Range Announces Second Quarter Results

Business Wire, July 24, 2008

FORT WORTH, Texas -- RANGE RESOURCES CORPORATION (NYSE: RRC) today announced second quarter results. Range reported its 22nd consecutive quarter of sequential production growth with 381 Mmcfe per day reported for the second quarter. Production increased 22% versus the prior year and 3% over first quarter results. The increase was driven by exceptional drilling results across the Company's core properties, which more than offset significant gas curtailments. Oil and gas sales, including cash-settled derivatives, a non-GAAP measure, reached $313 million, a 42% increase over the prior year. Cash flow from operations before changes in working capital, a non-GAAP measure, rose 41% to $221 million. The reported net loss of $35 million included non-cash charges of $164 million for the mark-to-market accounting on open commodity derivatives, $16 million of non-cash stock expense and a $1 million loss on property sales. Adjusting for these items, net income comparable to analyst estimates was $75 million, or diluted earnings per share of $0.48, 17% greater than the prior year (see the accompanying tables reconciling these non-GAAP measures). The Company's cash flow for the quarter equaled the average of analyst estimates. The adjusted earnings per share of $0.48 were less than the $0.54 average analyst estimate due to the reduction in leasehold value from expiring acreage.

Commenting on the announcement, John Pinkerton, Range's President and CEO, said, "Despite pipeline curtailments that averaged 18.5 Mmcfe per day for the quarter in the Barnett Shale play, our operations teams did a tremendous job driving up production to achieve our 22nd consecutive quarter of sequential production growth. We continue to be on track to achieve our 19% production growth target for the year. Our diversified portfolio of quality drilling projects and our highly focused operating teams are the keys to our success. Importantly, we continue to make solid progress with our emerging plays, building infrastructure, drilling successful delineation wells and increasing our acreage positions. Looking forward, we are extremely well positioned, as our multi-year drilling program is generating excellent returns and our emerging plays provide the opportunity for sustained double digit growth for many years to come."

For the quarter, production totaled 381 Mmcfe per day, comprised of 304 Mmcf per day of gas (80%) and 12,795 barrels per day of oil and liquids. Wellhead prices, including cash-settled derivatives, averaged $9.03 per mcfe, a 17% increase over the prior-year period. The average gas price was $8.46 per mcf, a 16% increase, and the average oil price rose 21% to $72.34 a barrel. If the mark-to-market of the Company's open commodity derivatives were valued as of the close of the market today, the $164 million mark-to-market loss would be completely eliminated.

Direct operating expenses for the quarter were $1.05 per mcfe, $0.20 per mcfe higher than the prior-year quarter and $0.09 greater than the first quarter of 2008. Second quarter direct operating costs were $0.09 higher due to workovers and other activities focused on overcoming the shut-in production. Exploration expense in the second quarter totaled $18 million, up from $11 million in the prior-year quarter due primarily to higher seismic expenditures. General and administrative expenses were $0.49 per mcfe, an increase of $0.05 from the prior-year quarter and $0.11 higher than the first quarter of 2008 due to higher personnel costs, in particular, those incurred in anticipation of the ramp up of Marcellus Shale drilling and production which will not be realized until early 2009. Interest expense rose to $24 million compared to $18 million in the prior-year quarter, due to higher debt outstanding and the refinancing of floating bank debt to longer term fixed rate debt. Depreciation, depletion and amortization rose to $2.24 per mcfe, versus $1.81 in the prior-year quarter due to higher depletion rates and valuation adjustments to the Company's growing leasehold inventory. Depreciation, depletion and amortization was $0.12 higher than the Company's guidance for the quarter due to $0.15 of leasehold amortization, due primarily to expiring acreage.

Second quarter development and exploration expenditures totaled $218 million, funding the drilling of 180 (136 net) wells and 18 (11 net) recompletions. A 99% success rate was achieved with 178 (135 net) wells productive. In the first six months, 264 (200 net) of the newly drilled wells had been placed on production, with the remainder in various stages of completion or waiting on pipeline connection. In addition, $45 million was spent on acreage, $11 million on expanding gas gathering systems and $23 million on property acquisitions. Drilling activity in the third quarter remains high with 30 rigs currently running. During the second quarter, Range also continued to expand several of its key drilling areas and emerging plays as 150,000 acres of new leasehold were acquired or under contract.