Form 10-Q for Period Ending September 30, 2003
Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

x Quarterly Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003

 

¨ Transition Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the transition period from                 to

 

Commission File No. 1-13726

 


 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1395733

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

6100 North Western Avenue

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

 

73118

(Zip Code)

(Address of principal executive offices)    

 

(405) 848-8000

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

 

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. Yes x No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES x NO ¨

 

At November 7, 2003, there were 216,521,292 shares of our $0.01 par value common stock outstanding.

 



Table of Contents

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003

 

          Page

PART I.

    

Financial Information

    

Item 1.

   Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited):     
     Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002    3
    

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002

   4
     Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002    5
    

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002

   6
     Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements    7

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    25

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    35

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    39

PART II.

    

Other Information

    

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings    40

Item 2.

   Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds    40

Item 3.

   Defaults Upon Senior Securities    40

Item 4.

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    40

Item 5.

   Other Information    40
Item 6.   

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

   40

 

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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

    

September 30,

2003


   

December 31,

2002


 
     ($ in thousands)  

ASSETS

                

CURRENT ASSETS:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 38,478     $ 247,637  

Restricted cash

     —         82  

Accounts receivable:

                

Oil and gas sales

     181,562       109,246  

Joint interest, net of allowance of $2,650,000 and $1,433,000, respectively

     28,425       22,760  

Short-term derivatives

     2,152       16,498  

Related parties

     5,179       2,155  

Other

     30,044       13,471  

Deferred income tax asset

     —         8,109  

Short-term derivative instruments

     75,681       —    

Inventory and other

     15,209       15,359  
    


 


Total Current Assets

     376,730       435,317  
    


 


PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:

                

Oil and gas properties, at cost based on full cost accounting:

                

Evaluated oil and gas properties

     5,826,209       4,334,833  

Unevaluated properties

     175,262       72,506  

Less: accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

     (2,377,814 )     (2,123,773 )
    


 


       3,623,657       2,283,566  

Other property and equipment

     207,972       154,092  

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (56,352 )     (47,774 )
    


 


Total Property and Equipment

     3,775,277       2,389,884  
    


 


OTHER ASSETS:

                

Deferred income tax asset

     —         2,071  

Long-term derivative instruments

     42,247       2,666  

Long-term investments

     29,233       9,075  

Other assets

     34,002       36,595  
    


 


Total Other Assets

     105,482       50,407  
    


 


TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 4,257,489     $ 2,875,608  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

                

Accounts payable

   $ 140,199     $ 86,001  

Accrued interest

     48,592       35,025  

Short-term derivative instruments

     33,804       33,697  

Income tax payable

     13,476       —    

Other accrued liabilities

     89,187       56,465  

Revenues and royalties due others

     100,919       54,364  
    


 


Total Current Liabilities

     426,177       265,552  
    


 


OTHER LIABILITIES:

                

Long-term debt, net

     2,024,336       1,651,198  

Revenues and royalties due others

     15,491       13,797  

Long-term derivative instruments

     109       30,174  

Asset retirement obligation

     46,540       —    

Other liabilities

     9,142       7,012  

Deferred income taxes payable

     151,324       —    
    


 


Total Other Liabilities

     2,246,942       1,702,181  
    


 


CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS (Note 3)

                

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

                

Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized,

                

6.75% cumulative convertible preferred stock, 2,998,000 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, entitled in liquidation to $149.9 million

     149,900       149,900  

6.00% cumulative convertible preferred stock, 4,600,000 and 0 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, entitled in liquidation to $230.0 million

     230,000       —    

Common Stock, $.01 par value, 350,000,000 shares authorized, 221,474,389 and 194,936,912 shares issued at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively

     2,215       1,949  

Paid-in capital

     1,390,730       1,205,554  

Accumulated deficit

     (222,338 )     (426,085 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax of $(34,294,000) and $2,307,000, respectively

     55,954       (3,461 )

Less: treasury stock, at cost; 5,071,571 and 4,792,529 common shares at September 30, 2003 and

December 31, 2002, respectively

     (22,091 )     (19,982 )
    


 


Total Shareholders’ Equity

     1,584,370       907,875  
    


 


TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 4,257,489     $ 2,875,608  
    


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
     2003

    2002

    2003

    2002

 
     ($ in thousands, except per share data)  

REVENUES:

                                

Oil and gas sales

   $ 345,587     $ 154,249     $ 951,125     $ 367,810  

Oil and gas marketing sales

     108,962       42,216       309,566       112,334  
    


 


 


 


Total Revenues

     454,549       196,465       1,260,691       480,144  
    


 


 


 


OPERATING COSTS:

                                

Production expenses

     35,944       24,950       101,664       71,252  

Production taxes

     21,638       6,807       57,336       19,934  

General and administrative

     5,589       3,777       17,254       11,930  

Oil and gas marketing expenses

     105,849       41,148       302,064       108,836  

Oil and gas depreciation, depletion and amortization

     97,947       58,334       266,131       157,731  

Depreciation and amortization of other assets

     4,841       3,727       12,647       10,489  
    


 


 


 


Total Operating Costs

     271,808       138,743       757,096       380,172  
    


 


 


 


INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

     182,741       57,722       503,595       99,972  
    


 


 


 


OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

                                

Interest and other income

     (188 )     1,806       1,356       7,343  

Interest expense

     (40,851 )     (26,599 )     (115,891 )     (77,779 )

Loss on investment in Seven Seas

     —         (4,770 )     —         (4,770 )

Loss on repurchases of Chesapeake debt

     —         (489 )     —         (1,353 )
    


 


 


 


Total Other Income (Expense)

     (41,039 )     (30,052 )     (114,535 )     (76,559 )
    


 


 


 


INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX AND CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE

     141,702       27,670       389,060       23,413  

INCOME TAX EXPENSE:

                                

Current

     330       —         330       —    

Deferred

     53,513       11,070       147,511       9,366  
    


 


 


 


Total Income Tax Expense

     53,843       11,070       147,841       9,366  
    


 


 


 


NET INCOME BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE

     87,859       16,600       241,219       14,047  

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of income taxes of $1,464,000

     —         —         2,389       —    
    


 


 


 


NET INCOME

     87,859       16,600       243,608       14,047  

Preferred stock dividends

     (5,979 )     (2,526 )     (15,484 )     (7,588 )
    


 


 


 


NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS

   $ 81,880     $ 14,074     $ 228,124     $ 6,459  
    


 


 


 


EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE — BASIC:

                                

Income before cumulative effect of accounting change

   $ 0.38     $ 0.08     $ 1.08     $ 0.04  

Cumulative effect of accounting change

     —         —         0.01       —    
    


 


 


 


Net income

   $ 0.38     $ 0.08     $ 1.09     $ 0.04  
    


 


 


 


EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE — ASSUMING DILUTION:

                                

Income before cumulative effect of accounting change

   $ 0.33     $ 0.08     $ 0.95     $ 0.04  

Cumulative effect of accounting change

     —         —         0.01       —    
    


 


 


 


Net income

   $ 0.33     $ 0.08     $ 0.96     $ 0.04  
    


 


 


 


WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON AND COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARES OUTSTANDING (in thousands):

                                

Basic

     216,080       166,144       209,394       165,829  
    


 


 


 


Assuming dilution

     265,545       171,182       253,567       171,540  
    


 


 


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
     2003

    2002

 
     ($ in thousands)  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                

NET INCOME

   $ 243,608     $ 14,047  

ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE NET INCOME TO NET

                

CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     273,479       164,365  

Unrealized (gains) losses on derivatives

     (28,335 )     86,995  

Deferred income taxes

     147,841       9,366  

Amortization of loan costs and bond discount

     6,358       3,626  

Cumulative effect of accounting change

     (2,389 )     —    

Loss on repurchases of Chesapeake debt

     —         1,353  

Loss on investment in Seven Seas

     —         4,770  

Other

     929       (223 )
    


 


Cash provided by operating activities before changes in assets and liabilities

     641,491       284,299  

Changes in assets and liabilities

     12,026       69,359  
    


 


Cash provided by operating activities

     653,517       353,658  
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                

Exploration and development of oil and gas properties

     (501,865 )     (252,756 )

Acquisition of unproved oil and gas properties

     (130,434 )     (46,808 )

Acquisition of proved oil and gas properties

     (909,475 )     (291,366 )

Sales of proved oil and gas properties

     21,218       1,211  

Investment in Pioneer Drilling

     (20,000 )     —    

Liquidation proceeds on investment in Seven Seas

     5,333       —    

Additions to long-term investments

     (5,750 )     (2,408 )

Proceeds from sale of RAM Energy notes

     —         4,215  

Additions to other property, plant and equipment and other

     (59,795 )     (29,271 )
    


 


Cash used in investing activities

     (1,600,768 )     (617,183 )
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

     485,000       95,818  

Payments on long-term borrowings

     (413,000 )     (95,818 )

Cash received from issuance of senior notes

     297,306       245,984  

Cash paid for issuance costs of senior notes

     (6,367 )     (3,671 )

Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock, net of issuance costs

     222,893       —    

Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs

     177,444       —    

Net increase in outstanding payments in excess of cash balances

     6,341       —    

Cash paid for common stock dividend

     (19,679 )     —    

Cash paid for preferred stock dividend

     (14,872 )     (7,649 )

Cash paid to repurchase senior notes

     —         (63,541 )

Cash paid for premium on repurchase of senior notes

     —         (1,869 )

Cash paid for treasury stock

     (2,109 )     —    

Cash received from exercise of stock options and warrants

     7,787       2,129  

Other

     (2,652 )     (74 )
    


 


Cash provided by financing activities

     738,092       171,309  
    


 


NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (209,159 )     (92,216 )

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     247,637       117,594  
    


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

   $ 38,478     $ 25,378  
    


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2003

    2002

    2003

    2002

 
     ($ in thousands)  

Net income

   $ 87,859     $ 16,600     $ 243,608     $ 14,047  

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax:

                                

Change in fair value of derivative instruments

     60,551       (3,887 )     23,692       (16,859 )

Reclassification of (gain) or loss on settled contracts

     (14,032 )     (3,274 )     39,320       (19,044 )

Ineffective portion of derivatives qualifying for cash flow hedge accounting

     (3,311 )     32       (3,597 )     1,342  

Other

     —         (49 )     —         (49 )
    


 


 


 


Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 131,067     $ 9,422     $ 303,023     $ (20,563 )
    


 


 


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Chesapeake Energy Corporation and Subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q as prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission. All material adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments) which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods have been reflected. The results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. This Form 10-Q relates to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002 (the “Prior Quarter” and “Prior Period”, respectively) and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 (the “Current Quarter” and “Current Period”, respectively). As discussed in Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements included in Form 10-K/A, we have reclassified certain amounts in our previously reported condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income or net income per share.

 

Stock Options

 

Chesapeake has elected to follow APB No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations in accounting for its employee stock options. Under APB No. 25, compensation expense is recognized for the difference between the option price and market value on the measurement date. In March 2000, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued FASB Interpretation No. 44, which provided clarification regarding the application of APB No. 25. FIN 44 specifically addressed the accounting consequences of various modifications to the terms of a previously granted fixed–price stock option. Pursuant to FIN 44, we recognized compensation expense (income) of $147,300, $512,600, $(73,000) and $89,500 in the Current Quarter, the Current Period, the Prior Quarter and the Prior Period, respectively, as a result of modifications to fixed-price stock options that were made during the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000. No compensation income or expense has been recognized for stock options issued in 2003 or 2002 because the exercise price of the stock options granted under the plans equaled the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant and there have been no modifications to these options.

 

Presented below is pro forma financial information assuming that Chesapeake had applied the fair value method under SFAS No. 123:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
     2003

    2002

    2003

    2002

 
     ($ in thousands)  

Net Income

                                

As reported (1)

   $ 87,859     $ 16,600     $ 243,608     $ 14,047  

Compensation expense, net of tax

     (2,987 )     (2,335 )     (8,000 )     (6,488 )
    


 


 


 


Pro forma

   $ 84,872     $ 14,265     $ 235,608     $ 7,559  
    


 


 


 


Basic earnings per common share

                                

As reported

   $ 0.38     $ 0.08     $ 1.09     $ 0.04  

Compensation expense, net of tax

     (0.01 )     (0.01 )     (0.04 )     (0.04 )
    


 


 


 


Pro forma

   $ 0.37     $ 0.07     $ 1.05     $ —    
    


 


 


 


Diluted earnings per common share

                                

As reported

   $ 0.33     $ 0.08     $ 0.96     $ 0.04  

Compensation expense, net of tax

     (0.01 )     (0.01 )     (0.03 )     (0.04 )
    


 


 


 


Pro forma

   $ 0.32     $ 0.07     $ 0.93     $ —    
    


 


 


 



(1)   Net income includes adjustments related to FIN 44 of $147,300, $512,600, $(73,000) and $89,500 of expense (income) in the Current Quarter, the Current Period, the Prior Quarter and the Prior Period, respectively.

 

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For purposes of the pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the options is amortized to expense over the options’ vesting period, which is four years. Because our stock options vest over four years and additional awards are typically made each year, the above pro forma disclosures are not likely to be representative of the effects on pro forma net income for future periods.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

We consider accounting policies related to stock options, hedging, oil and gas properties, income taxes and business combinations to be critical policies. These policies are summarized in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our annual report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2002, except for our accounting policy related to stock options which is summarized in Note 1 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K/A.

 

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, Business Combinations and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Intangible Assets were issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in June 2001 and became effective for us on July 1, 2001 and January 1, 2002, respectively. SFAS 141 requires all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001 to be accounted for using the purchase method. Additionally, SFAS 141 requires companies to disaggregate and report separately from goodwill certain intangible assets. SFAS 142 establishes new guidelines for accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets. Under SFAS 142, goodwill and certain other intangible assets are not amortized, but rather are reviewed annually for impairment.

 

One interpretation being considered relative to these standards is that oil and gas mineral rights held under lease and other contractual arrangements representing the right to extract such reserves for both undeveloped and developed leaseholds should be classified separately from oil and gas properties as intangible assets on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. In addition, the disclosures required by SFAS 141 and 142 relative to intangibles would be included in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements. Historically, we, like many other oil and gas companies, have included these rights as part of oil and gas properties, even after SFAS 141 and 142 became effective.

 

As it applies to companies like us that have adopted full cost accounting for oil and gas activities, we understand that this interpretation of SFAS 141 and 142 would only affect our balance sheet classification of proved oil and gas leaseholds acquired after June 30, 2001 and all of our unproved oil and gas leaseholds. We would not be required to reclassify proved reserve leasehold acquisitions prior to June 30, 2001 because we did not separately value or account for these costs prior to the adoption date of SFAS 141. Our results of operations and cash flows would not be affected, since these oil and gas mineral rights held under lease and other contractual arrangements representing the right to extract oil and gas reserves would continue to be amortized in accordance with full cost accounting rules.

 

As of September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, we had undeveloped leaseholds of approximately $175.3 million and $72.5 million, respectively, that would be classified on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as “intangible undeveloped leasehold” and developed leaseholds of an estimated $1,495.5 million and $581.9 million, respectively, that would be classified as “intangible developed leasehold” if we applied the interpretation discussed above.

 

We will continue to classify our oil and gas mineral rights held under lease and other contractual rights representing the right to extract such reserves as oil and gas properties until further guidance is provided.

 

2. Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities

 

Oil and Gas Hedging Activities

 

Our results of operations and operating cash flows are impacted by changes in market prices for oil and gas. To mitigate a portion of the exposure to adverse market changes, we have entered into various derivative instruments. As of September 30, 2003, our oil and gas derivative instruments were comprised of swaps, cap-swaps and basis protection swaps. These instruments allow us to predict with greater certainty the effective oil and gas prices to be received for our hedged production. Although derivatives often fail to achieve 100% effectiveness for accounting purposes, we believe our derivative instruments continue to be highly effective in achieving the risk management objectives for which they were intended.

 

    For swap instruments, Chesapeake receives a fixed price for the hedged commodity and pays a floating market price, as defined in each instrument, to the counterparty. The fixed-price payment and the floating-price payment are netted, resulting in a net amount due to or from the counterparty.

 

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    For cap-swaps, Chesapeake receives a fixed price and pays a floating market price. The fixed price received by Chesapeake includes a premium in exchange for a “cap” limiting the counterparty’s exposure. In other words, there is no limit to Chesapeake’s exposure but there is a limit to the downside exposure of the counterparty. Because this derivative includes a written put option (i.e., the cap), cap-swaps do not qualify for designation as cash flow hedges (in accordance with SFAS 133) since the combination of the hedged item and the written option does not provide as much potential for favorable cash flows as exposure to unfavorable cash flows.

 

    Basis protection swaps are arrangements that guarantee a price differential of oil or gas from a specified delivery point. Chesapeake receives a payment from the counterparty if the price differential is greater than the stated terms of the contract and pays the counterparty if the price differential is less than the stated terms of the contract.

 

Chesapeake enters into counter-swaps from time to time for the purpose of locking-in the value of a swap or cap-swap. Under the counter-swap, Chesapeake receives a floating price for the hedged commodity and pays a fixed price to the counterparty. The counter-swap is 100% effective in locking-in the value of a swap since subsequent changes in the market value of the swap are entirely offset by subsequent changes in the market value of the counter-swap. We refer to this locked-in value as a locked swap. At the time Chesapeake enters into a counter-swap, Chesapeake removes the original swap’s designation as a cash flow hedge and classifies the original swap as a non-qualifying hedge under SFAS 133. The reason for this new designation is that, collectively, the swap and the counter-swap no longer hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows. Instead, the swap and counter-swap effectively lock-in a specific gain (or loss) that will be unaffected by subsequent variability in oil and gas prices. Any locked-in gain or loss is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassified to oil and gas sales in the month of related production.

 

With respect to counter-swaps that are designed to lock-in the value of cap-swaps, the counter-swap is effective in locking-in the value of the cap-swap until the floating price reaches the cap (or floor) stipulated in the cap-swap agreement. The value of a counter-swap will increase (or decrease), but in the opposite direction, as the value of the cap-swap decreases (or increases) until the floating price reaches the pre-determined cap (or floor) stipulated in the cap-swap agreement. However, because of the written put option embedded in the cap-swap, the changes in value of the cap-swap are not completely effective in offsetting changes in the value of the corresponding counter-swap.

 

In accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 39, Chesapeake nets the value of its derivative arrangements with the same counterparty in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, to the extent that a legal right of setoff exists.

 

Gains or losses from the oil and gas derivative transactions are reflected as adjustments to oil and gas sales on the condensed consolidated statement of operations. Pursuant to SFAS 133, certain derivatives do not qualify for designation as cash flow hedges. Changes in the fair value of these non-qualifying derivatives that occur prior to their maturity (i.e. temporary fluctuations in value) are reported currently in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as unrealized gains (losses) within oil and gas sales. Unrealized gains (losses) included in oil and gas sales were $0.6 million, $(8.8) million, $33.7 million and $(89.2) million in the Current Quarter, Prior Quarter, Current Period and Prior Period, respectively.

 

Following provisions of SFAS 133, changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, to the extent they are effective in offsetting cash flows attributed to the hedged risk, are recorded in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. Any change in fair value resulting from ineffectiveness is recognized currently in oil and gas sales. Amounts relating to ineffectiveness on cash flow hedges consisted of a gain of $5.3 million in the Current Quarter, a loss of $0.1 million in the Prior Quarter, a gain of $5.8 million in the Current Period and a loss of $2.2 million in the Prior Period.

 

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The estimated fair values of our oil and gas derivative instruments as of September 30, 2003 are provided below. The associated carrying values of these instruments are equal to the estimated fair values.

 

     September 30,
2003


 
     ($ in thousands)  

Derivative assets (liabilities):

        

Fixed-price gas swaps

   $ 92,318  

Fixed-price gas cap-swaps

     (14,720 )

Fixed-price gas counter-swaps

     12,070  

Fixed-price gas locked swaps

     2,677  

Gas basis protection swaps

     28,126  

Fixed-price crude oil cap-swaps

     (3,245 )
    


Estimated fair value

   $ 117,226  
    


 

Based upon the market prices at September 30, 2003, we expect to transfer approximately $44.3 million of the gain included in accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings during the next 12 months when the hedged oil or gas production is sold. All transactions hedged as of September 30, 2003 are for periods extending through 2007, with the exception of the basis protection swaps which extend to 2009.

 

Additional information concerning the fair value of our oil and gas derivative instruments is as follows:

 

             2003        

 
     ($ in thousands)  

Fair value of contracts outstanding at January 1

   $ (14,533 )

Change in fair value of contracts during the period

     57,807  

Contracts realized or otherwise settled during the period

     73,952  

Fair value of new contracts when entered into during the period

     —    
    


Fair value of contracts outstanding at September 30

   $ 117,226  
    


 

Interest Rate Hedging

 

We also utilize hedging strategies to manage interest rate exposure. Results from interest rate hedging transactions are reflected as adjustments to interest expense in the corresponding months covered by the derivative agreement.

 

In July 2002, we closed two interest rate swaps for a cash settlement of $8.6 million. As of September 30, 2003, the remaining balance to be amortized as a reduction to interest expense was $0.3 million. During the Current Quarter and Current Period, $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively, were recorded as reductions to interest expense.

 

On August 13, 2003, we entered into an interest rate swap having the following terms:

 

Term


 

Notional Amount


 

Fixed Rate


 

Floating Rate


August 2003 – August 2005   $100,000,000   2.735%  

U.S. six-month LIBOR

in arrears

 

If the floating rate is less than the fixed rate, the counterparty will pay us accordingly. If the floating rate exceeds the fixed rate, we will pay the counterparty. Payments under this interest rate swap will be made on February 15 and August 15 of each year beginning February 15, 2004. At September 30, 2003, this interest rate swap had a fair value of $1.2 million.

 

On August 22, 2003, we entered into an additional interest rate swap having the following terms:

 

Term


 

Notional Amount


 

Fixed Rate


 

Floating Rate


August 2003 – August 2005   $100,000,000   3.000%  

U.S. six-month LIBOR

in arrears

 

If the floating rate is less than the fixed rate, the counterparty will pay us accordingly. If the floating rate exceeds the fixed rate, we will pay the counterparty. Payments under this interest rate swap will be made on February 27 and August 27 of each year beginning February 27, 2004. At September 30, 2003, this interest rate swap had a fair value of $1.6 million.

 

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In March 1997, Chesapeake issued $150.0 million of 8.5% senior notes due 2012, of which $7.3 million were subsequently repurchased and retired. The 8.5% senior notes include a “call option” whereby Chesapeake may redeem the debt at declining redemption prices beginning in March 2004. This call option, also referred to as a right of optional redemption, allows Chesapeake to redeem the notes prior to their stated maturity date beginning in March 2004. This right of optional redemption has value depending upon changes in interest rates. Due to a decline in interest rates, Chesapeake effectively sold this optional redemption right to an unrelated third party (or counterparty) for $7.8 million in April 2002. In exchange for the $7.8 million, Chesapeake gave the counterparty the option to elect whether or not to enter into an interest rate swap with Chesapeake on March 11, 2004. This transaction is more commonly referred to as a swaption. The terms of the interest rate swap, if executed by the counterparty, would be as follows:

 

Term


 

Notional Amount


 

Fixed Rate


 

Floating Rate


March 2004 – March 2012   $142,665,000   8.500%  

U.S. six-month LIBOR

plus 75 basis points

 

The interest rate swap would require Chesapeake to pay a fixed rate of 8.5% while the counterparty pays Chesapeake a floating rate of 6 month LIBOR in arrears plus 0.75%. Additionally, if the counterparty elects to enter into the interest rate swap on March 11, 2004, it may also elect to force Chesapeake to settle the transaction at the then current value of the interest rate swap.

 

This transaction does not alter Chesapeake’s ability to redeem the 8.5% senior notes. Instead, it locks-in the economics of a future call. If interest rates are high and the swaption is not “in-the-money”, the counterparty will likely not elect to enter into the interest rate swap, the swaption will expire, and Chesapeake will amortize the $7.8 million premium as a reduction to interest expense over the remaining life of the notes. If interest rates are low and the swaption is “in-the-money”, the counterparty will likely exercise the swaption and force Chesapeake to settle the transaction at the then current value of the interest rate swap, and Chesapeake will amortize both the $7.8 million premium and the amount paid to the counterparty to interest expense over the remaining life of the notes. If Chesapeake elects to refinance the 8.5% senior notes, any unamortized premium or loss remaining related to the swaption would be included in the gain (or loss) on the early extinguishment of debt.

 

According to SFAS 133, a fair value hedge relationship exists between the embedded call option in the 8.5% senior notes and the swaption agreement. The fair value of the swaption is recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as a liability, and the debt’s carrying amount is adjusted by the change in the fair value of the call option subsequent to the initiation of the swaption. Any resulting differences are recorded currently as ineffectiveness in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as an adjustment to interest expense.

 

During the Current Quarter, we exchanged and subsequently retired $32.0 million of our 8.5% senior notes. In connection with this retirement, we have removed the designation of the corresponding portion of the swaption agreement as a fair value hedge in accordance with SFAS 133. We recorded a $3.3 million increase to the fair value of the debt to reflect the portion of the 8.5% senior notes exchanged and subsequently retired in the Current Quarter. Temporary fluctuations in the fair value of the portion of the swaption no longer designated as a fair value hedge are recorded as adjustments to interest expense. We recorded a $2.0 million unrealized loss in interest expense during the Current Quarter due to a decline in the fair value of the portion of the swaption no longer designated as a fair value hedge.

 

We recorded an adjustment to the carrying amount of the debt of $15.4 million as of September 30, 2003, which represents the temporary fluctuations in the fair value of the call option included in senior notes. Since the inception of the swaption, we have recorded a change in the fair market value of the swaption from a $7.8 million liability to a $33.8 million liability, an increase of $26.0 million. After giving effect to the removal of the designation of a portion of the swaption as a fair value hedge under SFAS 133 as described previously, the difference of $5.3 million represents ineffectiveness which has been recorded as additional interest expense.

 

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Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The following disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments is made in accordance with the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments. We have determined the estimated fair values using available market information and valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. The use of different market assumptions or valuation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

 

The carrying values of items comprising current assets and current liabilities approximate fair values due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. We estimate the fair value of our long-term, fixed-rate debt using primarily quoted market prices. Our carrying amount for such debt, excluding the value of the interest rate swaps and the call option on the 8.5% senior notes, at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002 was $1,965.1 million and $1,669.3 million, respectively, compared to approximate fair values of $2,129.9 million and $1,744.7 million, respectively. The carrying amount for our 6.75% convertible preferred stock at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002 was $149.9 million, with a fair value of $226.8 million and $181.5 million, respectively. The carrying amount of our 6.00% convertible preferred stock at September 30, 2003 was $230.0 million, with a fair value of approximately $322.0 million.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

A significant portion of our liquidity is concentrated in cash and cash equivalents and derivative instruments that enable us to hedge a portion of our exposure to price volatility from producing oil and natural gas. These arrangements expose us to credit risk from our counterparties. Other financial instruments which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of investments in debt and equity instruments and accounts receivable. Our accounts receivable are primarily from purchasers of oil and natural gas products and exploration and production companies which own interests in properties we operate. The industry concentration has the potential to impact our overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively, in that our customers may be similarly affected by changes in economic, industry or other conditions. We generally require letters of credit for receivables from customers which are judged to have sub-standard credit, unless the credit risk can otherwise be mitigated. Cash and cash equivalents are deposited with major banks or institutions and may at times exceed the federally insured limits.

 

3. Contingencies and Commitments

 

Royalty Owner Litigation. Royalty owners have commenced litigation against a number of oil and gas producers claiming that amounts paid for production attributable to the royalty owners’ interest violated the terms of applicable leases and state law, that deductions from the proceeds of oil and gas production were unauthorized under the leases, and that amounts received by upstream sellers should be used to compute the amounts paid to the royalty owners. Typically this litigation has taken the form of class action suits. There are presently four such suits filed against Chesapeake, two in Texas and two in Oklahoma. No class has been certified in any of them. In one of the Oklahoma cases, we determined that a portion of the marketing fee we had charged royalty owners should be refunded. We have deposited with the court the aggregate amount of the fees we estimated should be refunded, $3.6 million, in an interest-bearing account for distribution to affected royalty owners. This amount has been charged to general and administrative expenses, of which $0.3 million was charged in the Current Period and the remainder was recorded in 2002. We do not believe any other claims made by royalty owners in the cases pending against us are valid. Even if the claims were upheld, we believe any damages awarded would not be material. This is a developing area of the law, however, and as new cases are decided, our potential liability relating to the marketing of oil and gas may increase or decrease. We will continue to monitor court decisions to ensure that our operations and practices minimize any exposure and to recognize any charges that may be appropriate when we can reasonably estimate a liability.

 

Chesapeake is currently involved in various other routine disputes incidental to its business operations. Management, after consultation with legal counsel, is of the opinion that the final resolution of all such currently pending or threatened litigation is not likely to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

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Chesapeake has employment agreements with its chief executive officer, chief operating officer, chief financial officer and various other senior management personnel, which provide for annual base salaries, bonus compensation and various benefits. The agreements provide for the continuation of salary and benefits for varying terms in the event of termination of employment without cause. The agreements with the chief executive officer and chief operating officer have terms of five years commencing July 1, 2002. The term of each agreement is automatically extended for one additional year on each June 30 unless one of the parties provides 30 days notice of non-extension. The agreements with the chief financial officer and other senior managers expire on June 30, 2006. The company’s employment agreements for executive officers provide for payments in the event of a change of control. The chief executive officer and chief operating officer are each entitled to receive a payment in the amount of five times his base compensation and the prior year’s benefits, plus a tax gross-up payment, and the chief financial officer and other officers are each entitled to receive a payment in the amount of two times his or her base compensation plus bonuses paid during the prior year.

 

Due to the nature of the oil and gas business, Chesapeake and its subsidiaries are exposed to possible environmental risks. Chesapeake has implemented various policies and procedures to avoid environmental contamination and risks from environmental contamination. Chesapeake conducts periodic reviews, on a company-wide basis, to identify changes in its environmental risk profile. These reviews evaluate whether there is a probable liability, its amount, and the likelihood that the liability will be incurred. The amount of any potential liability is determined by considering, among other matters, incremental direct costs of any likely remediation and the proportionate cost of employees who are expected to devote a significant amount of time directly to any possible remediation effort. We manage our exposure to environmental liabilities on properties to be acquired by identifying existing problems and assessing the potential liability. Depending on the extent of an identified environmental problem, Chesapeake may exclude a property from the acquisition, require the seller to remediate the property to our satisfaction, or agree to assume the liability for the remediation of the property. Chesapeake has historically not experienced any significant environmental liability, and is not aware of any potential material environmental issues or claims at September 30, 2003.

 

4. Net Income (Loss) Per Share

 

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, Earnings Per Share, requires presentation of “basic” and “diluted” earnings per share, as defined, on the face of the statements of operations for all entities with complex capital structures. SFAS 128 requires a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted EPS computations.

 

The following securities were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share, as the effect was antidilutive:

 

    For the Current Quarter, the Prior Quarter, the Current Period and the Prior Period, outstanding warrants to purchase 0.4 million, 1.1 million, 0.4 million and 1.1 million shares of common stock at a weighted-average exercise price of $14.55, $12.61, $14.55 and $12.61, respectively, were antidilutive because the exercise prices of the warrants were greater than the average market price of the common stock.

 

    For the Current Quarter, the Prior Quarter, the Current Period and the Prior Period, outstanding options to purchase 0.2 million, 7.8 million, 1.3 million and 0.5 million shares of common stock at a weighted-average exercise price of $19.21, $6.56, $11.60 and $12.77, respectively, were antidilutive because the exercise prices of the options were greater than the average market price of the common stock.

 

    Diluted shares in the Prior Quarter and Prior Period do not include the assumed conversion of the outstanding 6.75% preferred stock (convertible into 19.5 million common shares) and the Prior Period does not include the common stock equivalent of preferred stock outstanding prior to conversion of 7,611 shares, as the effects were antidilutive.

 

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Reconciliations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 are as follows:

 

     Income
(Numerator)


   Shares
(Denominator)


   Per Share
Amount


     (in thousands, except per share data)

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2003:

                  

Basic EPS

                  

Income available to common shareholders

   $ 81,880    216,080    $ 0.38
                

Effect of Dilutive Securities

                  

Assumed conversion at the beginning of the period of preferred shares outstanding during the period:

                  

Preferred dividends

     5,979    —         

Common shares assumed issued for 6.00% preferred stock

     —      22,358       

Common shares assumed issued for 6.75% preferred stock

     —      19,468       

Employee stock options

     —      7,639       
    

  
      

Diluted EPS

                  

Income available to common shareholders and assumed conversions

   $ 87,859    265,545    $ 0.33
    

  
  

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2002:

                  

Basic EPS

                  

Income available to common shareholders

   $ 14,074    166,144    $ 0.08
                

Effect of Dilutive Securities

                  

Employee stock options

     —      5,031       

Warrants assumed in Gothic acquisition

     —      7       
    

  
      

Diluted EPS

                  

Income available to common shareholders and assumed conversions

   $ 14,074    171,182    $ 0.08
    

  
  

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003:

                  

Basic EPS

                  

Income available to common shareholders

   $ 228,124    209,394    $ 1.09
                

Effect of Dilutive Securities

                  

Assumed conversion at the beginning of the period of preferred shares outstanding during the period:

                  

Preferred dividends

     15,484    —         

Common shares assumed issued for 6.00% preferred stock

     —      17,198       

Common shares assumed issued for 6.75% preferred stock

     —      19,468       

Employee stock options

     —      7,507       
    

  
      

Diluted EPS

                  

Income available to common shareholders and assumed conversions

   $ 243,608    253,567    $ 0.96
    

  
  

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002:

                  

Basic EPS

                  

Income available to common shareholders

   $ 6,459    165,829    $ 0.04
                

Effect of Dilutive Securities

                  

Employee stock options

     —      5,704       

Warrants assumed in Gothic acquisition

     —      7       
    

  
      

Diluted EPS

                  

Income available to common shareholders and assumed conversions

   $ 6,459    171,540    $ 0.04
    

  
  

 

5. Senior Notes and Revolving Credit Facility

 

At September 30, 2003, our long-term debt consisted of the following ($ in thousands):

 

7.875% senior notes, due 2004

   $ 42,137 (1)

8.375% senior notes, due 2008

     222,150  

8.125% senior notes, due 2011

     800,000  

8.500% senior notes, due 2012

     110,669  

9.000% senior notes, due 2012

     300,000  

7.500% senior notes, due 2013

     300,000  

7.750% senior notes, due 2015

     213,001  

Revolving bank credit facility

     72,000  

Discount on senior notes

     (22,816 )

Call option on 8.5% senior notes

     (15,418 )(2)

Interest rate swaps

     2,613  
    


Total

   $ 2,024,336  
    



 

(1)   This amount has been classified as long-term debt based on our ability to satisfy this obligation with funding from our bank credit facility.
(2)   See Note 2 for further discussion of the call option.

 

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On March 5, 2003, we issued $300.0 million principal amount of 7.50% senior notes due 2013, which were exchanged on November 5, 2003 for substantially identical notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

On July 16, 2003, we issued an additional $29.5 million of our 7.75% senior notes due 2015 in exchange for $27.9 million of our 8.375% senior notes due 2008 and $0.5 million of accrued interest, pursuant to a privately negotiated transaction. The $27.9 million of 8.375% senior notes due 2008 were retired upon receipt.

 

On August 5, 2003, we issued an additional $33.5 million of our 7.75% senior notes due 2015 and accrued interest of $0.1 million in exchange for $32.0 million of our 8.5% senior notes due 2012 and $1.1 million of accrued interest, pursuant to a privately negotiated transaction. The $32.0 million of 8.5% senior notes were retired upon receipt.

 

On September 30, 2003, we had a $350 million revolving bank credit facility (with a committed borrowing base of $350 million) which matures in May 2007. As of September 30, 2003, we had $72 million in outstanding borrowings under this facility and were using $10.3 million of the facility to secure various letters of credit. Borrowings under the facility are collateralized by certain producing oil and gas properties and bear interest at either the reference rate of Union Bank of California, N.A., or London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), at our option, plus a margin that varies according to our senior unsecured long-term debt ratings issued by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and Moody’s Investor Service. The unused portion of the facility is subject to an annual commitment fee also based on our senior unsecured long-term debt ratings. Interest is payable quarterly. The collateral value and borrowing base are redetermined periodically.

 

The credit agreement contains various covenants and restrictive provisions which limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness, sell properties, pay dividends, purchase or redeem our capital stock, make investments or loans, purchase certain of our senior notes and create liens. The credit agreement requires us to maintain a current ratio of at least 1 to 1 (as defined in the credit facility) and a fixed charge coverage ratio for the trailing twelve month period of at least 2.5 to 1. At September 30, 2003, our current ratio was 1.5 to 1 and our fixed charge coverage ratio was 4.4 to 1. If we should fail to perform our obligations under these and other covenants, the revolving credit commitment could be terminated and any outstanding borrowings under the facility could be declared immediately due and payable. If such an acceleration involved principal in excess of $10.0 million, the acceleration would constitute an event of default under our senior note indentures, which could in turn result in the acceleration of our senior note indebtedness. The credit agreement also has cross default provisions that apply to other indebtedness we may have with an outstanding principal amount in excess of $25.0 million.

 

Our senior notes are unsecured senior obligations of Chesapeake and rank equally with all of our other unsecured indebtedness. The senior note indentures contain covenants limiting us and our guarantor subsidiaries with respect to asset sales; the incurrence of additional indebtedness and the issuance of preferred stock; liens; sale and leaseback transactions; lines of business; dividend and other payment restrictions affecting guarantor subsidiaries; mergers or consolidations; and transactions with affiliates. The senior note indentures also limit our ability to make restricted payments (as defined), including the payment of cash dividends, unless the debt incurrence and other tests are met. We may redeem the senior notes at any time at specified make-whole or redemption prices as provided in the indentures.

 

Chesapeake is a holding company and owns no operating assets and has no significant operations independent of its subsidiaries. Our obligations under our outstanding senior notes have been fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, by each of our “restricted subsidiaries” (as defined in the respective indentures governing these notes) (collectively, the “guarantor subsidiaries”). Each guarantor subsidiary is a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary.

 

Set forth below are condensed consolidating financial statements of the parent, guarantor subsidiaries and non-guarantor subsidiaries. Chesapeake Energy Marketing, Inc., Mayfield Processing, L.L.C. and MidCon Compression L.P. are wholly-owned marketing subsidiaries which are not guarantors of the senior notes. Chesapeake Energy Marketing, Inc. was a non-guarantor subsidiary for all periods presented. Mayfield Processing L.L.C. and MidCon Compression L.P. were established as non-guarantor subsidiaries during the Current Quarter. All of our other wholly-owned subsidiaries were guarantor subsidiaries during all periods presented.

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2003

($ in thousands)

 

    

Guarantor

Subsidiaries


   

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries


    Parent

    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:

                                        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ (206 )   $ 38,644     $ 40     $ —       $ 38,478  

Accounts receivable

     181,755       126,981       11,123       (74,649 )     245,210  

Short-term derivative receivable

     2,152       —         —         —         2,152  

Short-term derivative instruments

     72,936       —         2,745       —         75,681  

Inventory and other

     13,692       1,512       5       —         15,209  
    


 


 


 


 


Total Current Assets

     270,329       167,137       13,913       (74,649 )     376,730  
    


 


 


 


 


PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:

                                        

Evaluated oil and gas properties

     5,826,209       —         —         —         5,826,209  

Unevaluated properties

     175,262       —         —         —         175,262  

Other property and equipment

     77,133       51,549       79,290       —         207,972  

Less: accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

     (2,405,871 )     (22,827 )     (5,468 )     —         (2,434,166 )
    


 


 


 


 


Net Property and Equipment

     3,672,733       28,722       73,822       —         3,775,277  
    


 


 


 


 


OTHER ASSETS:

                                        

Investments in subsidiaries and intercompany advances

     —         —         848,198       (848,198 )     —    

Long-term derivative instruments

     42,138       —         109       —         42,247  

Long-term investments

     —         —         29,233       —         29,233  

Other assets

     13,578       54       20,424       (54 )     34,002  
    


 


 


 


 


Total Other Assets

     55,716       54       897,964       (848,252 )     105,482  
    


 


 


 


 


TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 3,998,778     $ 195,913     $ 985,699     $ (922,901 )   $ 4,257,489  
    


 


 


 


 


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

                                        

Accounts payable

   $ 134,637     $ 115,261     $ —       $ (109,699 )   $ 140,199  

Accrued interest

     30       —         48,562       —         48,592  

Other accrued liabilities

     69,927       5,511       13,803       (54 )     89,187  

Short-term derivative instruments

     —         —         33,804       —         33,804  

Deferred income tax payable

     —         —         13,476       —         13,476  

Revenues and royalties due others

     65,869       —         —         35,050       100,919  
    


 


 


 


 


Total Current Liabilities

     270,463       120,772       109,645       (74,703 )     426,177  
    


 


 


 


 


OTHER LIABILITIES:

                                        

Long-term debt, net

     72,000       —         1,952,336       —         2,024,336  

Revenues and royalties due others

     15,491       —         —         —         15,491  

Long-term derivative instruments

     —         —         109       —         109  

Asset retirement obligation

     46,540       —         —         —         46,540  

Other liabilities

     9,142       —         —         —         9,142  

Deferred income tax payable (receivable)

     273,740       3,438       (125,854 )     —         151,324  

Intercompany payables (receivables)

     2,520,409       14,498       (2,534,907 )     —         —    
    


 


 


 


 


Total Other Liabilities

     2,937,322       17,936       (708,316 )     —         2,246,942  
    


 


 


 


 


SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

                                        

Common stock

     56       1       2,215       (57 )     2,215  

Preferred stock

     —         —         379,900       —         379,900  

Other

     790,937       57,204       1,202,255       (848,141 )     1,202,255  
    


 


 


 


 


Total Shareholders’ Equity

     790,993       57,205       1,584,370       (848,198 )     1,584,370  
    


 


 


 


 


TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 3,998,778     $ 195,913     $ 985,699     $ (922,901 )   $ 4,257,489  
    


 


 


 


 


 

16


Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2002

($ in thousands)

 

    

Guarantor

Subsidiary


   

Non-

Guarantor

Subsidiary


    Parent

    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:

                                        

Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash

   $ (31,893 )   $ 24,448     $ 255,164     $ —       $ 247,719  

Accounts receivable

     122,074       69,362       3,006       (46,810 )     147,632  

Short-term derivative receivable

     16,498       —         —         —         16,498  

Deferred income tax asset

     —         —         8,109       —         8,109  

Inventory and other

     14,202       1,157       —         —         15,359  
    


 


 


 


 


Total Current Assets

     120,881       94,967       266,279       (46,810 )     435,317  
    


 


 


 


 


PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:

                                        

Evaluated oil and gas properties

     4,334,833       —         —         —         4,334,833  

Unevaluated properties

     72,506       —         —         —         72,506  

Other property and equipment

     64,475       30,818       58,799       —         154,092  

Less: accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

     (2,146,538 )     (20,789 )     (4,220 )     —         (2,171,547 )
    


 


 


 


 


Net Property and Equipment

     2,325,276       10,029       54,579       —         2,389,884  
    


 


 


 


 


OTHER ASSETS:

                                        

Investments in subsidiaries and intercompany advances

     —         —         357,698       (357,698 )     —    

Deferred income tax receivable (payable)

     (124,455 )     (1,941 )     128,467       —         2,071  

Long-term derivative instruments

     2,666       —         —         —         2,666  

Long-term investments

     —         —         9,075       —         9,075  

Other assets

     20,246       57       16,349       (57 )     36,595  
    


 


 


 


 


Total Other Assets

     (101,543 )     (1,884 )     511,589       (357,755 )     50,407  
    


 


 


 


 


TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 2,344,614     $ 103,112     $ 832,447     $ (404,565 )   $ 2,875,608  
    


 


 


 


 


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

                                        

Accounts payable

   $ 82,083     $ 71,316     $ —       $ (67,398 )   $ 86,001  

Accrued interest

     —         —         35,025       —         35,025  

Other accrued liabilities

     46,231       1,960       8,326       (52 )     56,465  

Short-term derivative instruments

     33,697       —         —         —         33,697  

Revenues and royalties due others

     33,776       —         —         20,588       54,364  
    


 


 


 


 


Total Current Liabilities

     195,787       73,276       43,351       (46,862 )     265,552  
    


 


 


 


 


OTHER LIABILITIES:

                                        

Long-term debt, net

     —         —         1,651,198       —         1,651,198  

Revenues and royalties due others

     13,797       —         —         —         13,797  

Long-term derivative instruments

     —         —         30,174       —         30,174  

Other liabilities

     5,687       1,325       —         —         7,012  

Intercompany payables (receivable)

     1,801,833       (1,677 )     (1,800,151 )     (5 )     —    
    


 


 


 


 


Total Other Liabilities

     1,821,317       (352 )     (118,779 )     (5 )     1,702,181  
    


 


 


 


 


SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

                                        

Common stock

     56       1       1,949       (57 )     1,949  

Preferred stock

     —         —         149,900       —         149,900  

Other

     327,454       30,187       756,026       (357,641 )     756,026  
    


 


 


 


 


Total Shareholders’ Equity

     327,510       30,188       907,875       (357,698 )     907,875  
    


 


 


 


 


TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 2,344,614     $ 103,112     $ 832,447     $ (404,565 )   $ 2,875,608  
    


 


 


 


 


 

17


Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

($ in thousands)

 

    

Guarantor

Subsidiaries


   

Non-

Guarantor

Subsidiaries


    Parent

    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2003:

                                        

REVENUES:

                                        

Oil and gas sales

   $ 345,587     $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 345,587  

Oil and gas marketing sales

     —         333,728       —         (224,766 )     108,962  
    


 


 


 


 


Total Revenues

     345,587       333,728       —         (224,766 )     454,549  
    


 


 


 


 


OPERATING COSTS:

                                        

Production expenses

     35,944       —         —         —         35,944  

Production taxes

     21,638       —         —         —         21,638  

General and administrative

     4,424       879       286       —         5,589  

Oil and gas marketing expenses

     —         330,615       —         (224,766 )     105,849  

Oil and gas depreciation, depletion and amortization

     97,947       —         —         —         97,947  

Depreciation and amortization of other assets

     2,805       918       1,118       —         4,841  
    


 


 


 


 


Total Operating Costs

     162,758       332,412       1,404       (224,766 )     271,808  
    


 


 


 


 


INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS

     182,829       1,316       (1,404 )     —         182,741  
    


 


 


 


 


OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

                                        

Interest and other income

     (26 )     144       40,357       (40,663 )     (188 )

Interest expense

     (38,566 )     (11 )     (42,937 )     40,663       (40,851 )

Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries

     —         —         90,329       (90,329 )     —    
    


 


 


 


 


Total Other Income (Expense)

     (38,592 )     133       87,749       (90,329 )     (41,039 )
    


 


 


 


 


INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     144,237       1,449       86,345       (90,329 )     141,702  

Income tax expense (benefit)

     54,807       550       (1,514 )     —         53,843  
    


 


 


 


 


NET INCOME

   $ 89,430     $ 899     $ 87,859     $ (90,329 )   $ 87,859  
    


 


 


 


 


    

Guarantor

Subsidiaries


   

Non-

Guarantor

Subsidiary


    Parent

    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2002:

                                        

REVENUES:

                                        

Oil and gas sales

   $ 154,249     $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 154,249  

Oil and gas marketing sales

     —         134,510       —         (92,294 )     42,216  
    


 


 


 


 


Total Revenues

     154,249       134,510       —         (92,294 )     196,465  
    


 


 


 


 


OPERATING COSTS:

                                        

Production expenses

     24,950       —         —         —         24,950  

Production taxes

     6,807       —         —         —         6,807  

General and administrative

     3,301       471       5       —         3,777  

Oil and gas marketing expenses

     —         133,442       —         (92,294 )     41,148  

Oil and gas depreciation, depletion and amortization

     58,334       —         —         —         58,334  

Depreciation and amortization of other assets

     2,668       487       572       —         3,727  
    


 


 


 


 


Total Operating Costs

     96,060       134,400       577       (92,294 )     138,743  
    


 


 


 


 


INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS

     58,189       110       (577 )     —         57,722  
    


 


 


 


 


OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

                                        

Interest and other income

     275       300       25,021       (28,560 )     (2,964 )

Interest expense

     (27,991 )     (2 )     (27,166 )     28,560       (26,599 )

Loss on repurchases of Chesapeake debt

     —         —         (489 )     —         (489 )

Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries

     —         —         18,526       (18,526 )     —    
    


 


 


 


 


Total Other Income (Expense)

     (27,716 )     298       15,892       (18,526 )     (30,052 )
    


 


 


 


 


INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     30,473       408       15,315       (18,526 )     27,670  

Income tax expense (benefit)

     12,191       164       (1,285 )     —         11,070  
    


 


 


 


 


NET INCOME

   $ 18,282     $ 244     $ 16,600     $ (18,526 )   $ 16,600  
    


 


 


 


 


 

18


Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

($ in thousands)

 

    

Guarantor

Subsidiaries


   

Non-

Guarantor

Subsidiaries


    Parent

    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003:

                                        

REVENUES:

                                        

Oil and gas sales

   $ 951,125     $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 951,125  

Oil and gas marketing sales

     —         964,271       —         (654,705 )     309,566  
    


 


 


 


 


Total Revenues

     951,125       964,271       —         (654,705 )     1,260,691  
    


 


 


 


 


OPERATING COSTS:

                                        

Production expenses

     101,664       —         —         —         101,664  

Production taxes

     57,336       —         —         —         57,336  

General and administrative

     14,133       2,123       998       —         17,254  

Oil and gas marketing expenses

     —         956,769       —         (654,705 )     302,064  

Oil and gas depreciation, depletion and amortization

     266,131       —         —         —         266,131  

Depreciation and amortization of other assets

     7,572       2,038       3,037       —         12,647  
    


 


 


 


 


Total Operating Costs

     446,836       960,930       4,035       (654,705 )     757,096  
    


 


 


 


 


INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS

     504,289       3,341       (4,035 )     —         503,595  
    


 


 


 


 


OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

                                        

Interest and other income

     (28 )     610       117,102       (116,328 )     1,356  

Interest expense

     (110,511 )     (11 )     (121,697 )     116,328       (115,891 )

Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries

     —         —         248,959       (248,959 )     —    
    


 


 


 


 


Total Other Income (Expense)

     (110,539 )     599       244,364       (248,959 )     (114,535 )
    


 


 


 


 


INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE

     393,750       3,940       240,329       (248,959 )     389,060  

Income tax expense (benefit)

     149,623       1,497       (3,279 )     —         147,841  
    


 


 


 


 


INCOME BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE

     244,127       2,443       243,608       (248,959 )     241,219  

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax

     2,389       —         —         —         2,389  
    


 


 


 


 


NET INCOME

   $ 246,516     $ 2,443     $ 243,608     $ (248,959 )   $ 243,608  
    


 


 


 


 


    

Guarantor

Subsidiaries


   

Non-

Guarantor

Subsidiary


    Parent

    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002:

                                        

REVENUES:

                                        

Oil and gas sales

   $ 367,810     $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 367,810  

Oil and gas marketing sales

     —         362,939       —         (250,605 )     112,334  
    


 


 


 


 


Total Revenues

     367,810       362,939       —         (250,605 )     480,144  
    


 


 


 


 


OPERATING COSTS:

                                        

Production expenses

     71,252       —         —         —         71,252  

Production taxes

     19,934       —         —         —         19,934  

General and administrative

     10,296       1,363       271       —         11,930  

Oil and gas marketing expenses

     —         359,441       —         (250,605 )     108,836  

Oil and gas depreciation, depletion and amortization

     157,731       —         —         —         157,731  

Depreciation and amortization of other assets

     7,323       1,257       1,909       —         10,489  
    


 


 


 


 


Total Operating Costs

     266,536       362,061       2,180       (250,605 )     380,172  
    


 


 


 


 


INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS

     101,274       878       (2,180 )     —         99,972  
    


 


 


 


 


OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

                                        

Interest and other income

     1,427       511       83,702       (83,067 )     2,573  

Interest expense

     (80,620 )     (10 )     (80,216 )     83,067       (77,779 )

Loss on repurchases of Chesapeake debt

     —         —         (1,353 )     —         (1,353 )

Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries

     —         —         14,075       (14,075 )     —    
    


 


 


 


 


Total Other Income (Expense)

     (79,193 )     501       16,208       (14,075 )     (76,559 )
    


 


 


 


 


INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     22,081       1,379       14,028       (14,075 )     23,413  

Income tax expense (benefit)

     8,833       552       (19 )     —         9,366  
    


 


 


 


 


NET INCOME

   $ 13,248     $ 827     $ 14,047     $ (14,075 )   $ 14,047  
    


 


 


 


 


 

19


Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

($ in thousands)

 

    

Guarantor

Subsidiaries


   

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries


    Parent

    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003:

                                        

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

   $ 690,812     $ (47,826 )   $ 259,490     $ (248,959 )   $ 653,517  
    


 


 


 


 


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                                        

Oil and gas properties, net

     (596,708 )     —         (929,348 )     —         (1,526,056 )

Additions to long-term investments

     —         —         (5,750 )     —         (5,750 )

Investment in Pioneer Drilling

     —         —         (20,000 )     —         (20,000 )

Liquidation proceeds on investment in Seven Seas

     —         —         5,333       —         5,333  

Additions to other property, plant and equipment and other

     (13,073 )     (20,731 )     (20,491 )     —         (54,295 )
    


 


 


 


 


Cash (used in) provided by investing activities

     (609,781 )     (20,731 )     (970,256 )     —         (1,600,768 )
    


 


 


 


 


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                                        

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

     485,000       —         —         —         485,000  

Payments on long-term borrowings

     (413,000 )     —         —         —         (413,000 )

Net increase in outstanding payments in excess of cash balances

     6,341       —         —         —         6,341  

Cash received from issuance of senior notes

     —         —         297,306       —         297,306  

Cash paid for issuance costs of senior notes

     —         —         (6,367 )     —         (6,367 )

Cash paid for treasury stocks

     —         —         (2,109 )     —         (2,109 )

Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs

     —         —         177,444       —         177,444  

Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock, net of issuance costs

     —         —         222,893       —         222,893  

Cash dividends paid on preferred stock and common stock

     —         —         (34,551 )     —         (34,551 )

Cash received from exercise of stock options and warrants

     —         —         7,787       —         7,787  

Other

     (2,403 )     —         (249 )     —         (2,652 )

Intercompany advances, net

     (125,200 )     82,753       (206,512 )     248,959       —    
    


 


 


 


 


Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (49,262 )     82,753       455,642       248,959       738,092  
    


 


 


 


 


NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     31,769       14,196       (255,124 )     —         (209,159 )

CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     (31,975 )     24,448       255,164       —         247,637  
    


 


 


 


 


CASH, END OF PERIOD

   $ (206 )   $ 38,644     $ 40     $ —       $ 38,478  
    


 


 


 


 


    

Guarantor

Subsidiaries


   

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiary


    Parent

    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002:

                                        

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

   $ 311,819     $ (1,205 )   $ 57,119     $ (14,075 )   $ 353,658  
    


 


 


 


 


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                                        

Oil and gas properties, net

     (297,199 )     —         (292,520 )     —         (589,719 )

Additions to other property, plant and equipment and other

     (9,313 )     (5,282 )     (14,676 )     —         (29,271 )

Other investments, net

     —         —         1,807       —         1,807  
    


 


 


 


 


Cash (used in) provided by investing activities

     (306,512 )     (5,282 )     (305,389 )     —         (617,183 )
    


 


 


 


 


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                                        

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

     95,818       —         —         —         95,818  

Payments on long-term borrowings

     (95,818 )     —         —         —         (95,818 )

Cash paid for issuance costs of senior notes

     —         —         (3,671 )     —         (3,671 )

Cash paid for repurchase of senior notes

     —         —         (63,541 )     —         (63,541 )

Cash paid for repurchase premium on senior notes

     —         —         (1,869 )     —         (1,869 )

Cash received on issuance of senior notes

     —         —         245,984       —         245,984  

Cash dividends paid on preferred stock

     —         —         (7,649 )     —         (7,649 )

Exercise of stock options

     —         —         2,129       —         2,129  

Other

     —         —         (74 )     —         (74 )

Intercompany advances, net

     (25,605 )     6,328       5,202       14,075       —    
    


 


 


 


 


Cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (25,605 )     6,328       176,511       14,075       171,309  
    


 


 


 


 


NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (20,298 )     (159 )     (71,759 )     —         (92,216 )

CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     (11,313 )     19,714       109,193       —         117,594  
    


 


 


 


 


CASH, END OF PERIOD

   $ (31,611 )   $ 19,555     $ 37,434     $ —       $ 25,378  
    


 


 


 


 


 

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Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

($ in thousands)

 

    

Guarantor

Subsidiaries


   

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries


   Parent

    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2003:

                                       

Net income

   $ 89,430     $ 899    $ 87,859     $ (90,329 )   $ 87,859  

Other comprehensive income—net of income tax:

                                       

Change in fair value of derivative instruments

     60,551       —        —         —         60,551  

Reclassification of loss on settled contracts

     (14,032 )     —        —         —         (14,032 )

Ineffectiveness portion of derivatives qualifying for cash flow hedge accounting

     (3,311 )     —        —         —         (3,311 )

Equity in net other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries

     —         —        43,208       (43,208 )     —    
    


 

  


 


 


Comprehensive income

   $ 132,638     $ 899    $ 131,067     $ (133,537 )   $ 131,067  
    


 

  


 


 


    

Guarantor

Subsidiaries


   

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiary


   Parent

    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2002:

                                       

Net income

   $ 18,282     $ 244    $ 16,600     $ (18,526 )   $ 16,600  

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax:

                                       

Change in fair value of derivative instruments

     (3,887 )     —        —         —         (3,887 )

Reclassification of gain on settled contracts

     (3,274 )     —        —         —         (3,274 )

Ineffective portion of derivatives qualifying for cash flow hedge accounting

     32       —        —         —         32  

Other

     —         —        (49 )     —         (49 )

Equity in net other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries

     —         —        (7,129 )     7,129       —    
    


 

  


 


 


Comprehensive income

   $ 11,153     $ 244    $ 9,422     $ (11,397 )   $ 9,422  
    


 

  


 


 


    

Guarantor

Subsidiaries


   

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries


   Parent

    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003:

                                       

Net income

   $ 246,516     $ 2,443    $ 243,608     $ (248,959 )   $ 243,608  

Other comprehensive income—net of income tax:

                                       

Change in fair value of derivative instruments

     23,692       —        —         —         23,692  

Reclassification of loss on settled contracts

     39,320       —        —         —         39,320  

Ineffectiveness portion of derivatives qualifying for cash flow hedge accounting

     (3,597 )     —        —         —         (3,597 )

Equity in net other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries

     —         —        59,415       (59,415 )     —    
    


 

  


 


 


Comprehensive income

   $ 305,931     $ 2,443    $ 303,023     $ (308,374 )   $ 303,023  
    


 

  


 


 


    

Guarantor

Subsidiaries


   

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiary


   Parent

    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002:

                                       

Net income (loss)

   $ 13,248     $ 827    $ 14,047     $ (14,075 )   $ 14,047  

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax:

                                       

Change in fair value of derivative instruments

     (16,859 )     —        —         —         (16,859 )

Reclassification of gain on settled contracts

     (19,044 )     —        —         —         (19,044 )

Ineffective portion of derivatives qualifying for cash flow hedge accounting

     1,342       —        —         —         1,342  

Other

     —         —        (49 )     —         (49 )

Equity in net other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries

     —         —        (34,561 )     34,561       —    
    


 

  


 


 


Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (21,313 )   $ 827    $ (20,563 )   $ 20,486     $ (20,563 )
    


 

  


 


 


 

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Table of Contents

6. Segment Information

 

Chesapeake has two reportable segments under SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, consisting of exploration and production, and marketing. The reportable segment information can be derived from Note 5 as Chesapeake Energy Marketing, Inc., Mayfield Processing L.L.C. and MidCon Compression L.P. are the only non-guarantor subsidiaries for all income statement periods presented, and are each involved in the marketing of oil and gas.

 

7. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

During 2002 and 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued the following Statements of Financial Accounting Standards which were reviewed by Chesapeake to determine the potential impact on our financial statements upon adoption.

 

In July 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, Accounting For Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities. SFAS 146 is effective for exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002. We adopted this standard during the quarter ended March 31, 2003 and it did not have any impact on our financial position or results of operations.

 

In March 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. SFAS 149 is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003. This statement amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities under SFAS 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. We adopted this standard during the quarter ended September 30, 2003 and it did not have any impact on our financial position or results of operations.

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity. SFAS 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. This statement establishes new standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. SFAS 150 requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within the scope of this statement as a liability because the financial instrument embodies an obligation of the issuer. This statement applies to certain forms of mandatorily redeemable financial instruments including certain types of preferred stock, written put options and forward contracts. Adoption of this standard did not have any significant impact on our financial position or results of operations.

 

8. Asset Retirement Obligations

 

Effective January 1, 2003, Chesapeake adopted SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations. This statement applies to obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction and development of the assets.

 

SFAS 143 requires that the fair value of a liability for a retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which the liability is incurred. For oil and gas properties, this is the period in which an oil or gas well is acquired or drilled. The asset retirement obligation is capitalized as part of the carrying amount of our oil and gas properties at its discounted fair value. The liability is then accreted each period until the liability is settled or the well is sold, at which time the liability is reversed and any gain or loss resulting from the settlement of the obligation is recorded.

 

We identified and estimated all of our asset retirement obligations for tangible, long-lived assets as of January 1, 2003. These obligations were for future plugging and abandonment costs for depleted oil and gas wells. Prior to the adoption of SFAS 143, we included an estimate of our asset retirement obligations related to our oil and gas properties in our calculation of oil and gas depreciation, depletion and amortization expense. Upon adoption of SFAS 143, we recorded the discounted fair value of our expected future obligations. During the quarter ended March 31, 2003, we recorded a $30.5 million liability, a cumulative effect for the change in accounting principle as an increase to earnings of $2.4 million (net of income taxes) and an increase in net oil and gas properties of $34.3 million. The pro-forma effect on prior periods’ financial position and results of operations was not material.

 

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Table of Contents

The components of the change in our asset retirement obligations are shown below.

 

    

Three Months

Ended

September 30, 2003


   

Nine Months

Ended

September 30, 2003


 

Asset retirement obligations, beginning balance

   $ 44,699     $ 30,479  

Additions and revisions

     1,328       17,871  

Settlements and disposals

     (292 )     (4,063 )

Accretion expense

     805       2,253  
    


 


Asset retirement obligations, ending balance

   $ 46,540     $ 46,540  
    


 


 

9. Acquisitions and Related Financing

 

We completed an acquisition of Mid-Continent gas assets from a wholly-owned subsidiary of ONEOK, Inc. in January 2003 for $296 million, $15 million of which was paid in 2002. In March 2003, we acquired El Paso Corporation’s Anadarko Basin assets in western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle for $500 million and Vintage Petroleum, Inc.’s assets in the Bray Field in southern Oklahoma for $29 million. We also completed an acquisition of privately-owned Oxley Petroleum Company for $155 million in May 2003. On July 31, 2003, Chesapeake purchased oil and gas properties, a gathering system and a gas treatment plant from a major oil and gas company for $44.5 million.

 

In March 2003, Chesapeake bought 5.3 million newly issued common shares of Pioneer Drilling Company, or 24.6% of its outstanding common shares, at $3.75 per share, for a total investment of $20 million. This investment has been recorded under the equity method of accounting, whereby we record our proportionate share of the net income or loss of Pioneer Drilling Company.

 

On March 5, 2003, we issued 23 million shares of common stock pursuant to a shelf registration statement for net proceeds of $177.4 million. We also issued 4.6 million shares of 6.00% cumulative convertible preferred stock with a liquidation value of $230 million. The net proceeds from the preferred stock were $222.9 million. These proceeds, along with the net proceeds of $290.9 million from the issuance of the $300 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.50% senior notes issued at the same time, were used to fund acquisitions completed in March 2003 and to repay credit facility indebtedness. Each share of the 6.00% preferred stock is convertible at any time at the option of the holder into 4.8605 shares of our common stock, subject to adjustment. At September 30, 2003, 41.8 million shares of our common stock were reserved for issuance upon conversion of the 6.00% and 6.75% cumulative convertible preferred stock.

 

In September 2003, Chesapeake invested $5.8 million in Eagle Energy Partners I, L.P. Chesapeake owns a 25% limited partnership interest, which is accounted for under the equity method.

 

10. Subsequent Events

 

On October 3, 2003, we issued an additional $23.7 million of our 7.75% senior notes due 2015 and accrued interest of $0.4 million in exchange for $6.0 million of 8.375% senior notes due 2008 and $0.2 million of accrued interest as well as $16.8 million of 8.125% senior notes due 2011, pursuant to a privately negotiated transaction. The $6.0 million of 8.375% senior notes due 2008 and the $16.8 million of 8.125% senior notes due 2011 were retired upon receipt.

 

On October 17, 2003, we issued an additional $63.8 million of our 7.50% senior notes due 2013 and accrued interest of $0.4 million in exchange for $54.9 million of our 8.125% senior notes due 2011 and accrued interest of $0.2 million as well as $6.3 million of our 8.375% senior notes due 2008 and accrued interest of $0.2 million, pursuant to a privately negotiated transaction. The $54.9 million of 8.125% senior notes due 2011 and the $6.3 million of 8.375% senior notes due 2008 were retired upon receipt.

 

On October 31, 2003, Chesapeake purchased approximately $200 million of south Texas natural gas assets from Houston-based privately owned Laredo Energy, L.P. and its partners. We used our revolving bank credit facility to fund the acquisition.

 

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Table of Contents

We recently announced a series of transactions intended to improve our capital structure:

 

Pending Private Offering of Senior Notes. On November 12, 2003, we commenced a private placement of $200 million of senior notes due 2016. The senior notes are being offered only to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 and to non-U.S. persons in offshore transactions pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. Net proceeds are expected to be used to fund the tender offer for our 8.5% senior notes due 2012 described below and to repay borrowings under our bank credit facility incurred primarily to finance the Laredo Energy acquisition. There is no assurance the private offering will be completed or, if completed, completed for the amount contemplated. The closing of this offering is not conditioned on the closing of the senior notes offering.

 

Pending Public Offering of Convertible Preferred Stock. On November 12, 2003, we commenced a public offering of 1,500,000 shares of a new series of our cumulative convertible preferred stock (plus up to 225,000 additional shares subject to the underwriters’ overallotment option) at a price of $100 per share offered pursuant to our existing shelf registration statement. Net proceeds to the company will be used, together with a portion of the net proceeds from the private offering of senior notes described above, to repay borrowings on our bank credit facility incurred primarily to finance the Laredo Energy acquisition. There is no assurance this offering will be completed and the completion of this senior notes offering is not conditioned on the closing of the preferred stock offering.

 

Tender Offer for 8.5% Senior Notes due 2012. On November 12, 2003, we launched a cash tender offer for all approximately $111 million outstanding principal amount of our 8.5% senior notes due 2012. The tender offer is conditioned upon the closing of the private placement of senior notes described above and the receipt of consents to remove substantially all of the restrictive covenants on the 8.5% senior notes from holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the notes. If fully subscribed, it is expected the tender offer will cost approximately $118 million, which would be funded with a portion of the net proceeds from the private placement of senior notes described above. There is no assurance that the tender offer, which is expected to be completed on December 10, 2003, will be subscribed for any amount.

 

Possible Exchange Offer for 8.125% Senior Notes due 2011. On November 11, 2003, we announced that we are considering making a private exchange offer to certain eligible holders for up to $500 million aggregate principal amount of our 8.125% senior notes due 2011. There is currently approximately $728 million in principal amount of our 8.125% senior notes outstanding. The offer, if made, will be to exchange our 8.125% senior notes due 2011 for notes of one or more series of our senior notes with a final maturity date after 2011, including additional notes of an existing series of our senior notes or additional notes of the new series of senior notes to be offered in our pending private placement, or for a combination thereof. There is no assurance the exchange offer, if commenced, will be subscribed for at any amount.

 

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Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Overview

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the production volumes, oil and gas sales, average sales prices received and expenses for the periods indicated:

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,


   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
     2003

    2002

    2003

    2002

 

Net Production:

                                

Oil (mbbl)

     1,216       872       3,500       2,525  

Gas (mmcf)

     63,684       41,429       174,066       116,826  

Gas equivalent (mmcfe)

     70,980       46,661       195,066       131,976  

Oil and Gas Sales ($ in thousands):

                                

Oil sales

   $ 33,908     $ 24,302     $ 101,811     $ 63,017  

Oil derivatives – realized gains (losses)

     (2,045 )     (1,918 )     (8,924 )     1,176  

Oil derivatives – unrealized gains (losses)

     185       (1,364 )     (993 )     (8,180 )
    


 


 


 


Total oil sales

     32,048       21,020       91,894       56,013  
    


 


 


 


Gas sales

     293,309       116,551       889,598       309,827  

Gas derivatives – realized gains (losses)

     19,781       24,078       (65,028 )     82,973  

Gas derivatives – unrealized gains (losses)

     449       (7,400 )     34,661       (81,003 )
    


 


 


 


Total gas sales

     313,539       133,229       859,231       311,797  
    


 


 


 


Total oil and gas sales

   $ 345,587     $ 154,249     $ 951,125     $ 367,810  
    


 


 


 


Average Sales Price (excluding all gains (losses) on derivatives):

                                

Oil ($ per bbl)

   $ 27.88     $ 27.87     $ 29.09     $ 24.96  

Gas ($ per mcf)

   $ 4.61     $ 2.81     $ 5.11     $ 2.65  

Gas equivalent ($ per mcfe)

   $ 4.61     $ 3.02     $ 5.08     $ 2.83  

Average Sales Price (including realized, but excluding unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives):

                                

Oil ($ per bbl)

   $ 26.20     $ 25.67     $ 26.54     $ 25.42  

Gas ($ per mcf)

   $ 4.92     $ 3.39     $ 4.74     $ 3.36  

Gas equivalent ($ per mcfe)

   $ 4.86     $ 3.49     $ 4.70     $ 3.46  

Expenses ($ per mcfe):

                                

Production expenses

   $ 0.51     $ 0.53     $ 0.52     $ 0.54  

Production taxes

   $ 0.30     $ 0.15     $ 0.29     $ 0.15  

General and administrative

   $ 0.08     $ 0.08     $ 0.09     $ 0.09  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

   $ 1.38     $ 1.25     $ 1.36     $ 1.20  

Net Wells Drilled

     130       79       326       204  

Net Producing Wells at End of Period

     5,710       4,102       5,710       4,102  

 

Significant Developments During Current Period

 

We completed an acquisition of Mid-Continent gas assets from a wholly-owned subsidiary of ONEOK, Inc. in January 2003. We paid $296 million in cash for these assets, $15 million of which was paid in late 2002.

 

On March 5, 2003, we issued 23 million shares of common stock pursuant to a shelf registration statement for net proceeds of $177.4 million. We also issued 4.6 million shares of 6.00% cumulative convertible preferred stock with a liquidation value of $230 million. The net proceeds were $222.9 million.

 

Also in March 2003, we closed a private offering of $300 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.50% senior notes due 2013. The net proceeds were $290.9 million. These proceeds, along with the net proceeds from the common stock and preferred stock offerings, were used to fund acquisitions completed in March 2003 and to repay credit facility indebtedness.

 

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Table of Contents

In March 2003, we acquired El Paso Corporation’s Anadarko Basin assets in western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle for $500 million.

 

In March 2003, we acquired Vintage Petroleum, Inc.’s assets in the Bray Field of southern Oklahoma for $29 million.

 

In May 2003, we acquired privately-owned Oxley Petroleum Company for $155 million. The acquired assets are primarily in the Arkoma Basin, which is located in eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas.

 

In July 2003, we acquired oil and gas properties, a gathering system and a gas treatment plant from a major oil and gas company for $44.5 million.

 

Results of Operations — Three Months Ended September 30, 2003 (“Current Quarter”) vs. September 30, 2002 (“Prior Quarter”)

 

General. For the Current Quarter, Chesapeake had net income available to common shareholders of $81.9 million, or $0.33 per diluted common share, on total revenues of $454.5 million. This compares to net income available to common shareholders of $14.1 million, or $0.08 per diluted common share, on total revenues of $196.5 million during the Prior Quarter. The Current Quarter net income includes, on a pre-tax basis, $2.5 million in net unrealized losses on oil and gas and interest rate derivatives. The Prior Quarter net income included, on a pre-tax basis, $7.0 million in net unrealized losses on oil and gas and interest rate derivatives.

 

Oil and Gas Sales. During the Current Quarter, oil and gas sales were $345.6 million versus $154.2 million in the Prior Quarter. In the Current Quarter, Chesapeake produced 71.0 bcfe at an average price of $4.86 per mcfe, compared to 46.7 bcfe produced in the Prior Quarter at an average price of $3.49 per mcfe (average prices for all periods presented include realized, but exclude unrealized, gains (losses) on derivatives). The increase in realized prices in the Current Quarter resulted in an increase in oil and gas sales of $97.0 million along with an increase of $84.9 million due to increased production, for a net increase in realized oil and gas sales (excluding unrealized gains (losses) on oil and gas derivatives) of $181.9 million. Unrealized gains (losses) included in oil and gas sales in the Current Quarter and Prior Quarter were $0.6 million and $(8.8) million, respectively.

 

Changes in oil and gas prices have a significant impact on our oil and gas revenues and cash flows. Based upon the Current Quarter production levels, a change of $0.10 per mcf of natural gas would result in a quarterly increase or decrease in revenues and cash flow of approximately $6.4 million and $6.0 million, respectively, without considering the effect of derivatives, and a change of $1.00 per barrel of oil would result in a quarterly increase or decrease in revenues and cash flows of approximately $1.2 million and $1.1 million, respectively, without considering the effect of derivatives.

 

For the Current Quarter, we realized an average price per barrel of oil of $26.20, compared to $25.67 in the Prior Quarter. Natural gas prices realized per mcf were $4.92 and $3.39 in the Current Quarter and Prior Quarter, respectively (average prices for all periods include realized, but exclude unrealized, gains (losses) on derivatives). Net realized gains from derivatives increased oil and gas revenues from $327.3 million to $345.0 million, an increase of $17.7 million, or $0.25 per mcfe, in the Current Quarter compared to an increase from $140.8 million to $163.0 million, an increase of $22.2 million, or $0.47 per mcfe, in the Prior Quarter.

 

The following table shows our production by region for the Current Quarter and the Prior Quarter:

 

    

For the Three Months Ended

September 30,


 
     2003

    2002

 

Operating Areas


   Mmcfe

   Percent

    Mmcfe

   Percent

 

Mid-Continent

   62,909    89 %   39,024    84 %

Gulf Coast and South Texas

   5,266    7     5,074    11  

Permian Basin

   2,063    3     1,719    3  

Williston Basin and Other

   742    1     844    2  
    
  

 
  

Total Production

   70,980    100 %   46,661    100 %
    
  

 
  

 

Natural gas production represented approximately 90% of our total production volume on an equivalent basis in the Current Quarter, compared to 89% in the Prior Quarter.

 

Oil and Gas Marketing Sales. Chesapeake realized $109.0 million in oil and gas marketing sales for third parties in the Current Quarter, with corresponding oil and gas marketing expenses of $105.8 million, for a net margin of $3.2 million. This compares to sales of $42.2 million and expenses of $41.1 million, for a net margin of $1.1 million in the Prior Quarter. The increased activity in the Current Quarter is primarily the result of an increase in volumes resulting from acquisitions that occurred in late 2002 and the Current Period combined with higher prices received.

 

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Production Expenses. Production expenses, which include lifting costs and ad valorem taxes, were $35.9 million in the Current Quarter, a $10.9 million increase from the $25.0 million of production expenses incurred in the Prior Quarter. On a unit of production basis, production expenses were $0.51 and $0.53 per mcfe in the Current and Prior Quarters, respectively. The decrease in costs on a per unit basis in 2003 compared to 2002 is due primarily to lower operating costs associated with properties acquired in 2003. We expect that production expenses per mcfe produced for the remainder of 2003 will range from $0.53 to $0.57.

 

Production Taxes. Production taxes were $21.6 million and $6.8 million in the Current and Prior Quarters, respectively. On a unit of production basis, production taxes were $0.30 per mcfe in the Current Quarter compared to $0.15 per mcfe in the Prior Quarter. The increase in the Current Quarter of $14.8 million was due to an increase in production volumes of 52% as well as an increase in the average wellhead prices received for natural gas. In general, production taxes are calculated using value-based formulas that produce higher per unit costs when oil and gas prices are higher. We expect production taxes for the remainder of 2003 will range from $0.31 to $0.33 per mcfe based on our assumption that oil and natural gas wellhead prices will range from $4.50 to $5.00 per mcfe produced.

 

General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expenses, which are net of internal payroll and non-payroll costs capitalized in our oil and gas properties, were $5.6 million in the Current Quarter compared to $3.8 million in the Prior Quarter. The increase in the Current Quarter is primarily the result of the company’s growth related to acquisitions completed during the Current and Prior Period. On a per unit of production basis, general and administrative expenses were $0.08 in both the Current and Prior Quarters. We expect general and administrative expenses for the remainder of 2003 to be between $0.09 and $0.10 per mcfe produced.

 

Chesapeake follows the full cost method of accounting under which all costs associated with property acquisition, exploration and development activities are capitalized. We capitalize internal costs that can be directly identified with our acquisition, exploration and development activities and do not include any costs related to production, general corporate overhead or similar activities. We capitalized $9.9 million and $6.2 million of internal costs in the Current Quarter and Prior Quarter, respectively, directly related to our oil and gas exploration and development efforts.

 

Oil and Gas Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization. Depreciation, depletion and amortization of oil and gas properties for the Current Quarter was $97.9 million, compared to $58.3 million in the Prior Quarter. The average DD&A rate per mcfe, which is a function of capitalized costs, estimated salvage value, future development costs and the related underlying reserves in the periods presented, increased from $1.25 in the Prior Quarter to $1.38 in the Current Quarter. The increase in the average rate in the Current Quarter is primarily the result of higher drilling costs and higher costs associated with acquisitions. We expect the DD&A rate for the remainder of 2003 to be between $1.38 and $1.40 per mcfe produced.

 

Effective January 1, 2003, Chesapeake adopted SFAS 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations. SFAS 143 requires that the fair value of a liability for a future retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which the liability is incurred. For oil and gas properties, this is the period in which an oil or gas well is acquired or drilled. The asset retirement obligation is capitalized as part of the carrying amount of our oil and gas properties at its discounted fair value. The liability is then accreted each period until the liability is settled or the well is sold. This accretion expense is included in DD&A expense on oil and gas properties. In addition, SFAS 143 effectively reduces DD&A rates when compared to prior periods (prior to accretion expense) by including the capitalized retirement obligation at its discounted fair value rather than the undiscounted amount of the estimated liability. During the Current Quarter, accretion expense related to asset retirement obligations was $0.8 million and is included in oil and gas depreciation, depletion and amortization expense.

 

Depreciation and Amortization of Other Assets. Depreciation and amortization of other assets was $4.8 million in the Current Quarter, compared to $3.7 million in the Prior Quarter. The increase in the Current Quarter was primarily the result of higher depreciation costs on recently acquired fixed assets. Other property and equipment costs are depreciated on a straight-line basis. Buildings are depreciated over 31.5 years, processing plants are depreciated over 15 years, drilling rigs are depreciated over 12 years and all other property and equipment is depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets which range from three to seven years. To the extent the drilling rigs are used to drill our wells, a substantial portion of the depreciation is capitalized in oil and gas properties as exploration or development costs. We expect depreciation and amortization of other assets to be between $0.08 and $0.10 per mcfe produced for the remainder of 2003.

 

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Interest and Other Income. Interest and other income was a loss of $0.2 million in the Current Quarter compared to a gain of $1.8 million in the Prior Quarter. The decrease in the Current Quarter was the result of a decrease in interest income on outstanding cash balances during the Current Quarter, the recognition of a loss of $0.3 million on our investment in Pioneer Drilling Company and the recognition of interest income of $1.1 million in the Prior Quarter related to our investment in notes issued by Seven Seas Petroleum Inc.

 

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased to $40.9 million in the Current Quarter from $26.6 million in the Prior Quarter. The increase in the Current Quarter is due primarily to a $566.9 million increase in average long-term borrowings in the Current Quarter compared to the Prior Quarter. In addition to the interest expense reported, we capitalized $3.4 million of interest during the Current Quarter, compared to $1.3 million capitalized in the Prior Quarter, on significant investments in unproved properties that were not being currently depreciated, depleted or amortized and on which exploration activities were in progress. Interest is capitalized using the weighted-average interest rate on our outstanding borrowings. We expect interest expense for the remainder of 2003 to be between $0.55 and $0.60 per mcfe produced based on indebtedness as of September 30, 2003, which is net of interest expected to be capitalized during the period.

 

From time to time, we enter into derivative instruments designed to mitigate our exposure to the volatility in interest rates. For interest rate derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges (in accordance with SFAS 133), changes in fair value of interest rate derivatives are recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as assets (liabilities) and the debt’s carrying amount is adjusted by the change in the fair value of the debt subsequent to the initiation of the derivative. Any resulting differences are recorded currently as ineffectiveness in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as an adjustment to interest expense. Interest expense during the Current Quarter included an unrealized loss on interest rate derivatives of $3.1 million and a realized gain on interest rate derivatives of $1.1 million. Interest expense during the Prior Quarter included an unrealized gain on interest rate derivatives of $1.7 million and a realized gain on interest rate derivatives of $1.1 million.

 

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes. Chesapeake recorded income tax expense of $53.8 million in the Current Quarter, compared to income tax expense of $11.1 million in the Prior Quarter. We anticipate that the effective tax rate for 2003 will be approximately 38% and substantially all 2003 income tax expense will be deferred.

 

Results of Operations — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 (“Current Period”) vs. September 30, 2002 (“Prior Period”)

 

General. For the Current Period, Chesapeake had net income available to common shareholders of $228.1 million, or $0.96 per diluted common share, on total revenues of $1,260.7 million. This compares to $6.5 million, or $0.04 per diluted common share, on total revenues of $480.1 million during the Prior Period. The Current Period net income includes, on a pre-tax basis, $28.3 million in net unrealized gains on oil and gas and interest rate derivatives. The Prior Period net income included, on a pre-tax basis, $87.0 million in net unrealized losses on oil and gas and interest rate derivatives.

 

Oil and Gas Sales. During the Current Period, oil and gas sales were $951.1 million versus $367.8 million in the Prior Period. In the Current Period, Chesapeake produced 195.1 bcfe at an average price of $4.70 per mcfe, compared to 132.0 bcfe produced in the Prior Period at an average price of $3.46 per mcfe (average prices for all periods presented include realized, but exclude unrealized, gains (losses) on derivatives). The increase in prices in the Current Period resulted in an increase in oil and gas sales of $241.9 million along with an increase of $218.6 million due to increased production, for a net increase in oil and gas sales (excluding unrealized gains (losses) on oil and gas derivatives) of $460.5 million. Unrealized gains (losses) included in oil and gas sales in the Current Period and Prior Period were $33.7 million and $(89.2) million, respectively.

 

Changes in oil and gas prices have a significant impact on our oil and gas revenues and cash flows. Based upon the Current Period production levels, a change of $0.10 per mcf of natural gas would result in an increase or decrease in revenues and cash flow of approximately $17.4 million and $16.3 million, respectively, without considering the effect of derivatives, and a change of $1.00 per barrel of oil would result in an increase or decrease in revenues and cash flows of approximately $3.5 million and $3.3 million, respectively, without considering the effect of derivatives.

 

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For the Current Period, we realized an average price per barrel of oil of $26.54, compared to $25.42 in the Prior Period. Natural gas prices realized per mcf were $4.74 and $3.36 in the Current Period and Prior Period, respectively (average prices for all periods include realized, but exclude unrealized, gains (losses) on derivatives). Net realized losses from derivatives decreased oil and gas revenues from $991.4 million to $917.4 million, a decrease of $74.0 million, or $0.38 per mcfe, in the Current Period compared to an increase from $372.9 million to $457.0 million, an increase of $84.1 million, or $0.63 per mcfe, in the Prior Period.

 

The following table shows our production by region for the Current Period and the Prior Period:

 

     For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
     2003

    2002

 

Operating Areas


   Mmcfe

   Percent

    Mmcfe

   Percent

 

Mid-Continent

   170,898    88 %   105,996    80 %

Gulf Coast and South Texas

   15,871    8     18,059    14  

Permian Basin

   6,049    3     5,524    4  

Williston Basin and Other

   2,248    1     2,397    2  
    
  

 
  

Total Production

   195,066    100 %   131,976    100 %
    
  

 
  

 

Natural gas production represented approximately 89% of our total production volume on an equivalent basis in the Current Period and the Prior Period.

 

Oil and Gas Marketing Sales. Chesapeake realized $309.6 million in oil and gas marketing sales for third parties in the Current Period, with corresponding oil and gas marketing expenses of $302.1 million, for a net margin of $7.5 million. This compares to sales of $112.3 million and expenses of $108.8 million, for a net margin of $3.5 million in the Prior Period. The increased activity in the Current Period is the result of higher prices received in the Current Period combined with an increase in volumes resulting from acquisitions that occurred in late 2002 and the Current Period.

 

Production Expenses. Production expenses, which include lifting costs and ad valorem taxes, were $101.7 million in the Current Period, a $30.4 million increase from the $71.3 million of production expenses incurred in the Prior Period. On a unit of production basis, production expenses were $0.52 and $0.54 per mcfe in the Current and Prior Periods, respectively. The decrease in costs on a per unit basis in 2003 compared to 2002 is due primarily to lower operating costs associated with properties acquired in 2003. We expect that production expenses per mcfe produced for the remainder of 2003 will range from $0.53 to $0.57.

 

Production Taxes. Production taxes were $57.3 million and $19.9 million in the Current and Prior Periods, respectively. On a unit of production basis, production taxes were $0.29 per mcfe in the Current Period compared to $0.15 per mcfe in the Prior Period. The increase in the Current Period of $37.4 million was due to an increase in production volumes of 48% as well as an increase in the average wellhead prices received for natural gas. In general, production taxes are calculated using value-based formulas that produce higher per unit costs when oil and gas prices are higher. We expect production taxes for the remainder of 2003 will range from $0.31 to $0.33 per mcfe based on our assumption that oil and natural gas wellhead prices will range from $4.50 to $5.00 per mcfe produced.

 

General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expenses, which are net of internal payroll and non-payroll costs capitalized in our oil and gas properties, were $17.3 million in the Current Period compared to $11.9 million in the Prior Period. The increase in the Current Period is primarily the result of the company’s growth related to acquisitions completed during the Current and Prior Period. On a per unit of production basis, general and administrative expenses were $0.09 in both the Current and Prior Period. We expect general and administrative expenses for the remainder of 2003 to be between $0.09 and $0.10 per mcfe produced.

 

Chesapeake follows the full cost method of accounting under which all costs associated with property acquisition, exploration and development activities are capitalized. We capitalize internal costs that can be directly identified with our acquisition, exploration and development activities and do not include any costs related to production, general corporate overhead or similar activities. We capitalized $25.7 million and $17.8 million of internal costs in the Current Period and Prior Period, respectively, directly related to our oil and gas exploration and development efforts.

 

Oil and Gas Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization. Depreciation, depletion and amortization of oil and gas properties for the Current Period was $266.1 million, compared to $157.7 million in the Prior Period. The average DD&A rate per mcfe, which is a function of capitalized costs, estimated salvage value, future development costs and the related underlying reserves in the periods presented, increased from $1.20 in the Prior Period to $1.36 in the Current Period. The increase in the average rate in the Current Period is primarily the result of higher drilling costs and higher costs associated with acquisitions. We expect the DD&A rate for the remainder of 2003 to be between $1.38 and $1.40 per mcfe produced.

 

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Effective January 1, 2003, Chesapeake adopted SFAS 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations. SFAS 143 requires that the fair value of a liability for a retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which the liability is incurred. For oil and gas properties, this is the period in which an oil or gas well is acquired or drilled. The asset retirement obligation is capitalized as part of the carrying amount of our oil and gas properties at its discounted fair value. The liability is then accreted each period until the liability is settled or the well is sold. This accretion expense is included in DD&A expense on oil and gas properties. In addition, SFAS 143 effectively reduces DD&A rates when compared to prior periods (prior to accretion expense) by including the capitalized retirement obligation at its discounted fair value rather than the undiscounted amount of the estimated liability. During the Current Period, accretion expense related to asset retirement obligations was $2.3 million and is included in oil and gas depreciation, depletion and amortization expense.

 

Depreciation and Amortization of Other Assets. Depreciation and amortization of other assets was $12.6 million in the Current Period, compared to $10.5 million in the Prior Period. The increase in the Current Period was primarily the result of higher depreciation costs on recently acquired fixed assets. Other property and equipment costs are depreciated on a straight-line basis. Buildings are depreciated over 31.5 years, processing plants are depreciated over 15 years, drilling rigs are depreciated over 12 years and all other property and equipment is depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets which range from three to seven years. To the extent the drilling rigs are used to drill our wells, a substantial portion of the depreciation is capitalized in oil and gas properties as exploration or development costs. We expect depreciation and amortization of other assets to be between $0.08 and $0.10 per mcfe produced for the remainder of 2003.

 

Interest and Other Income. Interest and other income was $1.4 million in the Current Period compared to $7.3 million in the Prior Period. The decrease in the Current Period was the result of a $1.9 million decrease in interest income on outstanding cash balances during the Current Period and the recognition of $3.0 million of interest income in the Prior Period related to our investment in notes issued by Seven Seas Petroleum Inc.

 

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased to $115.9 million in the Current Period from $77.8 million in the Prior Period. The increase in the Current Period is due to a $529.0 million increase in average long-term borrowings in the Current Period compared to the Prior Period. In addition to the interest expense reported, we capitalized $8.8 million of interest during the Current Period, compared to $3.6 million capitalized in the Prior Period, on significant investments in unproved properties that were not being currently depreciated, depleted or amortized and on which exploration activities were in progress. Interest is capitalized using the weighted-average interest rate on our outstanding borrowings. We expect interest expense for the remainder of 2003 to be between $0.55 and $0.60 per mcfe produced based on indebtedness as of September 30, 2003, which is net of interest expected to be capitalized during the period.

 

From time to time, we enter into derivative instruments designed to mitigate our exposure to the volatility in interest rates. For interest rate derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges (in accordance with SFAS 133), changes in fair value of interest rate derivatives are recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as assets (liabilities) and the debt’s carrying amount is adjusted by the change in the fair value of the debt subsequent to the initiation of the derivative. Any resulting differences are recorded currently as ineffectiveness in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as an adjustment to interest expense. Interest expense during the Current Period included an unrealized loss on interest rate derivatives of $5.3 million and a realized gain on interest rate derivatives of $2.5 million. Interest expense during the Prior Period included an unrealized gain on interest rate derivatives of $2.2 million and a realized gain on interest rate derivatives of $2.7 million.

 

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes. Chesapeake recorded income tax expense of $147.8 million in the Current Period, compared to $9.4 million in the Prior Period. We anticipate that the effective tax rate for 2003 will be approximately 38% and substantially all 2003 income tax expense will be deferred.

 

Cash Flows From Operating, Investing and Financing Activities

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities. Cash provided by operating activities increased 85% to $653.5 million during the Current Period compared to $353.7 million during the Prior Period. The increase was due primarily to an increase in oil and gas realized prices and an increase in gas sales volume in the Current Period.

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities. Cash used in investing activities increased to $1,600.8 million during the Current Period from $617.2 million in the Prior Period. During the Current Period, we expended approximately $501.9 million to drill 751 (326 net) wells and invested approximately $130.4 million in unproved properties. This compares to $252.8 million to initiate drilling on 517 (204 net) wells and $46.8 million to purchase unproved properties in the Prior Period. During the Current Period, we completed acquisitions of proved oil and gas properties of $909.5 million and completed $21.2 million of divestitures of proved oil and gas properties. This compares to

 

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cash used in acquisitions of proved oil and gas properties of $291.4 million and $1.2 million of divestitures in the Prior Period. During the Current Period, we had additional investments in a processing plant, drilling rig equipment and other fixed assets of $59.8 million compared to investments in other fixed assets of $29.3 million in the Prior Period. The Current Period included an investment of $20.0 million in the common stock of Pioneer Drilling Company (AMEX: PDC) and a $5.8 million equity investment in Eagle Energy Partners I, L.P., a newly formed gas marketing company. We received $5.3 million in liquidation proceeds from our investment in Seven Seas Petroleum Inc. during the Current Period.

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities. Cash flows from financing activities were $738.1 million in the Current Period, compared to $171.3 million in the Prior Period. During the Current Period, we borrowed $485.0 million under our bank credit facility and made repayments under this facility of $413.0 million. In the Current Period, we received $297.3 million from the issuance of $300 million principal amount of our 7.50% senior notes and paid $6.4 million in costs related to the issuance of these notes. We issued 23 million shares of common stock and received $177.4 million of net proceeds. We issued 4.6 million shares of 6.00% cumulative convertible preferred stock, $50 per share liquidation preference, or $230 million in the aggregate, and received $222.9 million of net proceeds. During the Current Period, we used $19.7 million to pay common stock dividends, $7.6 million to pay dividends on our 6.75% preferred stock, $7.3 million to pay dividends on our 6.00% preferred stock and $2.1 million to purchase treasury stock. We received $7.8 million from the exercise of stock options and warrants, and we had $6.3 million of outstanding payments in excess of our funded cash balances as of September 30, 2003. The activity in the Prior Period included borrowings under our bank credit facility of $95.8 million and repayments under this facility of $95.8 million. We repurchased $63.5 million of our 7.875% senior notes. We received $246.0 million from the issuance of $250 million of 9.00% senior notes and $2.1 million cash from the exercise of stock options. We used $3.7 million to pay financing costs and $7.6 million to pay dividends on our 6.75% preferred stock.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Sources of Liquidity

 

Chesapeake had a working capital deficit of $49.4 million at September 30, 2003, including $38.5 million in cash. Another source of liquidity is our $350 million revolving bank credit facility (see discussion below).

 

We believe we will have adequate resources, including budgeted cash flows from operating activities before changes in assets and liabilities, working capital and proceeds from our revolving bank credit facility, to fund our exploration and development activities during the remainder of 2003 and 2004. Our capital expenditure budget for drilling, land and seismic data for the remainder of 2003 is estimated to be between $175 million and $200 million. However, higher drilling and field operating costs, unfavorable drilling results or other factors could cause us to reduce our drilling program, which is largely discretionary. Any operating cash flow not needed to fund our drilling program will be available for acquisitions, debt repayment or other general corporate purposes.

 

A significant portion of our liquidity at September 30, 2003 is concentrated in cash and cash equivalents and derivative instruments. Financial instruments which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of investments in debt instruments, equity securities and accounts receivable. Our accounts receivable are primarily from purchasers of oil and natural gas products and exploration and production companies which own interests in properties we operate. The industry concentration has the potential to impact our overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively, in that our customers may be similarly affected by changes in economic, industry or other conditions. We generally require letters of credit for receivables from customers which are judged to have sub-standard credit, unless the credit risk can otherwise be mitigated. Cash and cash equivalents are deposited with major banks or institutions with high credit ratings.

 

Our liquidity is not dependent on the use of off-balance sheet financing arrangements, such as the securitization of receivables or obtaining access to assets through special purpose entities. We have not relied on off-balance sheet financing arrangements in the past and we do not intend to rely on such arrangements in the future as a source of liquidity. We are not a commercial paper issuer.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

We have a $350 million revolving bank credit facility (with a committed borrowing base of $350 million) which matures in May 2007. As of September 30, 2003, we had $72.0 million of outstanding borrowings under this facility and utilized $10.3 million of the facility for various letters of credit. Borrowings under the facility are collateralized by certain producing oil and gas properties and bear interest at either the reference rate of Union Bank

 

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of California, N.A., or London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), at our option, plus a margin that varies according to our senior unsecured long-term debt ratings issued by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and Moody’s Investor Service. The collateral value and borrowing base are redetermined periodically. The unused portion of the facility is subject to an annual commitment fee also based on our senior unsecured long-term debt ratings. Interest is payable quarterly.

 

The credit agreement contains various covenants and restrictive provisions which limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness, sell properties, pay dividends, purchase or redeem our capital stock, make investments or loans or purchase certain of our senior notes, and create liens. The credit agreement requires us to maintain a current ratio (as defined) of at least 1 to 1 and a fixed charge coverage ratio for the trailing twelve month period (as defined) of at least 2.5 to 1. At September 30, 2003, our current ratio was 1.5 to 1 and our fixed charge coverage ratio was 4.4 to 1. If we should fail to perform our obligations under these and other covenants, the revolving credit commitment could be terminated and any outstanding borrowings under the facility could be declared immediately due and payable. Such acceleration, if involving a principal amount of $10.0 million or more, would constitute an event of default under our senior note indentures, which could in turn result in the acceleration of our senior note indebtedness. The credit agreement also has cross default provisions that apply to other indebtedness we may have with an outstanding principal amount in excess of $25.0 million.

 

As of September 30, 2003, senior notes represented approximately $2.0 billion of our long-term debt and consisted of the following ($ in thousands):

 

7.875% senior notes, due 2004

   $ 42,137 (1)

8.375% senior notes, due 2008

     222,150  

8.125% senior notes, due 2011

     800,000  

8.500% senior notes, due 2012

     110,669  

9.000% senior notes, due 2012

     300,000  

7.500% senior notes, due 2013

     300,000  

7.750% senior notes, due 2015

     213,001  
    


     $ 1,987,957  
    



(1)   This amount has been classified as long-term debt based on our ability to satisfy this obligation with funding from our bank credit facility.

 

There are no scheduled principal payments required on any of the senior notes until March 2004, when $42.1 million is due. Debt ratings for the senior notes are Ba3 by Moody’s Investor Service, BB- by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and BB- by Fitch Ratings as of November 3, 2003. Debt ratings for our secured bank credit facility are Ba2 by Moody’s Investor Service, BBB- by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and BB+ by Fitch Ratings.

 

Our senior notes are unsecured senior obligations of Chesapeake and rank equally with all of our other unsecured indebtedness. All of our wholly-owned subsidiaries except our marketing subsidiaries guarantee the notes. The indentures permit us to redeem the senior notes at any time at specified make-whole or redemption prices. The indentures for the 8.125%, 8.375%, 9.000%, 7.750% and 7.500% senior notes contain covenants limiting our ability and our restricted subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness; pay dividends on our capital stock or redeem, repurchase or retire our capital stock or subordinated indebtedness; make investments and other restricted payments; create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts to us from our restricted subsidiaries; incur liens; engage in transactions with affiliates; sell assets; and consolidate, merge or transfer assets. The debt incurrence covenants do not affect our ability to borrow under or expand our secured credit facility. As of September 30, 2003, we estimate that secured commercial bank indebtedness of approximately $882 million could have been incurred under the most restrictive indenture covenant. The indenture covenants do not apply to Chesapeake Energy Marketing, Inc., Mayfield Processing L.L.C. and MidCon Compression L.P., which are our only unrestricted subsidiaries.

 

Some of our commodity price and financial risk management arrangements require us to deliver cash collateral or other assurances of performance to the counterparties in the event that our payment obligations with respect to our commodity price and financial risk management transactions exceed certain levels. At September 30, 2003, we were required to post $8.0 million of collateral which we provided by a letter of credit under our credit facility. Future collateral requirements are uncertain and will depend on arrangements with our counterparties, highly volatile natural gas and oil prices and fluctuations in interest rates.

 

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Investing and Financing Transactions

 

We completed an acquisition of Mid-Continent gas assets from a wholly-owned subsidiary of ONEOK, Inc. in January 2003. We paid $296 million in cash for these assets, $15 million of which was paid in late 2002.

 

On March 5, 2003, we closed a private offering of $300 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes, issued 23 million shares of common stock pursuant to a shelf registration statement and issued $230 million liquidation amount of convertible preferred stock in a private placement. Net proceeds from these transactions were used to finance the acquisition of oil and gas properties from El Paso Corporation and Vintage Petroleum, Inc. as discussed below and to repay indebtedness under our bank credit facility.

 

In March 2003, we acquired El Paso Corporation’s Anadarko Basin assets in western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle for $500 million.

 

In March 2003, we acquired Vintage Petroleum, Inc.’s assets in the Bray field in southern Oklahoma for $29 million.

 

In March 2003, Chesapeake bought 5.3 million newly issued common shares of Pioneer Drilling Company, or 24.6% of its outstanding common shares, at $3.75 per share, for a total investment of $20 million.

 

In May 2003, we acquired privately-owned Oxley Petroleum Company for $155 million. The acquired assets are primarily in the Arkoma Basin which is located in eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas.

 

On July 16, 2003, we issued an additional $29.5 million of our 7.75% senior notes due 2015 in exchange for $27.9 million of our 8.375% senior notes due 2008 and $0.5 million of accrued interest, pursuant to a privately negotiated transaction. The $27.9 million of 8.375% senior notes due 2008 were promptly retired upon receipt.

 

In July 2003, we acquired oil and gas properties, a gathering system and a gas treatment plant from a major oil and gas company for $44.5 million.

 

On August 5, 2003, we issued an additional $33.5 million of our 7.75% senior notes due 2015 and accrued interest of $0.1 million in exchange for $32.0 million of our 8.5% senior notes due 2012 and $1.1 million of accrued interest, pursuant to a privately negotiated transaction. The $32.0 million of 8.5% senior notes were retired upon receipt.

 

In September 2003, Chesapeake invested $5.8 million in Eagle Energy Partners I, L.P., a newly formed gas marketing company. Chesapeake owns a 25% limited partnership interest, which is accounted for under the equity method.

 

On October 3, 2003, we issued an additional $23.7 million of our 7.75% senior notes due 2015 and accrued interest of $0.4 million in exchange for $6.0 million of 8.375% senior notes due 2008 and $0.2 million of accrued interest as well as $16.8 million of 8.125% senior notes due 2011, pursuant to a privately negotiated transaction. The $6.0 million of 8.375% senior notes due 2008 and the $16.8 million of 8.125% senior notes due 2011 were retired upon receipt.

 

On October 17, 2003, we issued an additional $63.8 million of our 7.50% senior notes due 2013 and accrued interest of $0.4 million in exchange for $54.9 million of our 8.125% senior notes due 2011 and accrued interest of $0.2 million as well as $6.3 million of our 8.375% senior notes due 2008 and accrued interest of $0.2 million, pursuant to a privately negotiated transaction. The $54.9 million of 8.125% senior notes due 2011 and the $6.3 million of 8.375% senior notes due 2008 were retired upon receipt.

 

On October 31, 2003, Chesapeake purchased approximately $200 million of south Texas natural gas assets from Houston-based privately owned Laredo Energy, L.P. and its partners. We used our revolving bank credit facility to fund the acquisition.

 

Contingencies

 

Royalty owners have commenced litigation against a number of oil and gas producers claiming that amounts paid for production attributable to the royalty owners’ interest violated the terms of applicable leases and state law, that deductions from the proceeds of oil and gas production were unauthorized under the leases, and that amounts received by upstream sellers should be used to compute the amounts paid to the royalty owners. Typically this litigation has taken the form of class action suits. There are presently four such suits filed against Chesapeake, two in Texas and two in Oklahoma. No class has been certified in any of them. In one of the Oklahoma cases, we determined that a portion of the marketing fee we had charged royalty owners should be refunded. We have deposited with the court the aggregate amount of the fees we estimated should be refunded, $3.6 million, in an

 

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interest-bearing account for distribution to affected royalty owners. This amount has been charged to general and administrative expenses, of which $0.3 million was charged in the Current Period and the remainder was recorded in 2002. We do not believe any other claims made by royalty owners in the cases pending against us are valid. Even if the claims were upheld, we believe any damages awarded would not be material. This is a developing area of the law, however, and as new cases are decided, our potential liability relating to the marketing of oil and gas may increase or decrease. We will continue to monitor court decisions to ensure that our operations and practices minimize any exposure and to recognize any charges that may be appropriate when we can reasonably estimate a liability.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

We consider accounting policies related to stock options, hedging, oil and gas properties, income taxes and business combinations to be critical policies. These policies are summarized in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our annual report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2002, except for our accounting policy related to stock options which is summarized in Note 1 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K/A.

 

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, Business Combinations and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Intangible Assets were issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in June 2001 and became effective for us on July 1, 2001 and January 1, 2002, respectively. SFAS 141 requires all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001 to be accounted for using the purchase method. Additionally, SFAS 141 requires companies to disaggregate and report separately from goodwill certain intangible assets. SFAS 142 establishes new guidelines for accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets. Under SFAS 142, goodwill and certain other intangible assets are not amortized, but rather are reviewed annually for impairment.

 

One interpretation being considered relative to these standards is that oil and gas mineral rights held under lease and other contractual arrangements representing the right to extract such reserves for both undeveloped and developed leaseholds should be classified separately from oil and gas properties as intangible assets on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. In addition, the disclosures required by SFAS 141 and 142 relative to intangibles would be included in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements. Historically, we, like many other oil and gas companies, have included these rights as part of oil and gas properties, even after SFAS 141 and 142 became effective.

 

As it applies to companies like us that have adopted full cost accounting for oil and gas activities, we understand that this interpretation of SFAS 141 and 142 would only affect our balance sheet classification of proved oil and gas leaseholds acquired after June 30, 2001 and all of our unproved oil and gas leaseholds. We would not be required to reclassify proved reserve leasehold acquisitions prior to June 30, 2001 because we did not separately value or account for these costs prior to the adoption date of SFAS 141. Our results of operations and cash flows would not be affected, since these oil and gas mineral rights held under lease and other contractual arrangements representing the right to extract oil and gas reserves would continue to be amortized in accordance with full cost accounting rules.

 

As of September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, we had undeveloped leaseholds of approximately $175.3 million and $72.5 million, respectively, that would be classified on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as “intangible undeveloped leasehold” and developed leaseholds of an estimated $1,495.5 million and $581.9 million, respectively, that would be classified as “intangible developed leasehold” if we applied the interpretation discussed above.

 

We will continue to classify our oil and gas mineral rights held under lease and other contractual rights representing the right to extract such reserves as oil and gas properties until further guidance is provided.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

See Note 7 of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for a summary of recently issued accounting standards.

 

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Forward-Looking Statements

 

This report 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. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events. They include estimates of oil and gas reserves, expected oil and gas production and future expenditures, planned capital expenditures for drilling, leasehold acquisitions and seismic data, and statements concerning anticipated cash flow and liquidity, business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations. Disclosures concerning derivative contracts and their estimated contribution to our future results of operations are based upon market information as of a specific date. These market prices are subject to significant volatility.

 

Although we believe the expectations and forecasts reflected in these and other forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance they will prove to have been correct. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results are described under “Risk Factors” in Item 1 of our 2002 Form 10-K/A and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These factors include:

 

    the volatility of oil and gas prices,

 

    adverse effects our substantial indebtedness could have on our operating and future growth,

 

    our ability to compete effectively against strong independent oil and gas companies and majors,

 

    the cost and availability of drilling and production services,

 

    possible financial losses as a result of our commodity price and interest rate risk management activities,

 

    uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of oil and gas reserves, including reserves we acquire, projecting future rates of production and the timing of development expenditures,

 

    exposure to potential liabilities of acquired properties,

 

    our ability to replace reserves,

 

    the availability of capital,

 

    changes in interest rates, and

 

    drilling and operating risks.

 

We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report, and we undertake no obligation to update this information.

 

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Oil and Gas Hedging Activities

 

Our results of operations and operating cash flows are impacted by changes in market prices for oil and gas. To mitigate a portion of the exposure to adverse market changes, we have entered into various derivative instruments. As of September 30, 2003, our oil and gas derivative instruments were comprised of swaps, cap-swaps and basis protection swaps. These instruments allow us to predict with greater certainty the effective oil and gas prices to be received for our hedged production. Although derivatives often fail to achieve 100% effectiveness for accounting purposes, we believe our derivative instruments continue to be highly effective in achieving the risk management objectives for which they were intended.

 

    For swap instruments, Chesapeake receives a fixed price for the hedged commodity and pays a floating market price, as defined in each instrument, to the counterparty. The fixed-price payment and the floating-price payment are netted, resulting in a net amount due to or from the counterparty.

 

    For cap-swaps, Chesapeake receives a fixed price and pays a floating market price. The fixed price received by Chesapeake includes a premium in exchange for a “cap” limiting the counterparty’s exposure. In other words, there is no limit to Chesapeake’s exposure but there is a limit to the downside exposure of the counterparty. Because this derivative includes a written put option (i.e., the cap), cap-swaps do not qualify for designation as cash flow hedges (in accordance with SFAS 133) since the combination of the hedged item and the written option does not provide as much potential for favorable cash flows as exposure to unfavorable cash flows.

 

    Basis protection swaps are arrangements that guarantee a price differential of oil or gas from a specified delivery point. Chesapeake receives a payment from the counterparty if the price differential is greater than the stated terms of the contract and pays the counterparty if the price differential is less than the stated terms of the contract.

 

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Chesapeake enters into counter-swaps from time to time for the purpose of locking-in the value of a swap or cap-swap. Under the counter-swap, Chesapeake receives a floating price for the hedged commodity and pays a fixed price to the counterparty. The counter-swap is 100% effective in locking-in the value of a swap since subsequent changes in the market value of the swap are entirely offset by subsequent changes in the market value of the counter-swap. We refer to this locked-in value as a locked swap. At the time Chesapeake enters into a counter-swap, Chesapeake removes the original swap’s designation as a cash flow hedge and classifies the original swap as a non-qualifying hedge under SFAS 133. The reason for this new designation is that collectively the swap and the counter-swap no longer hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows. Instead, the swap and counter-swap effectively lock-in a specific gain (or loss) that will be unaffected by subsequent variability in oil and gas prices. Any locked-in gain or loss is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassified to oil and gas sales in the month of related production.

 

With respect to counter-swaps that are designed to lock-in the value of cap-swaps, the counter-swap is effective in locking-in the value of the cap-swap until the floating price reaches the cap (or floor) stipulated in the cap-swap agreement. The value of the counter-swap will increase (or decrease), but in the opposite direction, as the value of the cap-swap decreases (or increases) until the floating price reaches the pre-determined cap (or floor) stipulated in the cap-swap agreement. However, because of the written put option embedded in the cap-swap, the changes in value of the cap-swap are not completely effective in offsetting changes in value of the corresponding counter-swap.

 

In accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 39, Chesapeake nets the value of its derivative arrangements with the same counterparty in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, to the extent that a legal right of setoff exists.

 

Gains or losses from the oil and gas derivative transactions are reflected as adjustments to oil and gas sales on the condensed consolidated statement of operations. Pursuant to SFAS 133, certain derivatives do not qualify for designation as cash flow hedges. Changes in the fair value of these non-qualifying derivatives that occur prior to their maturity (i.e., temporary fluctuations in value) are reported currently in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as unrealized gains (losses) within oil and gas sales. Unrealized gains (losses) included in oil and gas sales were $0.6 million, $(8.8) million, $33.7 million and $(89.2) million in the Current Quarter, Prior Quarter, Current Period and Prior Period, respectively.

 

Following provisions of SFAS 133, changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, to the extent they are effective in offsetting cash flows attributed to the hedged risk, are recorded in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. Any change in fair value resulting from ineffectiveness is recognized currently in oil and gas sales. Amounts relating to ineffectiveness on cash flow hedges consisted of a gain of $5.3 million in the Current Quarter, a loss of $0.1 million in the Prior Quarter, a gain of $5.8 million in the Current Period and a loss of $2.2 million in the Prior Period.

 

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As of September 30, 2003, we had the following open oil and natural gas derivative instruments designed to hedge a portion of our oil and natural gas production for periods after September 2003:

 

Natural Gas:


  

Volume

mmbtu/bbls


   

Weighted-

Average

Strike

Price


  

Weighted-

Average

Put

Strike

Price


  

Weighted

Average

Differential

to

NYMEX


   

Qualifies

As

SFAS

133

Hedge


  

Fair

Value

at

September 30,

2003

(in

thousands)


 

Swaps:

                                   

2003

   42,020,000     5.73    —      —       Yes    $ 40,190  

2004

   65,450,000     5.42    —      —       Yes      34,439  

2005

   40,150,000     4.79    —      —       Yes      5,466  

2006

   25,550,000     4.74    —      —       Yes      5,878  

2007

   25,550,000     4.76    —      —       Yes      6,345  
    

                            
     198,720,000                               
    

                            

Cap-Swaps:

                                   

2003

   12,880,000     3.69    2.69    —       No      (14,077 )

2004

   3,660,000     5.00    3.50    —       No      (643 )
    

                            
     16,540,000                               
    

                            

Counter-Swaps:

                                   

2003

   (12,880,000 )   3.84    —      —       No      12,070  

Basis Protection Swaps:

                                   

2003

   41,400,000     —      —      (0.19 )   No      164  

2004

   157,380,000     —      —      (0.17 )   No      7,849  

2005

   109,500,000     —      —      (0.16 )   No      8,389  

2006

   47,450,000     —      —      (0.16 )   No      2,897  

2007

   63,875,000     —      —      (0.17 )   No      3,547  

2008

   64,050,000     —      —      (0.17 )   No      3,251  

2009

   36,500,000     —      —      (0.16 )   No      2,029  
    

                            
     520,155,000                               
    

                            

Locked Swaps:

                                   

2003

   —       —      —      —       No      375  

2004

   —       —      —      —       No      2,302  
                               


Total Natural Gas

                                120,471  
                               


Oil:


                                   
                               


Cap-Swaps:

                                   

2003

   1,040,000     28.30    21.44    —       No      (761 )

2004

   3,878,000     28.31    21.71    —       No      (2,484 )
    

                      


     4,918,000                               
    

                            

Total Oil

                                (3,245 )
                               


Total Natural Gas and Oil

                              $ 117,226  
                               


 

We have established the fair value of all derivative instruments first using estimates of fair value reported by our counterparties and subsequently by using established index prices and other sources. The actual contribution to our future results of operations will be based on the market prices at the time of settlement and may be more or less than the fair value estimates used at September 30, 2003.

 

Additional information concerning the fair value of our oil and gas derivative instruments is as follows:

 

     2003

 
     ($ in thousands)  

Fair value of contracts outstanding at January 1

   $ (14,533 )

Change in fair value of contracts during the period

     57,807  

Contracts realized or otherwise settled during the period

     73,952  

Fair value of new contracts when entered into during the period

     —    
    


Fair value of contracts outstanding at September 30

   $ 117,226  
    


 

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Based upon the market prices at September 30, 2003, we expect to transfer approximately $44.3 million of the gain included in accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings during the next 12 months when the hedged oil or gas production is sold. All transactions hedged as of September 30, 2003 are for periods extending through 2007, with the exception of the basis protection swaps which extend to 2009.

 

Derivative instruments reflected as current in the condensed consolidated balance sheets represent the estimated fair value of derivative instrument settlements scheduled to occur over the subsequent twelve-month period based on market prices for oil and gas as of the consolidated balance sheet date. The derivative settlement amounts are not due and payable until the month in which the related underlying hedged transaction occurs.

 

Interest Rate Hedging

 

We also utilize hedging strategies to manage interest rate exposure. Results from interest rate hedging transactions are reflected as adjustments to interest expense in the corresponding months covered by the derivative agreement.

 

In July 2002, we closed two interest rate swaps for a cash settlement of $8.6 million. As of September 30, 2003, the remaining balance to be amortized as a reduction to interest expense was $0.3 million. During the Current Quarter and Current Period, $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively, were recorded as a reduction to interest expense.

 

On August 13, 2003, we entered into an interest rate swap having the following terms:

 

Term


 

Notional Amount


 

Fixed Rate


 

Floating Rate


August 2003 – August 2005   $100,000,000   2.735%   U.S. six-month LIBOR in arrears

 

If the floating rate is less than the fixed rate, the counterparty will pay us accordingly. If the floating rate exceeds the fixed rate, we will pay the counterparty. Payments under this interest rate swap will be made on February 15 and August 15 of each year beginning February 15, 2004. At September 30, 2003, this interest rate swap had a fair value of $1.2 million.

 

On August 22, 2003, we entered into an additional interest rate swap having the following terms:

 

Term


 

Notional Amount


 

Fixed Rate


 

Floating Rate


August 2003 – August 2005   $100,000,000   3.000%   U.S. six-month LIBOR in arrears

 

If the floating rate is less than the fixed rate, the counterparty will pay us accordingly. If the floating rate exceeds the fixed rate, we will pay the counterparty. Payments under this interest rate swap will be made on February 27 and August 27 of each year beginning February 27, 2004. At September 30, 2003, this interest rate swap had a fair value of $1.6 million.

 

In March 1997, Chesapeake issued $150.0 million of 8.5% senior notes due 2012, of which $7.3 million were subsequently repurchased and retired. The 8.5% senior notes include a “call option” whereby Chesapeake may redeem the debt at declining redemption prices beginning in March 2004. This call option, also referred to as a right of optional redemption, allows Chesapeake to redeem the notes prior to their stated maturity date beginning in March 2004. This right of optional redemption has value depending upon changes in interest rates. Due to a decline in interest rates, Chesapeake effectively sold this optional redemption right to an unrelated third party (or counterparty) for $7.8 million in April 2002. In exchange for the $7.8 million, Chesapeake gave the counterparty the option to elect whether or not to enter into an interest rate swap with Chesapeake on March 11, 2004. This transaction is more commonly referred to as a swaption. The terms of the interest rate swap, if executed by the counterparty, would be as follows:

 

Term


 

Notional Amount


 

Fixed Rate


 

Floating Rate


March 2004 – March 2012   $142,665,000   8.500%   U.S. six-month LIBOR plus 75 basis points

 

The interest rate swap would require Chesapeake to pay a fixed rate of 8.5% while the counterparty pays Chesapeake a floating rate of 6 month LIBOR in arrears plus 0.75%. Additionally, if the counterparty elects to enter into the interest rate swap on March 11, 2004, it may also elect to force Chesapeake to settle the transaction at the then current value of the interest rate swap.

 

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This transaction does not alter Chesapeake’s ability to redeem the 8.5% senior notes. Instead, it locks-in the economics of a future call. If interest rates are high and the swaption is not “in-the-money”, the counterparty will likely not elect to enter into the interest rate swap, the swaption will expire, and Chesapeake will amortize the $7.8 million premium as a reduction to interest expense over the remaining life of the notes. If interest rates are low and the swaption is “in-the-money”, the counterparty will likely exercise the swaption and force Chesapeake to settle the transaction at the then current value of the interest rate swap, and Chesapeake will amortize both the $7.8 million premium and the amount paid to the counterparty to interest expense over the remaining life of the notes. If Chesapeake elects to refinance the 8.5% senior notes, any unamortized premium or loss remaining related to the swaption would be included in the gain (or loss) on the early extinguishment of debt.

 

According to SFAS 133, a fair value hedge relationship exists between the embedded call option in the 8.5% senior notes and the swaption agreement. The fair value of the swaption is recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as a liability, and the debt’s carrying amount is adjusted by the change in the fair value of the call option subsequent to the initiation of the swaption. Any resulting differences are recorded currently as ineffectiveness in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as an adjustment to interest expense.

 

During the Current Quarter, we exchanged and subsequently retired $32.0 million of our 8.5% senior notes. In connection with this retirement, we have removed the designation of the corresponding portion of the swaption agreement as a fair value hedge in accordance with SFAS 133. We recorded a $3.3 million increase to the fair value of the debt to reflect the portion of the 8.5% senior notes exchanged and subsequently retired in the Current Quarter. Temporary fluctuations in the fair value of the portion of the swaption no longer designated as a fair value hedge are recorded as adjustments to interest expense. We recorded a $2.0 million unrealized loss in interest expense during the Current Quarter due to a decline in the fair value of the portion of the swaption no longer designated as a fair value hedge.

 

We recorded an adjustment to the carrying amount of the debt of $15.4 million as of September 30, 2003 which represents the temporary fluctuations in the fair value of the call option included in senior notes. Since the inception of the swaption, we have recorded a change in the fair market value of the swaption from a $7.8 million liability to a $33.8 million liability, an increase of $26.0 million. After giving effect to the removal of the designation of a portion of the swaption as a fair value hedge under SFAS 133 as described previously, the difference of $5.3 million represents ineffectiveness which has been recorded as additional interest expense.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

The table below presents principal cash flows and related weighted-average interest rates by expected maturity dates. The fair value of the fixed-rate long-term debt has been estimated based on quoted market prices.

 

     September 30, 2003

 
     Years of Maturity

 
         2004    

        2005    

       2006    

       2007    

    2008

    Thereafter

    Total

    Fair Value

 
     ($ in millions)  

Liabilities:

                                                              

Long-term debt, including current portion — fixed rate

   $ 42.1     $ —      $ —      $ —       $ 222.2     $ 1,723.7     $ 1,988.0 (1)   $ 2,129.9  

Average interest rate

     7.9 %     —        —        —         8.4 %     8.1 %     8.2 %     8.2 %

Long-term debt — variable rate

   $ —       $ —      $ —      $ 72.0     $ —       $ —       $ 72.0     $ 72.0  

Average interest rate

     —         —        —        4.23 %     —         —         4.23 %     4.23 %

(1)   This amount does not include the discount of $(22.8) million, the value of the interest rate swaps of $2.6 million and the value of the swaption of $(15.4) million, which are all included in long-tem debt on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

 

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of September 30, 2003, have concluded the company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective. No changes in the company’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the current quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Table of Contents

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

We are subject to ordinary routine litigation incidental to our business, none of which is expected to have a material adverse effect on Chesapeake.

 

Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

(a) Exhibits

 

The following exhibits are filed as a part of this report:

 

   

Exhibit

Number


  

Description


   

4.1.1

   Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 15, 2003 to Indenture dated as of March 15, 1997 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York (formerly United States Trust Company of New York), as Trustee, with respect to 7.875% Senior Notes due 2004.
   

4.2.1

   Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 15, 2003 to Indenture dated as of March 15, 1997 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York (formerly United States Trust Company of New York), as Trustee, with respect to 8.5% Senior Notes due 2012.
   

4.3.1

   Ninth Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 15, 2003 to Indenture dated as of April 6, 2001 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York (formerly United States Trust Company of New York), as Trustee, with respect to 8.125% Senior Notes due 2011.
   

4.4.1

   Sixth Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 15, 2003 to Indenture dated as of November 5, 2001 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to 8.375% Senior Notes due 2008.
   

4.5.1

   Third Supplemental Indenture dated August 15, 2003 to Indenture dated as of August 12, 2002 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to 9.0% Senior Notes due 2012.
   

4.6.1

   Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 15, 2003 to Indenture dated as of December 20, 2002 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to 7.75% Senior Notes due 2015.

 

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Table of Contents
   

4.7.1

   Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 15, 2003 to Indenture dated as of March 5, 2003 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to 7.5% Senior Notes due 2013.
   

10.2.3

   Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 2003 between Marcus C. Rowland and Chesapeake Energy Corporation.
   

10.2.8

   Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 2003 between Michael A. Johnson and Chesapeake Energy Corporation.
   

10.2.9

   Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 2003 between Martha A. Burger and Chesapeake Energy Corporation.
   

12

   Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.
   

21

   Subsidiaries of Chesapeake.
   

31.1

   Aubrey K. McClendon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   

31.2

   Marcus C. Rowland, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   

32.1*

   Aubrey K. McClendon Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   

32.2*

   Marcus C. Rowland, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 


  *   Furnished as provided in Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

 

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

 

During the quarter ended September 30, 2003, we filed the following current reports on Form 8-K:

 

On July 29, 2003, we filed a current report on Form 8-K, furnishing under Item 12 a press release we issued on July 28, 2003 announcing financial and operating results for the second quarter 2003 and updated 2003 and 2004 guidance.

 

On September 22, 2003 we filed a current report on Form 8-K, reporting under Item 5 that we issued a press release on September 19, 2003 announcing the declaration of common and preferred stock dividends.

 

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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.

 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

(Registrant)

By:

 

/s/    AUBREY K. MCCLENDON


   

Aubrey K. McClendon

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

By:

 

/s/    MARCUS C. ROWLAND  


   

Marcus C. Rowland

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: November 12, 2003

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

Number


  

Description


4.1.1

   Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 15, 2003 to Indenture dated as of March 15, 1997 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York (formerly United States Trust Company of New York), as Trustee, with respect to 7.875% Senior Notes due 2004.

4.2.1

   Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 15, 2003 to Indenture dated as of March 15, 1997 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York (formerly United States Trust Company of New York), as Trustee, with respect to 8.5% Senior Notes due 2012.

4.3.1

   Ninth Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 15, 2003 to Indenture dated as of April 6, 2001 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York (formerly United States Trust Company of New York), as Trustee, with respect to 8.125% Senior Notes due 2011.

4.4.1

   Sixth Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 15, 2003 to Indenture dated as of November 5, 2001 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to 8.375% Senior Notes due 2008.

4.5.1

   Third Supplemental Indenture dated August 15, 2003 to Indenture dated as of August 12, 2002 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to 9.0% Senior Notes due 2012.

4.6.1

   Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 15, 2003 to Indenture dated as of December 20, 2002 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to 7.75% Senior Notes due 2015.

4.7.1

   Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 15, 2003 to Indenture dated as of March 5, 2003 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to 7.5% Senior Notes due 2013.

10.2.3

   Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 2003 between Marcus C. Rowland and Chesapeake Energy Corporation.

10.2.8

   Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 2003 between Michael A. Johnson and Chesapeake Energy Corporation.

10.2.9

   Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 2003 between Martha A. Burger and Chesapeake Energy Corporation.

12

   Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.

21

   Subsidiaries of Chesapeake.

31.1

   Aubrey K. McClendon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

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Table of Contents

31.2

   Marcus C. Rowland, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1*

   Aubrey K. McClendon Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2*

  

Marcus C. Rowland, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 


  *   Furnished as provided in Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

 

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