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PXP Announces 2008 Results and Operating Highlights
 

HOUSTON, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- (NYSE: PXP)

  • With revenues of $2.4 billion, PXP reported net income for the year of $524 million, or $4.81 per diluted share, before the impact of a non-cash impairment charge on its oil and gas properties, a gain on mark-to-market derivative contracts and a gain on sale of assets. Including the impact of these items, PXP reported a net loss of $709.1 million or $6.52 per diluted share for 2008.
  • PXP strengthened its year-end balance sheet by reducing net debt over $930 million, or 26%, from the third quarter 2008 and repurchased over 5% of shares outstanding during 2008.
  • PXP grew production sales volumes 10% pro forma for asset sales, and replaced 140% of 2008 full-year production with drill-bit, technical revisions and acquisitions.
  • PXP reported 292 million barrels of oil equivalent at year-end 2008 reflecting a 54% reduction in the NYMEX West Texas Intermediate oil price and substantially wider spot sales differentials than historical averages. These impacts resulted in a significant migration of proved undeveloped reserves into low risk potential reserves.
  • PXP completed its strategic asset rotation by investing $1.65 billion into a large, high potential/lower risk development portfolio with top-tier returns, and sold $3 billion of non-strategic oil and gas properties.
  • PXP drilled 26 gross highly successful wells in the Haynesville Shale during 2008 with Chesapeake Energy, providing further confirmation of potentially one of the largest domestic gas fields. A significant portion of PXP's resources are planned for its emerging position in the Haynesville Shale where finding and development and full-cycle costs are some of the most attractive in the industry. Drilling results have been encouraging and with over 7,300 potential well locations after risk weighting, this asset area is expected to be a significant driver of future production and reserve growth.

Strong Start in 2009

  • Since the first of the year, PXP has drilled nine gross highly successful wells with Chesapeake Energy in the Haynesville Shale. Currently 18 wells are producing 100 million cubic feet per day (MMCFED) gross, 14.2 MMCFED net to PXP, and another 15 wells are waiting on completion. The joint venture plans to drill approximately 150 gross wells and run an average of 26 rigs during 2009.
  • PXP has announced significant pay in the Friesian #2 well, the first confirmation of four high-impact exploration prospects. This well is scheduled to be deepened during the second quarter; the Ammazzo prospect is currently drilling; and the White Shark and Salida prospects will begin drilling in the second and third quarters, respectively.
  • PXP has monetized $1.125 billion in commodity derivative gains and will use proceeds to reduce debt further. Since the Haynesville acquisition in July 2008, net debt will be reduced by over $2 billion.
  • PXP has reset 2010 crude oil derivative positions with $55 floors and acquired $6.25 by $8.00 natural gas three way collars with a $4.80 sliding floor for 2010.

2008 Fourth Quarter and Year End Detailed Results and Updated 2009 Full-Year Guidance

Plains Exploration & Production Company (NYSE: PXP) ("PXP" or the "Company") today announces 2008 fourth quarter and full-year financial and operating results, revises 2009 full-year operating and financial guidance, and provides financial and operational updates.

During 2008, the Company successfully completed a major asset rotation from certain basins into the prolific Haynesville Shale while simultaneously reducing long term debt and the total number of shares outstanding. The Company also continued its policy of protecting the balance sheet through aggressively hedging its commodity price exposure through the use of put and collar contracts.

For 2009, the Company plans to maximize returns on its existing portfolio by high-grading reduced capital expenditures toward higher rate of return development projects, lowering lease operating expenses 15% to 20% and reducing cash general and administrative costs by 10%. The $1.050 billion capital budget is prudently allocated, based on the current economic conditions, to the Company's major development areas including its emerging and prolific position in the Haynesville Shale where finding and development and full-cycle costs are some of the most attractive in the industry. PXP will drill its remaining committed high-impact exploration projects including the deepening of the Friesian discovery, its Salida prospect with Shell, and its White Shark prospect in Vietnam. Remaining capital spending will be focused on the Flatrock development in the Gulf of Mexico and maintaining production in its long-life reserve base in California.

In 2009, PXP continues to be committed to strengthening its liquidity. During February, PXP entered into early settlement and reset arrangements in which the Company monetized its 2009 and 2010 crude oil put option contracts on 40,000 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) with weighted average strike prices of $106.16 and $111.49, respectively. As a result of these early settlements, the Company will realize $1.125 billion in proceeds, which it will use to reduce the outstanding balance on its secured revolving credit facility, further increasing its liquidity and positioning the Company to capitalize on future opportunities. The Company expects to have approximately $1.5 billion in borrowing base capacity after the pay down of the credit facility. The Company retained its existing $55 crude oil puts on 32,500 BOPD in 2009 and reset the strike price to $55 on 40,000 BOPD in 2010 with a deferred premium plus interest of $5 per barrel.

The monetization and reset arrangements accelerate cash receipts, while maintaining a derivative position that protects against further declines in oil and natural gas prices during 2009 and 2010. Current drilling plans for 2009 and 2010 are expected to result in tax deductions that will, to a significant degree, offset cash tax liabilities attributable to our derivative monetization. PXP also acquired natural gas three way collars on 40,000 million British thermal units per day for 2010. A summary of PXP's open commodity derivative positions is located after the financial statements in this release.

FULL-YEAR 2008 RESULTS

For the full-year 2008 PXP reported a net loss of $709.1 million, or $6.52 per diluted share, on revenues of $2.4 billion. The loss reflects the following items:

  • a $2.3 billion after-tax impairment of oil and gas properties due to significantly lower commodity prices at year-end 2008. This non-cash adjustment resulted from the application of full cost accounting rules;
  • a $972 million after-tax gain on mark-to-market derivative contracts; and
  • a $41 million after-tax gain on sale of assets.

Without the effects of these items net income for the year would have been $524 million, or $4.81 per diluted share. An explanation and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures is included at the end of this release.

Operating cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, for the year was $1.5 billion. An explanation and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures is included at the end of this release.

Sales volumes for the full-year 2008 averaged 90.5 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOEPD). Full-year sales volumes adjusted for 2008 asset sales averaged 76.0 thousand BOEPD.

FOURTH QUARTER 2008 RESULTS

For the fourth quarter 2008 PXP reported a net loss of $1.6 billion, or $14.56 per diluted share, on revenues of $328.2 million. The loss reflects the following items:

  • a $2.3 billion after-tax impairment of oil and gas properties due to significantly lower commodity prices at year-end 2008. This non-cash adjustment resulted from the application of full cost accounting rules;
  • a $728 million after-tax gain on mark-to-market derivative contracts; and
  • a $19 million after-tax gain on sale of assets.

Without the effects of these items the net loss for the quarter would have been $33.1 million, or $0.31 per diluted share. An explanation and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures is included at the end of this release.

Operating cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, was $292.8 million in the fourth quarter 2008. An explanation and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures is included at the end of this release.

Sales volumes for the fourth quarter averaged approximately 86.5 thousand BOEPD.

PROVED RESERVES

PXP's year-end 2008 proved reserves total 292 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBOE). Ninety-five percent of the reserves were engineered by third party independent engineers.

PXP added 47 MMBOE of proved reserves during 2008 from discoveries, extensions, technical revisions and acquisitions. These additions equate to replacing 140% of full-year 2008 production. Of these additions, approximately 65% (31 MMBOE) resulted from drilling success and performance improvements. The remaining 35% (16 MMBOE) was attributable to acquisitions. The drill-bit finding and development cost for the proved reserve additions from drilling success and performance improvements (discoveries, extensions and technical revisions) was $35.96 per barrel oil equivalent (BOE).

The proved reserve additions attributed to drilling success in 2008 were offset by 204 MMBOE of negative price revisions. As required by current SEC reporting rules, year-end proved reserve volumes are calculated using commodity prices as of December 31, 2008. The price of natural gas at year-end 2008 was $5.71 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) compared to $7.48 per MMBtu a year ago. The West Texas Intermediate price of oil on December 31, 2008 was $44.60 per barrel, less than half of the $95.98 per barrel on the last day of 2007 when PXP's proved reserves were last reported. The SEC also requires that proved reserves be calculated using service and production costs indicative of year-end 2008 levels, which were much higher than could be supported by the lower year-end commodity prices on an ongoing basis.

The majority of the price related revisions to oil and gas properties occurred on our long-life California oil reserves. The dramatic decline in the price of oil coupled with year-end differentials, which were approximately 86% wider than recent historical averages, were the primary causes of the revisions. Using year-end pricing as required by the SEC and recent historical average differentials rather than year-end differentials as required by the SEC, the reserve revisions related to price would have been 166 MMBOE. PXP sells its physical crude under term contracts to high quality counterparties to mitigate the risk of sudden fluctuations in differentials.

The table below shows the amount of proved reserves recaptured from the negative price revisions of 204 MMBOE at various NYMEX prices instead of those in effect on December 31, 2008. PXP maintained production costs and well costs at December 2008 levels, recognizing that these costs are expected to decrease significantly.

    Reserve Recapture

      Nymex Prices
      Oil      Gas              Percent (%)
     $/Bbl  $/MMBtu      MMBOE  Recaptured
     -------------------------------------
     $44.60   $5.71 (1)   38       19
      60.00    6.00      138       68
      80.00    8.00      171       84
     $95.98   $7.48 (2)  204      100

     (1) Using recent historical average differentials
     (2) 2007 year-end prices

After considering the Company's reserve adds during 2008, offset by the negative price revisions, divestments, and production during the year, total proved oil and gas reserves were 292 MMBOE as of December 31, 2008. All of these reserves are in the United States and 72% are proved developed (PD). Approximately 61% of the Company's proved reserves are oil and natural gas liquids and 39% are natural gas.

PXP's reserves are long-lived with a total reserves-to-production ratio of approximately 10 years and a PD reserves-to-production ratio of 7 years. The Company's long-lived reserves, with low relative production decline rates, are particularly attractive in the current low commodity price environment in which industry drilling activity is significantly curtailed.

The following tables summarize the proved reserve reconciliation and costs incurred.


    Proved Reserves:                                   2008
                                                       ----
                                                     (MMBOE)
    Year-end 2007 Proved Reserves                     689.9
    Extensions, discoveries and other additions        41.9
    Revisions (1)                                    (215.1)
    Acquisitions                                       16.3
    Divestments                                      (207.4)
    Production                                        (33.5)
                                                       ----
    Year-end 2008 Proved Reserves                     292.1
                                                      =====

    (1) Includes (11.4) MMBOE of technical revisions

    Costs Incurred:                                    2008
                                                       ----
                                                  (In millions)
    Property acquisition costs:
      Unproved properties                          $1,878.8
      Proved properties                               267.2
    Exploration costs                                 520.6
    Development costs                                 576.8
                                                      -----
                                                   $3,243.4
                                                   ========

    OPERATING UPDATE

    --  The Haynesville Shale joint venture continues to experience
        outstanding drilling results and has drilled 35 wells, is currently
        operating 21 rigs, and has 18 wells producing 100 million cubic feet
        per day (MMCFED) gross, 14.2 MMCFED net to PXP. According to estimates
        by Chesapeake Energy, the joint venture anticipates producing
        approximately 575 MMCFED gross, or 65 MMCFED net to PXP, by year-end
        2009.

        The last seven horizontal wells had gross initial production or test
        rates averaging approximately 16 MMCFED and the two most recent wells,
        which are currently waiting pipeline connection, tested in excess of
        22 MMCFED. In addition, another 15 wells are waiting on completion.
        Also, a firm transportation agreement on the new Tiger Pipeline for
        approximately 1.0 BCF per day with a mid-2011 start up was recently
        announced by the operator.

        The joint venture expects to run an average of 26 rigs during 2009.
        PXP plans on spending approximately 43% of its 2009 capital budget on
        the Haynesville Shale.

    --  Flatrock gross production is over 200 MMCFED, 45 MMCFED net to PXP,
        and proved reserves at year-end 2008, as estimated by independent
        reservoir engineers, were in excess of 350 billion cubic feet of
        natural gas equivalent gross (BCFE), 74.4 BCFE net to PXP.

        Four wells are currently producing, a fifth well is being completed
        and a sixth well is drilling. Significant pay has been logged in all
        six wells.

    --  Two multi-hundred BCFE Flatrock step-out prospects are drilling:
        -- Tom Sauk, operated by McMoRan and located on Louisiana State Lease
           340, is drilling below 19,800 feet towards a new proposed total
           depth of 21,150 feet to test the deeper Gyro sands. PXP holds a
           24.4% working interest.
        -- Ammazzo, operated by McMoRan and located on South Marsh Island
           Block 251, is currently drilling below 12,000 feet towards a
           proposed total depth of 24,500 feet. PXP holds a 28.1% working
           interest.

    --  The Friesian #2 well, as previously announced, encountered
        approximately 389 net feet of oil saturated Miocene aged sands with
        three main sand lobes encountering more than 210 net feet of high
        quality oil pay plus a fourth sand lobe encountering 179 additional
        feet of oil pay that was not fully evaluated.

        These four pay sands, all full to base with oil, are the uppermost
        field pays at the prolific Tahiti field approximately eight miles to
        the west across the basin syncline. Existing data show strong
        correlation, both geologic and pressure, from the initial Miocene
        field pay sands at Tahiti to the drilled portion of our Friesian #2
        well. Early stage commercialization initiatives for Friesian
        production are under study with multiple parties to target initial
        production by 2012.

2009 FULL-YEAR GUIDANCE

Updated 2009 full-year financial and operational guidance is included at the end of this release and reflects the impact of the following forecasted 2009 items:

  • Lower capital budget of $1.050 billion.
  • Targeted 10% reduction in total cash general and administrative expense.
  • Targeted 15% to 20% reduction in total lease operating expense.
  • Production sales volumes range of 78 to 82 thousand BOEPD.

CONFERENCE CALL

PXP will host a conference call Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. Central time. Investors wishing to participate in the conference call may dial 1-800-567-9836 or 1-973-935-8460. Conference call and replay ID is: 81216952. The replay will be available through Thursday, March 12, 2009 and can be accessed by dialing 1-800-642-1687 or 1-706-645-9291. A live webcast of the conference call will be available in the Investor Information section of PXP's website at www.pxp.com during the call and for 60 days after the event date.

PXP is an independent oil and gas company primarily engaged in the activities of acquiring, developing, exploring and producing oil and gas in California, Texas, Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico. PXP is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking information regarding PXP that is intended to be covered by the safe harbor "forward-looking statements" provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that PXP expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These include statements regarding:

* reserve and production estimates,

* oil and gas prices,

* the impact of derivative positions,

* production expense estimates,

* cash flow estimates,

* future financial performance,

* capital and credit market conditions,

* planned capital expenditures, and

* other matters that are discussed in PXP's filings with the SEC.

These statements are based on our current expectations and projections about future events and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results and performance to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Please refer to our filings with the SEC, including our Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2007, for a discussion of these risks.

All forward-looking statements in this report are made as of the date hereof, and you should not place undue reliance on these statements without also considering the risks and uncertainties associated with these statements and our business that are discussed in this report and our other filings with the SEC. Moreover, although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that we will attain these expectations or that any deviations will not be material. Except for any obligation to disclose material information under the Federal securities laws, we do not intend to update these forward-looking statements and information.

The SEC generally permits oil and gas companies, in filings made with the SEC, to disclose only proved reserves, which are reserve estimates that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions. In this press release, we provide reserve estimates based upon factors which SEC guidelines may prohibit from being included in filings with the SEC. These estimates are by their nature more speculative than estimates of proved reserves calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines and accordingly are subject to substantially greater risk of actually being realized by PXP.

    CONTACT:
    Investors:                    Media:
    Hance Myers, 713-579-6291     Scott Winters, 713-579-6190
    hmyers@pxp.com                swinters@pxp.com

    Plains Exploration & Production Company
    Consolidated Statements of Income
    (amounts in thousands, except per share data)

                             Three Months Ended    Twelve Months Ended
                                December 31,           December 31,
                                ------------           ------------
                               2008      2007        2008        2007
                               ----      ----        ----        ----
                                (Unaudited)
    Revenues
      Oil sales             $235,539  $403,179  $1,766,677  $1,116,376
      Gas sales               91,512    89,975     619,886     153,416
      Other operating
       revenues                1,103       477      16,908       3,048
                               -----       ---      ------       -----
                             328,154   493,631   2,403,471   1,272,840
                             -------   -------   ---------   ---------
    Costs and Expenses
      Production costs
        Lease operating
         expenses             90,713    78,374     327,412     225,845
        Steam gas costs       20,981    26,834     131,156     103,464
        Electricity           16,070    10,303      52,735      39,767
        Production and
         ad valorem
         taxes                16,231    17,217      93,988      32,636
        Gathering and
         transportation
         expenses              5,781     6,978      21,137      11,410
      General and
       administrative         38,801    49,589     153,306     124,006
      Depreciation,
       depletion and
       amortization          196,890   125,346     608,448     306,278
      Impairment of oil
       and gas
       properties          3,629,666         -   3,629,666           -
      Accretion                3,168     2,968      13,036       9,800
                               -----     -----      ------       -----
                           4,018,301   317,609   5,030,884     853,206
                           ---------   -------   ---------     -------
    Income (Loss) from
     Operations           (3,690,147)  176,022  (2,627,413)    419,634
    Other Income (Expense)
      Gain on sale of
       assets                 31,031         -      65,689           -
      Interest expense       (29,877)  (33,685)   (116,991)    (68,908)
      Debt extinguishment
       costs                  (4,855)        -     (18,256)          -
      Gain (loss) on
       mark-to-market
       derivative
       contracts           1,165,742   (12,967)  1,555,917     (88,549)
      Other income
       (expense)                (394)    5,370     (12,575)      6,322
                                ----     -----     -------       -----
    Income (Loss)
     Before Income Taxes  (2,528,500)  134,740  (1,153,629)    268,499
      Income tax (expense)
       benefit
        Current               81,461     2,494    (230,815)      4,677
        Deferred             878,381   (57,231)    675,350    (114,425)
                             -------   -------     -------    --------
    Net Income (Loss)    $(1,568,658)  $80,003   $(709,094)   $158,751
                         ===========   =======   =========    ========
    Earnings (Loss)
     per share
      Basic                  $(14.56)    $0.83      $(6.52)      $2.02
      Diluted                $(14.56)    $0.81      $(6.52)      $1.99
    Weighted Average Shares
     Outstanding
      Basic                  107,733    96,813     108,828      78,627
                             =======    ======     =======      ======
      Diluted                107,733    98,452     108,828      79,808
                             =======    ======     =======      ======



    Plains Exploration & Production Company
    Operating Data (Unaudited)
                                               Three Months     Twelve Months
                                                  Ended             Ended
                                               December 31,      December 31,
                                               ------------      ------------
                                              2008     2007     2008    2007
                                              ----     ----     ----    ----
    Daily Average Volumes
      Oil and liquids sales (Bbls)           53,215   56,837   55,449  49,655
      Gas (Mcf)
        Production                          205,804  175,858  216,540  80,307
        Used as fuel                          6,130    6,293    6,073   6,307
        Sales                               199,674  169,565  210,467  74,000
      BOE
        Production                           87,511   86,152   91,539  63,041
        Sales                                86,500   85,098   90,527  61,986
    Unit Economics (in dollars)
      Average NYMEX Prices
        Oil                                  $59.08   $90.50   $99.75  $72.36
        Gas                                    6.97     6.94     9.06    6.86
      Average Realized Sales Price Before
        Derivative Transactions
        Oil (per Bbl)                        $48.12   $77.10   $87.05  $61.60
        Gas (per Mcf)                          4.98     5.77     8.05    5.68
        Per BOE                               41.10    62.99    72.03   56.12
      Cash Margin per BOE (1)
        Oil and gas revenues                 $41.10   $62.99   $72.03  $56.12
        Costs and expenses
           Lease operating expenses         $(11.40) $(10.01)  $(9.88) $(9.98)
           Steam gas costs                    (2.64)   (3.43)   (3.96)  (4.57)
           Electricity                        (2.02)   (1.32)   (1.59)  (1.76)
           Production and ad valorem taxes    (2.04)   (2.20)   (2.84)  (1.44)
           Gathering and transportation       (0.73)   (0.89)   (0.64)  (0.50)
                                              -----    -----    -----   -----
        Gross margin before DD&A (GAAP)       22.27    45.14    53.12   37.87
           Cash derivative settlements         5.77    (4.03)   (0.26)  (4.73)
                                               ----    -----    -----   -----
        Cash margin (Non-GAAP)               $28.04   $41.11   $52.86  $33.14
                                             ======   ======   ======  ======

    (1) Cash margin (a non-GAAP measure) is calculated by adjusting gross
    margin before DD&A (a GAAP measure) to deduct cash derivative settlements.
    Management believes this presentation may be helpful to investors as it
    represents the cash generated by our oil and gas production that is
    available for, among other things, capital expenditures and debt service.
    PXP management uses this information to analyze operating trends and for
    comparative purposes within the industry. This measure is not intended to
    replace the GAAP statistic but to provide additional information that may
    be helpful in evaluating the Company's operational trends and performance.



    Plains Exploration & Production Company
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (in thousands of dollars)
                                                    December 31,  December 31,
                                                         2008          2007
                                                         ----          ----
                           ASSETS
    Current Assets
      Cash and cash equivalents                       $311,875       $25,446
      Restricted cash                                        -        59,092
      Accounts receivable                              175,896       304,972
      Commodity derivative contracts                   945,838         2,186
      Inventories                                       23,368        18,394
      Deferred income taxes                                  -       229,893
      Other current assets                              19,464        34,937
                                                        ------        ------
                                                     1,476,441       674,920
                                                     ---------       -------
    Property and Equipment, at cost
      Oil and natural gas properties - full cost
       method
        Subject to amortization                      7,106,785     7,340,238
        Not subject to amortization                  2,513,424     1,951,783
      Other property and equipment                     110,990        85,928
                                                       -------        ------
                                                     9,731,199     9,377,949
      Less allowance for depreciation, depletion,
       amortization and impairment                  (5,217,803)   (1,000,722)
                                                    ----------    ----------
                                                     4,513,396     8,377,227
                                                     ---------     ---------
    Goodwill                                           535,265       536,822
                                                       -------       -------
    Commodity Derivative Contracts                     530,181             -
                                                       -------           ---
    Other Assets                                        56,632       104,382
                                                        ------       -------
                                                    $7,111,915    $9,693,351
                                                    ==========    ==========

            LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current Liabilities
      Accounts payable                                $363,713      $319,583
      Commodity derivative contracts                         -        79,938
      Royalties and revenues payable                    87,874       132,919
      Stock appreciation rights                          2,975        63,106
      Interest payable                                  20,843        25,330
      Income taxes payable                             102,948         3,492
      Deferred income taxes                            285,426             -
      Accrued merger expenses                                -        77,980
      Other current liabilities                        129,866       115,698
                                                       -------       -------
                                                       993,645       818,046
                                                       -------       -------
    Long-Term Debt                                   2,805,000     3,305,000
                                                     ---------     ---------
    Other Long-Term Liabilities
      Asset retirement obligation                      159,473       184,080
      Commodity derivative contracts                         -        33,821
      Other                                             32,061        54,726
                                                        ------        ------
                                                       191,534       272,627
                                                       -------       -------
    Deferred Income Taxes                              744,456     1,959,431
                                                       -------     ---------
    Stockholders'  Equity
      Common stock                                       1,129         1,128
      Additional paid-in capital                     2,739,625     2,711,617
      Retained earnings (deficit)                      (85,101)      623,993
      Accumulated other comprehensive income              (684)        1,566
      Treasury stock, at cost                         (277,689)          (57)
                                                      --------           ---
                                                     2,377,280     3,338,247
                                                     ---------     ---------
                                                    $7,111,915    $9,693,351
                                                    ==========    ==========



    Plains Exploration & Production Company
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    (in thousands of dollars)
                                  Three Months Ended      Twelve Months Ended
                                     December 31,             December 31,
                                     ------------             ------------
                                   2008        2007         2008        2007
                                   ----        ----         ----        ----
    CASH FLOWS FROM
     OPERATING ACTIVITIES            (Unaudited)
    Net income (loss)        $(1,568,658)    $80,003    $(709,094)   $158,751
    Items not affecting cash
     flows from operating
     activities
      Gain on sale of assets     (31,031)          -      (65,689)          -
      Depreciation, depletion,
       amortization and
       accretion                 200,058     128,314      621,484     316,078
      Impairment of oil and
       gas properties          3,629,666           -    3,629,666           -
      Deferred income tax
       expense (benefit)        (878,381)     57,231     (675,350)    114,425
      Debt extinguishment
       costs                       4,855           -       18,256           -
      Commodity derivative
       contracts              (1,165,742)     12,967   (1,555,917)     88,549
      Noncash compensation        11,470      25,278       50,401      52,019
      Other noncash items          2,316         487        6,546         707
    Change in assets and
     liabilities from
     operating activities         19,917      (1,929)      51,106    (142,417)
                                  ------      ------       ------    --------
    Net cash provided by
     operating activities        224,470     302,351    1,371,409     588,112
                                 -------     -------    ---------     -------
    CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING
     ACTIVITIES
    Additions to oil and
     gas properties             (428,510)   (294,095)  (1,116,715)   (770,409)
    Acquisition of oil and
     gas properties                6,842           -   (2,006,127)   (975,407)
    Acquisition of Pogo
     Producing Company, net
     of cash acquired             (1,041)   (298,031)     (77,686)   (298,031)
    Decrease (increase) in
     restricted cash                   -     (59,092)      59,092     (59,092)
    Proceeds from sales of oil
     and gas properties and related
     assets, net of costs
     and expenses              1,233,886           -    2,969,945           -
    Derivative settlements        27,606     (25,102)      (8,606)    (99,861)
    Additions to other
     property and equipment       (9,988)     (7,588)     (44,436)    (36,176)
    Other, net                    (1,586)      6,708       (3,257)     (4,161)
                                  ------       -----       ------      ------
    Net cash (used in)
     provided by investing
     activities                  827,209    (677,200)    (227,790) (2,243,137)
                                 -------    --------     --------  ----------
    CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING
     ACTIVITIES
    Revolving credit facilities
      Borrowings               2,829,694   2,755,535   14,331,046   4,745,100
      Repayments              (3,558,825) (1,030,535) (15,231,046) (2,775,600)
    Proceeds from issuance
     of Senior Notes                   -           -      400,000   1,100,000
    Redemption of long-term
     debt                              -  (1,291,926)           -  (1,291,926)
    Costs incurred in
     connection with
     financing arrangements       (2,079)    (29,151)     (27,527)    (47,333)
    Derivative settlements        (1,581)     (3,688)     (25,678)     (3,688)
    Purchase of treasury
     stock                             -           -     (304,192)    (47,485)
    Other                         (9,440)     (4,537)         207         504
                                  ------      ------          ---         ---
    Net cash (used in)
     provided by financing
     activities                 (742,231)    395,698     (857,190)  1,679,572
                                --------     -------     --------   ---------
    Net increase in cash
     and cash equivalents        309,448      20,849      286,429      24,547
    Cash and cash
     equivalents, beginning
     of period                     2,427       4,597       25,446         899
                                   -----       -----       ------         ---
    Cash and cash
     equivalents, end of
     period                     $311,875     $25,446     $311,875     $25,446
                                ========     =======     ========     =======



    Plains Exploration & Production Company
    Summary of Open Derivative Positions


             Instrument   Daily      Average     Deferred
    Period      Type     Volumes     Price       Premium    Index   Settlement
    ------      ----     -------     -----       -------    -----   ----------
    Sales of Crude Oil Production
    2009
    Jan - Dec   Put     32,500       $55.00        $3.38     WTI      Monthly
              options   Bbls      Strike price    per Bbl

    2010
    Jan - Dec   Put     40,000       $55.00        $5.00     WTI      Monthly
             options(1) Bbls      Strike price    per Bbl

    Sales of Natural Gas Production
    2009
    Jan - Dec  Collar  150,000    $10.00 Floor -   $0.346    Henry
                        MMBtu     $20.00 Ceiling  per MMBtu  Hub      Monthly

    2010
    Jan - Dec   Put/    40,000    $6.25 Floor -      No      Henry
               Call(2)  MMBtu     $4.80 Floor by   premium   Hub      Monthly
                                  $8.00 Ceiling



    (1)  An upfront payment of $3.86 per barrel was paid upon entering into
         these derivative contract.
    (2)  The Company receives the difference between the floor of $6.25 per
         MMBtu less NYMEX up to a maximum of $1.45 per MMBtu.  The Company
         pays if NYMEX is greater than the $8.00 ceiling.



    Plains Exploration & Production Company
    GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation

    The following chart reconciles Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
    (GAAP) to Operating Cash Flow (non-GAAP) for the periods highlighted
    below.  Management believes this presentation may be useful to investors
    because it is illustrative of the impact of the Company's derivative
    contracts. PXP management uses this information for comparative purposes
    within the industry and as a means of measuring the Company's ability to
    fund capital expenditures and service debt.  This measure is not intended
    to replace the GAAP statistic but to provide additional information that
    may be helpful in evaluating the Company's operational trends and
    performance.

    Operating cash flow is calculated by adjusting the GAAP measure of cash
    provided by operating activities to exclude the effect of current income
    taxes attributable to the gain on the sales of oil and gas properties and
    changes in operating assets and liabilities and include derivative cash
    flows that are classified as a financing or investing activity in the
    statement of cash flows.  Pursuant to accounting rules certain cash
    payments with respect to our derivative instruments are required to be
    reflected as financing or investing activities.


                                                  2008
                                                  ----
    (in millions of dollars) Total         4Q      3Q       2Q        1Q
                             -----         --      --       --        --

    Net cash provided by
     operating activities
     (GAAP)               $1,371.4     $224.5  $537.6    $324.6   $284.8
      Changes in operating
       assets and
       liabilities           (51.1)     (19.9) (264.9)    146.5     87.2
      Current income taxes
       on the tax gain on
       sale of oil and gas
       properties            230.8       62.2   168.6         -        -
      Cash  receipts
       (payments) for
       commodity derivatives
       contracts that settled
       during the period that
       are reflected as
       investing or
       financing cash flows
       in the statement
       of cash flows         (34.3)     $26.0   (17.6)    (20.8)   (21.8)
                             -----      -----   -----     -----    -----
    Operating cash
     flow (Non-GAAP)      $1,516.8     $292.8  $423.7    $450.3   $350.2
                          ========     ======  ======    ======   ======


                         ---------  ---------          --------  -------
                         Full Year  Full Year          4th Qtr   4th Qtr
                         ---------  ---------          --------  -------
    (in millions of
     dollars)                 2008       2007              2008     2007
                              ----       ----              ----     ----

    Net cash provided by
     operating activities
     (GAAP)               $1,371.4     $588.1            $224.5   $302.3
      Changes in operating
       assets and
       liabilities           (51.1)     142.4             (19.9)     1.9
      Current income taxes
       on the tax gain on
       sale of oil and gas
       properties            230.8          -              62.2        -
      Cash  receipts
       (payments) for
       commodity derivatives
       contracts that settled
       during the period
       that are reflected
       as investing or
       financing cash flows
       in the statement
       of cash flows         (34.3)    (103.5)             26.0    (28.8)
                             -----     ------              ----    -----
    Operating cash
     flow (Non-GAAP)      $1,516.8     $627.0            $292.8   $275.4
                          ========     ======            ======   ======



    Plains Exploration & Production Company
    Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measure

    The following table reconciles net income (loss) (GAAP) to net income
    (loss) excluding certain items (Non-GAAP) for the three months and twelve
    months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. This measure excludes certain
    items that management believes affect the comparability of operating
    results. Items excluded are generally items whose timing or amount cannot
    be reasonably estimated or are nonrecurring. Management believes this
    presentation may be helpful to investors. PXP management uses this
    information to analyze operating trends and for comparative purposes
    within the industry. This measure is not intended to replace the GAAP
    statistic but to provide additional information that may be helpful in
    evaluating the Company's operational trends and performance.


                                                         Three Months Ended
                                                             December 31,
                                                             ------------
                                                             2008    2007
                                                             ----    ----
                                                        (millions of dollars)
    Net income (loss) (GAAP)                              $(1,568.7)  $80.0
      Impairment of oil and gas properties                  3,629.7       -
      Gain (loss) on mark-to-market derivative contracts   (1,165.7)   13.0
      Cash receipts (payments) on mark-to-market
       derivative contracts                                    26.0   (28.8)
      Gain on sale of assets                                  (31.0)      -
      Adjust income taxes                                    (923.4)    6.0
                                                             ------     ---
     Net income (loss) excluding certain items (Non-GAAP)    $(33.1)  $70.2
                                                             ======   =====

                                                              Year Ended
                                                             December 31,
                                                             ------------
                                                             2008    2007
                                                             ----    ----
                                                        (millions of dollars)
    Net income (loss) (GAAP)                                $(709.1) $158.8
      Impairment of oil and gas properties                  3,629.7       -
      Gain (loss) on mark-to-market derivative contracts   (1,555.9)   88.5
      Cash receipts (payments) on mark-to-market
       derivative contracts                                   (34.3) (103.5)
      Gain on sale of assets                                  (65.7)      -
      Adjust income taxes                                    (741.2)    5.7
                                                             ------     ---
     Net income excluding certain items (Non-GAAP)           $523.5  $149.5
                                                             ======  ======



    Plains Exploration & Production Company
    Full-Year 2009 Operating and Financial Guidance

                                                         Year Ended
                                                      December 31, 2009
                                                      -----------------
    Production Volumes (MBOE/day)
      Production volumes sold                           78.0  -   82.0
        % Oil                                                55%
        % Gas                                                45%

    Price Realization % Index (Unhedged)
      Oil - NYMEX                                        80%  -   82%
      Gas - Henry Hub                                    87%  -   90%

    Production Costs per BOE
      Lease operating expense                          $9.20  -  $9.55
      Steam gas costs (1)                              $2.20  -  $2.45
      Electricity                                      $1.45  -  $1.65
      Production and ad valorem taxes                  $1.70  -  $1.90
      Gathering and transportation                     $0.85  -  $0.95

    Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
     per BOE (2)                                      $12.00  - $14.00

    General and Administrative Expenses ($/millions)
      Cash                                               $87  -    $92
      Stock based compensation (3)                       $54  -    $59

    Interest Expense
      Average revolver balance                        30 Day LIBOR+1.75%
      $400 Million Senior Notes                             7.625%
      $500 Million Senior Notes                             7.000%
      $600 Million Senior Notes                             7.750%

    Effective Tax Rate                                   35%  -    40%

    Weighted Average Equivalent Shares Outstanding
     (in thousands)
      Basic                                                108,000
      Diluted                                              110,000

    Capital Expenditures ($/millions)                       $1,050

    Derivative Instruments
      Crude Oil Put Options
        Bbls / day                                          32,500
        Floor                                               $55.00
        Option premium and interest ($/Bbl)                  $3.38
      Natural Gas Collars
        MMbtu / day                                        150,000
        Ceiling                                             $20.00
        Floor                                               $10.00
        Option premium and interest ($/MMbtu)               $0.346


    (1) Steam gas costs assume a base SoCal Border index price of $4.50 per
        MMBtu. The purchased volumes are anticipated to be 40,000 - 46,000
        MMBtu per day.
    (2) Includes accretion
    (3) Based on current outstanding and projected awards and current stock
        price.
     


SOURCE Plains Exploration & Production Company