Southwestern Energy Announces Second Quarter 2009 Financial and Operating Results

HOUSTON, July 30  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwestern Energy Company (NYSE:SWN) today announced its financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2009. Highlights include:

  --  Natural gas and crude oil production of 74.3 Bcfe, up 65% over the
      same period in 2008
  --  Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating
      assets and liabilities of $325.3 million (a non-GAAP measure
      reconciled below), up 13% from the same period in 2008

  --  Net earnings of $121.1 million, compared to $136.6 million in the same
      period in 2008




For the second quarter of 2009, Southwestern reported net income of $121.1 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, compared to $136.6 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, for the same period in 2008. Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities (a non-GAAP measure reconciled below) was $325.3 million in the second quarter of 2009, up from $288.2 million for the same period in 2008.

"We continue to make significant progress in the development of our Fayetteville Shale play every quarter, and the second quarter was no exception," remarked Harold M. Korell, Executive Chairman of Southwestern Energy. "Our gross operated production from the Fayetteville Shale reached a significant milestone of 1 Bcf per day in July, compared to approximately 500 MMcf per day this time a year ago. The productivity of our wells also continues to improve as we learn more. While current gas prices remain low, we believe lower industry drilling activity will result in higher prices over the next 18 months. With our focus on value creation and a world-class resource to develop in the Fayetteville Shale, we are well-positioned not only to weather the current low commodity price environment with our strong balance sheet and financial flexibility, but also to benefit greatly when prices return to more normalized levels."

For the first six months of 2009, Southwestern reported a net loss of $311.7 million, or $0.91 per diluted share, which included a first quarter $907.8 million non-cash ceiling test impairment ($558.3 million net of taxes) of the company's natural gas and oil properties resulting from lower natural gas prices. Excluding the non-cash impairment, Southwestern's net income for the first six months of 2009 was $246.6 million (a non-GAAP measure; see reconciliation below), or $0.71 per diluted share, compared to net income of $245.6 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, in the same period in 2008.

Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities (a non-GAAP measure; see reconciliation below), was $697.9 million for the first six months of 2009, up 22% from $571.9 million for the same period in 2008. Excluding the non-cash impairment, the company's financial results have been impacted primarily by the significant growth in production volumes during the first six months of 2009, partially offset by lower realized natural gas prices.

Second Quarter 2009 Financial Results

E&P Segment - Operating income from the company's E&P segment was $174.4 million for the second quarter of 2009, compared to $215.1 million for the same period in 2008. The decrease was primarily due to a 39% decrease in realized natural gas prices and a 22% increase in operating costs and expenses, which was partially offset by a 65% increase in production volumes.

Gas and oil production totaled 74.3 Bcfe in the second quarter of 2009, up from 45.1 Bcfe in the second quarter of 2008, and included 60.6 Bcf from the company's Fayetteville Shale play, up from 29.6 Bcf in the second quarter of 2008. As a result of recent inspections, repairs and maintenance on the Fayetteville Lateral of the Texas Gas Transmission Pipeline (Boardwalk Pipeline), the company has experienced curtailments that have impacted its ability to transport its production from the Fayetteville Shale. Beginning in April 2009, Texas Gas reduced the capacity on, or shut down, the Fayetteville Lateral on several occasions due to various activities, including maintenance and pipeline inspection. These activities, as well as similar repairs to the Greenville Lateral, are expected to continue, resulting in future curtailments. Texas Gas has estimated that it will begin repairs and maintenance on the pipeline in September and that the repairs will be completed in one to five months.

Currently, the company's transportation capacity for its Fayetteville Shale production is sufficient for its wells at a gross operated rate of approximately 1,050 MMcf per day. Southwestern's net share of its gross operated capacity, together with its share of production which is operated by other companies, is approximately 750 MMcf per day. Southwestern estimates that its total gross operated production will be curtailed to approximately 650 MMcf per day, or approximately 450 MMcf per day net, once the repairs to the Fayetteville Lateral Phase 1 facilities begin. In anticipation of these continued pipeline curtailments, Southwestern has revised its previous gas and oil production guidance range for 2009 from 289 to 292 Bcfe to 278 to 288 Bcfe, or approximately 45% over 2008 levels (using midpoints). Of the total 2009 targeted annual production, approximately 227 to 236 Bcf is expected to come from the Fayetteville Shale. This revised production guidance assumes curtailment of portions of the Fayetteville Lateral Phase 1 facilities for 45 to 60 days starting in September and total curtailed volumes for the remainder of the year of approximately 15 Bcf net to Southwestern. Southwestern's production guidance for the remainder of 2009 is shown below:

                               1st      2nd      3rd        4th   Full-Year
                             Quarter  Quarter   Quarter   Quarter    2009
                              Actual   Actual  Estimate  Estimate  Estimate
                              ------   ------  --------  --------  --------
  Previous Guidance (Bcfe)   60 - 61  70 - 71   75 - 76   80 - 81  289 - 292

  Revised Guidance (Bcfe)     63.9     74.3     66 - 68   74 - 82  278 - 288



Including the effect of hedges, Southwestern's average realized gas price in the second quarter of 2009 was $5.01 per Mcf, down from $8.17 per Mcf in the second quarter of 2008. The company's commodity hedging activities increased its average gas price by $2.11 per Mcf during the second quarter of 2009, compared to a decrease of $1.83 per Mcf during the same period in 2008.

Disregarding the impact of commodity price hedges, the company's average price received for its gas production during the second quarter of 2009 was approximately $0.60 per Mcf lower than average NYMEX spot prices, compared to approximately $0.92 per Mcf lower during the second quarter of 2008. The company believes that average basis differentials going forward will generally approximate those experienced in the second quarter of 2009, but will be volatile due to the Boardwalk Pipeline repairs discussed above. As of July 30, 2009, the company had protected approximately 50 Bcf of its third quarter 2009 expected gas production from the potential of widening basis differentials through hedging activities and sales arrangements at an average basis differential to NYMEX gas prices of approximately $0.35 per Mcf, excluding transportation charges and fuel charges. As of that same date for the fourth quarter of 2009, the company had protected approximately 30 Bcf at an average basis differential to NYMEX gas prices of approximately $0.35 per Mcf, excluding transportation and fuel charges. The company typically sells its natural gas at a discount to NYMEX spot prices due to locational basis differentials, transportation charges and fuel charges.

Lease operating expenses per unit of production for the company's E&P segment were $0.73 per Mcfe in the second quarter of 2009, down from $0.95 per Mcfe in the second quarter of 2008. The decrease primarily resulted from the impact that lower natural gas prices had on the cost of compressor fuel in the second quarter of 2009.

General and administrative expenses per unit of production were $0.34 per Mcfe in the second quarter of 2009, down from $0.41 per Mcfe in the second quarter of 2008. The decrease was primarily due to the effects of the company's increased production volumes which more than offset increased compensation and related costs primarily associated with the expansion of the company's E&P operations due to the Fayetteville Shale play.

Taxes other than income taxes per unit of production were $0.08 per Mcfe in the second quarter of 2009, compared to $0.16 per Mcfe in the second quarter of 2008, primarily due to changes in severance and ad valorem taxes that result from the mix of the company's production volumes combined with lower commodity prices.

The company's full cost pool amortization rate decreased to $1.46 per Mcfe in the second quarter of 2009, compared to $2.01 per Mcfe in the second quarter of 2008. The decline in the average amortization rate was primarily the result of the $907.8 million non-cash ceiling test impairment recorded in the first quarter of 2009. The amortization rate is impacted by timing and amount of reserve additions and the costs associated with those additions, revisions of previous reserve estimates due to both price and well performance, impairments that result from full cost ceiling tests, proceeds from the sale of properties that reduce the full cost pool and the levels of costs subject to amortization. The future full cost pool amortization rate cannot be predicted with accuracy due to the variability of each of the factors discussed above, as well as other factors.

Midstream Services - Operating income for the company's midstream services segment, which is comprised of natural gas gathering and marketing activities, was $27.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009, up from $15.0 million in the same period in 2008. The increase in operating income was primarily due to the increase in gathering revenues from the company's Fayetteville Shale play, partially offset by increased operating costs and expenses. At June 30, 2009, the company's midstream segment was gathering approximately 1,060 MMcf per day through 960 miles of gathering lines in the Fayetteville Shale play area, up from approximately 600 MMcf per day a year ago. Gathering volumes, revenues and expenses for this segment are expected to continue to grow as reserves related to the company's Fayetteville Shale play are developed and production increases.

First Six Months of 2009 Financial Results

E&P Segment - Excluding the non-cash ceiling test impairment, operating income from the company's E&P segment was $354.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 (a non-GAAP measure; see reconciliation below), compared to $380.8 million for the same period in 2008. The decrease was primarily due to lower realized natural gas prices and increased operating costs and expenses which were partially offset by higher production.

Gas and oil production was 138.2 Bcfe in the first six months of 2009, compared to 84.1 Bcfe in the first six months of 2008, and included 110.8 Bcf from the company's Fayetteville Shale play, up from 53.2 Bcfe in the first six months of 2008.

Southwestern's average realized gas price was $5.44 per Mcf, including the effect of hedges, in the first six months of 2009 compared to $7.95 per Mcf in the first six months of 2008. The company's hedging activities increased the average gas price realized during the first six months of 2009 by $2.12 per Mcf, compared to a decrease of $0.87 per Mcf during the first six months of 2008. Disregarding the impact of hedges, the average price received for the company's gas production during the first six months of 2009 was approximately $0.87 per Mcf lower than average NYMEX spot prices, compared to approximately $0.66 per Mcf lower than NYMEX spot prices during the first six months of 2008.

Lease operating expenses for the company's E&P segment were $0.76 per Mcfe in the first six months of 2009, down from $0.87 per Mcfe in the first six months of 2008. The decrease was primarily the result of the impact that lower natural gas prices had on the cost of compressor fuel in the first six months of 2009.

General and administrative expenses were $0.32 per Mcfe in the first six months of 2009, compared to $0.42 per Mcfe in the first six months of 2008. The decrease was primarily due to the effects of the company's increased production volumes which more than offset increased compensation and related costs primarily associated with the expansion of the company's E&P operations due to the Fayetteville Shale play.

Taxes other than income taxes were $0.10 per Mcfe during the first six months of 2009, compared to $0.16 per Mcfe during the first six months of 2008, primarily due to the change in the mix of the company's production volumes combined with lower commodity prices.

The company's full cost pool amortization rate decreased to $1.63 per Mcfe in the first six months of 2009, compared to $2.15 per Mcfe in the first six months of 2008, primarily due to the $907.8 million non-cash ceiling test impairment recorded in the first quarter of 2009 and the sale of natural gas and oil properties in 2008, as the proceeds were credited to the full cost pool.

Midstream Services - Operating income for the company's midstream activities was $55.2 million in the first six months of 2009, compared to $25.2 million in the first six months of 2008. The increase in operating income was primarily due to increased gathering revenues and an increase in the margin from gas marketing activities related to the Fayetteville Shale play, partially offset by increased operating costs and expenses.

Capital Investments - For the first six months of 2009, Southwestern invested a total of $959.4 million, compared to $825.4 million during the first six months of 2008, which included $852.5 million invested in its E&P business and $102.5 million invested in its Midstream Services activities. Of the $852.5 million invested in its E&P business, approximately $700.7 million was invested in its Fayetteville Shale play, $74.0 million in East Texas, $32.4 million in its conventional Arkoma Basin program and $31.8 million in New Ventures. The company expects that its total capital investments for the full year of 2009 to be approximately $1.8 billion.

E&P Operations Review

Fayetteville Shale Play - For the first six months of 2009, Southwestern placed a total of 231 operated wells on production in the Fayetteville Shale play, all of which were horizontal wells fracture stimulated using slickwater.

At June 30, 2009, the company's gross production rate from the Fayetteville Shale play was approximately 990 MMcf per day, up from approximately 500 MMcf per day a year ago. The graph below provides gross production data from the company's operated wells in the Fayetteville Shale play area through June 30, 2009.

(Photo:    http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090730/DA54480-a)

During the second quarter of 2009, the company's horizontal wells had an average completed well cost of $2.9 million per well, average horizontal lateral length of 4,123 feet and average time to drill to total depth of 11 days from re-entry to re-entry. This compares to an average completed well cost of $3.1 million per well, average horizontal lateral length of 3,874 feet and average time to drill to total depth of 12 days from re-entry to re-entry in the first quarter of 2009. The company currently has 17 drilling rigs running in its Fayetteville Shale play area, 13 that are capable of drilling horizontal wells and 4 smaller rigs that are used to drill the vertical portion of the wells. The company currently expects its gross well count in the play during 2009 to be approximately 575 wells (75% operated).

Since 2007, the continuous improvement of the company's completion practices have resulted in quarter-over-quarter improvements in average initial production rates of operated wells placed on production. Results from the company's drilling activities from 2007 through 2009, by quarter, are shown below.

                                                                  Completion
                 Wells    Average   30th-Day     60th-Day  Average  Method
               Placed on  IP Rate   Avg Rate     Avg Rate   Lateral SW/XL/
  Time Frame   Production (Mcf/d) (# of wells) (# of wells) Length  Hy-RHy

  1st Qtr 2007     58     1,261     1,066(58)      958(58)   2,104 11/37/10
  2nd Qtr 2007     46     1,497     1,254(46)    1,034(46)   2,512 24/12/10
  3rd Qtr 2007     74     1,769     1,510(72)    1,350(71)   2,622   69/4/1
  4th Qtr 2007     77     2,027     1,690(77)    1,499(76)   3,193   68/1/8
  1st Qtr 2008     75     2,343     2,147(75)    1,943(74)   3,301   71/1/3
  2nd Qtr 2008     83     2,541     2,155(83)    1,886(83)   3,562   83/0/0
  3rd Qtr 2008     97     2,882     2,560(97)    2,349(97)   3,736   97/0/0
  4th Qtr 2008(1)  74     3,350(1)  2,722(74)    2,401(73)   3,850   74/0/0
  1st Qtr 2009(1) 120     2,992(1)  2,537(120)   2,310(119)  3,874  120/0/0
  2nd Qtr 2009    111     3,611     2,952(82)    2,694(56)   4,123  111/0/0

        Note: Results as of June 30, 2009.
        SW - Slickwater fluids
        XL - Crosslinked gel fluids
        Hy-RHy - Hybrid or Reverse Hybrid method (combination
        slickwater/crosslinked gel fluid system)

  (1) The significant increase in the average initial production rate for
      the fourth quarter of 2008 and the subsequent decrease for the first
      quarter of 2009 primarily reflected the impact of the delay in the
      Boardwalk Pipeline.  Wells that were placed on production in January
      and February of 2009 had average initial production rates of 2,806 Mcf
      per day and 2,749 Mcf per day, respectively, while wells placed on
      production during March 2009 had average initial production rates of
      3,353 Mcf per day.



The graph below provides normalized average daily production data through June 30, 2009, for the company's horizontal wells using slickwater and crosslinked gel fluids. The "dark blue curve" is for horizontal wells fracture stimulated with either slickwater or crosslinked gel fluid. The "red curve" indicates results for the company's wells with lateral lengths greater than 3,000 feet, while the "purple curve" indicates results for the company's wells with lateral lengths greater than 4,000 feet. The normalized production curves are intended to provide a qualitative indication of the company's Fayetteville Shale wells' performance and should not be used to estimate an individual well's estimated ultimate recovery. The 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 Bcf typecurves are shown solely for reference purposes and are not intended to be projections of the performance of the company's wells.

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090730/DA54480-b)

At June 30, 2009, Southwestern held approximately 879,000 net acres in the play area (including 125,372 net acres in the traditional Fairway portion of the Arkoma Basin).

East Texas - In the second quarter of 2008, Southwestern signed a 50/50 joint venture agreement with a private company targeting the Haynesville/Bossier Shale intervals in Shelby and San Augustine Counties, Texas. The first horizontal well, the Red River 877 #1 located in Shelby County, reached total depth in the fourth quarter of 2008, was production tested at 7.2 MMcf per day in the first quarter of 2009 and is currently producing approximately 1.8 MMcf per day. The second horizontal well, the Red River 164 #1, was production tested at 13.4 MMcf per day in the second quarter of 2009 and is currently producing approximately 7.8 MMcf per day. The company has completed drilling a third well, the Red River 619 #1 well located in San Augustine County, and recently spud its fourth well, the Burrows Gas Unit #1-H. Pending further results from these wells, the company may invest more capital in the Haynesville/Bossier Shale play than previously planned. In total, Southwestern has approximately 32,800 net acres it believes is prospective for the Haynesville/Bossier Shale.

Southwestern participated in drilling 23 wells in East Texas during the first six months of 2009, 21 of which were James Lime horizontal wells. The company currently has 28 operated James Lime horizontal wells on production which had average gross initial production rates of 10.1 MMcf per day. Southwestern's current net production from the James Lime is approximately 38.6 MMcf per day. Production from the company's East Texas properties was 15.6 Bcfe for the first six months of 2009, compared to 16.0 Bcfe for the first six months of 2008.

Conventional Arkoma Program - (Outside the Fayetteville Shale play area) Southwestern participated in drilling 13 wells in its conventional Arkoma Basin drilling program during the first six months of 2009. Production from the company's conventional Arkoma Basin was 11.6 Bcf for the first six months of 2009, compared to 11.9 Bcf for the first six months of 2008.

New Ventures - At June 30, 2009, Southwestern held approximately 160,500 net undeveloped acres in the United States outside of its core operating areas in connection with New Ventures, including approximately 138,300 net acres in Pennsylvania under which it believes the Marcellus Shale is prospective.

Explanation and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We report our financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). However, management believes certain non-GAAP performance measures may provide users of this financial information additional meaningful comparisons between current results and the results of our peers and of prior periods.

One such non-GAAP financial measure is net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities. Management presents this measure because (i) it is accepted as an indicator of an oil and gas exploration and production company's ability to internally fund exploration and development activities and to service or incur additional debt, (ii) changes in operating assets and liabilities relate to the timing of cash receipts and disbursements which the company may not control and (iii) changes in operating assets and liabilities may not relate to the period in which the operating activities occurred.

Additional non-GAAP financial measures we may present from time to time are net income attributable to Southwestern Energy, diluted earnings per share attributable to Southwestern Energy stockholders and our E&P segment operating income, all which exclude certain charges or amounts.  Management presents these measures because (i) they are consistent with the manner in which the Company's performance is measured relative to the performance of its peers, (ii) these measures are more comparable to earnings estimates provided by securities analysts, and (iii) charges or amounts excluded cannot be reasonably estimated and guidance provided by the Company excludes information regarding these types of items. These adjusted amounts are not a measure of financial performance under GAAP.

See the reconciliations below of GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP financial measures for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and June 30, 2008.  Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the Company's reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

                                                    6 Months Ended June 30,
                                                    -----------------------
                                                        2009       2008
                                                        ----       ----
                                                        (in thousands)
  Net income (loss) attributable to
   Southwestern Energy:
  Net income (loss) attributable to
   Southwestern Energy                               $(311,730)  $245,579
  Add back:
    Impairment of natural gas and oil
      properties (net of taxes)                        558,305         --
                                                       -------      -----
  Net income attributable to Southwestern
   Energy, excluding impairment of natural
   gas and oil properties                             $246,575   $245,579
                                                      ========   ========




                                                    6 Months Ended June 30,
                                                    -----------------------
                                                         2009       2008
                                                         ----       ----
  Diluted earnings per share:
  Net income (loss) per share attributable to           $(0.91)     $0.71
   Southwestern Energy stockholders
  Add back:
    Impairment of natural gas and oil properties
     (net of taxes)                                       1.62         --
                                                          ----      -----
  Net income per share attributable to Southwestern
   Energy stockholders, excluding impairment of
   natural gas and oil properties                        $0.71      $0.71
                                                         =====      =====




                                                    3 Months Ended June 30,
                                                    -----------------------
                                                        2009       2008
                                                        ----       ----
                                                         (in thousands)
  Cash flow from operating activities:
  Net cash provided by operating activities           $266,436   $291,165
  Add back (deduct):
    Change in operating assets and liabilities          58,860     (2,935)
                                                        ------     ------
  Net cash provided by operating activities
   before changes in operating assets and
   liabilities                                        $325,296   $288,230
                                                      ========   ========





                                                    6 Months Ended June 30,
                                                    -----------------------
                                                        2009       2008
                                                        ----       ----
                                                         (in thousands)
  Cash flow from operating activities:
  Net cash provided by operating activities           $673,731   $588,252
  Add back (deduct):
    Change in operating assets and liabilities          24,120    (16,305)
                                                        ------    -------
  Net cash provided by operating activities
   before changes in operating assets and
   liabilities                                        $697,851   $571,947
                                                      ========   ========




                                                    6 Months Ended June 30,
                                                    -----------------------
                                                        2009      2008
                                                        ----      ----
                                                         (in thousands)
  E&P segment operating income:
  E&P segment operating income (loss)                $(553,460)   $380,796
  Add back:
    Impairment of natural gas and oil properties       907,812          --
                                                       -------       -----
  E&P segment operating income excluding impairment
   of natural gas and oil properties                  $354,352    $380,796
                                                      ========    ========



Southwestern will host a teleconference call on Friday, July 31, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern to discuss the company's second quarter 2009 results. The toll-free number to call is 877-407-8035 and the international toll-free number is 201-689-8035. The teleconference can also be heard "live" on the Internet at http://www.swn.com/.

Southwestern Energy Company is an integrated company whose wholly-owned subsidiaries are engaged in oil and gas exploration and production, natural gas gathering and marketing. Additional information on the company can be found on the Internet at http://www.swn.com/.

All statements, other than historical financial information, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements that address activities, outcomes and other matters that should or may occur in the future, including, without limitation, statements regarding the financial position, business strategy, production and reserve growth and other plans and objectives for the company's future operations, are forward-looking statements. Although the company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The company has no obligation and makes no undertaking to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. They are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may affect the company's operations, markets, products, services and prices and cause its actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with forward-looking statements, risks, uncertainties and factors that could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to: the timing and extent of changes in market conditions and prices for natural gas and oil (including regional basis differentials); the company's ability to transport its production to the most favorable markets or at all; the timing and extent of the company's success in discovering, developing, producing and estimating reserves; the economic viability of, and the company's success in drilling, the company's large acreage position in the Fayetteville Shale play, overall as well as relative to other productive shale gas plays; the company's ability to fund the company's planned capital investments; the company's ability to determine the most effective and economic fracture stimulation for the Fayetteville Shale formation; the impact of federal, state and local government regulation, including any increase in severance taxes; the costs and availability of oil field personnel services and drilling supplies, raw materials, and equipment and services; the company's future property acquisition or divestiture activities; increased competition; the financial impact of accounting regulations and critical accounting policies; the comparative cost of alternative fuels; conditions in capital markets, changes in interest rates and the ability of the company's lenders to provide it with funds as agreed; credit risk relating to the risk of loss as a result of non-performance by the company's counterparties and any other factors listed in the reports the company has filed and may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). For additional information with respect to certain of these and other factors, see the reports filed by the company with the SEC. The company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

                        Financial Summary Follows


  OPERATING STATISTICS (Unaudited)
  Southwestern Energy Company and Subsidiaries

                                            Three Months        Six Months
  Periods Ended June 30                    2009      2008     2009     2008
                                           ----      ----     ----     ----

  Exploration & Production
  ------------------------
  Production
    Gas production (MMcf)                74,120    44,312  137,809   82,517
    Oil production (MBbls)                   32       127       66      269
    Total equivalent production (MMcfe)  74,315    45,075  138,208   84,132
                                         ------    ------  -------   ------
  Commodity Prices
    Average gas price per Mcf,
     including hedges                     $5.01     $8.17    $5.44    $7.95
    Average gas price per Mcf,
     excluding hedges                     $2.90    $10.00    $3.32    $8.82
    Average oil price per Bbl            $51.91   $122.26   $43.24  $108.69
                                         ------   -------   ------  -------
  Operating Expenses per Mcfe
    Lease operating expenses              $0.73     $0.95    $0.76    $0.87
    General & administrative expenses     $0.34     $0.41    $0.32    $0.42
    Taxes, other than income taxes        $0.08     $0.16    $0.10    $0.16
    Full cost pool amortization           $1.46     $2.01    $1.63    $2.15


  Midstream
  ---------
  Gas volumes marketed (Bcf)               89.1      59.5    175.6    109.6
  Gas volumes gathered (Bcf)               94.9      49.9    174.4     88.4






  STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
  Southwestern Energy Company and Subsidiaries

                                 Three Months               Six Months
  Periods Ended June 30       2009         2008         2009         2008
  ---------------------       ----         ----         ----         ----
                              (in thousands except share/per share amounts)
  Operating Revenues
  Gas sales                 $367,430     $371,114     $740,088     $733,705
  Gas marketing               91,438      205,836      243,010      341,143
  Oil sales                    1,693       15,538        2,875       29,251
  Gas gathering               16,865        9,186       33,428       17,472
  Other                           94        2,696       (1,064)       6,905
                                 ---        -----       ------        -----
                             477,520      604,370    1,018,337    1,128,476
                             -------      -------    ---------    ---------
  Operating Costs and
   Expenses
  Gas purchases -
   midstream services         91,187      202,889      240,367      335,341
  Gas purchases - gas
   distribution                    -        9,544            -       61,439
  Operating expenses          30,506       30,030       57,678       54,026
  General and
   administrative expenses    29,200       25,741       52,909       49,481
  Depreciation, depletion
   and amortization          117,927       98,151      242,155      195,248
  Impairment of natural
   gas and oil properties          -            -      907,812            -
  Taxes, other than income
   taxes                       6,473        8,729       15,681       16,145
                               -----        -----       ------       ------
                             275,293      375,084    1,516,602      711,680
                             -------      -------    ---------      -------
  Operating Income (Loss)    202,227      229,286     (498,265)     416,796
                             -------      -------     --------      -------
  Interest Expense
  Interest on debt            13,725       15,659       27,910       32,745
  Other interest charges         870          619        1,529        1,267
  Interest capitalized       (11,529)      (7,281)     (22,689)     (13,486)
                            --------       ------     --------     --------
                               3,066        8,997        6,750       20,526
                               -----        -----        -----       ------
  Other Income                   169          169          534          176
                                 ---          ---          ---          ---
  Income (Loss) Before
   Income Taxes              199,330      220,458     (504,481)     396,446
                             -------      -------     --------      -------
  Provision (Benefit)
   for Income Taxes
  Current                          -       46,500      (35,500)      46,500
  Deferred                    78,272       37,193     (157,187)     104,017
                              ------       ------     --------      -------
                              78,272       83,693     (192,687)     150,517
                              ------       ------     --------      -------
  Net income (loss)          121,058      136,765     (311,794)     245,929
  Less: net income (loss)
   attributable to
   noncontrolling interest       (42)         215          (64)         350
                                 ---          ---          ---          ---
  Net Income (Loss)
   Attributable to
   Southwestern Energy      $121,100     $136,550    $(311,730)    $245,579
                            --------     --------    ---------     --------
  Earnings Per Share
    Net income (loss)
     attributable to
     Southwestern Energy
     stockholders - Basic      $0.35        $0.40       $(0.91)       $0.72
    Net income (loss)
     attributable to
     Southwestern Energy
     stockholders -
     Diluted                   $0.35        $0.39       $(0.91)       $0.71
                               -----        -----       ------        -----
  Weighted Average Common
   Shares Outstanding
    Basic                342,960,373  341,402,888  342,766,760  341,233,574
    Diluted              348,806,860  346,551,198  342,766,760  346,287,843





  BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
  Southwestern Energy Company and Subsidiaries

  June 30                                     2009             2008
  -------                                     ----             ----
                                                  (in thousands)
  ASSETS

  Current Assets                             $664,776        $759,329
  Current Assets Held For Sale                      -          42,926
                                                  ---          ------
  Property and Equipment                    6,298,500       4,510,372
  Less:  Accumulated depreciation,
   depletion and amortization               2,767,225       1,392,380
                                            ---------       ---------
                                            3,531,275       3,117,992
                                            ---------       ---------
  Other Assets                                142,231          74,242
  Assets Held For Sale                              -         142,971
                                                  ---         -------
                                           $4,338,282      $4,137,460
                                           ----------      ----------

  LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

  Current Liabilities                        $644,224      $1,129,771
  Current Liabilities Associated With
   Assets Held For Sale                             -          32,633
                                                  ---          ------
  Long-Term Debt                              869,600         674,800
                                              -------         -------
  Deferred Income Taxes                       554,434         450,089
                                              -------         -------
  Long-Term Hedging Liability                   4,012         301,668
                                                -----         -------
  Other Liabilities                            57,668          57,774
  Other Liabilities Associated With Assets
   Held For Sale                                    -          17,005
                                                  ---          ------
  Commitments and Contingencies
  Equity
  Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized
   540,000,000 shares, issued 344,486,505
   shares in 2009 and 342,786,381 in 2008       3,445           3,428
  Additional paid-in capital                  822,428         798,750
  Retained earnings                         1,138,247       1,127,610
  Accumulated other comprehensive income
   (loss)                                     238,550        (462,061)
  Common stock in treasury, 203,059 shares
   in 2009 and 224,594 in 2008                 (4,300)         (4,725)
                                               ------          ------
  Total Southwestern Energy stockholders'
   equity                                   2,198,370       1,463,002
  Noncontrolling interest                       9,974          10,718
                                                -----          ------
  Total equity                              2,208,344       1,473,720
                                            ---------       ---------
                                           $4,338,282      $4,137,460
                                           ----------      ----------




  STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
  Southwestern Energy Company and Subsidiaries

                                                       Six Months
  Periods Ended June 30                             2009        2008
  ---------------------                             ----        ----
                                                     (in thousands)

  Cash Flows From Operating Activities
  Net income (loss)                              $(311,794)   $245,929
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
   cash provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation, depletion and amortization       242,983     196,411
    Impairment of natural gas and oil properties   907,812           -
    Deferred income taxes                         (157,187)    104,017
    Impairment of natural gas inventory              4,283           -
    Unrealized loss on derivatives                   6,039      20,345
    Stock-based compensation expense                 5,810       5,839
    Gain on sale of property and equipment               -        (392)
    Distributions to noncontrolling interest in
     partnership                                       (95)       (202)
    Change in assets and liabilities               (24,120)     16,305
                                                   -------      ------
  Net cash provided by operating activities        673,731     588,252
                                                   -------     -------

  Cash Flows From Investing Activities
  Capital investments                             (963,976)   (812,421)
  Proceeds from sale of property and equipment           -     590,513
  Other items                                       (4,144)       (296)
                                                    ------        ----
  Net cash used in investing activities           (968,120)   (222,204)
                                                 ---------    --------

  Cash Flows From Financing Activities
  Payments on short-term debt                      (60,600)       (600)
  Payments on revolving long-term debt            (339,500) (1,843,600)
  Borrowings under revolving long-term debt        535,500   1,001,400
  Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt               -     600,000
  Debt issuance costs and revolving credit
   facility costs                                        -      (8,895)
  Excess tax benefit for stock-based compensation        -      39,332
  Change in bank drafts outstanding                (38,401)     19,643
  Proceeds from exercise of common stock options     3,358       2,067
                                                     -----       -----
  Net cash provided by (used in) financing
   activities                                      100,357    (190,653)
                                                   -------    --------

  Increase (decrease) in cash and cash
   equivalents                                    (194,032)    175,395
  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
   of year(1)                                      196,277       1,832
                                                   -------       -----
  Cash and cash equivalents at end of period(1)     $2,245    $177,227
                                                    ------    --------

  (1) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year for 2008 and
      at June 30, 2008 include $1.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively,
      classified as "held for sale."





  SEGMENT INFORMATION (Unaudited)
  Southwestern Energy Company and Subsidiaries

                      Exploration
                           &      Midstream
                       Production  Services  Other(1) Eliminations  Total
                      ----------- ---------  -------  ------------  -----
  Quarter Ending                         (in thousands)
   June 30, 2009
  --------------

  Revenues             $372,681   $337,164     $231   $(232,556)   $477,520
    Gas purchases             -    285,208        -    (194,021)     91,187
    Operating expenses   54,303     14,620        -     (38,417)     30,506
    General &
     administrative
     expenses            25,000      4,293       25        (118)     29,200
    Depreciation,
     depletion &
     amortization       113,357      4,375      195           -     117,927
    Taxes, other than
     income taxes         5,588        876        9           -       6,473
                          -----        ---      ---         ---       -----
  Operating Income     $174,433    $27,792       $2          $-    $202,227
                       --------    -------      ---         ---    --------

  Capital
  Investments (2)      $402,079    $51,535   $2,622           $-   $456,236

  Quarter Ending
   June 30, 2008
  --------------

  Revenues             $377,725   $639,758  $33,631   $(446,744)   $604,370
    Gas purchases             -    609,366   20,463    (417,396)    212,433
    Operating expenses   42,964      8,967    7,299     (29,200)     30,030
    General &
     administrative
     expenses            18,378      3,333    4,178        (148)     25,741
    Depreciation,
     depletion &
     amortization        94,031      2,370    1,750           -      98,151
    Taxes, other than
     income taxes         7,266        720      743           -       8,729
                          -----        ---      ---         ---       -----
  Operating Income
   (Loss)              $215,086    $15,002   $(802)          $-    $229,286
                       --------    -------   -----          ---    --------

  Capital
   Investments (2)     $362,821    $47,878   $4,843          $-    $415,542

  Six Months Ending
   June 30, 2009
  -----------------

  Revenues             $750,766   $730,638     $463   $(463,530) $1,018,337
    Gas purchases             -    629,611        -    (389,244)    240,367
    Operating expenses  104,353     27,381        -     (74,056)     57,678
    General &
     administrative
     expenses            44,696      8,409       34        (230)     52,909
    Depreciation,
     depletion &
     amortization       233,488      8,301      366           -     242,155
    Impairment of
     natural gas and
     oil properties     907,812          -        -           -     907,812
    Taxes, other than
     income taxes        13,877      1,782       22           -      15,681
                         ------      -----      ---         ---      ------
  Operating Income
   (Loss)             $(553,460)   $55,154      $41          $-   $(498,265)
                      ---------    -------      ---         ---   ---------

  Capital
   Investments (2)     $852,482   $102,456    4,490          $-    $959,428

  Six Months Ending
   June 30, 2008
  -----------------

  Revenues             $689,742 $1,045,083 $117,934   $(724,283) $1,128,476
    Gas purchases             -    992,426   79,120    (674,766)    396,780
    Operating expenses   73,213     15,902   14,139     (49,228)     54,026
    General &
     administrative
     expenses            34,931      6,126    8,713        (289)     49,481
    Depreciation,
     depletion &
     amortization       187,337      4,407    3,504           -     195,248
    Taxes, other than
     income taxes        13,465      1,059    1,621           -      16,145
                         ------      -----    -----         ---      ------
  Operating Income     $380,796    $25,163  $10,837          $-    $416,796
                       --------    -------  -------         ---    --------

  Capital
   Investments (2)     $739,335    $79,323   $6,742          $-    $825,400

  (1) The three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008 include operating     results and capital investments associated with our natural gas
      distribution subsidiary, Arkansas Western Gas ("AWG"). On July 1,
      2008, we closed the sale of AWG and, as a result, we no longer have
      any natural distribution operations.
  (2) Capital investments include reductions of $31.8 million and $8.2
      million for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2009,
      respectively, and a reduction of $6.8 million and an increase of $10.0
      million for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2008,
      respectively, relating to the change in accrued expenditures between
      periods.


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DATASOURCE: Southwestern Energy Company



CONTACT:  Greg D. Kerley, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial

Officer, [phone], or Brad D. Sylvester, CFA, Vice President, Investor

Relations, [phone], both of Southwestern Energy Company



Web Site:  http://www.swn.com/ 

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