EXXI: Favorable GOM Comp

CHRIS PIKUL, Morgan Keegan (09/20/2010)
"Following year-end results, McMoRan, Energy XXI's partner in the ultra-deep shelf exploratory program, has agreed to buy out the shallow-water assets from Plains, another partner in the program. Given deal terms of $75M cash and 51M MMR shares, we calculate deal metrics of $13.50/Mcfe of proved reserves and $18K/Flowing Mcfe—a healthy premium to EXXI's current valuation of about 4.50/Mcfe and $13,400/Flowing Mcfe.

An update on Blackbeard East suggests some hydrocarbon-bearing sands have been encountered. . .appears to be encouraging results so far. With two significant delineation wells underway at Davy Jones and Blackbeard, we think the risk-reward outlook for EXXI remains very attractive, despite recent uncertainty surrounding GOM operators. Therefore, we reiterate our Outperform rating and $35 price target despite a more favorable market M&A comp."

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