Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. Announces Record 2011 Earnings, Substantial Reserve Increase and Closing of Syndicated Credit Facility

WAYZATA, Minn., Feb. 29, 2012/PRNewswire/ -- Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (NYSE/AMEX: NOG) ("Northern Oil") today announced 2011 fourth quarter and full year financial results and year-end proved reserves and provided an operational update.

2011 Highlights:

• Proved reserves increased 198% year-over-year to 46.8 million barrels of crude oil equivalent ("BOE")
• PV10% value of proved reserves increased 273% year-over-year to $1.1 billion
• 117% production growth compared to 2010 (21% sequential quarter-over-quarter production growth in fourth quarter)
• Total revenues of $149 million, representing a 235% year-over-year increase
• Grew Adjusted EBITDA 138% year-over-year to $112.3 millionin 2011
• Net income increased to $40.6 millionin 2011

Expanded Credit Facility

On February 28, 2012, Northern Oil completed a syndication of its senior secured revolving credit facility that increased its maximum facility size to $750 millionand current borrowing base to $250 million. The applicable interest rate margin of the credit facility ranges from LIBOR plus 1.75% to LIBOR plus 2.75%, depending on the amount drawn at any given time. The credit facility is governed by a semi-annual borrowing base redetermination derived from Northern Oil's total proved crude oil and natural gas reserves.

Royal Bank of Canadaserves as the "Administrative Agent" under the syndicated credit facility, with SunTrust Bank serving as the "Syndication Agent," and Bank of Montreal, KeyBank N.A. and U.S. Bank N.A. serving as "Co-Documentation Agents." RBC Capital Markets and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey served as "Joint Lead Arrangers." Participating banks in the credit facility include Capital One, N.A., Bank of Scotlandplc, Bank of Oklahoma, BB&T Capital Markets, Cadence Bank N.A. and Macquarie Bank Limited.

Management Comment

Michael Reger, CEO, commented: "Operationally, our 2011 performance reflects another year of successfully executing our strategy of developing our acreage position and building a long-life reserve base. Our success enabled us to increase proved reserves by 31.1 million BOE in 2011, representing approximately a 1,700% replacement of our 2011 produced reserves. During 2011, production increased 117% to 1.9 million BOE as compared to 2010 production of 0.9 million BOE. Record 2011 production was driven by a 123% increase in net producing wells to 57.9 net wells at December 31, 2011. We are also pleased with the expansion and syndication of our credit facility. With our increased borrowing capacity, we are well positioned to continue our growth and expansion. We continue to be impressed by the extensions of the field and the infill drilling potential that is now clearly evident. We wish to thank all the operators with which we have participated for their innovation in this premier oil resource play."

Full Year 2011

The following tables summarize the full-year operating and financial results for 2011 as compared to 2010:

In 2011, crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids ("NGL") sales increased 168% from 2010, driven primarily by a 117% increase in production and partially aided by a 14% increase in realized prices taking into account the effect of settled derivatives. Production volumes increased in 2011 primarily due to the addition of 32.3 net wells during the year, and higher crude oil prices favorably impacted the realized price per BOE in 2011.

As a result of oil price derivative activities, Northern Oil incurred a net cash settlement loss of $13,407,878in 2011, compared to a loss of $469,607in 2010. As a result of forward oil price changes, mark-to-market derivative gains and losses resulted in non-cash gains of $3,072,229in 2011 compared to a non-cash loss of $14,545,477in 2010. Most of Northern Oil's derivatives are not designated for hedge accounting and are accounted for using the mark-to-market accounting method whereby gains and losses from changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are recognized immediately into earnings.

Production expenses were $13,043,633in 2011, compared to $3,288,482in 2010. Northern Oil experiences increases in aggregate operating expenses as it adds new wells and maintains production from existing properties. On a per unit basis, production expenses per BOE increased from $3.70per barrel sold in 2010 to $6.77in 2011. This year-over-year increase was primarily due to increased costs associated with higher amounts of water hauling and disposal costs, inclement weather during the first half of 2011 and workover expenses as wells are placed onto pumping units.

Northern Oil pays production taxes based on realized crude oil and natural gas sales. These costs were $14,300,720in 2011, compared to $5,477,975in 2010. Production taxes were 9.0% and 9.2% in 2011 and 2010, respectively. The 2011 average production tax rate was lower than the 2010 average due to well additions that qualified for reduced rates or tax exemptions during 2011.

General and administrative expense was $13,624,892for 2011 compared to $7,204,442for 2010. The 2011 increase of $6.4 million when compared to 2010 is due to higher salaries and benefits ($0.9 million), increased share based compensation expense ($2.6 million), higher legal and professional expenses ($1.3 million) and higher office and other administrative expenses due to the addition of employees ($1.6 million). As a result of Northern Oil's growth, the number of employees increased by 122% in 2011 as compared to 2010 to provide additional staffing in the legal, finance and land departments.

Depletion, depreciation, amortization and accretion ("DD&A") was $41,169,618in 2011, compared to $17,082,913in 2010. The increase in aggregate DD&A expense for 2011 compared to 2010 was driven by a 117% increase in production. Depletion expense, the largest component of DD&A, was $21.20per BOE in 2011, compared to $18.99per BOE in 2010. Additionally, depletion rates rose in 2011 due to an increase in future development cost estimates to reflect the changes in well completion methodologies (for example, more stages per well due to longer lateral extensions).

The provision for income taxes was $26,835,300in 2011, compared to $4,419,000in 2010. The effective tax rate in 2011 was 39.8%, compared to an effective tax rate of 39.0% in 2010. Due to higher pre-tax income levels, Northern Oil increased its federal statutory rate from 34% to 35% in 2011. The effective tax rate was different than the statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state tax rates of 3.6% and 4.6% in 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Net income was $40,611,492in 2011, compared to $6,917,300in 2010. The increase in net income was driven by higher production levels and higher average sales prices received in 2011 as compared to 2010. The increased production expense, production taxes, general and administrative expenses and depletion expenses in 2011 described above partially offset higher oil and gas revenues. Higher net income levels increased diluted net income per common share to $0.65in 2011, compared to $0.14in 2010.

Fourth Quarter 2011

The following tables summarize Northern Oil's fourth quarter operating and financial results for 2011 as compared to 2010:

In the fourth quarter of 2011, crude oil, natural gas and NGL sales increased 123% compared to the fourth quarter of 2010, driven primarily by an 87% increase in production and partially aided by a 20% increase in realized prices taking into account the effect of settled derivatives. Production volumes increased in 2011 primarily due to the addition of 32.3 net wells during the year, and higher crude oil prices favorably impacted the realized price per BOE in 2011.

As a result of derivative activities, Northern Oil incurred a net cash settlement loss of $2,712,872in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to a loss of $1,372,553in the fourth quarter of 2010. As a result of forward oil price changes, mark-to-market derivative gains and losses were non-cash losses of $23,602,774in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to non-cash losses of $11,356,283in the fourth quarter of 2010. Most of Northern Oil's derivatives are accounted for using the mark-to-market accounting method whereby gains and losses from changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are recognized immediately into earnings.

Production expenses were $4,500,872in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $1,309,956in the fourth quarter of 2010. Northern Oil experiences increases in aggregate operating expenses as it adds new wells and maintains production from existing properties. On a per unit basis, production expenses per BOE increased from $3.84per barrel sold in the fourth quarter of 2010 to $7.04in the fourth quarter of 2011. This increase was primarily due to increased costs associated with higher amounts of water hauling and disposal costs and workover expenses as wells are placed on to pumping units.

Northern Oil pays production taxes based on realized oil and gas sales. These costs were $4,112,412in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to $2,203,224in the fourth quarter of 2010. Production taxes were 7.7% in the fourth quarter of 2011 and 9.2% in the fourth quarter of 2010. The 2011 average production tax rate was lower than the 2010 average due to well additions that qualified for reduced rates/or tax exemptions during 2011.

General and administrative expense was $3,510,897for the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to $1,961,860for the fourth quarter of 2010. The fourth quarter of 2011 increase of $1.5 millionwhen compared to the fourth quarter of 2010 is due to higher compensation expense ($0.4 million), higher legal and professional expenses ($0.5 million) and higher office and other administrative expenses due to the addition of employees ($0.6 million). As a result of Northern Oil's growth, the number of employees increased in the legal, finance and land departments.

DD&A was $14,972,645in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to $8,688,786in the fourth quarter of 2010. The increase in aggregate DD&A expense for the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to the fourth quarter of 2010 was driven by an 87% increase in production. Depletion expense, the largest component of DD&A, was $23.23per BOE in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to $25.31per BOE in the fourth quarter of 2010.

The provision for income taxes was $1,110,000of expense in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to $1,011,000of benefit in the fourth quarter of 2010. The fourth quarter of 2011 reflects an increase in the tax provision rate to 35% and certain non-deductible expenses for federal income tax purposes.

Net loss was $1,380,788in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to net loss of $1,750,422in the fourth quarter of 2010. The non-cash losses on mark-to-market of derivative instruments of $23,602,774in the fourth quarter of 2011 and $11,356,283in the fourth quarter of 2010 unfavorably impacted each quarter's results. Additionally, increased production expense, production taxes, general and administrative expenses and depletion expenses in each of the respective periods were partially offset by higher oil and gas sales as described above. Net loss per fully diluted share was $0.02in the fourth quarter of 2011 and $0.03in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Adjusted EBITDA

Northern Oil's Adjusted EBITDA for 2011 was $112.3 million, which represents a 138% increase over Adjusted EBITDA of $47.1 millionfor 2010. Northern Oil's Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $39.1 million, which represents a 114% increase over Adjusted EBITDA of $18.2 millionfor the fourth quarter of 2010.

Northern Oil defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income before (i) interest expense, (ii) income taxes, (iii) depreciation, depletion and amortization, (iv) accretion of discount on asset retirement obligations, (v) gain (loss) on mark-to-market of derivative instruments and (vii) non-cash expenses relating to share-based payments recognized under ASC Topic 718. Net income excluding unrealized mark-to-market hedging gains or losses and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. A reconciliation of these measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measure is included in the accompanying financial tables found later in this release. Management believes the use of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors to gain an overall understanding of current financial performance. Specifically, management believes the non-GAAP results included herein provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain expenses and unrealized commodity gains and losses that management believes are not indicative of the Company's core operating results. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are used by management for budgeting and forecasting as well as subsequently measuring the Company's performance, and management believes it is providing investors with financial measures that most closely align to its internal measurement processes.

2011 Year-End Reserves

Northern Oil's estimated total proved reserves at December 31, 2011were approximately 46.8 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBoe), a 198% increase as compared to 15.7 MMBoe at December 31, 2010. Approximately 34% of Northern Oil's proved reserves at December 31, 2011are categorized as either proved developed producing or proved developed non-producing, meaning behind pipe. Approximately 66% are classified as proved undeveloped.

Northern Oil's estimated future cash flows, discounted at an annual rate of 10 percent before giving effect to income taxes (commonly known as Pre-Tax PV10% value), for proved reserves at 2011 year-end was $1.1 billion, a 273% increase as compared to $295.5 millionat 2010 year-end. Please see below for further information regarding the Pre-Tax PV10% value.

The table above assumes prices and costs discounted using an annual discount rate of 10% without future escalation, without giving effect to non-property related expenses such as general and administrative expenses, debt service and depreciation, depletion and amortization, or federal income taxes. The "Pre-tax PV10%" values of proved reserves presented in the foregoing tables may be considered a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by the SEC.

The following table reconciles the pre-tax PV10% value of Northern Oil's SEC Pricing Proved Reserves to the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows.

Uncertainties are inherent in estimating quantities of proved reserves, including many risk factors beyond Northern Oil's control. Reserve engineering is a subjective process of estimating subsurface accumulations of crude oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact manner. As a result, estimates of proved reserves may vary depending upon the engineer valuing the reserves. Further, Northern Oil's actual realized price for crude oil and natural gas is not likely to average the pricing parameters used to calculate proved reserves. As such, the crude oil and natural gas quantities and the value of those commodities ultimately recovered from Northern Oil's properties will vary from reserve estimates.

Acreage and Drilling Update

As of December 31, 2011, Northern Oil controlled approximately 168,000 net acres targeting the WillistonBasin Bakken and Three Forksplays. In 2011, Northern Oil acquired leasehold interests covering an aggregate of approximately 43,239 net mineral acres in its key prospect areas, for an average cost of $1,832per net acre. These acquisitions consisted of an average of approximately 244 net mineral acres per transaction. In the fourth quarter of 2011, Northern Oil acquired leasehold interests covering an aggregate of approximately 12,651 net mineral acres in its key prospect areas at an average price of $1,851per acre.

As of December 31, 2011, Northern Oil had approximately 82,395 net acres developed, held by production or held by operation, which represented approximately 49% of Northern Oil's total Bakken and Three Forksposition. Northern Oil currently has approximately 17,700 net acres undeveloped with expirations in 2012. Of that acreage, approximately 10,000 net acres are currently either permitted to drill, drilling or can be extended at Northern Oil's option, which limits 2012 acreage expiration risk to less than 5% of Northern Oil's overall WillistonBasin position.

In 2011 Northern Oil spud approximately 40 net wells, consistent with its prior forecasts, and added 32.3 net wells to production. Northern Oil added 14.9 net wells to production in the fourth quarter of 2011, representing a record quarter for net well completions.

Northern Oil participated in the first of several planned Three Forks"Lower Bench" test wells with Continental Resources. Northern Oil is optimistic about the potential of these new production horizons. The Charlotte 2-22H, located in McKenzie County, North Dakota, had a 1,396 BOE per day IP rate and produced approximately 45,000 BOE in the first three months of production, according to Continental Resources' February 23, 2012earnings call.

Capital Expenditures

Northern Oil's total capital expenditures were approximately $414 millionfor the year ending December 31, 2011. Northern Oil expects to spend approximately $60 million to $80 millionon acreage acquisitions during 2012 and approximately $325 millionon drilling during 2012.

Derivative Activity

Northern Oil had the following oil price derivative contracts outstanding as of February 15, 2012:

FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL-YEAR 2011 EARNINGS RELEASE TELECONFERENCE CALL

In conjunction with Northern Oil's release of its financial and operating results, investors, analysts and other interested parties are invited to listen to a conference call with management on Wednesday, February 29, 2012at 9:00 a.m. Central Standard Time. Details for the conference call are as follows:

ABOUT NORTHERN OIL AND GAS

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. is an exploration and production company based in Wayzata, Minnesota. Northern Oil's core area of focus is the WillistonBasin Bakken and Three Forkstrend in North Dakotaand Montana.

More information about Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. can be found at www.NorthernOil.com.

SAFE HARBOR

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and future results that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this report regarding the Company's financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations, industry conditions, and indebtedness covenant compliance are forward-looking statements. When used in this report, forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by terms or phrases such as "estimate," "project," "predict," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "target," "plan," "intend," "seek," "goal," "will," "should," "may" or other words and similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Items contemplating or making assumptions about, actual or potential future sales, market size, collaborations, and trends or operating results also constitute such forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and important factors (many of which are beyond the Company's control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements, including the following, changes in crude oil and natural gas prices, general economic or industry conditions, nationally and/or in the communities in which the Company conducts business, changes in the interest rate environment, legislation or regulatory requirements, conditions of the securities markets, the Company's ability to raise capital, changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines, financial or political instability, acts of war or terrorism, and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technical factors affecting the Company's operations, products, services and prices.

The Company has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and assumptions about future events. While management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control.

CONTACT:

Investor Relations
Erik Nerhus
952-476-9800

SOURCE Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.