QEP Resources Reports Estimated Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2012 Financial and Operating Results

QEP Resources Reports Estimated Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2012 Financial and Operating Results

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- QEP Resources, Inc. (NYS: QEP) ("QEP" or the "Company"), today reported estimated fourth quarter and full year 2012 financial and operating results. The Company reported a net loss during the fourth quarter 2012 of $23.1 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $0.3 million and no earnings per diluted share, in the fourth quarter 2011. For the year ended December 31, 2012, QEP Resources reported net income of $128.3 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, compared to $267.2 million, or $1.50 per diluted share, for the comparable 2011 period. Net income or loss includes non-cash gains and losses associated with the change in the fair value of derivative instruments, gains and losses from asset sales, costs associated with the early extinguishment of debt, non-cash price-related impairment charges and an accrual for a litigation loss contingency. Excluding these items, the Company's Adjusted Net Income (a non-GAAP measure) was $227.9 million, or $1.28 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to $316.2 million or $1.77 per diluted share, for the comparable 2011 period. Similarly, the Company's Adjusted Net Income was $59.8 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter 2012 compared to $104.6 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter 2011. The lower Adjusted Net Income was due primarily to lower natural gas and NGL prices, lower midstream NGL sales volumes and prices, and higher depreciation, depletion and amortization and other expenses in the fourth quarter 2012 compared to 2011.

Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) for the fourth quarter 2012 was $391.8 million, compared to $390.5 million in the fourth quarter 2011. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company reported Adjusted EBITDA of $1,415.5 million compared to $1,386.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income to net income is provided within the financial tables of this release.

Full Year 2012 Highlights

• QEP Energy reported record net production of 319.2 Bcfe, an increase of 16% when compared to 2011. The growth was driven primarily by increased crude oil and NGL production, which were up 69% and 97%, respectively.

• Crude oil and NGL comprised 22% of QEP Energy's production compared to 14% in 2011.

• QEP Energy grew estimated proved reserves 9%, or 322.3 Bcfe, driven primarily by a 76% (52 million barrel) increase in crude oil reserves and a 30% (23 million barrel) increase in NGL reserves. Excluding negative price-related revisions of 152.4 Bcfe, QEP Energy's estimated proved reserves grew by 13% from 2011.

• QEP completed the largest acquisition in company history - the $1.4 billion acquisition of approximately 125 million barrels of proved and probable reserves in the Williston Basin, (the "North Dakota Acquisition").

"I am pleased with QEP's accomplishments in 2012," said Chuck Stanley, Chairman, President and CEO of QEP Resources. "QEP Energy's dramatic growth in liquids production drove a 16% increase in total production compared to 2011. Crude oil and NGL volumes represented 22% of QEP Energy's production in 2012, a substantial increase from 14% in 2011. The positive impact of our North Dakota Acquisition is clear - crude oil represented 17% of QEP Energy's production in the fourth quarter 2012 compared to just 10% in the prior year period and 11% in the third quarter 2012. QEP Energy's full year 2012 Adjusted EBITDA grew 7% from 2011 levels despite a 15% decrease in the net realized price of natural gas and a 24% decrease in the net realized price of NGL. QEP Energy also grew estimated proved reserves by 9%, replacing 201% of 2012 production despite 245 Bcfe of mostly price-related negative reserve revisions." The Company's 2012 year-end proved reserves totaled 3.9 Tcfe.

"QEP Field Services 2012 Adjusted EBITDA declined 12% from a year ago, due primarily to lower NGL prices that resulted in lower keep-whole processing margins," continued Stanley. "Field Service's fee-based processing revenues in the fourth quarter 2012 were up 10% from the prior year on higher processing volume and per-unit revenue. Field Services new Iron Horse II cryogenic processing plant is in startup and commissioning and the 10,000 barrel per day expansion of our fractionator at Blacks Fork remains on track for a mid-2013 startup.

QEP Energy

• Natural gas, crude oil and NGL net production increased 14% to 83.9 Bcfe in the fourth quarter 2012 compared to 73.9 Bcfe in 2011. Crude oil, NGL and natural gas production increased 97%, 39%, and 1%, respectively, in the fourth quarter 2012 compared to 2011.

• Adjusted EBITDA increased 11% compared to the fourth quarter 2011, driven by the 14% increase in production volumes offset by decreases of 12% and 34%, respectively, in the net realized price for natural gas and NGL.

• Crude oil and NGL revenues increased 52% compared to the fourth quarter 2011 and represented approximately 56% of field-level production revenues.

• Capital investment (on an accrual basis) for the year ended December 31, 2012, was $2.7 billion. Investments included $1.3 billion in drilling, completion and other expenditures and $1.4 billion in property acquisitions.

• QEP Energy recorded non-cash impairment charges of $58.3 million, before-tax, in the fourth quarter 2012 as a result of lower natural gas and NGL prices that impacted the carrying value of proved reserves in several Midcontinent Division (Oklahoma and Texas) and one Uinta Basin Division (not related to the Red Wash Lower Mesaverde project) successful efforts pools.

• QEP Energy recorded an accrual for a litigation loss contingency of $104.2 million, before-tax, in the fourth quarter 2012 related to a statewide royalty class action lawsuit in Oklahoma. On February 13, 2013, the parties to the litigation entered into a Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement, which is subject to court approval. For details, see our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 15, 2013.

• The slides for the fourth quarter 2012 with maps and other supporting materials referred to in this release are posted on the Company's website at www.qepres.com.

QEP Field Services

• QEP Field Services' Adjusted EBITDA decreased 34% in the fourth quarter 2012 compared to the prior-year period, due primarily to an 18% decrease in net realized NGL prices, a 45% decrease in NGL sales volumes as a result of ethane rejection (where ethane is left in the production stream and sold as natural gas) and a 14% decrease in other gathering revenue related to the elimination of a third-party interruptible gathering and processing agreement for certain gas volumes in the Northern Region, partially offset by a 10% increase in total fee-based processing revenues.

• Capital investment (on an accrual basis) for the year ended December 31, 2012 totaled $171.2 million.

At the end of 2012, the Company operated 84 producing wells in the Williston Basin, including 38 Bakken wells, 43 Three Forks wells and three dual lateral horizontal wells producing from both the Bakken and Three Forks formations. In addition, the Company has a working interest in 191 outside-operated producing wells.

At the end of the fourth quarter, QEP Energy had 11 operated wells drilling or at intermediate casing point and nine QEP Energy-operated wells awaiting completion (QEP Energy's average working interest 87%). The Company also had interests in 16 outside-operated wells being drilled (QEP Energy's average working interest 7%) and 23 outside-operated wells awaiting completion (QEP Energy's average working interest 3%) at the end of the fourth quarter.

At the end of 2012, QEP Energy had five rigs operating in the Bakken/Three Forks play (two in the South Antelope Area and three within the Fort Berthold Reservation). QEP Energy's operated completed well costs for a typical long-lateral Bakken or Three Forks well averaged $11 million in the second half of 2012.

Slides 6-8 depict QEP Energy's acreage and activity in the Bakken/Three Forks play.

Pinedale Anticline:102 new well completions in 2012

During the fourth quarter 2012, QEP Energy's Pinedale net production averaged 281 MMcfed, of which 21% was oil and NGL. In response to the decline in ethane prices, QEP Energy began rejecting ethane from Pinedale production on December 1st. Ethane rejection results in approximately 7% less natural gas equivalent sales volumes but, at current ethane prices, has a negligible impact on gross revenues. The processing margins for Pinedale propane and heavier NGL components remain positive.

During the fourth quarter 2012, QEP Energy completed and turned to sales 16 new Pinedale wells, for a total of 102 new producing wells in 2012 (QEP Energy's average working interest 71%). QEP Energy suspends Pinedale completion operations during the coldest months of the winter, generally from December to mid-March. In 2012, completion operations resumed in early March, and were suspended in November. At the end of 2012, the Company had 66 Pinedale wells awaiting completion.

Drilling and completion efficiencies have allowed QEP Energy to maintain industry-leading average gross completed well costs of approximately $4.2 million per well at Pinedale. For the year, drill times from spud to total depth averaged 12.8 days and a new record of 8.6 days was achieved.

At the end of 2012, QEP Energy had four rigs operating at Pinedale (including one rig working in an area of Pinedale where QEP Energy is the operator but does not own a working interest). The Company currently expects to complete a total of approximately 110 wells during 2013, including 29 wells in which QEP Energy is the designated operator but only owns a small overriding royalty interest.

Please refer to slide 9 for additional details on the Company's Pinedale operations.

Uinta Basin:Continued development drilling in the liquids-rich Lower Mesaverde Play

During the fourth quarter 2012, Uinta Basin net production averaged 75 MMcfed of which 35 MMcfed was from the Lower Mesaverde play. In response to the decline in ethane prices, QEP Energy also commenced rejecting ethane from Uinta Basin gas production in the quarter. Ethane rejection results in approximately 7% less natural gas equivalent sales volumes but, at current ethane prices, has a negligible impact on gross revenues. The processing margins for Uinta Basin propane and heavier NGL components remain positive.

QEP Energy commenced development drilling with two rigs on "Pinedale-style" multi-well pads in the Lower Mesaverde play during the fourth quarter and initially plans to drill 20-acre density development wells. The pads and wellbore geometries will be designed to allow for future 10-acre density development wells. A seven well pilot program is currently underway to ascertain the reserve potential of tighter, 10-acre density development. Average measured depth for a typical Lower Mesaverde well is approximately 11,000 feet.

At the end of 2012, the Company had 57 producing wells in the Lower Mesaverde play, eight of which were completed and turned to sales during the fourth quarter for a total of 37 wells during 2012 (QEP Energy's 100% working interest). QEP Energy has over 3,200 potential remaining locations in this significant liquids-rich gas resource play.

In addition to Lower Mesaverde activity, at the end of 2012 the Company had one rig drilling horizontal and vertical wells targeting multiple oil-bearing limestone and sandstone reservoirs in the Lower Green River Formation, at an average true vertical depth of 5,500 feet. During 2012, QEP Energy completed 10 Company-operated oil wells (four vertical and six horizontal) in the Uinta Basin (QEP Energy's average working interest 72%).

Slides 10 and 11 depict QEP Energy's acreage and additional details of the Lower Mesaverde play.

Woodford "Cana":Currently drilling 80-acre density development wells in the liquids-rich core of the play

QEP Energy's net production from the Woodford "Cana" play averaged 48 MMcfed during the fourth quarter 2012. The Company participated in 21 outside-operated horizontal Woodford "Cana" Shale wells that were completed and turned to sales during the fourth quarter (QEP Energy's working interests ranging from less than 1% to 13%).

At the end of the year, QEP Energy operated 33 producing horizontal Cana wells (QEP Energy's average working interest 73%) and had working interests in an additional 258 outside-operated producing Cana wells (QEP Energy's average working interest 10%).

At the end of 2012, the Company had two operated rigs drilling 80-acre horizontal infill development wells (QEP Energy's average working interest 75%) and there were eight QEP Energy-operated 80-acre infill wells in one section awaiting completion (QEP Energy's working interest 100%). QEP Energy also has a working interest in 26 outside-operated wells awaiting completion (QEP Energy's working interests ranging from 1% to 4%).

Slide 12 depicts QEP Energy's acreage and additional details of the Cana play.

Granite Wash:Horizontal development in the Texas Panhandle

QEP Energy's net production from the Texas Panhandle Granite Wash play averaged 37 MMcfed during the fourth quarter 2012. During the fourth quarter 2012, QEP Energy participated in six outside-operated well completions in the Kansas City and Lansing formations in the Texas Panhandle (QEP Energy's average working interest 1.4%). At the end of 2012 the Company had one QEP Energy-operated Cherokee Formation horizontal well awaiting completion (QEP Energy's working interest 59%), one QEP Energy-operated Caldwell Formation well drilling (QEP Energy's working interest 59%) and had interests in four outside-operated Granite Wash wells awaiting completion (QEP Energy's working interests ranging from 12% to 24%). At the end of the fourth quarter, QEP Energy had a working interest in a total of 95 producing horizontal Granite Wash/Atoka Wash wells.

See slide 13 for details on the Granite Wash play.

Haynesville:No operated drilling activity in the Haynesville Shale play of NW Louisiana

The Company's net Haynesville production averaged 238 MMcfed and Cotton Valley/Hosston net production averaged 40 MMcfed during the fourth quarter 2012.

At the end of 2012, QEP Energy operated 126 producing wells in the play and had working interests in 124 outside-operated producing wells.

In response to depressed natural gas prices, QEP Energy released its last operated drilling rig in the Haynesville Shale play in early July 2012, and did not complete any additional Company-operated Haynesville wells after April 2012. QEP Energy had five operated wells (48% average working interest) awaiting completion at the end of 2012. The Company participated in one outside-operated Haynesville well that was completed in the fourth quarter (QEP Energy's working interest 2%).

Refer to slide 14 for additional information on QEP Energy's Haynesville activities.

QEP Field Services

QEP Field Services' fourth quarter 2012 NGL sales volumes were down 45%, fee-based processing volumes were up 4%, and gathering volumes were down 7%, compared to the prior-year quarter.

Processing margin (total processing plant revenues less plant shrink, transportation, fractionation, and operating expenses) was $29.0 million in the fourth quarter 2012 compared to $53.6 million in the fourth quarter 2011, a 46% decrease. The fourth quarter 2012 was negatively impacted by a 64% decrease in keep-whole processing margins (NGL sales revenues less shrink, transportation and fractionation expenses), due primarily to lower NGL prices. Fee-based processing revenues were $18.3 million in the fourth quarter 2012, a 10% increase from the prior year period due to increases in total fee-based processing volumes and average revenue per MMBtu.

Gathering margin (total gathering revenues less gathering related operating expenses) was $38.8 million in the fourth quarter 2012 compared to $41.1 million in the fourth quarter 2011, a 6% decrease, due primarily to a decrease in other gathering revenue and a decline in gathering volumes between the two periods.

Approximately 81% of QEP Field Services' fourth quarter 2012 net operating revenue was derived from fee-based gathering and processing activities compared to 62% in the fourth quarter 2011.

Construction on Iron Horse II, a 150 MMcfd cryogenic gas processing plant in the Uinta Basin, is proceeding as planned. The plant is in the process of startup and commissioning and is expected to be put into service during February 2013. This new facility is contracted under long-term, fee-based processing agreements with half of the capacity dedicated to a third-party customer and the remaining capacity available to QEP Energy and third-party customers.

During the fourth quarter, construction continued on QEP Field Services' 10,000 barrel per day NGL fractionation facility expansion at QEP's Blacks Fork facility in southwest Wyoming. When completed in mid-2013, NGL fractionation capacity at Blacks Fork will total 15,000 barrels per day. To support this expansion, QEP is doubling existing railcar loading capacity at Blacks Fork to facilitate access to what are often higher-value local, regional, and national NGL markets.

Estimates of key financial and operating data follow.