million. This includes the previously announced East Texas natural gas gathering assets for $34 million, approximately 5,600 net acres in the Eagle Ford Shale for $15 million, and other miscellaneous properties for $8 million. Upon closing of the South Louisiana transaction, Forest intends to update 2012 guidance.

Estimated
Proceeds

3Q12
Production

Proved Reserves at
December 31, 2011

Transaction

($MM)

(MMcfe/d)

(Bcfe)

South Louisiana Properties

220

20

45

East Texas Natural Gas Gathering Assets

34

-

-

Eagle Ford Shale Acreage

15

-

-

Miscellaneous Properties

8

2

7

Total

277

22

52


Patrick R. McDonald, President and CEO, stated, "We are pleased to announce continued progress in our deleveraging plan with the sale of our non-core South Louisiana properties. Our team has made meaningful strides in improving the Company's financial position, and we will continue to focus on other non-core divestitures to improve our balance sheet and increase our financial flexibility as we maintain focus on the development of our core oil properties."

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities that Forest assumes, plans, expects, believes, projects, estimates or anticipates (and other similar expressions) will, should, or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements provided in this press release are based on management's current belief, based on currently available information, as to the outcome and timing of future events. Forest cautions that future natural gas and liquids production, revenues, cash flows, liquidity, plans for future operations, expenses, outlook for oil and natural gas prices, timing of capital expenditures, and other forward-looking statements relating to Forest are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties normally incident to their exploration for and development and production and sale of liquids and natural gas.

These risks relating to Forest include, but are not limited to, oil and natural gas price volatility, its level of indebtedness, its ability to replace production, its ability to compete with larger producers, environmental risks, drilling and other operating risks, regulatory changes, credit risk of financial counterparties, risks of using third-party transportation and processing facilities and other risks as described in reports that Forest files with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Any of these factors could cause Forest's actual results and plans to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.

Forest Oil Corporation is engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of natural gas and liquids in the United States and selected international locations. Forest's principal reserves and producing properties are located in the United States in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. Forest's common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FST. For more information about Forest, please visit its website at www.forestoil.com.

October 12, 2012



Forest Oil Corporation
Larry C. Busnardo, 303-812-1441
Director - Investor Relations

KEYWORDS: United States North America Colorado Louisiana

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

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