Gulfport Energy (NASDAQ: GPOR) reported Q4 EPS of $0.12, $0.10 better than the analyst estimate of $0.02.

2015 Capital Budget and Production Guidance

Gulfport estimates capital E&P expenditures to be in the range of $545 million to $595 million, with approximately 96% allocated to its activity in the Utica Shale. Additionally, Gulfport anticipates spending approximately $85 million to $95 million on leasehold acquisitions in the Utica Shale during 2015, with its efforts primarily focused on bolt-on acquisitions to existing units included in its long-term development plans. "We are focused on preserving our strong balance sheet metrics and intend to fund our 2015 activities from within cash flow and current sources of liquidity. To do so, we intend to allocate capital predominantly to drilling and completion activity in the wet and dry gas windows of the Utica Shale while limiting leasehold acquisition, non-operated activity and non-core asset spending," stated Mr. Moore.

The Company estimates that 2015 average daily production will be in the range of 432 MMcfe per day to 480 MMcfe per day, an increase of 80% to 100% over its 2014 average daily production. Production is expected to be 75% to 85% natural gas. Mr. Moore commented, "The goal is simple – deliver attractive returns in today's commodity price environment and exit the year with strong fourth quarter 2015 results as compared to fourth quarter 2014, while protecting balance sheet strength and preserving financial flexibility."

Gulfport estimates that its realized natural gas price, before the effect of hedges and inclusive of the Company's firm transportation expense, will be approximately $0.52 to $0.58 per MMBtu below NYMEX settlement prices in 2015. Before the effect of hedges, the Company estimates that its 2015 realized NGL price will be 45% to 50% of WTI and its 2015 realized oil price will be approximately $10.00 per barrel below WTI.

For earnings history and earnings-related data on Gulfport Energy (GPOR) click here.