Press Releases
Chesapeake Energy Corporation
AS OF 12/4/02 AS OF 1/9/03 Average Average Period: % hedged NYMEX Price % hedged NYMEX Price 1Q '03 Gas: 66% $4.10 83% $4.23 2Q '03 Gas: 0% N/A 29% $4.34 3Q '03 Gas: 0% N/A 25% $4.41 4Q '03 Gas: 0% N/A 19% $4.62 Full-year '03 Gas: 16% $4.10 39% $4.33 Full-Year '03 Oil: 100% $27.78 100% $27.78 Management Summary
Aubrey K. McClendon, Chesapeake's Chief Executive Officer, commented: "During the past year, our study of evolving supply/demand fundamentals in the natural gas industry has enabled Chesapeake to assume a bullish stance on natural gas prices for 2003. Accordingly, until the past six weeks we had remained largely unhedged for our natural gas production in 2003. We are now seeing natural gas markets reflect the impact of an ongoing decline in North American gas supply, a trend that we believe is unlikely to be reversed in 2003. We believe the severity of this problem will result in even higher natural gas prices later this year, prices that may result in further hedging by Chesapeake."
This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include estimates and give our current expectations or forecasts of future events. They are based on our historical operating trends, our existing commodity hedging position and our current estimate of proved reserves. Although we believe our forward-looking statements are reasonable, they can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. For example, statements concerning the fair values of derivative contracts and their estimated contribution to our future results of operations are based upon market information as of a specific date. These market prices are subject to significant volatility. Factors that could cause actual operating and financial results to differ materially from expected results include the volatility of oil and gas prices, our substantial indebtedness, our commodity price risk management activities, the cost and availability of drilling and production services, our ability to replace reserves, the availability of capital, uncertainties inherent in evaluating our own reserves and the reserves we acquire, drilling and operating risks and other risk factors described in the company's 2001 annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Chesapeake Energy Corporation is one of the 10 largest independent natural gas producers in the U.S. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the company's operations are focused on exploratory and developmental drilling and producing property acquisitions in the Mid-Continent region of the United States. The company's Internet address is www.chkenergy.com .
SOURCE: Chesapeake Energy Corporation
CONTACT: Marc Rowland, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer, +1-405-879-9232, or Tom Price, Jr., Senior Vice President Corporate
Development, +1-405-879-9257, both of Chesapeake Energy Corporation
Web site: http://www.chkenergy.com/
Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/138877.html