10-QPeriod: Q1 FY2018

EQT Corp Quarterly Report for Q1 Ended Mar 31, 2018

Filed April 26, 2018For Securities:EQT

Summary

EQT Corporation's first quarter 2018 results, filed on April 26, 2018, were significantly impacted by a substantial impairment charge of $2.3 billion related to non-core production and pipeline assets. This charge led to a net loss attributable to EQT Corporation of $1.586 billion, or $5.99 per diluted share, a stark contrast to the net income of $164.0 million, or $0.95 per diluted share, in the prior year's first quarter. Despite the significant net loss, operational performance showed an 88% increase in production sales volumes, largely due to the acquisition of Rice Energy Inc. in late 2017. Midstream segment revenues also grew, driven by increased gathering and transmission activity. Investors should note the company's ongoing strategic initiatives, including the planned separation of its upstream and midstream businesses into two independent publicly traded companies, expected by the end of Q3 2018. Furthermore, a series of midstream streamlining transactions, including the merger of EQM and RMP, were announced in late April 2018, signaling a significant restructuring of its midstream operations. These strategic moves, while aiming for long-term value creation, introduce complexity and execution risks that investors should monitor closely.

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$1.23B
Cost of Revenue$416.66M
Gross Profit$811.99M
SG&A Expenses$39.81M
Operating Expenses$3.26B
Operating Income-$1.95B
Interest Expense$57.91M
Net Income-$1.59B
EPS (Basic)$-5.99
EPS (Diluted)$-5.99
Shares Outstanding (Basic)264.88M
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)264.88M

Key Highlights

  • 1Reported a net loss of $1.586 billion ($5.99 per diluted share) for Q1 2018, a significant decline from a net income of $164.0 million ($0.95 per diluted share) in Q1 2017, primarily due to a $2.3 billion impairment charge.
  • 2Total operating revenues increased to $1.43 billion in Q1 2018 from $894.2 million in Q1 2017, driven by an 88% increase in production sales volumes following the Rice Energy acquisition and growth in midstream services.
  • 3Production sales volumes (natural gas, oil, and NGLs) surged by 88.0% to 357,005 MMcfe in Q1 2018 compared to 189,934 MMcfe in Q1 2017.
  • 4Midstream segments (EQM Gathering, EQM Transmission, RMP Gathering, RMP Water) showed strong revenue growth, contributing to the overall increase in pipeline, water, and net marketing services revenue.
  • 5The company announced plans to separate its upstream and midstream businesses into two independent companies, expected by the end of Q3 2018.
  • 6Several midstream streamlining transactions, including the merger of EQM and RMP, were announced in April 2018, indicating significant organizational restructuring.
  • 7Capital expenditures increased to $849.4 million in Q1 2018 from $716.9 million in Q1 2017, driven by higher drilling and completion spending and contributions to the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) Joint Venture.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary driver for the substantial net loss of $1.586 billion in the first quarter of 2018 was a significant impairment charge of $2.3 billion. This charge was recognized for certain non-core production and related pipeline assets in the Huron and Permian Plays, due to the carrying value of these assets exceeding expected future cash flows and management's decision to no longer develop some of these unproved properties.

The acquisition of Rice Energy, completed in November 2017, has significantly boosted EQT's operational scale. This is evident in the 88% increase in production sales volumes for natural gas, oil, and NGLs in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the prior year. The acquired midstream assets have also contributed to increased gathering and transmission revenues.

EQT is undertaking two major strategic initiatives. Firstly, it plans to separate its upstream and midstream businesses into two distinct publicly traded companies, with an expected completion by the end of the third quarter of 2018. Secondly, the company announced a series of midstream streamlining transactions, including the merger of its midstream subsidiaries EQM Gathering and Rice Midstream Partners (RMP), aimed at simplifying its midstream structure.

EQT employs a commodity risk management program primarily focused on hedging future sales of its produced natural gas to protect cash flows from price volatility. The company utilizes derivative instruments such as NYMEX swaps, collars, and options, and also enters into fixed-price natural gas sales agreements. These strategies aim to secure a portion of its expected production revenues against adverse price movements.