10-KPeriod: FY2002

EXPAND ENERGY Corp Annual Report, Year Ended Dec 31, 2002

Filed February 27, 2003For Securities:EXEEXEELEXEEWEXEEZ

Summary

Chesapeake Energy Corporation's 2002 10-K filing highlights significant growth and strategic focus on the Mid-Continent region. The company reported a net income of $40.3 million, a decrease from the previous year, largely due to a substantial risk management loss of $88.0 million. Despite this, Chesapeake demonstrated strong operational performance, increasing production by 13% year-over-year. The company's strategy centers on consolidating its position in the Mid-Continent through aggressive drilling programs and strategic acquisitions. Looking ahead, Chesapeake announced several significant acquisitions in early 2003, including assets from ONEOK, El Paso Corporation, and Vintage Petroleum, Inc., which are expected to add substantial reserves and production. These growth initiatives are supported by a strengthened balance sheet, with the debt-to-total capitalization ratio reduced to 65% from 129% in 1999. The company maintains a strong focus on cost control and operational efficiency, positioning itself for continued expansion in the natural gas market.

Key Highlights

  • 1Net income of $40.3 million ($0.17 per diluted share) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.
  • 2Total revenues were $737.8 million, with oil and gas sales of $655.5 million.
  • 3Production increased by 13% to 181.5 Mmcfe compared to 2001.
  • 4Significant strategic acquisitions were announced in early 2003 to expand reserves and production, including assets from ONEOK, El Paso, and Vintage Petroleum.
  • 5The company's debt-to-total capitalization ratio improved to 65% as of December 31, 2002, down from 129% in 1999.
  • 6Chesapeake maintained a strong focus on the Mid-Continent region, which accounted for 86% of its proved reserves and 81% of its 2002 production.
  • 7The company continues to execute a robust drilling program, indicating a commitment to organic growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chesapeake Energy reported a net income of $40.3 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, on total revenues of $737.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This represents a decrease in net income compared to 2001, primarily due to a $88.0 million risk management loss.

Chesapeake's business strategy is focused on creating investor value by building a large onshore natural gas resource base. This is achieved through an integrated approach of aggressive, technologically advanced drilling programs and a property consolidation program, with a strong emphasis on the Mid-Continent region of the United States. The company also prioritizes making high-quality acquisitions, consistently growing through the drillbit, maintaining low costs, and improving its capitalization.

Following the end of the fiscal year 2002, Chesapeake announced several significant strategic moves. These included the completion of the acquisition of Mid-Continent gas assets from ONEOK for $300 million, and agreements to acquire assets from El Paso Corporation for $500 million and Vintage Petroleum, Inc. for $30 million. Additionally, the company announced proposed public and private offerings of common stock, senior notes, and convertible preferred stock to fund these growth initiatives.

Chesapeake utilizes hedging strategies to mitigate the risks associated with volatile commodity prices. The company enters into derivative instruments such as swaps, cap-swaps, and basis protection swaps to hedge a portion of its future oil and natural gas production. These activities aim to provide greater certainty regarding the effective prices received for hedged production and are reflected in risk management income (loss) and oil and gas sales.