Southwestern Energy Announces Third Quarter 2009 Results and Updates Fourth Quarter Production Guidance

Southwestern Energy Announces Third Quarter 2009 Results and Updates Fourth
Quarter Production Guidance

HOUSTON, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwestern Energy Company (NYSE:
SWN) today announced its financial and operating results for the third quarter
of 2009. Highlights include:

-- Natural gas and crude oil production of 73.2 Bcfe, up 38% over the
same
period in 2008
-- Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating
assets and liabilities of $331.8 million (a non-GAAP measure
reconciled
below), up from $312.1 million in the same period in 2008
-- Net earnings of $118.3 million, compared to $218.2 million in the same
period in 2008

-- Revised fourth quarter 2009 production guidance range to 86-89 Bcfe,
up
12% from midpoints of previous guidance

For the third quarter of 2009, Southwestern reported net income of $118.3
million, or $0.34 per diluted share, compared to $218.2 million, or $0.63 per
diluted share, for the same period in 2008. Net income for the third quarter
of 2009 declined due to significantly lower natural gas prices, which were
only partially offset by higher production volumes. Results for the third
quarter of 2008 also included an after-tax gain on the sale of the company's
utility assets of $35.4 million, or $0.10 per diluted share. Net cash provided
by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities (a
non-GAAP measure reconciled below) was $331.8 million in the third quarter of
2009, up from $312.1 million for the same period in 2008.

"We had a solid quarter despite depressed natural gas prices which were at a
seven-year low and the various curtailment issues we experienced related to
maintenance and repairs of the Boardwalk Pipeline," remarked Harold M. Korell,
Executive Chairman of Southwestern Energy. "We do not expect these factors to
weigh as heavily in the fourth quarter of 2009, as the Boardwalk Pipeline was
placed on-line sooner than we had expected and as gas prices appear to be
moving higher than they have been over the past nine months. As a result of
the Boardwalk Pipeline being back on-line, we were able to reach another
milestone last week when we surpassed 1 Bcfe of net production per day as a
company. As we look ahead, we see continued profitable growth in our
production and reserves which, coupled with our low cost structure, will
create tremendous value for Southwestern Energy and its shareholders."

Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results

E&P Segment - Operating income from the company's E&P segment was $172.0
million for the third quarter of 2009, down from $280.6 million for the same
period in 2008. The decrease was primarily due to a 41% decrease in realized
natural gas prices and a 12% increase in operating costs and expenses, which
were partially offset by a 38% increase in production volumes.

Gas and oil production totaled 73.2 Bcfe in the third quarter of 2009, up from
52.8 Bcfe in the third quarter of 2008, and included 58.8 Bcf from the
company's Fayetteville Shale play, up from 37.2 Bcf in the third quarter of
2008. Beginning on October 8, 2009, the Fayetteville Lateral of the Texas Gas
Transmission Pipeline (Boardwalk Pipeline) was placed back into service after
being shut down since September 1, 2009 due to maintenance and pipeline
inspection. The Greenville Lateral of the Boardwalk Pipeline was also placed
back into service in October after this shut down.

As a result of the repairs, the company is now able to transport all of its
current production from the Fayetteville Shale and, at October 24, 2009, was
producing at a gross operated rate of approximately 1,230 MMcf per day.
Southwestern has revised its previous gas and oil production guidance range
for 2009 from 278 to 288 Bcfe to 297 to 300 Bcfe, up approximately 53% over
2008 levels (using midpoints), due to the company's significant production
growth from the Fayetteville Shale play and as a result of the pipeline
repairs being completed faster than the company had anticipated. Of this total
for 2009, approximately 243 to 245 Bcf is expected to come from the
Fayetteville Shale play. 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 Actual Estimate Estimate
------ ------ ------ -------- --------
Previous Guidance (Bcfe) 60 - 61 70 - 71 66 - 68 74 - 82 278 - 288
Revised Guidance (Bcfe) 63.9 74.3 73.2 86 - 89 297 - 300

Including the effect of hedges, Southwestern's average realized gas price in
the third quarter of 2009 was $5.06 per Mcf, down 41% from $8.56 per Mcf in
the third quarter of 2008. The company's commodity hedging activities
increased its average gas price by $2.21 per Mcf during the third quarter of
2009, compared to a decrease of $0.26 per Mcf during the same period in 2008.
Southwestern has approximately 33 Bcf of its remaining 2009 projected natural
gas production hedged through fixed price swaps and collars at a weighted
average floor price of $8.41 per Mcf.

Disregarding the impact of commodity price hedges, the company's average price
received for its gas production during the third quarter of 2009 was
approximately $0.54 per Mcf lower than average NYMEX spot prices, compared to
approximately $1.42 per Mcf lower during the third quarter of 2008. As of
October 27, 2009, the company had protected approximately 50 Bcf of its fourth
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 $0.25 per Mcf,
excluding transportation charges and fuel charges. As of that same date for
the first quarter of 2010, the company had protected approximately 45 Bcf at
an average basis differential to NYMEX gas prices of approximately $0.20 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. The company pays
third-party transportation charges which typically range from $0.15 to $0.32
per MMBtu and fuel charges which range from 0.25 to 2.25%.

Lease operating expenses per unit of production for the company's E&P segment
were $0.76 per Mcfe in the third quarter of 2009, down from $0.96 per Mcfe in
the third quarter of 2008. The decrease primarily resulted from the impact
that lower natural gas prices had on the cost of compressor fuel in the third
quarter of 2009.

General and administrative expenses per unit of production were $0.38 per Mcfe
in the third quarter of 2009, compared to $0.33 per Mcfe in the third quarter
of 2008. The increase was primarily due to the increased payroll and other
employee-related costs primarily associated with the expansion of the
company's operations due to the Fayetteville Shale play, including a $5.4
million increase in incentive compensation that was accrued during the
quarter, which were partially offset by the effects of the company's increased
production volumes.

Taxes other than income taxes per unit of production were $0.10 per Mcfe in
the third quarter of 2009, compared to $0.15 per Mcfe in the third quarter of
2008, primarily due to lower commodity prices and changes in severance and ad
valorem taxes that result from the mix of the company's production volumes.

The company's full cost pool amortization rate decreased to $1.43 per Mcfe in
the third quarter of 2009, compared to $1.86 per Mcfe in the third 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 the 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 $25.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, up from $18.3
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 October 26, 2009, the company's midstream segment was gathering
approximately 1,304 MMcf per day through 1,091 miles of gathering lines in the
Fayetteville Shale play area, up from approximately 675 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 Nine Months of 2009 Financial Results

For the first nine months of 2009, Southwestern reported a net loss of $193.5
million, or $0.56 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 nine months of 2009 was $364.8 million (a non-GAAP measure; see
reconciliation below), or $1.06 per diluted share, compared to net income of
$463.7 million, or $1.34 per diluted share, in the same period in 2008.
Excluding the non-cash impairment, the company's financial results have been
impacted primarily by lower realized natural gas prices during the first nine
months of 2009, partially offset by significant growth in production volumes.

Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets
and liabilities (a non-GAAP measure; see reconciliation below), was $1.03
billion for the first nine months of 2009, up 16% from $884.1 million for the
same period in 2008.

E&P Segment - Excluding the non-cash ceiling test impairment, operating income
from the company's E&P segment was $526.4 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2009 (a non-GAAP measure; see reconciliation below), compared to
$661.4 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 211.4 Bcfe in the first nine months of 2009,
compared to 137.0 Bcfe in the first nine months of 2008, and included 169.6
Bcf from the company's Fayetteville Shale play, up from 90.4 Bcf in the first
nine months of 2008.

Southwestern's average realized gas price was $5.31 per Mcf, including the
effect of hedges, in the first nine months of 2009 compared to $8.19 per Mcf
in the first nine months of 2008. The company's hedging activities increased
the average gas price realized during the first nine months of 2009 by $2.15
per Mcf, compared to a decrease of $0.64 per Mcf during the first nine months
of 2008. Disregarding the impact of hedges, the average price received for the
company's gas production during the first nine months of 2009 was
approximately $0.77 per Mcf lower than average NYMEX spot prices, compared to
approximately $0.90 per Mcf lower than NYMEX spot prices during the first nine
months of 2008.

Lease operating expenses for the company's E&P segment were $0.76 per Mcfe in
the first nine months of 2009, down from $0.90 per Mcfe in the first nine
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 nine months
of 2009.

General and administrative expenses were $0.34 per Mcfe in the first nine
months of 2009, compared to $0.38 per Mcfe in the first nine months of 2008.
The decrease was primarily due to the effects of the company's increased
production volumes which more than offset the effects of increased payroll,
incentive compensation and other employee-related costs primarily associated
with the expansion of the company's operations due to the Fayetteville Shale
play. Southwestern added 227 new employees during the first nine months of
2009.

Taxes other than income taxes were $0.10 per Mcfe during the first nine months
of 2009, compared to $0.15 per Mcfe during the first nine months of 2008,
primarily due to lower commodity prices and the change in the mix of the
company's production volumes.

The company's full cost pool amortization rate decreased to $1.56 per Mcfe in
the first nine months of 2009, compared to $2.03 per Mcfe in the first nine
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 $80.3 million in the first nine months of 2009, compared to $43.4 million
in the first nine 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 - In the first nine months of 2009, Southwestern invested
approximately $1.4 billion, compared to approximately $1.3 billion during the
first nine months of 2008, which included $1.2 billion invested in its E&P
business and $167 million invested in its Midstream Services activities. Of
the approximately $1.2 billion invested in its E&P business, $1.0 billion was
invested in its Fayetteville Shale play, $123 million in East Texas, $35
million in its conventional Arkoma Basin program and $35 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 nine months of 2009, Southwestern
placed a total of 324 operated wells on production in the Fayetteville Shale
play, all of which were horizontal wells fracture stimulated using slickwater.

At October 24, 2009, the company's gross production rate from the Fayetteville
Shale play was approximately 1,230 MMcf per day, up from approximately 600
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
October 24, 2009.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091029/DA01641-a)

During the third 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 4,100 feet and average time to drill to total depth of 12
days from re-entry to re-entry. This compares to 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
in the second 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 550 wells (80% operated).

Since 2007, improvements in the company's completion practices and longer
lateral lengths have resulted in quarter-over-quarter improvements in average
initial production rates of operated wells placed on production. During the
third quarter of 2009, Southwestern placed three wells on production with
initial production rates over 6.0 MMcf per day. Subsequent to the end of the
third quarter and through October 23, 2009, the company placed two wells on
production with initial production rates over 6.0 MMcf per day, including its
highest rate well, the Linda Linn 08-12 1-23H located in Faulkner County, with
an initial production rate of approximately 6.7 MMcf per day. Results from the
company's drilling activities from 2007 through 2009, by quarter, are shown
below.

Wells Average 30th-Day 60th-Day Average Completion
Time Placed on IP Rate Avg Rate Avg Rate Lateral Method
Frame Production (Mcf/d) (# of wells) (# of wells) Length SW/XL/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) 1,334(72) 2,622 69/4/1
4th Qtr
2007 77 2,027 1,690(77) 1,481(77) 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) 2,386(74) 3,850 74/0/0
1st Qtr
2009(1) 120 2,992(1) 2,537(120) 2,308(119) 3,874 120/0/0
2nd Qtr
2009 111 3,611 2,833(111) 2,504(105) 4,123 111/0/0
3rd Qtr
2009 93 3,604 2,543(69) 2,334(36) 4,100 93/0/0

Note: Results as of September 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.

In 2008, the company developed a 4-square mile area of its Fayetteville Shale
acreage in a pilot program with horizontal wells spaced at approximately 1,000
feet apart, representing approximately 110-acre spacing. Beginning in late
2008, Southwestern began drilling wells to test tighter well spacing. Through
September 30, 2009, the company had placed over 200 wells on production that
have well spacing of 700 feet or less, representing approximately 65-acre
spacing or less. Results to date have been encouraging. In the areas the
company has currently drilled, it now expects to drill between 10 and 12 wells
per section in the Fayetteville Shale, pending additional well data and
analyses. Additionally, the company is currently testing eight different pilot
areas with well spacings that will range from 300 to 600 feet apart.

The graph below provides normalized average daily production data through
September 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/20091029/DA01641-b)

At September 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. The second horizontal well, the Red River 164 #1
located in San Augustine County, was production tested at 13.4 MMcf per day in
the second quarter of 2009. The company completed a third well, the Red River
619 #1 located in San Augustine County, which was production tested in the
third quarter of 2009 at 16.7 MMcf per day. A fourth well, the Burrows Gas
Unit #1-H, is currently being tested. A fifth well, the Red River 257 #1 is
waiting on completion. The company is currently drilling a sixth well, the Red
River 257 #2 located in San Augustine County. Southwestern plans to
participate in at least one additional well during 2009. In total,
Southwestern has approximately 32,800 net acres it believes is prospective for
the Haynesville/Bossier Shale.

Southwestern participated in drilling 33 wells in East Texas during the first
nine months of 2009, 28 of which were James Lime horizontal wells. The company
currently has 37 operated James Lime horizontal wells on production which had
average gross initial production rates of 9.5 MMcf per day. Southwestern's
current net production from the James Lime is approximately 48 MMcf per day.
Production from the company's East Texas properties was 24.6 Bcfe for the
first nine months of 2009, compared to 24.1 Bcfe for the first nine months of
2008.

Conventional Arkoma Program - (Outside the Fayetteville Shale play area)
Southwestern participated in drilling 14 wells in its conventional Arkoma
Basin drilling program during the first nine months of 2009. Production from
the company's conventional Arkoma Basin was 16.9 Bcf for the first nine months
of 2009, compared to 18.6 Bcf for the first nine months of 2008.

New Ventures - At September 30, 2009, Southwestern held approximately 161,900
net undeveloped acres in the United States outside of its core operating areas
in connection with New Ventures, including approximately 139,700 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 nine months ended September 30, 2009 and September
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.

9 Months Ended Sept 30,
----------------------
2009 2008
---- ----
(in thousands)
Net income (loss) attributable to Southwestern
Energy:
Net income (loss) attributable to Southwestern
Energy $(193,476) $463,747
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
$364,829 $463,747
======== ========

9 Months Ended Sept 30,
----------------------
2009 2008
---- ----
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income (loss) per share attributable to
Southwestern Energy stockholders $(0.56) $1.34
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 $1.06 $1.34
===== =====

3 Months Ended Sept 30,
----------------------
2009 2008
---- ----
(in thousands)
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities $315,795 $378,455
Add back (deduct):
Change in operating assets and liabilities 15,978 (66,316)
------ -------
Net cash provided by operating activities before
changes in operating assets and liabilities $331,773 $312,139
======== ========

9 Months Ended Sept 30,
----------------------
2009 2008
---- ----
(in thousands)
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities $989,526 $966,707
Add back (deduct):
Change in operating assets and liabilities 40,098 (82,621)
------ -------
Net cash provided by operating activities before
changes in operating assets and liabilities $1,029,624 $884,086
========== ========

9 Months Ended Sept 30,
----------------------
2009 2008
---- ----
(in thousands)
E&P segment operating income:
E&P segment operating income (loss) $(381,422) $661,403
Add back:
Impairment of natural gas and oil properties 907,812 -
------- ---
E&P segment operating income, excluding
Impairment of natural gas and oil properties $526,390 $661,403
======== ========

Southwestern will host a teleconference call on Friday, October 30, 2009, at
10:00 a.m. Eastern to discuss the company's third 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 Nine Months
Periods Ended September 30 2009 2008 2009 2008
--------------------------- ---- ---- ---- ----

Exploration & Production
-----------------------
Production
Gas production (Bcf) 73.0 52.4 210.8 134.9
Oil production (MBbls) 29 76 95 345
Total equivalent production (Bcfe) 73.2 52.8 211.4 137.0
--------------------------------- ---- ---- ----- -----
Commodity Prices
Average gas price per Mcf, including
hedges $5.06 $8.56 $5.31 $8.19
Average gas price per Mcf, excluding
hedges $2.85 $8.82 $3.16 $8.83
Average oil price per Bbl $64.20 $125.33 $49.47 $112.37
------------------------- ------ ------- ------ -------
Operating Expenses per Mcfe
Lease operating expenses $0.76 $0.96 $0.76 $0.90
General & administrative expenses $0.38 $0.33 $0.34 $0.38
Taxes, other than income taxes $0.10 $0.15 $0.10 $0.15
Full cost pool amortization $1.43 $1.86 $1.56 $2.03
----- ----- ----- -----
Midstream
---------
Gas volumes marketed (Bcf) 98.3 71.6 273.9 181.2
Gas volumes gathered (Bcf) 93.0 64.6 267.4 153.0
----- ----- ----- -----

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
Southwestern Energy Company and Subsidiaries

Three Months Nine Months
Periods Ended September 30 2009 2008 2009 2008
-------------------------- ---- ---- ---- ----
(in thousands except share/per share amounts)
Operating Revenues
Gas sales $369,963 $433,698 $1,110,051 $1,167,403
Gas marketing 113,642 226,889 356,652 568,032
Oil sales 1,805 9,565 4,680 38,816
Gas gathering 17,443 12,662 50,871 30,134
Other 96 185 (968) 7,090
----- --- --- ---- -----
502,949 682,999 1,521,286 1,811,475

Operating Costs and
Expenses
Gas purchases -
midstream services 112,956 225,149 353,323 560,490
Gas purchases - gas
distribution - - - 61,439
Operating expenses 38,898 23,877 96,576 77,903
General and
administrative expenses 31,942 21,055 84,851 70,536
Depreciation, depletion
and amortization 113,833 105,230 355,988 300,478
Impairment of natural
gas and oil properties - - 907,812 -
Taxes, other than income
taxes 8,282 8,648 23,963 24,793
------------------------ ----- ----- ------ ------
305,911 383,959 1,822,513 1,095,639
------- ------- --------- ---------
Operating Income (Loss) 197,038 299,040 (301,227) 715,836
---------------------- ------- ------- -------- -------
Interest Expense
Interest on debt 13,761 14,205 41,671 46,950
Other interest charges 740 482 2,269 1,749
Interest capitalized (9,224) (8,109) (31,913) (21,595)
-------------------- ------ ------ -------- --------
5,277 6,578 12,027 27,104
Other Income 554 2,354 1,088 2,530
Gain on Sale of Utility
Assets - 57,264 - 57,264
----------------------- --- ------ --- ------
Income (Loss) Before
Income Taxes 192,315 352,080 (312,166) 748,526
-------------------- ------- ------- -------- -------
Provision (Benefit) for
Income Taxes
Current (20,704) 61,000 (56,204) 107,500
Deferred 94,809 72,715 (62,378) 176,732
-------- ------ ------ -------- -------
74,105 133,715 (118,582) 284,232
------ ------- -------- -------
Net income (loss) 118,210 218,365 (193,584) 464,294
Less: net income (loss)
attributable to
noncontrolling interest (44) 197 (108) 547
Net Income (Loss)
Attributable to
Southwestern Energy $118,254 $218,168 $(193,476) $463,747
-------------------- -------- -------- --------- --------
Earnings Per Share
Net income (loss)
attributable to
Southwestern Energy
stockholders - Basic $0.34 $0.64 $(0.56) $1.36
Net income (loss)
attributable to
Southwestern Energy
stockholders -
Diluted $0.34 $0.63 $(0.56) $1.34
---------------------- ----- ----- ------ -----
Weighted Average Common
Shares Outstanding
Basic 343,717,232 342,312,845 343,087,065 341,595,957
Diluted 349,000,241 346,712,565 343,087,065 346,459,853
------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
Southwestern Energy Company and Subsidiaries

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

Current Assets $533,836 $886,490
-------------- -------- --------
Property and Equipment 6,709,592 4,844,090
Less: Accumulated depreciation, depletion
and amortization 2,882,350 1,499,632
-----------------------------------------
3,827,242 3,344,458
------------ --------- ---------
Other Assets 97,065 133,058
------------
$4,458,143 $4,364,006
---------- ----------

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Current Liabilities (1) $561,516 $724,072
Long-Term Debt 958,300 674,800
-------------- ------- -------
Deferred Income Taxes 632,890 635,604
Long-Term Hedging Liability 10,265 49,467
--------------------------- ------ ------
Other Liabilities 65,607 48,703
Commitments and Contingencies
----------------------------- ------ ------
Equity
Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized
540,000,000 shares, issued 345,256,980
shares in 2009 and 343,182,556 in 2008 3,453 3,432
Additional paid-in capital 827,040 807,019
Retained earnings 1,256,501 1,345,778
Accumulated other comprehensive income 136,999 69,255
Common stock in treasury, 203,472 shares in
2009 and 224,807 in 2008 (4,316) (4,732)
Total Southwestern Energy stockholders' equity 2,219,677 2,220,752
Noncontrolling interest 9,888 10,608
----------------------- ----- ------
Total equity 2,229,565 2,231,360
$4,458,143 $4,364,006
---------- ----------

(1) Current Liabilities include $1.2 million in 2009 and $61.2 million in
2008 of Senior Notes.

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

Nine Months
Periods Ended September 30 2009 2008

(in thousands)
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income (loss) $(193,584) $464,294
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 357,218 301,801
Impairment of natural gas and oil properties 907,812 -
Deferred income taxes (62,378) 176,732
Impairment of natural gas inventory and other 5,459 -
Gain on sale of utility assets - (57,264)
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivatives 6,535 (5,956)
Stock-based compensation expense 8,699 5,379
Gain on sale of property and equipment - (392)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest in
partnership (137) (508)
Change in assets and liabilities (40,098) 82,621
Net cash provided by operating activities 989,526 966,707
----------------------------------------- ------- -------

Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Capital investments (1,374,047) (1,287,324)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment - 732,924
Net proceeds from sale of utility assets - 213,721
Other items (4,585) (816)
Net cash used in investing activities (1,378,632) (341,495)
------------------------------------- ---------- --------

Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Payments on short-term debt (60,600) (600)
Payments on revolving long-term debt (879,400) (1,843,600)
Borrowings under revolving long-term debt 1,164,100 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 - 42,197
Change in bank drafts outstanding (25,783) 5,402
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options 4,171 3,240
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities 202,488 (200,856)
---------------------------------------- ------- --------

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (186,618) 424,356
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year(1) 196,277 1,832
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $9,659 $426,188
------------------------------------------ ------ --------

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

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Unaudited)
Southwestern Energy Company and Subsidiaries

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

Revenues $371,034 $360,211 $112 $(228,408) $502,949
Gas purchases - 306,745 - (193,789) 112,956
Operating
expenses 55,584 17,828 - (34,514) 38,898
General &
administrative
expenses 27,638 4,402 7 (105) 31,942
Depreciation,
depletion &
amortization 108,432 5,205 196 - 113,833
Taxes, other than
income taxes 7,342 931 9 - 8,282
Operating Income
(Loss) $172,038 $25,100 $(100) $- $197,038

Capital
Investments (2) $333,927 $64,986 $9,860 $- $408,773

Quarter Ending
September 30,
2008
--------------

Revenues $458,173 $683,171 $234 $(458,579) $682,999
Gas purchases - 645,701 - (420,552) 225,149
Operating expenses 50,604 11,186 - (37,913) 23,877
General &
administrative
expenses 17,216 3,944 9 (114) 21,055
Depreciation,
depletion &
amortization 102,015 3,179 36 - 105,230
Taxes, other than
income taxes 7,731 907 10 - 8,648
Operating Income $280,607 $18,254 $179 $- $299,040
-------- ------- ---- --- --------

Capital
Investments (2) $415,690 $54,222 $1,709 $- $471,621

Nine Months
Ending
September 30,
2009
-------------

Revenues $1,121,800 $1,090,849 $575 $(691,938) $1,521,286
Gas purchases - 936,356 - (583,033) 353,323
Operating
expenses 159,937 45,209 - (108,570) 96,576
General &
administrative
expenses 72,334 12,811 41 (335) 84,851
Depreciation,
depletion &
amortization 341,920 13,506 562 - 355,988
Impairment of
natural gas and
oil properties 907,812 - - - 907,812
Taxes, other than
income taxes 21,219 2,713 31 - 23,963
Operating Income
(Loss) $(381,422) $80,254 $(59) $- $(301,227)

Capital
Investments (2) $1,186,409 $167,442 $14,350 $- $1,368,201

Nine Months
Ending
September 30,
2008
-------------

Revenues $1,147,915 $1,728,254 $118,168 $(1,182,862) $1,811,475
Gas purchases - 1,638,127 79,120 (1,095,318) 621,929
Operating
expenses 123,817 27,088 14,139 (87,141) 77,903
General &
administrative
expenses 52,147 10,070 8,722 (403) 70,536
Depreciation,
depletion &
amortization 289,352 7,586 3,540 - 300,478
Taxes, other than
income taxes 21,196 1,966 1,631 - 24,793
------ ----- ----- --- ------
Operating Income $661,403 $43,417 $11,016 $- $715,836
-------- ------- ------- --- --------

Capital
Investments (2) $1,155,025 $133,545 $8,451 $- $1,297,021

(1) The nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 includes 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 $4.2 million and $12.4
million for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30,
2009, respectively, and a reduction of $3.0 million and an increase of
$7.0 million for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30,
2008, respectively, relating to the change in accrued expenditures
between periods.

SOURCE Southwestern Energy Company

Greg D. Kerley, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,
+1-281-618-4803, or Brad D. Sylvester, CFA, Vice President, Investor
Relations, +1-281-618-4897, both of Southwestern Energy Company