LINN Energy Announces Results for Third Quarter 2009

November 4, 2009 7:00 AM EST

HOUSTON, Nov. 4, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LINN Energy, LLC (Nasdaq: LINE) announced today financial and operating results for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, and its outlook for the remainder of the year. The Company highlights the following significant achievements:



 -- Average production at the high end of the Company's guidance range
    of 217 million cubic feet of natural gas equivalent per day
    (MMcfe/d), compared to mid-point guidance of 212 MMcfe/d;

 -- Lease operating expenses of $1.67 per thousand cubic feet of
    natural gas equivalent (Mcfe), compared to mid-point guidance of
    $1.69 per Mcfe;

 -- Adjusted EBITDA of $142 million, compared to mid-point guidance of
    $136 million;

 -- Distribution coverage ratio of 1.09x, compared to mid-point
    guidance of 1.01x;

 -- Completion in October 2009 of a public equity offering for total
    net proceeds of $181 million;

 -- Undrawn capacity of $595 million, including available cash, as of
    October 31, 2009, and no change to the Company's previous $1.64
    billion borrowing base; and

 -- Closing of two asset acquisitions in the Permian Basin for a
    combined contract price of $118 million.

"We are very pleased with our third quarter results and our strategic entry into the Permian Basin, which we plan to develop into a core area for the Company," said Michael C. Linn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "With the completion of our recent equity offering, we are well positioned to continue growing the Company by capitalizing on future accretive acquisition opportunities."

Third Quarter 2009 Results (From Continuing Operations)

Average production was 217 MMcfe/d for the third quarter 2009, compared to 219 MMcfe/d for the second quarter 2009. Oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids revenues for the third quarter 2009 were approximately $103 million and realized gains from hedge revenues were $97 million. For the second quarter 2009, oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids revenues were approximately $92 million and realized gains from hedge revenues were $111 million. Lease operating expenses for the third quarter 2009 were approximately $33 million, or $1.67 per Mcfe, which was consistent with the $33 million, or $1.67 per Mcfe, in the second quarter 2009. Transportation expenses and production and ad valorem taxes increased during the third quarter 2009 to $12.3 million, or $0.62 per unit, compared to $10.4 million, or $0.53 per unit, during the second quarter 2009, due primarily to higher commodity prices.

LINN Energy's distribution coverage ratio was 1.09x for the third quarter 2009, compared to mid-point guidance of 1.01x. During the quarter, the Company generated adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP financial measure) of $142 million. Adjusted EBITDA is the primary measure used by Company management to evaluate cash flow and the Company's ability to sustain or increase distributions. A reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income is provided in this release (see Schedule 1). The most significant reconciling items between net income and adjusted EBITDA are interest expense and noncash items, including the change in fair value of derivatives and depreciation, depletion and amortization.

The Company utilizes commodity hedging to capture cash flow margin and reduce cash flow volatility. Due to the recent increase in commodity prices during the third quarter 2009, the Company reported a $14 million loss on oil and natural gas hedges, including a noncash loss of $156 million associated with the change in fair value of the Company's hedge positions. Noncash gains or losses do not affect adjusted EBITDA, cash flow from operations or the Company's ability to pay its cash distributions.

For the third quarter 2009, the Company reported a net loss of approximately $82 million, or $(0.69) per unit, which includes a noncash loss of $156 million, or $(1.30) per unit, from the change in fair value of hedges covering future production, a noncash loss of $15 million, or $(0.12) per unit, on interest rate hedges, and a realized gain of $45 million, or $0.37 per unit, from hedge cancellations. Excluding these items, adjusted net income for the third quarter 2009 was $46 million, or $0.38 per unit.

Adjusted net income from continuing operations is a non-GAAP financial measure, and a reconciliation of adjusted net income from continuing operations to net income from continuing operations is provided in this release (see Schedule 2). Adjusted net income is presented because the excluded items affect the comparability of operating results from period to period.

Operational Update

During the third quarter, the Company primarily focused on workover, recompletion and optimization projects. In response to sustained low natural gas prices, 5 MMcfe/d of the Company's Mid-Continent production remained shut-in and all Granite Wash completions continued to be deferred. By year-end, the Company estimates it will have an additional 10 MMcfe/d of initial production potential from these deferred completions. The Company anticipates limited drilling activities during the balance of the year and will continue to focus on low-cost, high-return oil projects, including workover, recompletion and optimization opportunities.

Equity Offering

In October, the Company completed a public equity offering for total gross proceeds of $189 million, issuing an aggregate of 8.625 million units. Net proceeds of $181 million from this offering were used to reduce indebtedness under the Company's credit facility.

Borrowing Base Redetermination

There was no change to the Company's $1.64 billion borrowing base under its revolving credit facility as a result of the regular semi-annual redetermination process in October 2009. As of October 31, 2009, the Company's borrowing capacity, including available cash, was approximately $595 million.

Hedge Information

In July 2009, the Company capitalized on the value of its hedges in years 2012 through 2014 to raise the hedge prices on existing oil and natural gas hedges in 2010 and 2011, enhancing downside protection on existing hedged volumes. At current production levels, the Company is approximately 100 percent hedged for fourth quarter 2009, 2010 and 2011 at currently attractive prices averaging $92.25 per Bbl for oil and $8.87 per MMBtu for natural gas. Additionally, the Company is hedged on substantially all of its exposure to the Mid-Continent natural gas basis differential. The Company has also hedged 100 percent of its interest rate risk with LIBOR swaps at a rate of 3.85 percent through 2013. For more detailed information regarding the Company's commodity hedge positions, please see Schedule 10 of this press release.

Permian Basin Acquisitions

In the third quarter, the Company closed two previously announced Permian Basin acquisitions for an aggregate contract price of $118 million, subject to closing conditions and purchase price adjustments. These acquired properties, located in West Texas and New Mexico, have proved reserves of more than 12 million barrels of oil equivalent, which are approximately 86 percent oil and more than 58 percent proved developed. These assets are currently producing approximately 1,350 barrels of oil equivalent per day, resulting in a reserve life index of more than 24 years, and offer approximately 180 proved infill development and low-risk optimization projects that the Company anticipates will create future growth opportunities.

Cash Distributions

On October 21, 2009, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.63 per unit, or $2.52 per unit on an annualized basis, with respect to the third quarter 2009. The distribution will be paid on November 13, 2009, to unitholders of record as of close of business on November 6, 2009.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations, adjusted net income from continuing operations and combined revenues are non-GAAP financial measures that are reconciled to their most comparable GAAP financial measures in Schedules 1, 2 and 3 in this press release.

Conference Call

As previously announced, management will host a teleconference call on November 4, 2009, at 10 a.m. Central (11 a.m. Eastern), to discuss the Company's third quarter 2009 results and its outlook for the remainder of the year. Prepared remarks will be followed by a question and answer period.

Investors and analysts are invited to participate in the call by phone at (800) 573-4752 (Passcode: 27490141) or via the internet at www.linnenergy.com. A replay of the call will be available on the Company's website or by phone at (888) 286-8010 (Passcode: 72719513) for a seven-day period following the call.

ABOUT LINN ENERGY

LINN Energy's mission is to acquire, develop and maximize cash flow from a growing portfolio of long-life oil and natural gas assets. LINN Energy is an independent oil and natural gas development company, with approximately 1.7 Tcfe of proved reserves in producing U.S. basins as of year-end 2008. More information about LINN Energy is available at www.linnenergy.com.

The LINN Energy logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6573

This press release includes "forward-looking statements." All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These statements include but are not limited to forward-looking statements about acquisitions and the expectations of plans, strategies, objectives and anticipated financial and operating results of the Company, including the Company's drilling program, production, hedging activities, capital expenditure levels and other guidance included in this press release. These statements are based on certain assumptions made by the Company based on management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, anticipated future developments and other factors believed to be appropriate. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied or expressed by the forward-looking statements. These include risks relating to the Company's financial performance and results, availability of sufficient cash flow to pay distributions and execute its business plan, prices and demand for oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, the ability to replace reserves and efficiently develop current reserves and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected as described in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. See "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report filed on Form 10-K and other public filings and press releases.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and the Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The financial summary follows; all amounts within are unaudited.

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted an accounting standard requiring the Company's unvested restricted units to be included in the computation of earnings per unit under the two-class method. The adoption required retrospective adjustment of all prior period earnings per unit data. As such, earnings per unit data included in the following has been adjusted for all prior periods presented.



                             Schedule 1
                           LINN Energy, LLC
          Explanation and Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA

This press release includes the non-generally accepted accounting principle ("non-GAAP") financial measure of adjusted EBITDA. The accompanying schedules provide reconciliations of this non-GAAP financial measure to its most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). This non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP measures, such as net income, operating income or any other GAAP measure of liquidity or financial performance.

The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as income (loss) from continuing operations plus the following adjustments:



 -- Net operating cash flow from acquisitions and divestitures,
    effective date through closing date;

 -- Interest expense;

 -- Depreciation, depletion and amortization;

 -- Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets;

 -- Write-off of deferred financing fees and other;

 -- (Gain) loss on sale of assets, net;

 -- Unrealized (gain) loss on commodity derivatives;

 -- Unrealized (gain) loss on interest rate derivatives;

 -- Realized (gain) loss on interest rate derivatives;

 -- Realized (gain) loss on canceled derivatives;

 -- Unit-based compensation expenses;

 -- Exploration costs; and

 -- Income tax (benefit) expense.

Adjusted EBITDA is a significant non-GAAP performance metric used by Company management to indicate (prior to the establishment of any reserves by its Board of Directors) the cash distributions the Company expects to pay unitholders. Specifically, this financial measure indicates to investors whether or not the Company is generating cash flow at a level that can sustain or support an increase in its quarterly distribution rates. Adjusted EBITDA is also a quantitative metric used throughout the investment community with respect to publicly-traded partnerships and limited liability companies.

The following presents a reconciliation of income (loss) from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA:



                         Three Months Ended         Nine Months Ended
                   ------------------------------- --------------------
                   Sept. 30,  June 30,  Sept. 30,  Sept. 30,  Sept. 30,
                     2009       2009       2008       2009      2008
                   --------- ---------- ---------  ---------- ---------
                                     (in thousands)
 Income (loss)
  from continuing
  operations       $(82,462) $(268,701) $ 921,943  $(229,876) $(62,397)
 Plus:
  Net operating
   cash flow from
   acquisitions and
   divestitures,
   effective date
   through closing
   date(1)            3,593         --     (4,356)     3,593     4,308
  Interest expense,
   cash              21,978      8,402     17,514     50,990    64,922
  Interest expense,
   noncash            6,047     14,860      5,060     14,706     6,277
  Depreciation,
   depletion and
   amortization      49,440     50,390     52,004    151,934   147,259
  Write-off of
   deferred
   financing fees
   and other             --        204      3,351        204     6,728
  (Gain) loss on
   sale of assets,
   net                2,361         60         --    (23,290)       --
  Unrealized (gain)
   loss on
   commodity
   derivatives      156,054    343,919   (887,249)   462,727   150,133
  Unrealized (gain)
   loss on interest
   rate derivatives  14,751    (22,535)     3,877     (6,327)    6,004
  Realized loss on
   interest rate
   derivatives(2)    10,958     10,557      5,817     31,629    11,479
  Realized (gain)
   loss on canceled
   derivatives      (44,780)        60     13,161    (48,977)   81,358
  Unit-based
   compensation
   expenses           3,519      3,651      3,913     11,473    11,398
  Exploration
   costs                861      2,199        268      4,625     2,949
  Income tax
   expense               58        185      1,002        379     1,047
                   --------- ---------- ---------  ---------- ---------
 Adjusted EBITDA
  from continuing
  operations       $142,378  $ 143,251  $ 136,305  $ 423,790  $431,465
                   ========= ========== ========== ========== =========


 (1) Includes net operating cash flow from acquisitions and
     divestitures through the date of this report.

 (2) During the first quarter of 2009, the Company revised its
     definition of adjusted EBITDA to include realized (gains) losses
     on interest rate derivatives in order to match the related
     interest expense. All prior periods amounts have been
     reclassified to conform to current period presentation. This
     reclassification had no effect on the Company's reported net
     income.

                              Schedule 2
                           LINN Energy, LLC
        Explanation and Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income

Adjusted Net Income from Continuing Operations

Adjusted net income from continuing operations is a non-GAAP performance measure used by Company management to evaluate its operational performance from oil and gas properties, prior to derivative gains and losses, impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets and (gain) loss on sale of assets, net. The following presents a reconciliation of income (loss) from continuing operations to adjusted net income from continuing operations:



                         Three Months Ended        Nine Months Ended
                   ------------------------------- --------------------
                   Sept. 30,  June 30,  Sept. 30,  Sept. 30,  Sept. 30,
                     2009       2009       2008       2009      2008
                   --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
                          (in thousands, except per unit amounts)

 Income (loss)
  from continuing
  operations       $(82,462) $(268,701) $ 921,943  $(229,876) $(62,397)
 Plus:
  Unrealized (gain)
   loss on
   commodity
   derivatives      156,054    343,919   (887,249)   462,727   150,133
  Unrealized (gain)
   loss on interest
   rate derivatives  14,751    (22,535)     3,877     (6,327)    6,004
  Realized (gain)
   loss on canceled
   derivatives      (44,780)        60     13,161    (48,977)   81,358
  (Gain) loss on
   sale of assets,
   net                2,361         60         --    (23,290)       --
                   --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
 Adjusted net
  income from
  continuing
  operations       $ 45,924  $  52,803  $  51,732  $ 154,257  $175,098
                   ========= ========== ========== ========== =========

 Income (loss) from
  continuing
  operations per
  unit - basic     $  (0.69) $   (2.31) $    8.01  $   (1.97) $  (0.55)
 Plus, per unit:
  Unrealized (gain)
   loss on
   commodity
   derivatives         1.30       2.95      (7.70)      3.96      1.32
  Unrealized (gain)
   loss on interest
   rate derivatives    0.12      (0.19)      0.03      (0.05)     0.05
  Realized (gain)
   loss on canceled
   derivatives        (0.37)        --       0.11      (0.42)     0.71
  (Gain) loss on
   sale of assets,
   net                 0.02         --         --       (0.20)      --
                   --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
 Adjusted net
  income from
  continuing
  operations per
  unit - basic     $   0.38  $    0.45  $    0.45  $    1.32  $   1.53
                   ========= ========== ========== ========== =========

                              Schedule 3
                           LINN Energy, LLC
         Explanation and Reconciliation of Combined Revenues

Combined Revenues

Combined revenues is a non-GAAP performance measure used by Company management to evaluate its performance. Management believes that the presentation of combined revenues provides useful information to investors because it is used by investors and securities analysts in evaluating oil and gas companies. This non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP measures, such as total revenues. The following presents a reconciliation of revenues and other from continuing operations to combined revenues from continuing operations:




                        Three Months Ended          Nine Months Ended
                  -------------------------------- --------------------
                  Sept. 30,  June 30,   Sept. 30,  Sept. 30, Sept. 30,
                    2009       2009       2008       2009       2008
                  --------- ---------- ----------- --------- ----------
                                     (in thousands)

 Revenues and
  other from
  continuing
  operations      $ 90,425  $(139,045) $1,091,660  $194,041  $ 391,050
 Less:
  Unrealized
   (gain) loss on
   oil and gas
   derivatives     156,054    343,919    (887,249)  462,727    150,133
  Gas marketing
   revenues         (1,351)    (1,183)     (4,647)   (3,050)   (11,056)
  Other revenues      (150)      (641)       (561)   (1,757)    (1,682)
                  --------- ---------- ----------- --------- ----------
 Combined revenues
  from continuing
  operations      $244,978  $ 203,050  $  199,203  $651,961  $ 528,445
                  ========= ========== =========== ========= ==========
 Gain (loss) on
  oil and gas
  derivatives     $(14,065) $(232,775) $  845,818  $(85,525) $(293,780)
 Less:
  Unrealized
   (gain) loss on
   oil and gas
   derivatives     156,054    343,919    (887,249)  462,727    150,133
  Realized (gain)
   loss on
   canceled oil
   and gas
   derivatives     (44,780)        --      13,161   (49,037)    81,358
                  --------- ---------- ----------- --------- ----------
 Hedge revenues
  (losses)        $ 97,209  $ 111,144  $  (28,270) $328,165  $ (62,289)
                  ========= ========== =========== ========= ==========

                                   Schedule 4
                                LINN Energy, LLC
                   Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations


                        Three Months Ended          Nine Months Ended
                 -------------------------------- ---------------------
                 Sept. 30,  June 30,   Sept. 30,  Sept. 30,  Sept. 30,
                   2009       2009       2008        2009       2008
                 --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
                          (in thousands, except per unit amounts)
 Revenues and
  other:
  Oil, gas and
   natural gas
   liquid sales  $102,989  $  91,906  $  240,634  $ 274,759  $ 672,092
  Gain (loss) on
   oil and gas
   derivatives    (14,065)  (232,775)    845,818    (85,525)  (293,780)
  Gas marketing
   revenues         1,351      1,183       4,647      3,050     11,056
  Other revenues      150        641         561      1,757      1,682
                 --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
                   90,425   (139,045)  1,091,660    194,041    391,050
                 --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
 Expenses:
  Lease operating
   expenses        33,453     33,137      33,503    100,322     78,154
  Transportation
   expenses         6,367      2,516       5,683     11,850     12,674
  Gas marketing
   expenses            98        880       4,061      1,318      9,581
  General and
   administrative
   expenses        19,655     20,291      18,692     63,247     55,788
  Exploration
   costs              861      2,199         268      4,625      2,949
  Bad debt
   expenses           500         --       1,436        500      1,436
  Depreciation,
   depletion and
   amortization    49,440     50,390      52,004    151,934    147,259
  Taxes, other
   than income
   taxes            5,965      7,882      17,242     21,414     47,843
  (Gain) loss on
   sale of assets
   and other, net   1,999         (5)         --    (24,717)        --
                 --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
                  118,338    117,290     132,889    330,493    355,684
                 --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
 Other income and
  (expenses):
  Interest
   expense, net
   of amounts
   capitalized    (28,025)   (23,262)    (22,574)   (65,696)   (71,199)
  Gain (loss) on
   interest rate
   swaps          (25,709)    11,918      (9,694)   (25,362)   (17,483)
  Other, net         (757)      (837)     (3,558)    (1,987)    (8,034)
                 --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
                  (54,491)   (12,181)    (35,826)   (93,045)   (96,716)
                 --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
 Income (loss)
  from continuing
  operations
  before income
  taxes           (82,404)  (268,516)    922,945   (229,497)   (61,350)
 Income tax
  expense             (58)      (185)     (1,002)      (379)    (1,047)
                 --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
 Income (loss)
  from continuing
  operations      (82,462)  (268,701)    921,943   (229,876)   (62,397)

 Discontinued
  operations:
  Gain (loss) on
   sale of
   assets, net
   of taxes            --        330     162,442       (718)   161,120
  Income (loss)
   from
   discontinued
   operations,
   net of taxes    (1,247)      (101)     (1,774)    (2,186)    12,387
                 --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
                   (1,247)       229     160,668     (2,904)   173,507
                 --------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
 Net income
  (loss)         $(83,709) $(268,472) $1,082,611  $(232,780) $ 111,110
                 ========= ========== =========== ========== ==========
 Income (loss)
  per unit -
  continuing
  operations:
  Units - basic  $  (0.69) $   (2.31) $     8.01  $   (1.97) $   (0.55)
                 ========= ========== =========== ========== ==========
  Units -
   diluted       $  (0.69) $   (2.31) $     8.01  $   (1.97) $   (0.55)
                 ========= ========== =========== ========== ==========
 Income (loss)
  per unit -
  discontinued
  operations:
  Units - basic  $  (0.01) $    0.01  $     1.39  $   (0.03) $    1.52
                 ========= ========== =========== ========== ==========
  Units -
   diluted       $  (0.01) $    0.01  $     1.39  $   (0.03) $    1.52
                 ========= ========== =========== ========== ==========
 Net income
  (loss) per
  unit:
  Units - basic  $  (0.70) $   (2.30) $     9.40  $   (2.00) $    0.97
                 ========= ========== =========== ========== ==========
  Units -
   diluted       $  (0.70) $   (2.30) $     9.40  $   (2.00) $    0.97
                 ========= ========== =========== ========== ==========
 Weighted
  average units
  outstanding:
  Units - basic   119,792    116,497     114,321    116,610    114,111
                 ========= ========== =========== ========== ==========
  Units -
   diluted        119,792    116,497     114,345    116,610    114,111
                 ========= ========== =========== ========== ==========
 Distributions
  declared per
  unit           $   0.63  $    0.63  $     0.63  $    1.89  $    1.89
                 ========= ========== =========== ========== ==========

                                  Schedule 5
                               LINN Energy, LLC
                  Operating Statistics - Continuing Operations


                           Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended
                      ---------------------------- -------------------
                      Sept. 30, June 30, Sept. 30, Sept. 30, Sept. 30,
                         2009     2009      2008      2009      2008
                      --------- -------- --------- --------- ---------

 Average daily
  production:
  Gas (MMcf/d)             122       131      127       129       127
  Oil (MBbls/d)            8.8       8.7      9.5       8.8       8.9
  NGL (MBbls/d)            7.1       5.9      7.3       6.1       6.0
  Total (MMcfe/d)          217       219      227       218       216

 Weighted average
  prices (hedged):(1)

  Gas (Mcf)           $   8.38  $   8.17 $   8.05  $   8.16  $   8.75
  Oil (Bbl)           $ 109.30  $ 113.68 $  85.30  $ 113.69  $  80.85
  NGL (Bbl)           $  27.06  $  28.49 $  65.56  $  26.47  $  67.34

 Weighted average
  prices
  (unhedged):(2)

  Gas (Mcf)           $   3.14  $   2.88 $   8.63  $   3.18  $   8.78
  Oil (Bbl)           $  61.90  $  53.10 $ 109.96  $  49.68  $ 106.06
  NGL (Bbl)           $  27.06  $  28.49 $  65.56  $  26.47  $  67.34

 Representative NYMEX
  oil and gas prices:
  Gas (MMBtu)         $   3.39  $   3.51 $  10.25  $   3.93  $   9.74
  Oil (Bbl)           $  68.86  $  59.62 $ 117.98  $  57.19  $ 113.29

 Costs per Mcfe of
  production:
  Lease operating
   expenses           $   1.67  $   1.67 $   1.60  $   1.69  $   1.32
  Transportation
   expenses           $   0.32  $   0.13 $   0.27  $   0.20  $   0.21
  General and
   administrative
   expenses(3)        $   0.98  $   1.02 $   0.89  $   1.06  $   0.94
  Depreciation,
   depletion and
   amortization       $   2.47  $   2.53 $   2.49  $   2.56  $   2.49
  Taxes, other than
   income taxes       $   0.30  $   0.40 $   0.82  $   0.36  $   0.81


 (1) Includes the effect of realized gains (losses) on derivatives of
     $97.2 million (excluding $44.8 million realized net gains on
     canceled contracts), $111.1 million and $(28.2) million
     (excluding $13.2 million realized losses on canceled contracts)
     for the three months ended September 30, 2009, June 30, 2009, and
     September 30, 2008, respectively. Includes the effect of realized
     gains (losses) on derivatives of $328.2 million (excluding $49.0
     million realized net gains on canceled contracts) and $(62.2)
     million (excluding $81.4 million realized losses on canceled
     contracts) for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, and
     September 30, 2008, respectively. The Company utilizes oil puts
     to hedge revenues associated with its NGL production; therefore,
     all realized gains (losses) on oil derivative contracts are
     included in weighted average oil prices, rather than weighted
     average NGL prices.

 (2) Does not include the effect of realized gains (losses) on
     derivatives.

 (3) General and administrative expenses for the three months ended
     September 30, 2009, June 30, 2009, and September 30, 2008,
     include approximately $3.4 million, $3.6 million and $3.9
     million, respectively, of noncash unit-based compensation
     expenses. Excluding these amounts, general and administrative
     expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2009, June 30,
     2009, and September 30, 2008, were $0.81 per Mcfe, $0.84 per Mcfe
     and $0.71 per Mcfe, respectively. General and administrative
     expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, and
     September 30, 2008, includes approximately $11.2 million and
     $11.3 million, respectively, of noncash unit-based compensation
     expenses. Excluding these amounts, general and administrative
     expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, and
     September 30, 2008, were $0.88 for Mcfe and $0.75 per Mcfe,
     respectively.

                                 Schedule 6
                              LINN Energy, LLC
                        Selected Balance Sheet Data


                                          September 30,   December 31,
                                              2009           2008
                                          -------------  -------------
                                                 (in thousands)
 Assets

 Total current assets                     $     422,277  $     563,931
 Oil and gas properties, net                  3,643,637      3,552,378
 Other property and equipment, net               95,440         98,288
 Other noncurrent assets, net                   277,809        507,423
                                          -------------  -------------
  Total assets                            $   4,439,163  $   4,722,020

 Liabilities and Unitholders' Capital

 Total current liabilities                $     205,612  $     237,830
 Credit facility                              1,251,000      1,403,393
 Senior notes, net                              488,492        250,175
 Other noncurrent liabilities                    80,558         69,936
                                          -------------  -------------
  Total liabilities                           2,025,662      1,961,334
 Unitholders' capital                         2,413,501      2,760,686
                                          -------------  -------------
  Total liabilities and unitholders'
   capital                                $   4,439,163  $   4,722,020
                                          =============  =============

                                Schedule 7
                             LINN Energy, LLC
                         Selected Cash Flow Data


                                                  Nine Months Ended
                                                    September 30,
                                              ------------------------
                                                 2009         2008
                                              -----------  -----------
                                                    (in thousands)

 Net cash provided by operating activities(1) $  330,124   $   42,788

 Net cash used in investing activities          (247,993)     (84,105)
 Net cash provided by (used in) financing
  activities                                    (100,204)      87,145
                                              -----------  -----------
 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
  equivalents                                    (18,073)      45,828

 Cash and cash equivalents:
  Beginning                                       28,668        1,441
                                              -----------  -----------
  Ending                                      $   10,595   $   47,269
                                              ===========  ===========


 (1) The nine months ended September 30, 2009, and September 30, 2008,
     include premiums paid for derivatives of approximately $93.6
     million and $129.5 million, respectively.


                                   Schedule 8
                                LINN Energy, LLC
                                 Guidance Table


                                    Q4 2009E             FY 2009E
                              -------------------  -------------------
                              -------- - --------  -------- - --------
 Net Production and Other
  Revenues:
  Gas (MMcf/d)                     111 -      117       124 -      126
  Oil (Bbls/d)                   9,375 -    9,840     8,920 -    9,045
  NGL (Bbls/d)                   6,230 -    6,530     6,095 -    6,180
  Total (MMcfe/d)                  205 -      215       214 -      217

  Other revenues, net (in
   thousands)(1)              $    400 - $    600  $  3,750 - $  4,250

 Costs (in thousands):
  Lease operating expenses    $ 32,000 - $ 35,000  $132,000 - $135,000
  Transportation expenses        2,500 -    3,500    14,500 -   15,500
  Taxes, other than income
   taxes                         7,500 -    9,500    29,000 -   31,000
                              -------- - --------  -------- - --------
   Total                      $ 42,000 - $ 48,000  $175,500   $181,500
                              ======== = ========  ======== = ========
  General and administrative
   expenses - non-GAAP(2)     $ 16,000 - $ 18,000  $ 68,000 - $ 70,000

  Depreciation, depletion and
   amortization               $ 50,000 - $ 56,000  $202,000 - $208,000


                                                 Q4 2009E    FY 2009E
                                                ----------  ----------
 Costs per Mcfe (Mid-Point):
  Lease operating expenses                      $    1.73   $    1.70
  Transportation expenses                            0.16        0.19
  Taxes, other than income taxes                     0.44        0.38
                                                ----------  ----------
   Total                                        $    2.33   $    2.27
                                                ==========  ==========

  General and administrative expenses -
   non-GAAP(2)                                  $    0.88   $    0.88

  Depreciation, depletion and amortization      $    2.74   $    2.61

Targets (Mid-Point) (in thousands):
  Adjusted EBITDA(3)                            $ 139,250   $ 563,000
  Interest expense(4)                             (33,500)   (121,000)
  Maintenance capital expenditures                (24,250)    (97,000)
                                                ----------  ----------
  Distributable cash flow                       $  81,500   $ 345,000
                                                ==========  ==========

  Distributable cash flow per unit(5)           $    0.63   $    2.85
  Distribution per unit(5)(6)                   $    0.63   $    2.52
  Distribution coverage ratio(5)(6)                  1.00x       1.13x

   Adjusted net income per unit(5)(7)(8)        $    0.30   $    1.62


                                    Q4 2009E             FY 2009E
                              -------------------  -------------------
                              -------- - --------  -------- - --------
 Weighted Average NYMEX
  Differentials:
  Gas (MMBtu)                 $ (0.90) - $ (0.60)  $ (0.90) - $ (0.60)
  Oil (Bbl)                   $ (7.00) - $ (4.00)  $ (8.00) - $ (5.00)
  NGL realization on crude oil
   price                           50% -      55%       45% -      50%


                               October  November  December  Q4 Average
                               -------  --------  --------  ----------
 Unhedged Commodity Price
  Assumptions:
  Gas (MMBtu)                  $  3.72  $   4.29  $   4.50  $     4.17
  Oil (Bbl)                    $ 75.82  $  75.00  $  75.00  $    75.27


 Notes to Guidance Table:

 (1) Includes other revenues and margin on natural gas marketing
     activities.

 (2) Excludes unit-based compensation, which represents a noncash
     charge based on equity-related compensation.

 (3) Includes effects of the Company's hedge positions, cash flow
     adjustments from acquisition and divestiture activities and
     other expenses.

 (4) Includes cash payments for interest, accrued interest on the
     Company's senior notes and the effects of interest rate swaps.
     Excludes the noncash amortization of deferred financing fees of
     approximately $4.7 million in Q4 2009. Amortization of deferred
     financing fees is included in interest expense on the statements
     of operations.

 (5) Assumes 129.9 million units outstanding in Q4 2009 and
     121.0 million units outstanding for full year 2009.

 (6) Based on current quarterly distribution of $0.63 per unit, or
     $2.52 per unit on an annualized basis.

 (7) Excludes unrealized (gains) losses on commodity and interest
     rate derivatives, realized (gain) loss on canceled derivatives
     and (gain) loss on sale of assets and includes unit-based
     compensation and exploration costs.

 (8) Includes noncash amortization of deferred financing fees of
     approximately $4.7 million in Q4 2009.

                                Schedule 9
                             LINN Energy, LLC
                  Guidance Table - Commodity Hedge Summary


                                                 Q4 2009E    FY 2009E
                                                ----------  ----------
 Gas Positions:
  Fixed Price Swaps:
   Hedged Volume (MMMBtu)                           9,896      39,586
   Average Price ($/MMBtu)                      $    8.53   $    8.53
  Puts:
   Hedged Volume (MMMBtu)                           1,740       6,960
   Average Price ($/MMBtu)                      $    7.50   $    7.50
  PEPL Puts:(1)

   Hedged Volume (MMMBtu)                           1,334       5,334
   Average Price ($/MMBtu)                      $    7.85   $    7.85
  Total:
   Hedged Volume (MMMBtu)                          12,970      51,880
   Average Price ($/MMBtu)                      $    8.32   $    8.32

 Oil Positions:
  Fixed Price Swaps:
   Hedged Volume (MBbls)                              609       2,437
   Average Price ($/Bbl)                        $   90.00   $   90.00
  Puts:(2)

   Hedged Volume (MBbls)                              461       1,843
   Average Price ($/Bbl)                        $  120.00   $  120.00
  Collars:
   Hedged Volume (MBbls)                               62         250
   Average Floor Price ($/Bbl)                  $   90.00   $   90.00
   Average Ceiling Price ($/Bbl)                $  114.25   $  114.25
  Total:
   Hedged Volume (MBbls)                            1,132       4,530
   Average Price ($/Bbl)                        $  102.21   $  102.21

 Gas Basis Differential Positions:
  PEPL Basis Swaps:(3)

   Hedged Volume (MMMBtu)                          11,729      46,916
   Average Price ($/MMBtu)                      $   (0.97)  $   (0.97)


 Notes to Commodity Hedge Summary:

 Includes positions covering production for all months within periods
 specified.

 (1) Settle on the PEPL spot price of gas to hedge basis differential
     associated with gas production in the Mid-Continent Deep and
     Mid-Continent Shallow regions.

 (2) The Company uses oil puts to hedge oil production and NGL
     revenues.

 (3) Represents a swap of the basis between NYMEX and PEPL spot price
     of gas for the volumes hedged.

                                 Schedule 10
                              LINN Energy, LLC
                          Commodity Hedge Portfolio

 The following table summarizes open positions as of September 30,
 2009, and represents, as of such date, derivatives in place through
 December 31, 2013, on annual production volumes:


                             Year     Year     Year     Year     Year
                             2009     2010     2011     2012     2013
                           -------- -------- -------- -------- --------

 Gas Positions:
 Fixed Price Swaps:
  Hedged Volume (MMMBtu)     9,896   39,566   31,901       --       --
  Average Price ($/MMBtu)  $  8.53  $  8.90  $  9.50  $    --  $    --
 Puts:
  Hedged Volume (MMMBtu)     1,740    6,960    6,960       --       --
  Average Price ($/MMBtu)  $  7.50  $  8.50  $  9.50  $    --  $    --
 PEPL Puts:(1)

  Hedged Volume (MMMBtu)     1,334   10,634   13,259       --       --
   Average Price ($/MMBtu) $  7.85  $  7.85  $  8.50  $    --  $    --
 Total:
  Hedged Volume (MMMBtu)    12,970   57,160   52,120       --       --
  Average Price ($/MMBtu)  $  8.32  $  8.66  $  9.25  $    --  $    --

 Oil Positions:
 Fixed Price Swaps:
  Hedged Volume (MBbls)        609    2,150    2,073       --       --
  Average Price ($/Bbl)    $ 90.00  $ 90.00  $ 90.00  $    --  $    --
 Puts:(2)
  Hedged Volume (MBbls)        461    2,250    2,352       --       --
  Average Price ($/Bbl)    $120.00  $110.00  $ 75.00  $    --  $    --
 Collars:
  Hedged Volume (MBbls)         62      250      276       --       --
  Average Floor Price
   ($/Bbl)                 $ 90.00  $ 90.00  $ 90.00  $    --  $    --
  Average Ceiling Price
   ($/Bbl)                 $114.25  $112.00  $112.25  $    --  $    --
 Total:
  Hedged Volume (MBbls)      1,132    4,650    4,701       --       --
  Average Price ($/Bbl)    $102.21  $ 99.68  $ 82.50  $    --  $    --

 Gas Basis Differential
  Positions:
 PEPL Basis Swaps:(3)
  Hedged Volume (MMMBtu)    11,729   43,166   35,541   34,066   31,700
  Hedged Differential
   ($/MMBtu)               $ (0.97) $ (0.97) $ (0.96) $ (0.95) $ (1.01)


 Notes to Commodity Hedge Portfolio:

 (1) Settle on the PEPL spot price of gas to hedge basis differential
     associated with gas production in the Mid-Continent Deep and
     Mid-Continent Shallow regions.

 (2) The Company utilizes oil puts to hedge revenues associated with
     its NGL production.

 (3) Represents a swap of the basis between NYMEX and PEPL spot price
     of gas for the volumes hedged.
CONTACT:  LINN Energy, LLC
          Investors:
          Clay Jeansonne, Vice President - Investor Relations
            281-840-4193
          Media:
          Paula Beasley, Manager, Public Affairs & Communications
            281-840-4183


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