Close

Form 8-K CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORP For: Dec 22

December 22, 2014 5:17 PM EST


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 22, 2014
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
Oklahoma
1-13726
73-1395733
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)
(Commission File No.)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
6100 North Western Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
73118
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(405) 848-8000
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
*
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
*
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
*
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
*
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))






INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
On December 22, 2014, Chesapeake Appalachia, L.L.C. (CHK Appalachia), a wholly owned subsidiary of Chesapeake Energy Corporation (the Company), entered into a Settlement Agreement with Southwestern Energy Production Company (SEPC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwestern Energy Company, pursuant to which the CHK Appalachia completed the previously announced sale of certain of its assets in the southern Marcellus Shale and a portion of the eastern Utica Shale to SEPC, for net proceeds of approximately $4.975 billion in cash. The net proceeds include a $400 million adjustment to the $5.375 billion purchase price that was previously disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 17, 2014. The price adjustment is attributable to various items, including, but not limited to, SEPC's waiver of potential post-closing price adjustments for certain title deficiencies and environmental liabilities (as specified in the Settlement Agreement). The sold properties consist of approximately 413,000 net acres and approximately 1,500 wells in northern West Virginia and southern Pennsylvania, along with related property, plant and equipment (collectively, the "Designated Properties").
The foregoing is a summary of the terms of the Settlement Agreement and does not purport to summarize or include all terms relating to the Settlement Agreement.�The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Settlement Agreement, which will be filed as an exhibit to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets
On December 22, 2014, CHK Appalachia completed the sale of the Designated Properties to SEPC for cash consideration of $4.975�billion.� Additional information regarding the transaction is provided in Item�1.01 above and the related Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 17, 2014, which information is incorporated by reference in this Item�2.01.
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure
On December 22, 2014, the Company issued a press release announcing the completion of the sale of the Designated Properties and authorization of a common stock repurchase program. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report.
Item 8.01 Other Information
On December 22, 2014, the Company issued a press release announcing that its Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $1 billion in value of its common stock from time to time. The repurchase authorization permits the Company to make repurchases on a discretionary basis as determined by management, subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements, available liquidity, compliance with the Company's debt arrangements and other appropriate factors. Acquisitions under this repurchase authorization are to be made through open market or privately negotiated transactions and may be made pursuant to plans entered into in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This repurchase authorization does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common stock and may be modified, extended, suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice. No assurance can be given that any particular amount of common stock will be repurchased.





Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
(b)
Pro Forma Financial Information:
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements have been derived from the Company's historical consolidated financial statements and are being presented to give effect to the sale of the Designated Properties. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2014 and the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and for the year ended December 31, 2013, and the related notes thereto, are furnished as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report.
(d)
Exhibits:
The following exhibits are furnished as part of this Current Report on Form 8-K:
Exhibit No.
Document Description
99.1
Chesapeake Energy Corporation press release dated December 22, 2014 announcing the completion of the sale of the Designated Properties and authorization of a common stock repurchase program.
99.2
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information of Chesapeake Energy Corporation and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2014 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2013.





SIGNATURE
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 hereunto duly authorized.
CHESAPEAKE�ENERGY�CORPORATION
Date: December 22, 2014
By:��
/s/ James R. Webb
James R. Webb
Executive Vice President - General Counsel
and Corporate Secretary








EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Document Description
99.1
Chesapeake Energy Corporation press release dated December 22, 2014 announcing the completion of the sale of the Designated Properties and authorization of a common stock repurchase program.
99.2
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information of Chesapeake Energy Corporation and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2014 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2013.



Exhibit 99.1
News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 22, 2014

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION CLOSES SOUTHERN MARCELLUS
AND UTICA SHALE SALE; ANNOUNCES $1 BILLION COMMON STOCK REPURCHASE AUTHORIZATION

OKLAHOMA CITY, DECEMBER 22, 2014  Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE: CHK) today announced the closing of its asset sale to Southwestern Energy Company (NYSE:SWN) and initiatives to further enhance shareholder value.

Chesapeake closed the previously announced sale of its assets in the Southern Marcellus Shale and a portion of the Eastern Utica Shale to Southwestern for net proceeds of $4.975 billion. The $400 million adjustment to the previously reported $5.375 billion sale price is attributable to a settlement for various items, including Southwesterns waiver of any future claims related to title defects and environmental liabilities. The properties sold to Southwestern consist of approximately 413,000 net acres and approximately 1,500 wells located in northern West Virginia and southern Pennsylvania, along with related property, plant and equipment. Net production of the divested properties in mid-December was approximately 57,000 barrels of oil equivalent (boe) per day. This represents approximately 7% of a new company record for total production that was achieved last week of 770,000 boe per day.

Doug Lawler, Chesapeakes Chief Executive Officer, commented, This transaction marks another significant event in Chesapeakes transformation and solidifies our strong financial position. With the closing of this transaction and the available borrowing capacity under our unsecured revolving credit facility, Chesapeake now has a liquidity position of approximately $9 billion, putting Chesapeake in an advantageous position to enhance shareholder value in this volatile commodity price market. Consistent with our financial strength and our focus on enhancing shareholder value, Chesapeakes Board of Directors has authorized a $1 billion common stock repurchase program. Further, building on our outstanding operational momentum of 2014, we will be focused on additional strategic growth opportunities to enhance our asset portfolio and continue to improve our ability to deliver top quartile growth metrics and shareholder returns.





INVESTOR CONTACT:
MEDIA CONTACT:
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION
Brad Sylvester, CFA
(405) 935-8859
Gordon Pennoyer
(405) 935-8878 [email protected]
6100 North Western Avenue
P.O. Box 18496
Oklahoma City, OK 73154



Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE: CHK) is the second-largest producer of natural gas and the 11th largest producer of oil and natural gas liquids in the U.S. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the company's operations are focused on discovering and developing its large and geographically diverse resource base of unconventional natural gas and oil assets onshore in the U.S. The company also owns substantial marketing and compression businesses. Further information is available at www.chk.com where Chesapeake routinely posts announcements, updates, events, investor information, presentations and news releases.

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section�27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section�21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are statements other than statements of historical fact that give our current expectations or forecasts of future events. They include, but are not limited to, the effect of the asset sale and use of proceeds, the common stock repurchase program and other strategic growth alternatives on the Companys efforts to enhance current and long-term shareholder value, deliver top quartile growth metrics and shareholder returns. The companys ability to execute on the stock repurchase program depends upon many factors, including the price of the common stock, the availability of other alternatives and market conditions. Although we believe the expectations and forecasts reflected in the 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. Chesapeake does not intend to update any forward looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results include those described under Risk Factors in Item 1A of our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2014. These risk factors include: the volatility of natural gas, oil and NGL prices; the limitations our level of indebtedness may have on our financial flexibility; declines in the prices of natural gas and oil potentially resulting in a write-down of our asset carrying values; the availability of capital on an economic basis, including through planned asset sales, to fund reserve replacement costs; our ability to replace reserves and sustain production; uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of natural gas, oil and NGL reserves and projecting future rates of production and the amount and timing of development expenditures; our ability to generate profits or achieve targeted results in drilling and well operations; leasehold terms expiring before production can be established; hedging activities resulting in lower prices realized on natural gas, oil and NGL sales; the need to secure hedging liabilities and the inability of hedging counterparties to satisfy their obligations; drilling and operating risks, including potential environmental liabilities; legislative and regulatory changes adversely affecting our industry and our business, including initiatives related to hydraulic fracturing, air emissions and endangered species; a deterioration in general economic, business or industry conditions having a material adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition; oilfield services shortages, gathering system and transportation capacity constraints and various transportation interruptions that could adversely affect our revenues and cash flow; adverse developments and losses in connection with pending or future litigation and regulatory investigations; cyber-attacks adversely impacting our operations; and an interruption at our headquarters that adversely affects our business.


2






Exhibit 99.2

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
On December 22, 2014, Chesapeake Appalachia, L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of Chesapeake Energy Corporation (the Company), closed the sale of its southern Marcellus Shale and a portion of its eastern Utica Shale assets to Southwestern Energy Production Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwestern Energy Company, for net proceeds of approximately $4.975 billion.
The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet and statement of operations are derived from the historical consolidated financial statements of the Company. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2014 gives effect to the disposition of the Companys southern Marcellus and eastern Utica Shale assets as if it had occurred on September 30, 2014. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2013 and the nine months ended September 30, 2014 reflect the southern Marcellus and eastern Utica Shale asset disposition as if it had occurred on January 1, 2013. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet and statement of operations should be read in conjunction with the notes thereto and the historical financial statements, including the notes thereto, of the Company included in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
The preparation of the unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information is based on financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These principles require the use of estimates that affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information is provided for illustrative purposes only and does not purport to represent what the actual results of operations would have been had the transaction occurred on the respective dates assumed, nor is it necessarily indicative of the Companys future operating results. However, the pro forma adjustments reflected in the accompanying unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information reflect estimates and assumptions that the Companys management believes to be reasonable.



CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
SEPTEMBER 30, 2014


Historical
Pro Forma
Adjustments
Pro Forma
($ in millions)
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
90

$
4,975

(a)
$
5,065

Other current assets
3,039



3,039

Total Current Assets
3,129

4,975

8,104

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
Natural gas and oil properties, at cost based on full cost accounting:
Proved natural gas and oil properties
60,260

(3,991
)
(b)(c)(d)
56,269

Unproved properties
11,513

(1,001
)
(d)
10,512

Other property and equipment
3,127

(9
)
(e)
3,118

Total Property and Equipment, at Cost
74,900

(5,001
)
69,899

Less: accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
(38,349
)
3

(e)
(38,346
)
Property and equipment held for sale, net
101



101

Total Property and Equipment, Net
36,652

(4,998
)
31,654

OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS
737



737

TOTAL ASSETS
$
40,518

$
(23
)
$
40,495

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current liabilities
$
5,602

$
36

(f)
$
5,638

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
Long-term debt, net
11,592



11,592

Deferred income tax liabilities
4,285

(319
)
(f)
3,966

Other long-term liabilities
1,408

144

(f)(c)
1,552

Total Long-Term Liabilities
17,285

(175
)
17,110

EQUITY:
Total Equity
17,631

116

(f)(g)
17,747

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$
40,518

$
(23
)
$
40,495



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements.
1


CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014


Historical
Pro Forma
Adjustments
Pro Forma
($ in millions)
REVENUES:
Natural gas, oil and NGL
$
5,812

$
(347
)
(h)
$
5,465

Marketing, gathering and compression
9,543

(188
)
(i)
9,355

Oilfield services
546



546

����Total Revenues
15,901

(535
)
15,366

OPERATING EXPENSES:
Natural gas, oil and NGL production
868

(36
)
(h)
832

Production taxes
185

(20
)
(j)
165

Marketing, gathering and compression
9,515

(187
)
(i)
9,328

Oilfield services
431



431

General and administrative
229



229

Restructuring and other termination costs
12



12

Provision for legal contingencies
100



100

Natural gas, oil and NGL depreciation, depletion and amortization
1,977

(40
)
(k)
1,937

Depreciation and amortization of other assets
194

(1
)
(l)
193

Impairments of fixed assets and other
75



75

Net gains on sales of fixed assets
(201
)


(201
)
����Total Operating Expenses
13,385

(284
)
13,101

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
2,516

(251
)
2,265

OTHER EXPENSE:
Interest expense
(82
)
(38
)
(m)
(120
)
Losses on investments
(72
)


(72
)
Other expense
(116
)


(116
)
����Total Other Expense
(270
)
(38
)
(308
)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
2,246

(289
)
1,957

INCOME TAX EXPENSE:
Current income taxes
10



10

Deferred income taxes
849

(109
)
(n)
740

�����Total Income Tax Expense
859

(109
)
750

NET INCOME
1,387

(180
)
1,207

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(110
)


(110
)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHESAPEAKE
1,277

(180
)
1,097

Preferred stock dividends
(128
)


(128
)
Redemption on purchase of preferred shares of a subsidiary
(447
)


(447
)
Earnings allocated to participating securities
(15
)
4

(o)
(11
)
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
$
687

$
(176
)
$
511

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic
$
1.04

$
0.78

Diluted
$
1.04

$
0.77

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON AND COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARES OUTSTANDING (in millions):
Basic
659

659

Diluted
659

659


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements.
2


CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013



Historical
Pro Forma
Adjustments
Pro Forma
($ in millions)
REVENUES:
Natural gas, oil and NGL
$
7,052

$
(349
)
(h)
$
6,703

Marketing, gathering and compression
9,559

(172
)
(i)
9,387

Oilfield services
895



895

Total Revenues
17,506

(521
)
16,985

OPERATING EXPENSES:
Natural gas, oil and NGL production
1,159

(44
)
(h)
1,115

Production taxes
229

(21
)
(j)
208

Marketing, gathering and compression
9,461

(170
)
(i)
9,291

Oilfield services
736



736

General and administrative
457



457

Restructuring and other termination costs
248



248

Natural gas, oil and NGL depreciation, depletion and amortization
2,589

(56
)
(k)
2,533

Depreciation and amortization of other assets
314

(1
)
(l)
313

Impairments of fixed assets and other
546



546

Net gains on sales of fixed assets
(302
)


(302
)
Total Operating Expenses
15,437

(292
)
15,145

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
2,069

(229
)
1,840

OTHER EXPENSE:
Interest expense
(227
)
(58
)
(m)
(285
)
Losses on investments
(226
)


(226
)
Other expense
(174
)


(174
)
Total Other Expense
(627
)
(58
)
(685
)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
1,442

(287
)
1,155

INCOME TAX EXPENSE:
Current income taxes
22



22

Deferred income taxes
526

(108
)
(n)
418

Total Income Tax Expense
548

(108
)
440

NET INCOME
894

(179
)
715

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(170
)


(170
)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHESAPEAKE
724

(179
)
545

Preferred stock dividends
(171
)


(171
)
Redemption on purchase of preferred shares of a subsidiary
(69
)


(69
)
Earnings allocated to participating securities
(10
)
4

(o)
(6
)
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
$
474

$
(175
)
$
299

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic
$
0.73

$
0.46

Diluted
$
0.73

$
0.46

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON AND COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARES OUTSTANDING (in millions):
Basic
653

653

Diluted
653

653


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements.
3





NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(a)
Adjustment to reflect the $4.975 billion in cash from the sale of the Companys divested southern Marcellus and eastern Utica Shale assets.
(b)
Adjustment to reduce the full cost pool for the estimated fair market value of $4.969 billion attributable to the Companys divested southern Marcellus and eastern Utica�Shale natural gas and oil proved reserves.�The Company follows the full cost method of accounting. Proceeds from the sale of properties are accounted for as reductions of capitalized costs unless such sales involve a significant change in proved reserves and significantly alter the relationship between costs and proved reserves. The sale of the Company's southern Marcellus and eastern Utica Shale natural gas and oil properties did not involve a significant change in proved reserves for the Company and as such no gain was recognized on this sale.
(c)
Adjustment to reflect the elimination of $23 million of asset retirement obligations associated with the Companys divested southern Marcellus and eastern Utica Shale assets and the associated asset retirement cost capitalized in the full cost pool.
(d)
Adjustment to reclassify $1.0 billion of the historical cost basis of unproved natural gas and oil properties associated with the sale of the Companys divested southern Marcellus and eastern Utica Shale assets into the Company's amortization base.
(e)
Adjustment to reduce other property and equipment by $9 million for the sale of the Companys divested southern Marcellus and eastern Utica Shale other property and equipment and the associated accumulated depreciation of $3 million.
(f)
Adjustment to reflect the change in the current income taxes payable, non-current income taxes payable, and deferred income tax liability associated with the sale of the Company's divested southern Marcellus and eastern Utica Shale assets.
(g)
No gain or loss is expected to result on the sale of the Companys other property and equipment based on the preliminary estimated fair market value relative to the proceeds received.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(h)
Adjustment to eliminate revenue and direct operating expenses of the divested southern Marcellus and eastern Utica Shale assets.
(i)
Adjustment to reflect the reduction of marketing revenue and expenses the Company generates through marketing activities with joint operating agreement partners relating to the divested southern Marcellus and eastern Utica Shale assets.
(j)
Adjustment to reduce production taxes for the production of natural gas, oil and NGL relating to the divested southern Marcellus and eastern Utica Shale properties.
(k)
Adjustment to reflect the reduction in depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) expense based on the production volumes attributable to the properties sold and revision to the Companys DD&A rate reflecting the reserve volumes sold. DD&A is calculated using the unit of production method under full cost accounting.
(l)
Adjustment to reflect the reduction in DD&A attributable to the sale of the Companys divested southern Marcellus and eastern Utica Shale other property and equipment.
(m)
Adjustment to reflect the increased interest expense associated with the change in the amount of interest capitalized on the Company's divested southern Marcellus and eastern Utica Share natural gas and oil properties. The reclassification of the historical cost basis of unproved natural gas and oil properties changed the amount of interest capitalized.
(n)
Adjustment to reflect income tax expense based on the Companys historical statutory tax rate applied to the cumulative effect of changes referenced within the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations.
(o)
Adjustment to reflect the change in earnings allocated to participating securities associated with the sale of the Company's divested southern Marcellus and eastern Utica Shale assets. Participating securities consist of unvested restricted stock issued to the Company's employees and non-employee directors that provide dividend rights.



Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

You May Also Be Interested In





Related Categories

SEC Filings