Oil has been absolutely beaten up over the past year, and that has resulted in the awful treatment of speculative companies within the industry. Sanchez Energy Corp. (NYSE: SN) and Bill Barrett Corp. (NYSE: BBG) have paid a huge price in that regard, but some analysts are calling a bottom.
Currently both of the companies are down around 80% from their highs, and analysts from Canaccord Genuity are calling a bottom. However, calling a bottom for oil and oil-related stocks has been risky business in the past few months with the increased volatility and overall unpredictability.
Sanchez is one of the most levered companies in the Eagle Ford play relative to its size. The focus is on the Catarina area of the Eagle Ford, where recent results have been impressive and costs have declined dramatically. A 66,000 net acre position in the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale provides optionality. Canaccord Genuity believes the stock is very oversold and offers significant value at current levels, particularly given the enhanced liquidity position provided by the midstream sale.
In Canaccord Genuity’s report, analysts, Stephen Berman and Sam Burwell, said:
In south-central and southeastern Catarina, Sanchez brought three two-well pads online, each performing significantly better than expectations. The two most recent pads in south-central Catarina are producing above the company’s 600-700 MBoe type curve, with 30-day IP rates of ~1,350 Boe/d, and are currently trending in line with some of the best wells in Western Catarina. Well costs in the second quarter of 2015 in Catarina averaged $4.4 million, half of what the previous operator was spending and down from Sanchez’s initial $7.4 million cost only a little over a year ago. A recent pad was brought on at an average well cost of ~$4.0 million.
Accordingly, Canaccord Genuity has a Buy rating and a $13 price target, implying upside of 117% from current prices.
ALSO READ: 5 Analyst Stock Picks Called to Rise 100% to 200%
As for Bill Barrett, it has completed a multiyear transition to a liquids-weighted portfolio, with oil now representing about 70% of reserves and production. Its focus is on the top tier of the Northeast Wattenberg Field in Colorado, where the company is gaining operational momentum as results from its extended-reach lateral (XRL) program keep getting better.
The analysts detailed in the report:
Due to improved drilling efficiencies, Bill Barrett will accomplish its planned activities in the Northeast Wattenberg area for the remainder of the year with a one-rig drilling program, reducing its operated rig count from two rigs to one after completing current drilling operations on a multi-well XRL pad. It is now anticipated that 2015 capex will be ~$315-325 million vs. $320-350 million previously. This is primarily a result of drilling times for XRL wells being reduced from an average of 17 days to ~10 days (one recently drilled in 7.5 days), associated cost reductions that have lowered XRL well costs to ~$5.6 million from $8.25 million in 2014 and $6.25 million in the first half of 2015, and the timing of certain well completions.
Canaccord Genuity has a Buy rating for Bill Barrett and a $9.50 price target, implying upside of over 200% from current prices.
Shares of Sanchez were up 2% at $5.87 late Wednesday morning. The stock has a consensus analyst price target of $11.10 and a 52-week trading range of $4.48 to $26.43.
Bill Barrett shares were up 1.3%, at $3.04 in its 52-week trading range of $2.75 to $22.51. The consensus price target is $7.53.
ALSO READ: Nomura Sees More M&A in the Oil Patch
Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)
Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?
Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!
By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.
By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.