Barnwell Industries has reported for six months ended March 31, 2009 net earnings of $5,004,000 or $0.59 per diluted share for the six months ended March 31, 2008, respectively. The company recorded a non-cash reduction in the carrying value of oil and natural gas properties of $15,556,000 net of income taxes in the quarter ended March 31, 2009.
Morton H. Kinzler, chairman and chief executive officer of Barnwell, commented, “The net loss for the three and six months ended March 31, 2009 was principally due to a non-cash reduction in the carrying value of oil and natural gas properties of $22,088,000, or $15,556,000 net of income taxes, recorded in the quarter ended March 31, 2009, due to the application of the ceiling test mandated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for oil and natural gas companies that follow the full cost method of accounting.
At March 31, 2009, the ceiling value of Barnwell’s reserves was calculated based upon market prices on March 31, 2009, adjusted for market differentials, of $2.94 for natural gas, $46.36 for oil and $34.45 for natural gas liquids.”
“This reduction in the carrying value of oil and natural gas properties has no effect on the company’s oil and natural gas reserve volumes or production rates, nor any impacts on liquidity or compliance with our banking agreements. Furthermore, the ceiling does not necessarily reflect the true fair value of the underlying oil and natural gas reserves as it is based on prices at a single point in time.”
“The SEC recently revised its rules regarding the calculation of the full cost ceiling to require the use of 12-month average prices rather than quarter-end prices. These new rules will be effective for our fiscal year 2010 year-end reporting. Had these new rules been effective as of March 31, 2009, the company would not have recognized a reduction of the carrying value of oil and natural gas properties.”
“Additionally, the net loss for the three and six months ended March 31, 2009 was due to lower revenues as a result of lower natural gas, oil and natural gas liquids prices. For the three months ended March 31, 2009, oil and natural gas liquids prices decreased 61% and 62%, respectively, and natural gas prices decreased 47%.”
“For the six months ended March 31, 2009, oil and natural gas liquids prices decreased 51% and 54%, respectively, and natural gas prices decreased 30%. Net earnings for the prior year’s six months ended March 31, 2008 also included a deferred tax benefit of $909,000 due to reductions in Canadian tax rates, and there was no such benefit in this year’s six months.”
“The company’s general and administrative expenses decreased $1,165,000 and $2,296,000 in the three and six months ended March 31, 2009, respectively, and the company has implemented additional steps to further reduce general and administrative expenses.”
“The company is preparing to list for sale the first of its residential homes at Kaupulehu. The second home is scheduled for completion in about two months.”
“The company’s credit facility with a Canadian bank has been renewed through April 2010 with no changes to the amount of the facility. We are confident that the company is in position to weather the current economic crisis the world is experiencing.”
