UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x                              QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2006

Or

o                                 TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from          to         

Commission File Number 1-13515

FOREST OIL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New York

 

25-0484900

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

707 17th Street, Suite 3600 Denver, Colorado

 

80202

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (303) 812-1400


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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  x

 

Accelerated filer  o

 

Non-accelerated filer  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  o Yes  x No

As of October 31, 2006 there were 62,931,547 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $.10 per share, outstanding.

 




FOREST OIL CORPORATION
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
September 30, 2006

Part I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1—Financial Statements

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005

 

1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006 and 2005

 

2

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006

 

3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006 and 2005

 

4

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

5

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

 

20

Item 3—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

35

Item 4—Controls and Procedures

 

38

Part II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

38

Item 1—Legal Proceedings

 

38

Item 6—Exhibits

 

38

Signatures

 

40

 

ii




PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOREST OIL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(In Thousands, Except Share Data)

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

$

11,402

 

 

 

7,231

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

119,918

 

 

 

178,124

 

 

Derivative instruments

 

 

37,499

 

 

 

941

 

 

Deferred tax assets

 

 

 

 

 

77,346

 

 

Other current assets

 

 

34,588

 

 

 

52,283

 

 

Total current assets

 

 

203,407

 

 

 

315,925

 

 

Property and equipment, at cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and gas properties, full cost method of accounting:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proved, net of accumulated depletion of $2,220,480 and $3,059,031

 

 

2,435,869

 

 

 

2,898,774

 

 

Unproved

 

 

259,842

 

 

 

275,684

 

 

Net oil and gas properties

 

 

2,695,711

 

 

 

3,174,458

 

 

Other property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $31,329 and $32,527

 

 

31,850

 

 

 

25,560

 

 

Net property and equipment

 

 

2,727,561

 

 

 

3,200,018

 

 

Derivative instruments

 

 

19,413

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

86,880

 

 

 

87,072

 

 

Other assets

 

 

34,108

 

 

 

42,531

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,071,369

 

 

 

3,645,546

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

 

$

231,150

 

 

 

312,076

 

 

Accrued interest

 

 

18,242

 

 

 

4,260

 

 

Derivative instruments

 

 

14,781

 

 

 

151,678

 

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

 

1,800

 

 

 

33,329

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

4,183

 

 

 

 

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

14,745

 

 

 

21,573

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

284,901

 

 

 

522,916

 

 

Long-term debt

 

 

1,096,076

 

 

 

884,807

 

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

 

58,948

 

 

 

178,225

 

 

Other liabilities

 

 

43,436

 

 

 

45,691

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

180,800

 

 

 

329,385

 

 

Total liabilities

 

 

1,664,161

 

 

 

1,961,024

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, none issued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, 62,927,258 and 64,548,229 shares issued and outstanding

 

 

6,293

 

 

 

6,455

 

 

Capital surplus

 

 

1,211,519

 

 

 

1,529,102

 

 

Retained earnings

 

 

106,947

 

 

 

217,293

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

82,449

 

 

 

(18,220

)

 

Treasury stock, at cost, 1,861,143 shares held in 2005

 

 

 

 

 

(50,108

)

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

1,407,208

 

 

 

1,684,522

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,071,369

 

 

 

3,645,546

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

1




FOREST OIL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and gas sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas

 

$

90,296

 

156,070

 

312,102

 

470,711

 

Oil, condensate, and natural gas liquids

 

110,624

 

110,080

 

318,137

 

323,664

 

Total oil and gas sales

 

200,920

 

266,150

 

630,239

 

794,375

 

Marketing, processing, and other

 

1,919

 

2,086

 

5,899

 

5,207

 

Total revenue

 

202,839

 

268,236

 

636,138

 

799,582

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease operating expenses

 

34,963

 

51,576

 

115,823

 

145,219

 

Production and property taxes

 

8,974

 

10,914

 

30,699

 

31,358

 

Transportation costs

 

5,494

 

4,597

 

15,865

 

14,352

 

General and administrative (including stock-based compensation)

 

10,548

 

9,847

 

38,755

 

31,694

 

Depreciation and depletion

 

62,505

 

91,029

 

203,426

 

284,554

 

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

 

1,226

 

4,352

 

5,879

 

12,951

 

Impairments and other

 

 

4,002

 

2,078

 

6,926

 

Spin-off and merger costs

 

 

 

5,416

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

123,710

 

176,317

 

417,941

 

527,054

 

Earnings from operations

 

79,129

 

91,919

 

218,197

 

272,528

 

Other income and expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

19,122

 

15,664

 

51,613

 

46,224

 

Unrealized (gains) losses on derivative instruments, net

 

(77,914

)

72,095

 

(68,178

)

74,365

 

Realized losses (gains) on derivative instruments, net

 

12,883

 

38

 

30,496

 

(280

)

Unrealized foreign currency exchange loss

 

766

 

 

766

 

 

Other (income) expense, net

 

(950

)

341

 

(200

)

4,251

 

Total other income and expense

 

(46,093

)

88,138

 

14,497

 

124,560

 

Earnings before income taxes and discontinued operations

 

125,222

 

3,781

 

203,700

 

147,968

 

Income tax expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

(743

)

(203

)

2,078

 

1,971

 

Deferred

 

49,031

 

719

 

66,391

 

51,660

 

Total income tax expense

 

48,288

 

516

 

68,469

 

53,631

 

Earnings from continuing operations

 

76,934

 

3,265

 

135,231

 

94,337

 

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 

2,422

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

76,934

 

3,265

 

137,653

 

94,337

 

Basic earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings from continuing operations

 

$

1.24

 

.05

 

2.17

 

1.54

 

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 

.04

 

 

Net earnings per common share

 

$

1.24

 

.05

 

2.21

 

1.54

 

Diluted earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings from continuing operations

 

$

1.21

 

.05

 

2.13

 

1.50

 

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 

.04

 

 

Net earnings per common share

 

$

1.21

 

.05

 

2.17

 

1.50

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

2




FOREST OIL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)

 

 

Common Stock

 

Capital

 

Retained

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

 

Treasury

 

Total
Shareholders’

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Surplus

 

Earnings

 

(Loss) Income

 

Stock

 

Equity

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Balances at January 1, 2006

 

 

64,548

 

 

 

$

6,455

 

 

1,529,102

 

 

217,293

 

 

 

(18,220

)

 

 

(50,108

)

 

 

1,684,522

 

 

Exercise of stock options

 

 

218

 

 

 

22

 

 

4,649

 

 

(8

)

 

 

 

 

 

27

 

 

 

4,690

 

 

Tax benefit of stock options exercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

40

 

 

Employee stock purchase plan

 

 

20

 

 

 

2

 

 

553

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

555

 

 

Restricted stock issued, net of forfeitures

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retirement of treasury stock

 

 

(1,860

)

 

 

(186

)

 

(49,895

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50,081

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,017

 

 

Tax benefit of acquired net operating losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,405

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,405

 

 

Pro rata distribution of MERI common stock to shareholders (Note 2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(298,352

)

 

(247,991

)

 

 

7,549

 

 

 

 

 

 

(538,794

)

 

Comprehensive earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

137,653

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

137,653

 

 

Unrealized gain on effective derivative instruments, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

77,074

 

 

 

 

 

 

77,074

 

 

Amortization of deferred hedging loss, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,411

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,411

 

 

Decrease in unfunded pension liability, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

83

 

 

 

 

 

 

83

 

 

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,552

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,552

 

 

Total comprehensive earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

230,773

 

 

Balances at September 30, 2006

 

 

62,927

 

 

 

$

6,293

 

 

1,211,519

 

 

106,947

 

 

 

82,449

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,407,208

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

3




FOREST OIL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

137,653

 

94,337

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and depletion

 

203,426

 

284,554

 

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

 

5,879

 

12,951

 

Stock-based compensation

 

11,384

 

426

 

Impairments

 

2,078

 

2,924

 

Unrealized (gains) losses on derivative instruments, net

 

(68,178

)

74,365

 

Amortization of deferred derivative losses

 

15,204

 

 

Unrealized foreign currency exchange loss

 

766

 

 

Deferred income tax expense

 

67,617

 

51,660

 

Other, net

 

(2,565

)

1,883

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

966

 

(645

)

Other current assets

 

(23,330

)

(3,956

)

Accounts payable

 

(1,131

)

(6,859

)

Accrued interest and other current liabilities

 

(3,153

)

6,792

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

346,616

 

518,432

 

Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures for property and equipment:

 

 

 

 

 

Exploration, development, and acquisition costs

 

(741,495

)

(548,133

)

Other fixed assets

 

(9,718

)

(9,659

)

Proceeds from sales of assets

 

1,367

 

23,668

 

Other, net

 

120

 

(4,273

)

Net cash used by investing activities

 

(749,726

)

(538,397

)

Financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from bank borrowings

 

2,444,963

 

1,630,000

 

Repayments of bank borrowings

 

(2,055,924

)

(1,663,000

)

Repayments of bank debt assumed in acquisition

 

 

(35,000

)

Proceeds from Spin-off (Note 2)

 

21,670

 

 

Proceeds from the exercise of options and warrants and employee stock purchases

 

5,246

 

41,806

 

Other, net

 

(8,599

)

(1,723

)

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities

 

407,356

 

(27,917

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

(75

)

(780

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

4,171

 

(48,662

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

7,231

 

55,251

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

11,402

 

6,589

 

Cash paid during the period for:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

$

42,819

 

35,235

 

Income taxes

 

5,243

 

5,128

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

4




FOREST OIL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

(1)                               BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein are unaudited and include the accounts of Forest Oil Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, “Forest” or the “Company”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, have been made which are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of Forest at September 30, 2006, the results of its operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, and its cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of expected annual results because of the impact of fluctuations in prices received for liquids (oil, condensate, and natural gas liquids) and natural gas and other factors.

In the course of preparing the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, management makes various assumptions, judgments, and estimates to determine the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses, and in the disclosures of commitments and contingencies. Changes in these assumptions, judgments, and estimates will occur as a result of the passage of time and the occurrence of future events and, accordingly, actual results could differ from amounts initially established.

The more significant areas requiring the use of assumptions, judgments, and estimates relate to volumes of oil and gas reserves used in calculating depletion, the amount of future net revenues used in computing the ceiling test limitations, and the amount of future capital costs and abandonment obligations used in such calculations. Assumptions, judgments, and estimates are also required in determining impairments of undeveloped properties, valuing deferred tax assets, and estimating fair values of derivative instruments.

Certain amounts in the prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2006 financial statement presentation.

For a more complete understanding of Forest’s operations, financial position, and accounting policies, reference is made to the consolidated financial statements of Forest, and related notes thereto, filed with Forest’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(2)                               ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

Acquisitions

On March 31, 2006, Forest completed the acquisition of oil and gas properties located primarily in the Cotton Valley trend in East Texas. Forest paid approximately $255 million, as adjusted to reflect an economic effective date of February 1, 2006, for properties with an estimated 110 Bcfe of estimated proved reserves at the time the acquisition was announced in February 2006 and production that averaged 13 MMcfe per day in January 2006. Forest acquired approximately 26,000 net acres in the fields, of which approximately 14,000 net acres were undeveloped. Forest funded this acquisition utilizing its bank credit facilities.

Divestitures

Spin-off and Merger of Offshore Gulf of Mexico Operations

On March 2, 2006, Forest completed the spin-off of its offshore Gulf of Mexico operations by means of a special dividend, which consisted of a pro rata spin-off (the “Spin-off”) of all outstanding shares of Forest Energy Resources, Inc. (hereinafter known as Mariner Energy Resources, Inc. or “MERI”), a total

5




(2)          ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES (Continued)

of 50,637,010 shares of common stock, to holders of record of Forest common stock as of the close of business on February 21, 2006. Immediately following the Spin-off, MERI was merged with a subsidiary of Mariner Energy, Inc. (“Mariner”) in a stock for stock transaction (the “Merger”). Mariner’s common stock commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange on March 3, 2006.

The Spin-off was a tax-free transaction for federal income tax purposes. Prior to the Merger, as part of the Spin-off, MERI paid Forest approximately $176.1 million. The $176.1 million was drawn on a newly created bank credit facility established by MERI immediately prior to the Spin-off. This credit facility and associated liability was included in the Spin-off. Subsequent to the closing, Forest received additional net cash proceeds of $21.7 million from MERI for a total of $197.8 million. As of October 31, 2006, in accordance with the transaction agreements, Forest and MERI had submitted post-closing adjustments from which Forest has determined it owes MERI approximately $5.8 million, which is subject to further adjustment.

The table below sets forth the effect of the Spin-off on the Company’s balance sheet:

 

 

Change in Balance
Sheet Accounts

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Assets (Increase/(Decrease))

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

 

$

(10

)

 

Accounts receivable—Due from MERI

 

 

15,953

 

 

Accounts receivable—third parties

 

 

(54,078

)

 

Other current assets

 

 

(44,837

)

 

Proved oil and gas properties, net of accumulated depletion

 

 

(1,033,289

)

 

Unproved oil and gas properties

 

 

(38,523

)

 

Other assets

 

 

(7,919

)

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity ((Increase)/Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

96,142

 

 

Derivative instruments

 

 

17,087

 

 

MERI credit facility

 

 

176,102

 

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

 

150,182

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

184,396

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

(7,549

)

 

Net decrease to capital surplus and retained earnings

 

 

$

(546,343

)

 

 

Sale of ProMark—Discontinued Operations

On March 1, 2004, the Company sold the assets and business operations of Producers Marketing, Ltd. (“ProMark”) to Cinergy Canada, Inc. (“Cinergy”) for $11.2 million CDN. As a result of the sale, ProMark’s results of operations were reported as discontinued operations in the historical financial statements. Under the terms of the purchase and sale agreement, Forest may receive additional contingent consideration over a period of five years through February 2009. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, Forest recognized an additional $3.6 million contingent payment ($2.4 million net of tax), which has been reflected as income from discontinued operations in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

6




(3)                               EARNINGS PER SHARE AND COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS (LOSS)

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings attributable to common stock by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period, excluding treasury shares.

Diluted earnings per share is computed by adjusting the average number of common shares outstanding for the dilutive effect, if any, of stock options, unvested restricted stock grants, unvested phantom stock units, and warrants. The following sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

Earnings from continuing operations

 

$76,934

 

3,265

 

135,231

 

94,337

 

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

 

2,422

 

 

Net earnings

 

$76,934

 

3,265

 

137,653

 

94,337

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding during the period

 

62,250

 

61,946

 

62,187

 

61,198

 

Add dilutive effects of stock options, unvested restricted stock grants, and unvested phantom stock units

 

1,234

 

1,194

 

1,194

 

1,077

 

Add dilutive effects of warrants

 

 

 

 

432

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding, including the effects of dilutive securities

 

63,484

 

63,140

 

63,381

 

62,707

 

Basic earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From continuing operations

 

$1.24

 

.05

 

2.17

 

1.54

 

From discontinued operations

 

 

 

.04

 

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$1.24

 

.05

 

2.21

 

1.54

 

Diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From continuing operations

 

$1.21

 

.05

 

2.13

 

1.50

 

From discontinued operations

 

 

 

.04

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$1.21

 

.05

 

2.17

 

1.50

 

 

Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)

Comprehensive earnings (loss) is a term used to refer to net earnings plus other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of revenues, expenses, gains, and losses that under generally accepted accounting principles are reported as separate components of shareholders’ equity instead of net earnings. Items included in Forest’s other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 are foreign currency gains related to the translation of the assets and liabilities of Forest’s Canadian operations, changes in the unfunded pension liability, and net hedging losses.

The components of comprehensive earnings (loss) are as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Net earnings

 

$76,934

 

3,265

 

137,653

 

94,337

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation gains

 

294

 

18,257

 

13,552

 

11,367

 

Unfunded pension liability, net of tax

 

 

 

83

 

(149

)

Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of tax

 

1,381

 

(56,454

)

79,485

 

(104,713

)

Total comprehensive earnings (loss)

 

$78,609

 

(34,932

)

230,773

 

842

 

 

7




(4)                               STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed in Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations. Under APB Opinion No. 25, no compensation expense was recognized for stock options issued to employees if the grant price equaled or was above the market price on the date of the option grant. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123 (Revised), Share-Based Payment (“SFAS 123(R)”) using the modified prospective method. Under this method, compensation cost is recorded for all unvested stock options, restricted stock, and phantom stock units beginning in the period of adoption and prior period financial statements are not restated. Under the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123(R), stock-based compensation is measured at the grant date based on the value of the awards and the value is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period (usually the vesting period).

The table below sets forth total stock-based compensation recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 under the provisions of SFAS 123(R), the remaining unamortized amounts and the weighted average amortization period remaining as of September 30, 2006. Approximately $9.7 million of the $18.7 million of total stock-based compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was attributable to a partial settlement of the Company’s restricted stock awards and phantom stock unit awards in connection with the Spin-off.

 

 

Stock
Options

 

Restricted
Stock

 

Phantom
Stock Units

 

Total (1)

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Three months ended September 30, 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation costs

 

$

961

 

1,305

 

 

162

 

 

2,428

 

Less: stock-based compensation costs capitalized

 

(425

)

(398

)

 

(96

)

 

(919

)

Stock-based compensation costs expensed

 

$

536

 

907

 

 

66

 

 

1,509

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation costs

 

$

3,983

 

12,827

 

 

1,682

 

 

18,492

 

Less: stock-based compensation costs capitalized

 

(1,135

)

(4,684

)

 

(944

)

 

(6,763

)

Stock-based compensation costs expensed

 

$

2,848

 

8,143

 

 

738

 

 

11,729

 

Unamortized stock-based compensation costs as of September 30, 2006

 

$

7,021

 

13,680

 

 

2,456

(2)

 

23,157

 

Weighted average amortization period remaining

 

1.1 years

 

2.1 years

 

 

2.3 years

 

 

1.8 years

 

 


(1)        The Company also maintains an employee stock purchase plan (which is not included in the table above) under which $.1 million and $.2 million of compensation cost was recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively under the provisions of SFAS 123(R).

(2)        Based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on September 30, 2006.

SFAS 123(R) required the Company to estimate forfeitures in calculating the cost related to stock-based compensation as opposed to recognizing forfeitures and the corresponding reduction in expense as the forfeitures occur. The cumulative adjustment recorded related to this change of approximately $.1 million was recorded as a reduction in general and administrative expense and capitalized oil and gas properties in the first quarter of 2006 and was not presented separately in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The impact of adopting SFAS 123(R) as of January 1, 2006 resulted in a decrease to net income of approximately $1.9 million, or $.03 per basic and diluted share for the nine month period ending September 30, 2006.

8




(4)          STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued)

Equity Incentive Plans

In 2001, the Company adopted the Forest Oil Corporation 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2001 Plan”) under which non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock, phantom stock units, and other awards may be granted to employees, consultants, and non-employee directors. In 2003, the Company amended the 2001 Plan to increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock, at par value $.10 per share (“Common Stock”), reserved for issuance. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that the Company may issue under the 2001 Plan may not exceed 5,012,074 shares. Options have historically been granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of one share of Common Stock on the date of grant. Options granted to employees under the 2001 Plan generally vest in increments of 25% on each of the first four anniversary dates of the date of grant and have a term of ten years. Options granted to non-employee directors vest immediately and have a term of ten years. In connection with the Spin-off, the shares available for grant and outstanding stock options under the 2001 Plan were adjusted to reflect the economic effect of the Spin-off by reducing the exercise price and increasing the number of underlying shares. As of September 30, 2006, the Company had 649,728 shares available for issuance under the 2001 Plan.

The Company also had a Stock Incentive Plan (the “1996 Plan”) that expired on March 5, 2002 under which non-qualified stock options and restricted stock were granted to employees and director stock awards were granted to non-employee directors. Options granted under the 1996 Plan generally vested in increments of 20% commencing on the date of grant and on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of the grant and generally had a term of ten years.

The Company has historically issued new shares of Common Stock or treasury stock to settle its equity-based awards. In May 2006, Forest retired the Company’s treasury stock. As a result of the retirement, settlements on equity-based awards subsequent to May 2006 will be from issuances of new shares of Common Stock.

9




(4)          STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued)

Stock Options

The following table summarizes stock option activity in the Company’s stock-based compensation plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The number of shares and the exercise price of the outstanding stock options were adjusted so that the fair value of each award was the same immediately before and after the Spin-off, in accordance with the anti-dilution provisions in the 2001 Plan and 1996 Plan.

 

 

Number of
Options

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
Per Share

 

Aggregate 
Intrinsic Value
(In Thousands)(1)

 

Number of
Shares
Exercisable

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2006

 

2,578,235

 

 

$

27.78

 

 

 

$

45,889

 

 

1,348,599

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(58,337

)

 

28.71

 

 

 

1,255

 

 

 

 

Cancelled

 

(98,587

)

 

30.91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 2, 2006

 

2,421,311

 

 

27.63

 

 

 

55,723

 

 

 

 

Adjustment to give effect to Spin-off

 

1,176,804

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

50,000

 

 

36.95

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(160,837

)

 

18.75

 

 

 

2,536

 

 

 

 

Cancelled

 

(74,979

)

 

20.87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at September 30, 2006

 

3,412,299

 

 

18.80

 

 

 

43,771

 

 

2,205,889

 

 


(1)        The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the current market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option.

Stock options are granted at the fair market value of one share of Common Stock on the date of grant. Options granted to non-employee directors vest immediately and options granted to officers and other employees vest ratably over four years. All outstanding options had a term of ten years at the date of grant.

The fair value of stock options granted during 2006 was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following weighted average assumptions were used to compute the fair market value of stock options granted in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005:

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Expected life of options

 

 

10 years

 

 

5 years

 

Risk free interest rates

 

 

5.13%

 

 

3.64% to 4.28%

 

Estimated volatility

 

 

45%

 

 

31% to 35%

 

Dividend yield

 

 

0.0%

 

 

0.0%

 

Weighted average fair market value of options granted during the period

 

 

$23.60

 

 

$9.34

 

 

The expected life of the options is based, in part, on historical exercise patterns of the holders of options with similar terms, with consideration given to how historical patterns may differ from future exercise patterns based on current or expected market conditions and employee turnover. The risk free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The expected volatility was based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock.

10




(4)                               STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued)

The following table summarizes information about options outstanding at September 30, 2006:

 

 

Stock Options Outstanding

 

Stock Options Exercisable

 

Range of
Exercise Prices

 

Number

of Options

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)

 

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

 

Aggregate

Intrinsic

Value

(In

Thousands)

 

Number

Exercisable

 

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

 

Aggregate

Intrinsic

Value
(In

Thousands)

 

$8.41 – 16.55

 

685,952

 

 

5.95

 

 

 

$

14.82

 

 

 

$

11,547

 

 

536,330

 

 

$

14.66

 

 

 

$

9,056

 

 

16.74 – 16.85

 

815,318

 

 

6.83

 

 

 

16.84

 

 

 

12,072

 

 

524,833

 

 

16.83

 

 

 

7,726

 

 

16.88 – 20.02

 

709,335

 

 

4.92

 

 

 

18.91

 

 

 

9,022

 

 

671,450

 

 

18.98

 

 

 

8,444

 

 

20.19 – 20.47

 

28,606

 

 

7.52

 

 

 

20.32

 

 

 

323

 

 

12,261

 

 

20.35

 

 

 

137

 

 

20.60 – 36.95

 

1,173,088

 

 

7.96

 

 

 

22.40

 

 

 

10,807

 

 

461,015

 

 

23.60

 

 

 

3,666

 

 

$8.41 – 36.95

 

3,412,299

 

 

6.65

 

 

 

18.80

 

 

 

$

43,771

 

 

2,205,889

 

 

18.39

 

 

 

$

29,029

 

 

 

Restricted Stock and Phantom Stock Units

The following table summarizes the restricted stock and phantom stock unit activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The grant date fair value of the restricted stock and phantom stock units was determined by reference to the average of the high and low stock price of a share of Common Stock as published by the NYSE on the date of grant.

 

 

Restricted Stock

 

Phantom Stock Units

 

 

 

Number of
Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
(1)

 

Number of
Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
(1)

 

Unvested at January 1, 2006

 

 

634,000

 

 

 

$

43.72

 

 

 

72,350

 

 

 

$

46.07

 

 

Granted

 

 

32,500

 

 

 

40.45

 

 

 

13,700

 

 

 

46.72

 

 

Vested

 

 

(200

)

 

 

46.07

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(31,950

)

 

 

46.03

 

 

 

(8,300

)

 

 

46.07

 

 

Unvested at September 30, 2006

 

 

634,350

 

 

 

43.44

 

 

 

77,750

 

 

 

46.18

 

 


(1)                 These per-share fair values represent the actual grant date fair value and have not been adjusted to give effect to the Spin-off. In connection with the Spin-off, holders of restricted stock awards received .8093 unrestricted shares of MERI for each share of restricted stock. Accordingly, compensation cost of approximately $8.4 million was recorded in the first quarter of 2006 as a partial settlement of the restricted stock award, or approximately $13.00 per share. In addition, cash bonuses totaling $1.2 million were paid to Canadian employees in the first quarter of 2006 who held phantom stock units on that date representing the per-share value of the MERI shares received by each holder of restricted stock.

During the year ended 2005, Forest granted 72,350 phantom stock units valued at $3.3 million as compensation exclusively to Canadian employees. The phantom stock units can be settled in cash, shares of Common Stock, or a combination of both. The phantom stock units have been accounted for as a liability within the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. As of September 30, 2006, the Company’s fair value liability for the phantom stock units totaled $2.5 million.

The restricted stock and phantom stock units generally vest on the third anniversary of the date of the award, but may vest earlier upon a qualifying disability, death, retirement, or a change in control of the Company in accordance with the term of the underlying agreement.

11




(4)          STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued)

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company has a 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), under which it is authorized to issue up to 300,000 shares of Common Stock. Employees who are regularly scheduled to work more than 20 hours per week and more than five months in any calendar year may participate in the ESPP. Under the terms of the ESPP, employees may elect each quarter to have up to 15% of their annual base earnings withheld to purchase shares of Common Stock, up to a limit of $25,000 of Common Stock per calendar year. The ESPP currently provides for four offering periods during the year which coincide with the calendar quarters. The purchase price of a share of Common Stock purchased under the ESPP is equal to 85% of the lower of the beginning-of-quarter or end-of-quarter market price. ESPP participants are restricted from selling the shares of Common Stock purchased under the ESPP for a period of six months after purchase. As of September 30, 2006, the Company had 168,816 shares available for issuance under the ESPP.

Pro Forma Effects

Had Forest recognized compensation expense for all stock-based awards based upon the estimated fair value on the grant date under the fair value methodology prescribed by SFAS 123, as amended by SFAS 148 and SFAS 123(R), its pro forma net earnings and earnings per common share for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005 would have been as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2005

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2005

 

 

 

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

Net earnings, as reported

 

 

$

3,265

 

 

 

94,337

 

 

Add: Stock-based compensation included in reported net income, net of tax

 

 

78

 

 

 

252

 

 

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

 

 

(637

)

 

 

(2,095

)

 

Pro forma net earnings

 

 

$

2,706

 

 

 

92,494

 

 

Basic earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

 

$

.05

 

 

 

1.54

 

 

Pro forma

 

 

$

.04

 

 

 

1.51

 

 

Diluted earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

 

$

.05

 

 

 

1.50

 

 

Pro forma

 

 

$

.04

 

 

 

1.48

 

 

 

(5)                               LONG-TERM DEBT

Components of long-term debt are as follows:

 

 

September 30, 2006

 

December 31, 2005

 

 

 

Principal

 

Unamortized
Premium
(Discount)

 

Other(1)

 

Total

 

Principal

 

Unamortized
Premium
(Discount)

 

Other(1)

 

Total

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

U.S. Credit Facility

 

$

280,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

280,000

 

 

97,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

97,000

 

Canadian Credit Facility

 

89,470

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

89,470

 

 

56,806

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

56,806

 

8% Senior Notes Due 2008

 

265,000

 

 

(171

)

 

 

3,932

 

 

268,761

 

 

265,000

 

 

 

(244

)

 

 

5,652

 

 

270,408

 

8% Senior Notes Due 2011

 

285,000

 

 

6,781

 

 

 

4,365

 

 

296,146

 

 

285,000

 

 

 

7,750

 

 

 

4,992

 

 

297,742

 

73¤4% Senior Notes Due 2014

 

150,000

 

 

(1,810

)

 

 

13,509

 

 

161,699

 

 

150,000

 

 

 

(1,990

)

 

 

14,841

 

 

162,851

 

 

 

$

1,069,470

 

 

4,800

 

 

 

21,806

 

 

1,096,076

 

 

853,806

 

 

 

5,516

 

 

 

25,485

 

 

884,807

 


(1)                 Represents the unamortized portion of gains realized upon termination of interest rate swaps that were accounted for as fair value hedges. The gains are being amortized as a reduction of interest expense over the terms of the notes.

12




(6)                               PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Forest uses the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas properties. Separate cost centers are maintained for each country in which Forest has operations. During the periods presented, Forest’s primary oil and gas operations were conducted in the United States and Canada. All costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration, and development of properties (including costs of surrendered and abandoned leaseholds, delay lease rentals, dry holes, and overhead related to exploration and development activities) and the fair value of estimated future costs of site restoration, dismantlement, and abandonment activities are capitalized.

Investments in unproved properties, including related capitalized interest costs, are not depleted pending determination of the existence of proved reserves. Unproved properties are assessed periodically to ascertain whether impairment has occurred. Unproved properties whose costs are individually significant are assessed individually by considering the primary lease terms of the properties, the holding period of the properties, and geographic and geologic data obtained relating to the properties. Where it is not practicable to assess individually the amount of impairment of properties for which costs are not individually significant, such properties are grouped for purposes of assessing impairment. The amount of impairment assessed is added to the costs to be amortized, or is reported as a period expense, as appropriate. During the second quarter of 2006, the Company recorded an impairment of $2.1 million related to Gabon. The Gabon impairment was related to historical costs impaired to reflect a drilled dry hole. In the first quarter of 2005, the Company recorded an impairment of $2.9 million related to various international properties, principally related to its properties in Romania.

Pursuant to full cost accounting rules, the Company must perform a ceiling test each quarter on its proved oil and gas assets. The ceiling test provides that capitalized costs less related accumulated depletion and deferred income taxes for each cost center may not exceed the sum of (1) the present value of future net revenue from estimated production of proved oil and gas reserves using current prices, including the effects of derivative instruments but excluding the future cash outflows associated with settling asset retirement obligations that have been accrued on the balance sheet, at a discount factor of 10%; plus (2) the cost of properties not being amortized, if any; plus (3) the lower of cost or estimated fair value of unproved properties included in the costs being amortized, if any; less (4) income tax effects related to differences in the book and tax basis of oil and gas properties. Gain or loss is not recognized on the sale of oil and gas properties unless the sale significantly alters the relationship between capitalized costs and estimated proved oil and gas reserves attributable to a cost center. Should the net capitalized costs for a cost center exceed the sum of the components noted above, an impairment charge would be recognized to the extent of the excess capitalized costs. There were no ceiling test impairments of oil and gas properties in 2006 or 2005, although the Company’s Canadian full cost pool, in particular, could be adversely impacted by moderate declines in commodity prices.

At September 30, 2006, the spot price that Forest used for its Canadian natural gas in computing its cost center ceiling was temporarily depressed to a level at which Forest’s capitalized costs in its Canadian cost center would have exceeded the cost center ceiling, as described above, by approximately $66.9 million. Subsequent to September 30, 2006 and before the release of these quarterly financial statements, the spot price of Canadian natural gas increased to levels such that Forest’s Canadian cost center ceiling exceeded its capitalized costs. As such, no impairment adjustment to the Canadian cost center was necessary as of September 30, 2006.

Depletion of proved oil and gas properties is computed on the units-of-production method, whereby capitalized costs, as adjusted for future development costs and asset retirement obligations, are amortized over the total estimated proved reserves. Furniture and fixtures, computer hardware and software, and

13




(6)          PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Continued)

other equipment are depreciated on the straight-line or declining balance method, based upon estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from three to 12 years.

(7)                               ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

Forest records estimated future asset retirement obligations pursuant to the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations (“SFAS No. 143”). SFAS No. 143 requires entities to record the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred with a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Subsequent to initial measurement, the asset retirement liability is required to be accreted each period to its present value. Capitalized costs are depleted as a component of the full cost pool using the units-of-production method. Forest’s asset retirement obligations consist of costs related to the plugging of wells, the removal of facilities and equipment, and site restoration on oil and gas properties.

The following table summarizes the activity for Forest’s asset retirement obligations for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005:

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Asset retirement obligations at beginning of period

 

$

211,554

 

210,176

 

Accretion expense

 

5,879

 

12,951

 

Liabilities incurred

 

1,231

 

4,181

 

Liabilities assumed

 

1,009

 

705

 

Liabilities included in the Spin-off

 

(150,182

)

 

Liabilities settled

 

(6,647

)

(19,599

)

Revisions of estimated liabilities

 

(2,585

)

3,002

 

Impact of foreign currency exchange rate

 

489

 

433

 

Asset retirement obligations at end of period

 

60,748

 

211,849

 

Less: Current asset retirement obligations

 

(1,800

)

(34,733

)

Long-term asset retirement obligations

 

$

58,948

 

177,116

 

 

(8)                               EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

The following table sets forth the components of the net periodic cost of Forest’s defined benefit pension plans and postretirement benefits in the United States for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005:

 

 

Pension
Benefits

 

Postretirement
Benefits

 

Pension
Benefits

 

Postretirement
Benefits

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended
September 30,

 

Three Months
Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Service cost

 

$

 

 

 

137

 

 

 

167

 

 

 

 

443

 

 

501

 

 

Interest cost

 

548

 

581

 

 

101

 

 

 

113

 

 

1,644

 

1,743

 

320

 

 

339

 

 

Curtailment gain(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,851

)

 

 

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(607

)

(586

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,823

)

(1,758

)

 

 

 

 

Recognized actuarial loss

 

227

 

188

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

682

 

564

 

 

 

 

 

Total net periodic expense

 

$

168

 

183

 

 

238

 

 

 

280

 

 

503

 

549

 

(1,088

)

 

840

 

 


(1)                 Forest recognized a $1.9 million curtailment gain in connection with the Spin-off on March 2, 2006. This gain was recorded as a reduction in general and administrative expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

14




(9)                               FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Forest periodically enters into derivative instruments such as swap, basis swap, and collar agreements in order to provide a measure of stability to Forest’s cash flows in an environment of volatile oil and gas prices and to manage the exposure to commodity price risk. Forest’s commodity derivative instruments generally serve as effective economic hedges of commodity price exposure; however, various circumstances can cause commodity hedges to not qualify for cash flow hedge accounting either at the inception of the hedge or during the term of the hedge. When the criteria for cash flow hedge accounting are not met or when cash flow hedging is not elected, realized gains and losses (i.e., cash settlements) are recorded in other income and expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Similarly, changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments are recorded as unrealized gains or losses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. In contrast, cash settlements for derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting are recorded as additions to or reductions of oil and gas revenues while changes in fair value of cash flow hedges are recognized, to the extent the hedge is effective, in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings.

Discontinuance of Hedge Accounting

As a result of production deferrals experienced in the Gulf of Mexico related to hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Forest was required to discontinue cash flow hedge accounting on some of its natural gas and oil hedges during the third and fourth quarters of 2005. Additionally, as a result of the Spin-off on March 2, 2006, additional commodity swaps and collars formerly designated as cash flow hedges of offshore Gulf of Mexico production also no longer qualified for hedge accounting.

Because a significant portion of the Company’s derivatives no longer qualified for hedge accounting and to increase clarity in its financial statements, the Company elected to discontinue hedge accounting prospectively for all of its remaining commodity derivatives beginning in March 2006. This change in reporting has not impacted the Company’s reported cash flows, although the results of operations have been affected by mark-to-market gains and losses, which fluctuate with volatile oil and gas prices. Subsequent to March 2006, the Company has recognized all mark-to-market gains and losses in earnings, rather than deferring such amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income included in shareholders’ equity.

The net mark-to-market loss on the Company’s remaining swaps and collars that qualified for cash flow hedge accounting at the date the decision was made to discontinue hedge accounting were deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income and were amortized into oil and gas revenues as the original forecasted hedged oil and gas production occurred in 2006. Amortization of the remaining $3.2 million of net deferred losses will be recorded in the fourth quarter of 2006.

15




(9)          FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Continued)

The table below summarizes the realized and unrealized losses (gains) Forest incurred related to its derivative instruments for the periods indicated.

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Realized losses on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges(1)

 

$

2,250

 

64,313

 

40,607

 

118,663

 

Realized losses (gains) on derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges(2)

 

12,883

 

38

 

30,496

 

(280

)

Ineffectiveness recognized on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges(2)

 

 

6,296

 

(5,573

)

5,504

 

Unrealized (gains) losses on derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges(2)

 

(77,914

)

65,799

 

(62,605

)

68,861

 

Total realized and unrealized (gains) losses recorded

 

$

(62,781

)

136,446

 

2,925

 

192,748

 


(1)                 Included in oil and gas sales in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(2)                 Included in other income and expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The tables below set forth Forest’s outstanding commodity swaps and collars as of September 30, 2006:

 

 

Swaps

 

 

 

Natural Gas (NYMEX HH)

 

Oil (NYMEX WTI)

 

 

 

Bbtu
per Day

 

Weighted Average
Hedged Price
per MMBtu

 

Barrels
per Day

 

Weighted Average
Hedged Price
per Bbl

 

Fourth Quarter 2006

 

 

10.0

 

 

 

$

5.51

 

 

 

7,500

 

 

 

$

51.18

 

 

Fiscal 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,500

 

 

 

73.16

 

 

Fiscal 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,000

 

 

 

73.02

 

 

Fiscal 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,500

 

 

 

73.02

 

 

Fiscal 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,000

 

 

 

73.15

 

 

 

 

 

Costless Collars

 

 

 

Natural Gas (NYMEX HH)

 

Oil (NYMEX WTI)

 

 

 

Bbtu
per Day

 

Weighted Average
Hedged Floor and
Ceiling Price
per MMBtu

 

Barrels
per Day

 

Weighted Average
Hedged Floor and
Ceiling Price per Bbl

 

Fourth Quarter 2006

 

 

50.0

 

 

 

$

7.43/11.88

 

 

 

5,500

 

 

 

$

46.73/65.87

 

 

Fiscal 2007

 

 

35.0

 

 

 

8.76/11.70

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

65.81/87.18

 

 

 

The Company also uses basis swaps in connection with natural gas swaps in order to fix the price differential between the NYMEX price and the index price at which the natural gas production is sold. At September 30, 2006, there was a basis swap in place covering 15.0 Bbtu per day in 2007.

16




(9)          FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Continued)

At September 30, 2006, the fair value of Forest’s commodity derivative contracts was a current liability of $14.8 million and a derivative asset of $56.9 million (of which $37.5 million was classified as current). Forest is exposed to risks associated with swap and collar agreements arising from movements in the prices of oil and natural gas and from the unlikely event of non-performance by the counterparties to the swap and collar agreements.

In October 2006, the Company entered into two additional swap agreements. The table below sets forth the weighted average terms of the agreements.

 

 

Swaps

 

 

 

Natural Gas (NYMEX HH)

 

 

 

Bbtu
per Day

 

Weighted Average
Hedged Price
per MMBtu

 

Fiscal 2007

 

 

20.0

 

 

 

$

8.10

 

 

 

In October 2006, the Company entered into an additional basis swap agreement covering 10.0 Bbtu per day for 2007.

(10)                        BUSINESS AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS

Segment information has been prepared in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. At September 30, 2006, Forest conducts operations in one industry segment, that being the oil and gas exploration and production industry, and had three reportable geographical business segments:  United States, Canada and International. Forest’s remaining activities are not significant and therefore are not reported as a separate segment, but are included as a reconciling item in the information below. The segments were determined based upon the type of operations in each business segment and the geographical location of each. The segment data presented below was prepared on the same basis as the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Effective in the first quarter of 2006, Forest ceased allocating general and administrative expenses to the business segments to correspond with its decision to monitor and evaluate general and administrative expenses at the corporate level. Effective in the third quarter of 2006, Forest decreased the number of reportable segments from five to three to correspond to the same number of cost centers under the full cost accounting rules. Segment information previously reported has been modified to conform to the current presentation.

 

 

Oil and Gas Operations

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2006

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006

 

 

 

U.S.

 

Canada

 

International

 

Total
Company

 

U.S.

 

Canada

 

International

 

Total
Company

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Revenue

 

$

157,452

 

 

43,468

 

 

 

 

 

 

200,920

 

 

498,187

 

 

132,052

 

 

 

 

 

 

630,239

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease operating expenses

 

27,237

 

 

7,726

 

 

 

 

 

 

34,963

 

 

94,420

 

 

21,403

 

 

 

 

 

 

115,823

 

 

Production and property taxes

 

8,248

 

 

726

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,974

 

 

28,520

 

 

2,179

 

 

 

 

 

 

30,699

 

 

Transportation costs

 

2,624

 

 

2,870

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,494

 

 

8,908

 

 

6,957

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,865

 

 

Depletion

 

43,884

 

 

17,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

61,634

 

 

144,650

 

 

56,237

 

 

 

 

 

 

200,887

 

 

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

 

951

 

 

263

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

1,226

 

 

5,069

 

 

776

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

5,879

 

 

Impairments and other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,078

 

 

 

2,078

 

 

Earnings (loss) from operations

 

$

74,508

 

 

14,133

 

 

 

(12

)

 

 

88,629

 

 

216,620

 

 

44,500

 

 

 

(2,112

)

 

 

259,008

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

143,194

 

 

43,471

 

 

 

774

 

 

 

187,439

 

 

676,032

 

 

118,286

 

 

 

6,337

 

 

 

800,655

 

 

Goodwill

 

$

71,377

 

 

15,503

 

 

 

 

 

 

86,880

 

 

71,377

 

 

15,503

 

 

 

 

 

 

86,880

 

 

 

17




(10)     BUSINESS AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS (Continued)

A reconciliation of segment earnings (loss) from operations to consolidated earnings before income taxes and discontinued operations is as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2006

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2006

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Earnings from operations for reportable segments

 

 

$

88,629

 

 

 

259,008

 

 

Marketing, processing, and other

 

 

1,919

 

 

 

5,899

 

 

General and administrative expense (including stock-based compensation)

 

 

(10,548

)

 

 

(38,755

)

 

Administrative asset depreciation

 

 

(871

)

 

 

(2,539

)

 

Spin-off and merger costs

 

 

 

 

 

(5,416

)

 

Interest expense

 

 

(19,122

)

 

 

(51,613

)

 

Unrealized gains on derivative instruments, net

 

 

77,914

 

 

 

68,178

 

 

Realized losses on derivative instruments, net

 

 

(12,883

)

 

 

(30,496

)

 

Unrealized foreign currency exchange loss

 

 

(766

)

 

 

(766

)

 

Other income, net

 

 

950

 

 

 

200

 

 

Earnings before income taxes and discontinued operations

 

 

$

125,222

 

 

 

203,700

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and Gas Operations

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2005

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005

 

 

 

U.S.

 

Canada

 

International

 

Total
Company

 

U.S.

 

Canada

 

International

 

Total
Company

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Revenue

 

$

218,192

 

 

47,958

 

 

 

 

 

 

266,150

 

 

677,215

 

 

117,160

 

 

 

 

 

 

794,375

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease operating expenses

 

46,767

 

 

4,809

 

 

 

 

 

 

51,576

 

 

130,687

 

 

14,532

 

 

 

 

 

 

145,219

 

 

Production and property taxes

 

10,355

 

 

559

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,914

 

 

29,354

 

 

2,004

 

 

 

 

 

 

31,358

 

 

Transportation costs

 

3,252

 

 

1,345

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,597

 

 

9,883

 

 

4,469

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,352

 

 

Depletion

 

73,648

 

 

16,349

 

 

 

 

 

 

89,997

 

 

236,482

 

 

45,354

 

 

 

 

 

 

281,836

 

 

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

 

4,105

 

 

236

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

4,352

 

 

12,255

 

 

675

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

12,951

 

 

Impairments and other

 

4,002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,002

 

 

4,002

 

 

 

 

 

2,924

 

 

 

6,926

 

 

Earnings (loss) from operations

 

$

76,063

 

 

24,660

 

 

 

(11

)

 

 

100,712

 

 

254,552

 

 

50,126

 

 

 

(2,945

)

 

 

301,733

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

117,092

 

 

31,684

 

 

 

1,135

 

 

 

149,911

 

 

575,860

 

 

77,539

 

 

 

2,389

 

 

 

655,788

 

 

Goodwill

 

$

86,081

 

 

15,509

 

 

 

 

 

 

101,590

 

 

86,081

 

 

15,509

 

 

 

 

 

 

101,590

 

 

 

18




(10)     BUSINESS AND GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS (Continued)

A reconciliation of segment earnings (loss) from operations to consolidated earnings before income taxes and discontinued operations is as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2005

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2005

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Earnings from operations for reportable segments

 

 

$

100,712

 

 

 

301,733

 

 

Marketing, processing, and other

 

 

2,086

 

 

 

5,207

 

 

General and administrative expense (including stock-based compensation)

 

 

(9,847

)

 

 

(31,694

)

 

Administrative asset depreciation

 

 

(1,032

)

 

 

(2,718

)

 

Interest expense

 

 

(15,664

)

 

 

(46,224

)

 

Unrealized losses on derivative instruments, net

 

 

(72,095

)

 

 

(74,365

)

 

Realized (losses) gains on derivative instruments, net

 

 

(38

)

 

 

280

 

 

Other expense, net

 

 

(341

)

 

 

(4,251

)

 

Earnings before income taxes and discontinued operations

 

 

$

3,781

 

 

 

147,968

 

 

 

(11)     RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 48  (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”, was issued in July 2006 and will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2007. FIN 48 defines the threshold for recognizing the benefits of uncertain tax return positions in the financial statements. The Company has not yet determined the impact this Interpretation will have on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”). This statement clarifies the definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands the disclosures on fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We have not determined the effect, if any, the adoption of this statement will have on our results of operations or financial position.

In September 2006, the FASB adopted SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 106, and 132(R).” SFAS No. 158 requires companies to recognize a net liability or asset and an offsetting adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income to report the funded status of defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans. SFAS No. 158 requires prospective application, and the recognition and disclosure requirements are effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2006. Additionally, SFAS No. 158 requires companies to measure plan assets and obligations at their year-end balance sheet date. This requirement is effective for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2008. We have not determined the effect, if any, the adoption of this statement will have on our results of operations or financial position.

In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (“SAB 108”). SAB 108 provides guidance on how prior year misstatements should be taken into consideration when quantifying misstatements in current year financial statements for purposes of determining whether the current year’s financial statements are materially misstated. SAB 108 becomes effective during our 2007 fiscal year. We do not expect the adoption of SAB 108 to have a material impact on our financial statements.

19




Item 2.                        MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forest is an independent oil and gas company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of natural gas and liquids in North America and selected international locations. Forest was incorporated in New York in 1924, as the successor to a company formed in 1916, and has been a publicly held company since 1969.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with Forest’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto, the information under the heading “Forward-Looking Statements” below, and the information included in Forest’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Risk Factors”, and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates, Judgments, and Assumptions.”  Unless the context otherwise indicates, references in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q to “Forest,”  “we,” “ours,” “us,” or like terms refer to Forest Oil Corporation and its subsidiaries.

2006 OVERVIEW

Spin-off of Offshore Gulf of Mexico Operations

On March 2, 2006, Forest completed the spin-off of its offshore Gulf of Mexico operations by means of a stock dividend, which consisted of a pro rata spin-off (the “Spin-off”) of all outstanding shares of Forest Energy Resources, Inc. (hereinafter known as Mariner Energy Resources, Inc. or “MERI”), a total of 50,637,010 shares of common stock, to holders of record of Forest common stock as of the close of business on February 21, 2006. Immediately following the Spin-off, MERI was merged with a subsidiary of Mariner Energy, Inc. (“Mariner”) in a stock for stock transaction (the “Merger”). Mariner’s common stock commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange on March 3, 2006.

The Spin-off was completed without the payment of consideration by Forest shareholders and consisted of a special dividend of .8093 shares of MERI for each outstanding share of Forest common stock. The Merger was accomplished by the exchange of all issued and outstanding shares of MERI for shares of common stock of Mariner, with each whole share of MERI exchanged for one share of Mariner common stock. The Spin-off was a tax-free transaction for federal income tax purposes. Prior to the Merger, as part of the Spin-off, MERI paid Forest an initial cash amount equal to approximately $176.1 million. Subsequent to the closing, Forest received additional net cash proceeds of $21.7 million from MERI for a total of $197.8 million. As of October 31, 2006, in accordance with the transaction agreements, Forest and MERI had submitted post-closing adjustments from which Forest has determined it owes MERI approximately $5.8 million, which is subject to further adjustment.

Cotton Valley Acquisition

On March 31, 2006, Forest completed the acquisition of oil and gas properties located primarily in the Cotton Valley trend in East Texas. Forest paid approximately $255 million, as adjusted to reflect an economic effective date of February 1, 2006, for properties with an estimated 110 Bcfe of estimated proved reserves at the time the acquisition was announced in February 2006 and production that averaged 13 MMcfe per day in January 2006. Forest obtained approximately 26,000 net acres in the fields, of which approximately 14,000 net acres were undeveloped. This acquisition is expected to provide another core area of growth and add significant onshore activity to the Southern business unit. Forest funded this acquisition utilizing its bank credit facilities.

20




Katy Field

Effective August 1, 2006, Forest took over as operator of the Katy field. Gross field production increased 31% to 17 MMcfe per day during the third quarter of 2006 from 13 MMcfe per day achieved through the first six months of the year. The field has 33,000 gross acres and a six well shallow Frio drilling program is planned for the fourth quarter along with two deeper Wilcox tests. The capital activity in this field is expected to increase as 31 development locations have been identified. Forest is undertaking a field study including all 131 existing wellbores with a goal to propose a recompletion, workover and drilling program in 2007.

Barnett Shale

In July 2006, Forest entered into a joint exploration agreement with a third party which increases its gross acreage position in the Barnett Shale to approximately 20,000 acres. The joint exploration agreement involved approximately 14,000 acres in Hill County, Texas. Each party will participate with approximately 50% working interest in this joint area. The first horizontal well commenced drilling in the third quarter of 2006.

Production Increase

Production from the Retained Properties (see definition below) increased 17% during the three months ended September 30, 2006 from the corresponding period in 2005 and increased 14% during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from the same period in 2005. The production increase is discussed further in Results of Operations, Oil and Gas Production and Revenues, below.

Formation of New Subsidiary and Plans for Related Financing

As of October 31, 2006, Forest transferred the majority of the assets associated with its Alaska business unit to a new subsidiary, Forest Alaska Operating LLC (“Alaska”). Alaska holds the oil and gas interests of Forest in the Cook Inlet region of the State of Alaska and it will enter into a service agreement with Forest for the operation of those assets. The activities of Alaska are intended to focus on the exploitation of its assets and participation in the proposed development program in the McArthur River Field over the next several years.

The new subsidiary intends to attempt to obtain $375 million of term loan financing to fund a $350 million distribution to Forest and provide initial working capital for Alaska’s operations. Forest indirectly owns 100% of the interests in the new subsidiary, and the term loans will be secured by the subsidiary’s assets and will be non-recourse to Forest.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

As a result of the Spin-off discussed above, the revenues and expenses associated with our offshore Gulf of Mexico operations are only included in our consolidated results of operations through February 28, 2006. As a result, the operational results for the three and nine month periods of 2006 presented are not comparable to the corresponding periods in 2005.

Our reported earnings of $76.9 million for the third quarter of 2006, or $1.21 per diluted share, were $73.7 million higher than net earnings of $3.3 million, or $.05 per diluted share, for the same period in 2005. Reported earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 of $137.7 million, or $2.17 per diluted share, were $43.3 million higher than net earnings of $94.3 million, or $1.50 per diluted share, for the same period in 2005. The three and nine month period increases in net earnings were primarily attributable to changes in the mark-to-market value of our derivatives offset by decreased oil and gas sales as a result of the Spin-off transaction discussed above.

21




In the following discussions, revenues and expenses directly attributable with the properties included in the Spin-off (the “Spin-off Properties”) and those retained (the “Retained Properties”) are discussed separately.

Oil and Gas Production and Revenues

Production volumes, oil and gas sales revenue, and average sales prices for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 were as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

Gas

 

Oil

 

NGLs

 

Total

 

Gas

 

Oil

 

NGLs

 

Total

 

 

 

(MMcf)

 

(MBbls)

 

(MBbls)

 

(MMcfe)

 

(MMcf)

 

(MBbls)

 

(MBbls)

 

(MMcfe)

 

Production volumes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained Properties:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

10,838

 

 

1,264

 

 

 

431

 

 

21,008

 

8,404

 

1,308

 

 

281

 

 

17,938

 

Canada

 

6,075

 

 

185

 

 

 

100

 

 

7,785

 

4,821

 

203

 

 

103

 

 

6,657

 

Total Retained Properties

 

16,913

 

 

1,449

 

 

 

531

 

 

28,793

 

13,225

 

1,511

 

 

384

 

 

24,595

 

Spin-off Properties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,444

 

525

 

 

150

 

 

15,494

 

Totals

 

16,913

 

 

1,449

 

 

 

531

 

 

28,793

 

24,669

 

2,036

 

 

534

 

 

40,089

 

Revenues (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained Properties:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

59,721

 

 

85,067

 

 

 

14,914

 

 

159,702

 

59,955

 

78,451

 

 

8,566

 

 

146,972

 

United States hedging gains (losses)

 

2,445

 

 

(4,695

)

 

 

 

 

(2,250

)

(8,587

)

(12,583

)

 

 

 

(21,170

)

Canada

 

28,130

 

 

10,785

 

 

 

4,553

 

 

43,468

 

33,558

 

10,359

 

 

4,041

 

 

47,958

 

Total Retained Properties

 

90,296

 

 

91,157

 

 

 

19,467

 

 

200,920

 

84,926

 

76,227

 

 

12,607

 

 

173,760

 

Spin-off Properties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

99,411

 

31,136

 

 

4,986

 

 

135,533

 

Spin-off Properties hedging losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(28,267

)

(14,876

)

 

 

 

(43,143

)

Total Spin-off Properties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

71,144

 

16,260

 

 

4,986

 

 

92,390

 

Totals

 

$

90,296

 

 

91,157

 

 

 

19,467

 

 

200,920

 

156,070

 

92,487

 

 

17,593

 

 

266,150

 

Average sales price:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained Properties:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

5.51

 

 

67.30

 

 

 

34.60

 

 

7.60

 

7.13

 

59.98

 

 

30.48

 

 

8.19

 

United States hedging gains (losses)

 

.23

 

 

(3.71

)

 

 

 

 

(.11

)

(1.02

)

(9.62

)

 

 

 

(1.18

)

Canada

 

4.63

 

 

58.30

 

 

 

45.53

 

 

5.58

 

6.96

 

51.03

 

 

39.23

 

 

7.20

 

Total Retained Properties

 

5.34

 

 

62.91

 

 

 

36.66

 

 

6.98

 

6.42

 

50.45

 

 

32.83

 

 

7.06

 

Spin-off Properties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.69

 

59.31

 

 

33.24

 

 

8.75

 

Spin-off Properties hedging losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.47

)

(28.34

)

 

 

 

(2.78

)

Total Spin-off Properties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.22

 

30.97

 

 

33.24

 

 

5.97

 

Totals

 

$

5.34

 

 

62.91

 

 

 

36.66

 

 

6.98

 

6.33

 

45.43

 

 

32.95

 

 

6.64

 

 

22




Production volumes, oil and gas sales revenue, and average sales prices for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 were as follows:

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

Gas

 

Oil

 

NGLs

 

Total

 

Gas

 

Oil

 

NGLs

 

Total

 

 

 

(MMcf)

 

(MBbls)

 

(MBbls)

 

(MMcfe)

 

(MMcf)

 

(MBbls)

 

(MBbls)

 

(MMcfe)

 

Production volumes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained Properties:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

31,632

 

3,786

 

 

1,116

 

 

61,044

 

24,822

 

4,047

 

 

816

 

 

54,000

 

Canada

 

17,768

 

557

 

 

304

 

 

22,934

 

13,676

 

638

 

 

318

 

 

19,412

 

Total Retained Properties

 

49,400

 

4,343

 

 

1,420

 

 

83,978

 

38,498

 

4,685

 

 

1,134

 

 

73,412

 

Spin-off Properties

 

6,378

 

193

 

 

82

 

 

8,028

 

41,442

 

1,845

 

 

628

 

 

56,280

 

Totals

 

55,778

 

4,536

 

 

1,502

 

 

92,006

 

79,940

 

6,530

 

 

1,762

 

 

129,692

 

Revenues (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained Properties:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

188,996

 

244,707

 

 

36,482

 

 

470,185

 

154,336

 

208,903

 

 

22,075

 

 

385,314

 

United States hedging losses

 

(2,549

)

(15,738

)

 

 

 

(18,287

)

(12,456

)

(22,365

)

 

 

 

(34,821

)

Canada

 

88,606

 

29,561

 

 

13,885

 

 

132,052

 

79,733

 

26,564

 

 

10,863

 

 

117,160

 

Total Retained Properties

 

275,053

 

258,530

 

 

50,367

 

 

583,950

 

221,613

 

213,102

 

 

32,938

 

 

467,653

 

Spin-off Properties

 

53,975

 

11,614

 

 

3,020

 

 

68,609

 

296,124

 

95,887

 

 

18,553

 

 

410,564

 

Spin-off Properties hedging losses

 

(16,926

)

(5,394

)

 

 

 

(22,320

)

(47,026

)

(36,816

)

 

 

 

(83,842

)

Total Spin-off Properties

 

37,049

 

6,220

 

 

3,020

 

 

46,289

 

249,098

 

59,071

 

 

18,553

 

 

326,722

 

Totals

 

$

312,102

 

264,750

 

 

53,387

 

 

630,239

 

470,711

 

272,173

 

 

51,491

 

 

794,375

 

Average sales price:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained Properties:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

5.97

 

64.63

 

 

32.69

 

 

7.70

 

6.22

 

51.62

 

 

27.05

 

 

7.14

 

United States hedging losses

 

(.08

)

(4.16

)

 

 

 

(.30

)

(.50

)

(5.53

)

 

 

 

(.64

)

Canada

 

4.99

 

53.07

 

 

45.67

 

 

5.76

 

5.83

 

41.64

 

 

34.16

 

 

6.04

 

Total Retained Properties

 

5.57

 

59.53

 

 

35.47

 

 

6.95

 

5.76

 

45.49

 

 

29.05

 

 

6.37

 

Spin-off Properties

 

8.46

 

60.18

 

 

36.83

 

 

8.55

 

7.15

 

51.97

 

 

29.54

 

 

7.30

 

Spin-off Properties hedging losses

 

(2.65

)

(27.95

)

 

 

 

(2.78

)

(1.13

)

(19.95

)

 

 

 

(1.49

)

Total Spin-off Properties

 

5.81

 

32.23

 

 

36.83

 

 

5.77

 

6.02

 

32.02

 

 

29.54

 

 

5.81

 

Totals

 

$

5.60

 

58.37

 

 

35.54

 

 

6.85

 

5.89

 

41.68

 

 

29.22

 

 

6.13

 

 

Net oil and gas production from the Retained Properties in the third quarter of 2006 was 28.8 Bcfe or an average of 313 MMcfe per day, a 17% increase from 24.6 Bcfe or an average of 267 MMcfe per day in the third quarter of 2005. Net oil and gas production from the Retained Properties in the first nine months of 2006 was 84.0 Bcfe or an average of 308 MMcfe per day, a 14% increase from 73.4 Bcfe or an average of 269 MMcfe per day in the same period of 2005. The net increase in oil and gas production in each period

23




was primarily attributable to increases at the Buffalo Wallow field and the recently acquired East Texas properties in the United States and the Wild River field in Canada.

Oil and natural gas revenues from the Retained Properties were $200.9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2006, a 16% increase as compared to $173.8 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase in oil and natural gas revenues for the three month period was due to a 17% increase in production offset by a 1% decrease in the average realized sales price per Mcfe from $7.06 in 2005 to $6.98 in 2006. Oil and natural gas revenues from the Retained Properties were $584.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2006, a 25% increase as compared to $467.7 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase in oil and natural gas revenues for the nine month period was due to a 14% increase in production as well as a 9% increase in the average realized sales price per Mcfe to $6.95 in 2006 from $6.37 in 2005.

No oil and gas production or revenue was recognized in the third quarter of 2006 related to the Spin-off Properties as a result of the completion of the Spin-off transaction on March 2, 2006. Oil and gas production from the Spin-off Properties during the third quarter of 2005 was 15.5 Bcfe or an average of 168.4 MMcfe per day. Net oil and gas production from the Spin-off Properties in the nine month period of 2006 was 8.0 Bcfe compared to 56.3 Bcfe in the same period in 2005. The decrease in total production was primarily due the fact that the nine month period of 2006 only includes two months of offshore production from the Spin-off properties. During the quarter ended September 30, 2005 oil and gas revenues from the Spin-off Properties totaled $92.4 million resulting in an average price per Mcfe of $5.97. Oil and natural gas revenues from the Spin-off Properties totaled $46.3 million, or $5.77 per Mcfe, during the nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to $326.7 million, or $5.81 per Mcfe, for the same period in the prior year. The decrease in total oil and gas revenues was due to the fact that the nine month period of 2006 includes only two months of offshore production from the Spin-off properties.

The average realized sales prices for the periods presented include losses that we recognized on our derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges. For the three months ended September 30, 2006, Forest recognized hedging losses of $2.3 million compared to hedging losses of $64.3 million during the same period in the prior year. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, Forest recognized hedging losses of $40.6 million compared to hedging losses of $118.7 million during the same period in the prior year. The recognized losses in the first nine months of 2006 include $15.2 million in hedge losses settled in the fourth quarter of 2005 but recognized in the first quarter of 2006 to correspond with the timing of the production that was deferred by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. See Realized and Unrealized Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments below for information on gains and losses recognized on derivative instruments not designated as cash flow hedges during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.

24




Oil and Gas Production Expense

The tables below set forth the detail of oil and gas production expense, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005:

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

Retained
Properties

 

Spin-off
Properties

 

Total

 

Retained
Properties

 

Spin-off
Properties

 

Total

 

 

 

(In Thousands, Except per Mcfe Data)

 

Lease operating expenses (“LOE”):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct operating expense and overhead

 

 

$

31,382

 

 

 

 

 

31,382

 

 

26,578

 

 

 

17,149

 

 

43,727

 

Workover expense

 

 

3,581

 

 

 

 

 

3,581

 

 

3,391

 

 

 

3,539

 

 

6,930

 

Hurricane repairs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

919

 

 

919

 

Total LOE

 

 

$

34,963

 

 

 

 

 

34,963

 

 

29,969

 

 

 

21,607

 

 

51,576

 

LOE per Mcfe

 

 

$

1.21

 

 

 

 

 

1.21

 

 

1.22

 

 

 

1.39

 

 

1.29

 

Production and property taxes

 

 

$

8,974

 

 

 

 

 

8,974

 

 

10,249

 

 

 

665

 

 

10,914

 

Production and property taxes per Mcfe

 

 

$

.31

 

 

 

 

 

.31

 

 

.42

 

 

 

.04

 

 

.27

 

Transportation costs

 

 

$

5,494

 

 

 

 

 

5,494

 

 

3,974

 

 

 

623

 

 

4,597

 

Transportation costs per Mcfe

 

 

$

.19

 

 

 

 

 

.19

 

 

.16

 

 

 

.04

 

 

.11

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

Retained
Properties

 

Spin-off
Properties

 

Total

 

Retained
Properties

 

Spin-off
Properties

 

Total

 

 

 

(In Thousands, Except per Mcfe Data)

 

Lease operating expenses (“LOE”):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct operating expense and overhead

 

 

$

89,123

 

 

 

9,377

 

 

98,500

 

 

76,481

 

 

 

46,336

 

 

122,817

 

Workover expense

 

 

8,386

 

 

 

8,761

 

 

17,147

 

 

11,307

 

 

 

10,119

 

 

21,426

 

Hurricane repairs

 

 

18

 

 

 

158

 

 

176

 

 

 

 

 

976

 

 

976

 

Total LOE

 

 

$

97,527

 

 

 

18,296

 

 

115,823

 

 

87,788

 

 

 

57,431

 

 

145,219

 

LOE per Mcfe

 

 

$

1.16

 

 

 

2.28

 

 

1.26

 

 

1.20

 

 

 

1.02

 

 

1.12

 

Production and property taxes

 

 

$

30,548

 

 

 

151

 

 

30,699

 

 

29,410

 

 

 

1,948

 

 

31,358

 

Production and property taxes per Mcfe

 

 

$

.36

 

 

 

.02

 

 

.33

 

 

.40

 

 

 

.03

 

 

.24

 

Transportation costs

 

 

$

15,521

 

 

 

344

 

 

15,865

 

 

11,868

 

 

 

2,484

 

 

14,352

 

Transportation costs per Mcfe

 

 

$

.18

 

 

 

.04

 

 

.17

 

 

.16

 

 

 

.04

 

 

.11

 

 

Lease Operating Expenses

Lease operating expenses in the third quarter of 2006 for the Retained Properties increased 17%, or $5.0 million, to $35.0 million from $30.0 million in the third quarter of 2005. On a per-Mcfe basis, LOE decreased 1% to $1.21 per Mcfe in the third quarter of 2006 from $1.22 per Mcfe in the third quarter of 2005. Lease operating expenses in the first nine months of 2006 attributable to the Retained Properties increased 11%, or $9.7 million, to $97.5 million from $87.8 million during the same period in 2005. On a per-Mcfe basis, LOE decreased 3% to $1.16 per Mcfe in first nine months of 2006 from $1.20 per Mcfe in the corresponding period in 2005.

Lease operating expenses for the Spin-off Properties during the nine month period ended September 30, 2006 were $18.3 million compared to $57.4 million in 2005. On a per-Mcfe basis, LOE

25




increased $1.26 per Mcfe in 2006 to $2.28 per Mcfe from $1.02 per Mcfe in 2005. The primary reason for the $1.26 increase in LOE on a per-Mcfe basis for the Spin-off Properties was due to an increase in workover expenses.

Production and Property Taxes

Production and property taxes on the Retained Properties decreased by 12% or $1.3 million during the third quarter of 2006 as compared to the prior year’s third quarter. The decrease from the prior year is primarily attributed to severance tax incentives provided in Texas. Production and property taxes on the Retained Properties increased by 4% or $1.1 million during the nine month period ending September 30, 2006 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The increase during the comparable nine month periods is a result of the higher realized oil and gas revenues and higher assessed property valuations offset by severance tax incentives provided in Texas.

Production and property taxes incurred on the Spin-off Properties were $.2 million during the first nine months of 2006 as compared to $1.9 million during the same period of the prior year. The decrease in the Spin-off Properties’ production and property taxes was due to the fact that the first nine months of 2006 includes only two months of activity.

Transportation Costs

Transportation costs for the Retained Properties increased to $5.5 million or $.19 per Mcfe in the three months ended September 30, 2006 from $4.0 million or $.16 per Mcfe for the corresponding 2005 period. Transportation costs for the Retained Properties increased $3.7 million to $15.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $11.9 million for the corresponding 2005 period. Transportation costs for the Retained Properties on a per-Mcfe basis were $.18 per Mcfe and $.16 per Mcfe for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The increase in transportation costs in each period was primarily due to higher transportation and processing costs in Canada and Alaska.

Transportation costs for the Spin-off Properties on a per-Mcfe basis were $.04 per Mcfe for the quarter ended September 30, 2005. Transportation costs for the Spin-off Properties on a per-Mcfe basis were $.04 per Mcfe for each of the nine month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.

General and Administrative Expense

The following table summarizes the components of general and administrative expense and stock-based compensation expense incurred during the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2006 and 2005:

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In Thousands, Except per Mcfe Data)

 

Total general and administrative costs

 

$

14,688

 

16,672

 

44,127

 

50,637

 

General and administrative costs capitalized

 

(5,713

)

(6,969

)

(17,297

)

(19,369

)

General and administrative expense

 

$

8,975

 

9,703

 

26,830

 

31,268

 

General and administrative expense per Mcfe

 

$

.31

 

.24

 

.29

 

.24

 

Total stock-based compensation costs

 

$

2,492

 

240

 

18,688

 

710

 

Stock-based compensation costs capitalized

 

(919

)

(96

)

(6,763

)

(284

)

Stock-based compensation expense

 

$

1,573

 

144

 

11,925

 

426

 

Stock-based compensation expense per Mcfe

 

$

.05

 

 

.13

 

 

Total general administrative expense including stock-based compensation

 

$

10,548

 

9,847

 

38,755

 

31,694

 

 

 

26




General and Administrative Expenses

The decrease in general and administrative costs from 2005 to 2006 in both the three and nine month periods was primarily related to salary and benefit savings related to employees that were terminated subsequent to the Spin-off. The decrease in total general and administrative costs and general and administrative costs expensed in the nine month period was also due to a $1.9 million reduction in our post-retiree medical benefit liability caused by a curtailment in the post-retiree medical benefit plan as a result of the Spin-off.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The significant increase in stock-based compensation in 2006 is due to the implementation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123 (Revised), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123(R)”). Under this method of accounting, compensation cost is recorded for all unvested stock options, restricted stock, and phantom stock units beginning in the period of adoption and prior financial statements are not restated. Under the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123(R), stock-based compensation is measured at the grant date based on the value of the awards and is recognized over the requisite service period (usually the vesting period). Prior to January 1, 2006, we accounted for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed in Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations. Under APB Opinion No. 25, no compensation expense was recognized for stock options issued to employees because the grant price equaled or was above the market price on the date of the option grant.

In accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123(R), stock-based compensation cost in the amount of $2.5 million was recorded in the three months ended September 30, 2006. Of this amount, $1.6 million was recorded as compensation expense and $.9 million was capitalized to oil and gas properties in accordance with the full cost method of accounting. Stock-based compensation cost in the amount of $18.7 million was recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 of which approximately $9.7 million is attributed to a partial settlement of Forest’s restricted stock awards and phantom stock unit awards in connection with the Spin-off. Of this amount, $11.9 million was recorded as compensation expense and $6.8 million was capitalized to oil and gas properties in accordance with the full cost method of accounting.

Depreciation and Depletion

Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense (“DD&A”) for the three months ended September 30, 2006 was $62.5 million compared to $91.0 million for the same period in 2005. On an equivalent Mcf basis, DD&A expense was $2.17 per Mcfe for the three months ended September 30, 2006 compared to $2.27 per Mcfe for the same period in the prior year. DD&A for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $203.4 million compared to $284.6 million for the same period in 2005. On an equivalent Mcf basis, DD&A expense was $2.21 per Mcfe for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to $2.19 per Mcfe for the same period in the prior year.

Interest Expense

Interest expense in the third quarter of 2006 totaled $19.1 million compared to $15.7 million in the third quarter of 2005. Interest expense during the first nine months of 2006 totaled $51.6 million compared to $46.2 million in the same period of 2005. The increase in interest expense during each period in 2006 compared to the corresponding periods in 2005 was due to a combination of higher interest rates and increased average debt balances.

Realized and Unrealized Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments

Realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments are primarily related to derivatives which did not qualify for cash flow hedge accounting either at their inception or where hedge accounting

27




was discontinued during their term. When the criteria for cash flow hedge accounting is not met or when cash flow hedge accounting is not elected, realized gains and losses (i.e., cash settlements) are recorded in other income and expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Similarly, changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments are recorded as unrealized gains or losses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. In contrast, cash settlements for derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting are recorded as additions to or reductions of oil and gas revenues, while changes in fair value of cash flow hedges are recognized, to the extent the hedge is effective, in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings.

The table below sets forth realized and unrealized gains and losses recognized under “Other income and expense” in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations principally related to our derivatives where cash flow hedge accounting was not employed for the periods indicated.

 

 

Three Months
Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Unrealized (gains) losses

 

$

(77,914

)

72,095

 

(68,178

)

74,365

 

Realized losses (gains)

 

12,883

 

38

 

30,496

 

(280

)

 

For comparative purposes, the following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, realized losses on derivative instruments that met the criteria for hedge accounting, which were recorded as reductions of oil and gas revenues.

 

 

Three Months
Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Realized losses included in oil and gas revenue

 

$

2,250

 

64,313

 

40,607

 

118,663

 

 

Discontinuance of Hedge Accounting

Because a significant portion of our derivatives no longer qualified for hedge accounting and to increase clarity in our financial statements, Forest elected to discontinue hedge accounting for all of its remaining commodity derivatives beginning in March 2006. Subsequent to March 2006, Forest has recognized mark-to-market gains and losses in earnings, rather than deferring such amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income included in shareholders’ equity. The net mark-to-market losses on our outstanding derivatives at the time Forest discontinued hedge accounting are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income, and are amortized to earnings as the original hedged transactions occur in 2006. This change in reporting has had no impact on Forest’s reported cash flows, although results of operations have been affected by mark-to-market gains and losses, which fluctuate with volatile oil and gas prices.

Current and Deferred Income Tax Expense

Forest recorded income tax expense of $48.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared to $.5 million in the comparable period of 2005.  The increase in tax expense was primarily due to an increase in net income before tax.

Forest recorded income tax expense of $68.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to $53.6 million in the comparable period of 2005. The increase in tax expense was primarily due to an increase in net income before tax. However, tax expense recorded for the nine month period ended September 30, 2006 also reflects a net decrease of approximately $10.0 million related to statutory rate reductions enacted in Canada and changes in the Texas income tax law, net of tax increases due to the

28




effects of the Spin-off (which include tax effects of non-deductible spin-off costs and an increase in Forest’s combined state income tax rates following the Spin-off).

Discontinued Operations

On March 1, 2004, Forest sold the assets and business operations of Producers Marketing, Ltd. (“ProMark”) to Cinergy Canada, Inc. (“Cinergy”) for $11.2 million CDN. As a result of the sale, ProMark’s results of operations were reported as discontinued operations in the historical financial statements. Under the terms of the purchase and sale agreement, Forest may receive additional contingent consideration payments over a period of five years through February 2009. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, Forest recognized an additional $3.6 million contingent payment ($2.4 million net of tax) due under the agreement, which has been reflected as income from discontinued operations in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Impairments

During the nine month period ended September 30, 2006, Forest recorded an impairment of $2.1 million in the second quarter of 2006 related to Gabon. The Gabon impairment was related to historical costs impaired to reflect a drilled dry hole. During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, Forest recorded an impairment of $2.9 million related to various international properties, principally related to its properties in Romania. The Romania impairment was recorded in the first quarter of 2005 in connection with our decision to exit the country as we rationalized our international assets to concentrate on fewer areas.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

In 2006, as in 2005, we expect our cash flow from operations to be our primary source of liquidity to meet operating expenses and fund capital expenditures other than large acquisitions. Any remaining cash flow from operations will be available for acquisitions, in whole or in part, or other corporate purposes, including the repayment of indebtedness.

The prices we receive for our oil and natural gas production have a significant impact on operating cash flows. While significant price declines in 2006 would adversely affect the amount of cash flow generated from operations, we utilize a hedging program to partially mitigate that risk. As of November 1, 2006, Forest has hedged approximately 12.7 Bcfe of its fourth quarter production for 2006 and 36.5 Bcfe of its 2007 production. This level of hedging provides a measure of certainty of the cash flow we will receive for a large portion of our production through 2007. Depending on changes in oil and gas futures markets and management’s view of underlying oil and natural gas supply and demand trends, we may increase or decrease our current hedging positions. For further information concerning our 2006 and 2007 hedging contracts, see Item 3—“Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk—Commodity Price Risk,” below.

Our $600 million revolving bank credit facilities, which we entered into in September 2004, provide another source of liquidity. These credit facilities, which mature in September 2009, are used to fund daily operating activities and acquisitions in the United States and Canada as needed. On November 2, 2006, Forest announced that it had formed a new subsidiary, Forest Alaska Operating LLC, and the subsidiary intends to attempt to obtain $375 million of secured term loan financing. See “Bank Credit Facilities” below for details.

On March 2, 2006, we completed the Spin-off of our offshore Gulf of Mexico operations. As a result of the Spin-off, we expect future cash flows from operations to be significantly lower; however, we also expect a significant decrease in offshore capital expenditures and payments for asset retirement obligations. Prior to the Merger, as part of the Spin-off, we received approximately $176.1 million from

29




MERI, which we used to pay down our credit facilities. MERI obtained these funds from a bank credit facility it established immediately prior to the Spin-off. Subsequent to the closing, Forest received additional net cash proceeds of $21.7 million from MERI for a total of $197.8 million. As of October 31, 2006, in accordance with the transaction agreements, Forest and MERI had submitted post-closing adjustments from which Forest has determined it owes MERI approximately $5.8 million, which is subject to further adjustment. We do not believe the Spin-off will have a material effect on our liquidity and capital resources nor do we believe it will materially adversely affect our ability to access the capital markets.

The public capital markets have been our principal source of funds to finance large acquisitions. We have issued debt and equity securities in both public and private offerings in the past, and we expect that these sources of capital will continue to be available to us in the future for acquisitions. In July 2004, we filed a shelf registration statement that allows Forest to issue equity and debt securities of up to $600 million, all of which is still available. Nevertheless, ready access to capital on reasonable terms can be impacted by our debt ratings assigned by independent rating agencies and are subject to many uncertainties, including restrictions contained in our bank credit facilities and indentures for our senior notes, macroeconomic factors outside of our control, and other risks as explained in Part 1, Item 1A—”Risk Factors” of our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

We believe that our available cash, cash provided by operating activities, and funds available under our bank credit facilities will be sufficient to fund our operating, interest, and general and administrative expenses, our capital expenditure budget, and our short-term contractual obligations at current levels for the foreseeable future.

Bank Credit Facilities

We currently have credit facilities totaling $600 million, consisting of a $500 million U.S. credit facility through a syndicate of banks led by JPMorgan Chase and a $100 million Canadian credit facility through a syndicate of banks led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, Toronto Branch. The credit facilities mature in September 2009. Subject to the agreement of Forest and the applicable lenders, the size of the credit facilities may be increased by $200 million in the aggregate.

Availability under the credit facilities will be based either on certain financial covenants included in the credit facilities or on the loan value assigned to Forest’s oil and gas properties. If Forest’s corporate credit rating by Moody’s is “Ba1” or higher and “BB+” or higher by S&P, the credit facilities may be governed by certain financial covenants. Alternatively, if Forest’s corporate credit rating is “Ba2” or lower by Moody’s or “BB” or lower by S&P, availability under the credit facilities will be governed by a borrowing base (“Global Borrowing Base”). Currently, the amount available under the credit facilities is determined by the Global Borrowing Base. On September 29, 2006 the Global Borrowing Base was increased from $850 million to $900 million; however, the size of the commitments remained unchanged with $500 million allocated to the U.S. credit facility and $100 million allocated to the Canadian facility.

At October 31, 2006, there were outstanding borrowings of $311.0 million under the U.S. credit facility at a weighted average interest rate of 6.9%, and there were outstanding borrowings of $81.9 million under the Canadian credit facility at a weighted average interest rate of 5.9%. We also had used the credit facilities for approximately $2.8 million in letters of credit, leaving an unused borrowing amount under the Global Borrowing Base of approximately $204.3 million at October 31, 2006.

Effective October 31, 2006, Forest and the lenders under the credit facilities entered into a third amendment to the credit facilities.  The amendment allowed Forest to transfer the majority of the assets associated with its Alaska business unit to a newly formed subsidiary, Forest Alaska Operating LLC, and release the liens filed against the Alaska properties.  On November 2, 2006, Forest announced that the new subsidiary intends to attempt to obtain $375 million of term loan financing to fund a $350 million distribution to Forest and to provide working capital for the new subsidiary.  The term loans will be

30




secured by the subsidiary’s assets and will be non-recourse to Forest. Forest intends to use the funds to be distributed upon closing the term loans to reduce its borrowings under its U.S. credit facility.   In connection with the third amendment, no changes were made to the Global Borrowing Base.

The determination of the Global Borrowing Base is made by the lenders taking into consideration the estimated value of Forest’s oil and gas properties in accordance with the lenders’ customary practices for oil and gas loans. This process involves reviewing Forest’s estimated proved reserves and their valuation. While the Global Borrowing Base is in effect, it is redetermined semi-annually, and the available borrowing amount could be increased or decreased as a result of such redeterminations. In addition, Forest and the lenders each have discretion at any time, but not more often than once during any calendar year, to have the Global Borrowing Base redetermined. A revision to Forest’s reserves may prompt such a request on the part of the lenders, which could possibly result in a reduction in the Global Borrowing Base and availability under the credit facilities. If outstanding borrowings under either of the credit facilities exceed the applicable portion of the Global Borrowing Base, Forest would be required to repay the excess amount within a prescribed period. If we are unable to pay the excess amount, it would cause an event of default.

The credit facilities include terms and covenants that place limitations on certain types of activities, including restrictions or requirements with respect to additional debt, liens, asset sales, hedging activities, investments, dividends, mergers, and acquisitions. The credit facilities also include several financial covenants. Availability, interest rates, security requirements, and other terms of borrowing under the credit facilities will vary based on Forest’s credit ratings and financial condition, as determined by certain financial tests. In particular, any time that availability is not determined by the Global Borrowing Base, the amount available and our ability to borrow under the credit facilities is determined by certain financial covenants. Also, even when availability is determined by the Global Borrowing Base, certain financial covenants may affect the amount available and Forest’s ability to borrow amounts under the credit facilities.

The credit facilities are collateralized by a portion of our assets. We are required to mortgage, and grant a security interest in, 75% of the present value of our consolidated proved oil and gas properties. We have also pledged the stock of several subsidiaries to the lenders to secure the credit facilities. Under certain circumstances, we could be obligated to pledge additional assets as collateral. If our corporate credit ratings by Moody’s and S&P improve and meet pre-established levels, the collateral requirements would not apply and, at our request, the banks would release their liens and security interests on our properties.

Cash Flow

Net cash provided by operating activities, net cash used by investing activities, and net cash provided (used) by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 were as follows:

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

346,616

 

518,432

 

Net cash used by investing activities

 

(749,726

)

(538,397

)

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities

 

407,356

 

(27,917

)

 

The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to the same period of 2005 was due primarily to lower oil and gas revenues due to the Spin-off. The increase in cash used by investing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was due primarily to increased capital expenditures for exploration and development in the nine months ended

31




September 30, 2006 compared to the same period in 2005. Net cash provided by financing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 included net bank proceeds of $389.0 million and proceeds from the exercise of stock options and employee stock purchases of $5.2 million. Of the $389.0 million in net bank proceeds for the nine month period of 2006, $176.1 million was drawn on a bank credit facility established by MERI in March 2006, immediately prior to the Spin-off. This credit facility and associated liability was included in the Spin-off. The 2005 period included proceeds from the exercise of stock options and warrants and employee stock purchases of approximately $41.8 million offset by net bank debt repayments of $68.0 million.

Capital Expenditures

Expenditures for property acquisition, exploration, and development were as follows:

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Property acquisition costs(1):

 

 

 

 

 

Proved properties

 

$

260,029

 

242,997

 

Unproved properties

 

51,700

 

69,350

 

 

 

311,729

 

312,347

 

Exploration costs:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct costs

 

151,125

 

96,690

 

Overhead capitalized

 

9,933

 

9,710

 

 

 

161,058

 

106,400

 

Development costs:

 

 

 

 

 

Direct costs

 

313,742

 

227,098

 

Overhead capitalized

 

14,126

 

9,943

 

 

 

327,868

 

237,041

 

Total capital expenditures for property acquisition, exploration, and development(1)(2)

 

$

800,655

 

655,788

 


(1)             Total capital expenditures include both cash expenditures and accrued expenditures.

(2)             Does not include the effect of estimated additional asset retirement obligations.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, expenditures for exploration and development activities totaled $489 million ($453 million attributable to the Retained Properties and $36 million attributable to the Spin-off Properties), exclusive of costs for property acquisitions. Forest anticipates expenditures for exploration and development activities in 2006 will approximate $580 million. Some of the factors impacting the level of capital expenditures in 2006 include crude oil and natural gas prices, the volatility in these prices, the cost and availability of oil field services, and weather disruptions.

Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this Form 10-Q 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 or present facts, that address activities, events, outcomes, and other matters that Forest plans, expects, intends, assumes, believes, budgets, predicts, forecasts, projects, estimates, or anticipates (and other similar expressions) will, should, or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep

32




in mind the risk factors, and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Risk Factors” included in Part I of our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

These forward-looking statements appear in a number of places and include statements with respect to, among other things:

·       estimates of our oil and gas reserves;

·       estimates of our future natural gas and liquids production, including estimates of any increases in oil and gas production;

·       the amount, nature and timing of capital expenditures, including future development costs, and availability of capital resources to fund capital expenditures;

·       our outlook on oil and gas prices;

·       the impact of political and regulatory developments;

·       our future financial condition or results of operations and our future revenues and expenses; and

·       our business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations.

We caution you that these forward-looking statements are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, incident to the exploration for and development, production, and sale of oil and gas. These risks include, but are not limited to, commodity price volatility, inflation, lack of availability of drilling and production equipment and services, environmental risks, drilling and other operating risks, regulatory changes, the uncertainty inherent in estimating proved oil and natural gas reserves and in projecting future rates of production, cash flow and access to capital, the timing of development expenditures, and the other risks described in the Form 10-K under the caption “Risk Factors.” The financial results of our foreign operations are also subject to currency exchange rate risks.

Reserve engineering is a process of estimating underground accumulations of oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact way. The accuracy of any reserve estimate depends on the quality of available data, the interpretation of such data, and price and cost assumptions made by our reservoir engineers. In addition, the results of drilling, testing, and production activities may justify revisions of estimates that were made previously. If significant, such revisions would change the schedule of any further production and development drilling. Accordingly, reserve estimates may differ significantly from the quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered.

Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described above or elsewhere in this Form 10-Q occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this Form 10-Q and attributable to Forest are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that Forest or persons acting on its behalf may issue. Forest does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of filing this Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission, except as required by law.

33




Item 3.                        QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to market risk, including the effects of adverse changes in commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates, and interest rates as discussed below.

Commodity Price Risk

We produce and sell natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids for our own account in the United States and Canada. As a result, our financial results are affected when prices for these commodities fluctuate. Such effects can be significant. In order to reduce the impact of fluctuations in prices on our revenues, or to protect the economics of property acquisitions, we make use of an oil and gas hedging strategy. Under our hedging strategy, we enter into commodity swaps, collars, and other financial instruments with counterparties who, in general, are participants in our credit facilities. These arrangements, which are based on prices available in the financial markets at the time the contracts are entered into, are settled in cash and do not require physical deliveries of hydrocarbons.

Swaps

In a typical commodity swap agreement, we receive the difference between a fixed price per unit of production and a price based on an agreed upon published, third-party index if the index price is lower than the fixed price. If the index price is higher, we pay the difference. By entering into swap agreements, we effectively fix the price that we will receive in the future for the hedged production. Our current swaps are settled in cash on a monthly basis. As of September 30, 2006, we had entered into the following swaps:

 

 

Swaps

 

 

 

Natural Gas (NYMEX HH)

 

Oil (NYMEX WTI)

 

 

 

Bbtu
per
Day

 

Weighted
Average Hedged
Price per
MMBtu

 

Fair Value
(In Thousands)

 

Barrels
per
Day

 

Weighted
Average Hedged
Price per Bbl

 

Fair Value
(In Thousands)

 

Fourth Quarter 2006

 

10.0

 

 

$

5.51

 

 

 

$

(191

)

 

 

7,500

 

 

 

$

51.18

 

 

 

$

(9,008

)

 

Fiscal 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,500

 

 

 

73.16

 

 

 

6,267

 

 

Fiscal 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,000

 

 

 

73.02

 

 

 

4,220

 

 

Fiscal 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,500

 

 

 

73.02

 

 

 

4,483

 

 

Fiscal 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,000

 

 

 

73.15

 

 

 

4,541

 

 

 

Forest also uses basis swaps in connection with natural gas swaps in order to fix the price differential between the NYMEX price and the index price at which the hedged gas is sold. At September 30, 2006, there was a basis swap in place covering 15.0 Bbtu per day in 2007 with a fair market value of $(.4) million.

34




Collars

Forest also enters into collar agreements with third parties. A collar agreement is similar to a swap agreement, except that we receive the difference between the floor price and the index price only if the index price is below the floor price; and we pay the difference between the ceiling price and the index price only if the index price is above the ceiling price. As of September 30, 2006, we had entered into the following collars:

 

Collars

 

 

 

Natural Gas (NYMEX HH)

 

Oil (NYMEX WTI)

 

 

 

Bbtu
per
Day

 

Weighted
Average
Hedged Floor
and Ceiling
Price per
MMBtu

 

Fair Value
(In Thousands)

 

Barrels
per Day

 

Weighted
Average
Hedged Floor
and Ceiling
Price per Bbl

 

Fair Value
(In Thousands)

 

Fourth Quarter 2006

 

50.0

 

$

7.43/11.88

 

 

$

9,392

 

 

 

5,500

 

 

$

46.73/65.87

 

 

$

(1,825

)

 

Fiscal 2007

 

35.0

 

8.76/11.70

 

 

19,775

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

65.81/87.18

 

 

4,887

 

 

 

The fair value of our derivative instruments based on the futures prices quoted on September 30, 2006 was a net asset of approximately $42.1 million.

In October 2006, we entered into two additional swap agreements. The table below sets forth the weighted average terms of the agreements.

 

Swaps

 

 

 

Natural Gas (NYMEX HH)

 

 

 

Bbtu per
Day

 

Weighted
Average Hedged
Price per
MMBtu

 

Fiscal 2007

 

 

20.0

 

 

 

$

8.10

 

 

 

In October 2006, we also entered into an additional basis swap agreement covering 10.0 Bbtu per day for 2007.

The following table reconciles the changes that occurred in the fair values of our open derivative contracts during the nine months ended September 30, 2006, beginning with the fair value of our commodity contracts on December 31, 2005:

 

Fair Value of
Derivative
Contracts

 

 

 

(In Thousands)

 

Unrealized losses on derivative contracts as of December 31, 2005

 

 

$

(150,737

)

 

Net increase in fair value

 

 

104,678

 

 

Fair value of derivatives transferred in Spin-off

 

 

17,087

 

 

Net contract losses recognized

 

 

71,103

 

 

Unrealized gains on derivative contracts as of September 30, 2006

 

 

$

42,131

 

 

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

We conduct business in several foreign currencies and thus are subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk on cash flows related to sales, expenses, financing, and investing transactions. In the past, we have not entered into any foreign currency forward contracts or other similar financial instruments to manage this risk. Expenditures incurred relative to the foreign concessions held by Forest outside of North America have been primarily United States dollar-denominated, as have cash proceeds related to property

36




sales and farmout arrangements. Substantially all of our Canadian revenues and costs are denominated in Canadian dollars. While the value of the Canadian dollar does fluctuate in relation to the U.S. dollar, we believe that any currency risk associated with our Canadian operations would not have a material impact on our results of operations.

Interest Rate Risk

The following table presents principal amounts and related weighted average fixed interest rates by year of maturity for Forest’s debt obligations and the fair value of our debt obligations at September 30, 2006:

 

2008

 

2009

 

2011

 

2014

 

Total

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)

 

Bank credit facilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variable rate

 

$

 

369,470

 

 

 

369,470

 

369,470

 

Average interest rate(1)

 

 

6.72

%

 

 

6.72

%

 

 

Long-term debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed rate

 

$

265,000

 

 

285,000

 

150,000

 

700,000

 

718,431

 

Coupon interest rate

 

8.00

%

 

8.00

%

7.75

%

7.95

%

 

 

Effective interest rate(2)

 

7.13

%

 

7.71

%

6.56

%

7.24

%

 

 


(1)             As of September 30, 2006.

(2)             The effective interest rates on the 8% Senior Notes due 2008, the 8% Senior Notes due 2011, and the 7 3¤4% Senior Notes due 2014 are reduced from the coupon rate as a result of amortization of the gains related to termination of the related interest rate swaps, and amortization of premiums and discounts.

37




Item 4.                        CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We have established disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to Forest and its consolidated subsidiaries is made known to the Officers who certify Forest’s financial reports and the Board of Directors.

Our Chief Executive Officer, H. Craig Clark, and our Chief Financial Officer, David H. Keyte, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a—15(e) and 15d—15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the quarterly period ended September 30, 2006 (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on this evaluation, they believe that as of the Evaluation Date our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has not been any change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our quarterly period ended September 30, 2006 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.                        LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On September 12, 2006 Forest paid an aggregate of $813,000 in civil penalties to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to settle enforcement proceedings related to past wastewater discharge violations at a platform owned and operated by Forest located in federal waters of the Cook Inlet off the coast of Alaska. The wastewater problems stemmed from ineffective treatment systems that Forest purchased for the platform.

Item 6.                        EXHIBITS

(a)           Exhibits.

10.1*

 

Third Amendment to the Amended and Restated combined Credit Agreements, dated effective as of October 31, 2006, among Forest Oil Corporation, Canada Forest Oil, each of the lenders that is a party thereto, Bank of America, N.A. and Citibank N.A., as Co-Global Syndication Agents, BNP Paribus and Harris Nesbitt Financing, Inc., as Co-U.S. Documentation Agents, and Bank of Montreal and the Toronto-Dominion Banks, as Co-Canadian Documentation Agents, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch, as Canadian Administrative Agent and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Global Administrative Agent.

31.1*

 

Certification of Principal Executive Officer of Forest Oil Corporation as required by Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

31.2*

 

Certification of Principal Financial Officer of Forest Oil Corporation as required by Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

32.1+

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Forest Oil Corporation pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350.

38




 

32.2+

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Forest Oil Corporation pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350.


*                     Filed herewith.

+                  Not considered to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section.

39




SIGNATURES

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

 

 

FOREST OIL CORPORATION

 

 

 

(Registrant)

November 9, 2006

 

 

By:

/s/DAVID H. KEYTE

 

 

 

 

 

David H. Keyte

 

 

 

 

Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(on behalf of the Registrant and as
Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 

By:

/s/ VICTOR A. WIND

 

 

 

 

 

Victor A. Wind

 

 

 

 

Corporate Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

40




Exhibit Index

Exhibit Number

 

Description

 

 

10.1*

 

Third Amendment to the Amended and Restated combined Credit Agreements, dated effective as of October 31, 2006, among Forest Oil Corporation, Canada Forest Oil, each of the lenders that is a party thereto, Bank of America, N.A. and Citibank N.A., as Co-Global Syndication Agents, BNP Paribus and Harris Nesbitt Financing, Inc., as Co-U.S. Documentation Agents, and Bank of Montreal and the Toronto-Dominion Banks, as Co-Canadian Documentation Agents, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch, as Canadian Administrative Agent and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Global Administrative Agent.

31.1 *

 

Certification of Principal Executive Officer of Forest Oil Corporation as required by Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

31.2 *

 

Certification of Principal Financial Officer of Forest Oil Corporation as required by Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

32.1 +

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Forest Oil Corporation, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350.

32.2 +

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Forest Oil Corporation, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350.


*                     Filed herewith.

+                  Not considered to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section.

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