November 7, 2018 - Foresight Energy LP ('Foresight' or the 'Partnership') (NYSE:FELP) today reported financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018. Foresight generated coal sales revenues of nearly $292 million on sales volumes of 6.1 million tons resulting in a net loss attributable to limited partner units of $27.7 million, Adjusted EBITDA of $57.6 million, and cash flows from operations of $51.3 million. Net loss attributable to limited partner units and Adjusted EBITDA include $25 million in charges related to the settlement of litigation with Natural Resource Partners L.P. ('NRP') related to matters at Hillsboro Energy and Macoupin Energy.

'During the third quarter, we continued to take advantage of a strong export market and an improved domestic spot market to realize significant year-over-year improvements in our sales volumes,' said Mr. Robert D. Moore, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. 'With our unique access to international and domestic markets, plus our industry-leading cost structure, Foresight remains well-positioned to continue to opportunistically place its thermal coal production and to capture solid margins. Regarding the settlement of litigation with NRP, we are pleased to have reached a mutually beneficial resolution to these lawsuits, which provides us with future operational flexibility at Hillsboro Energy, while significantly reducing the lease holding cost.'

Foresight also announced that due to the Partnership's operating performance during the third quarter, the Board of Directors of its General Partner approved a quarterly cash distribution of $0.0565 per unit from retained excess cash flow. The distribution is payable on December 21, 2018 for unitholders of record on December 11, 2018.

Third Quarter Consolidated Financial Results

Coal sales totaled nearly $292.0 million for the third quarter 2018 compared to $229.7 million for the third quarter 2017, representing an increase of $62.3 million, or 27%. The increase in coal sales revenues was due to higher coal sales volumes combined with higher coal sales realization per ton sold. Coal sales volumes and coal sales realization per ton sold were higher due to increased export sales, which experienced more favorable API2 pricing during 2018.

Cost of coal produced was $133.7 million, or $22.28 per ton sold, for the third quarter 2018 compared to $122.8 million, or $23.43 per ton sold, for the third quarter 2017. The increase in total cost of production was due to an increase in produced tons sold offset by a lower cash cost per ton sold. The lower cash cost per ton sold resulted from no longwall moves occurring during the third quarter of 2018, compared to one longwall move in the prior year period. Additionally, cost of coal produced (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) for the third quarter of 2017 included $4.3 million arising from the non-cash adjustment of inventory to fair value related to the application of pushdown accounting.

Transportation costs increased approximately $21.8 million from the third quarter 2017 to the third quarter 2018 due to a higher percentage of sales going to the export market during the current year period and the additional transportation and transloading costs associated therewith.

Other operating (income) expense, net for the third quarter 2018 includes $25.0 million in charges related to the settlement of litigation with NRP related to matters arising from the combustion event at Hillsboro Energy and royalty matters at Macoupin Energy. While the matters with NRP are settled, Foresight remains in discussions with its insurance providers regarding further potential recoveries under its policies related to the Hillsboro Energy combustion event; however, there can be no assurances that Foresight will receive any further insurance recoveries related to the Hillsboro combustion event.

During the third quarter 2018, Foresight generated operating cash flows of $51.3 million and ended the period with $43.1 million in cash and $129.7 million of available borrowing capacity, net of outstanding borrowings and letters of credit, under its revolving credit facility. Capital expenditures for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 totaled $18.6 million compared to $15.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.

Guidance for 2018

Based on Foresight's remaining contracted position, third quarter and year-to-date performance, and its current outlook on pricing and the coal markets in general, the Partnership is affirming and updating the following guidance for 2018:

Sales Volumes - Based on current committed position and expectations for the remainder of 2018, Foresight is projecting sales volumes to be between 22.4 and 23.0 million tons, with approximately 9.0 million tons expected to be sold into the international market.

Adjusted EBITDA - Based on the projected sales volumes and operating cost structure, Foresight currently expects to generate Adjusted EBITDA in a range of $305 to $325 million.

Capital Expenditures - Total 2018 capital expenditures are estimated to be between $70 and $77 million.

To read the full third quarter results with financial figures included, click here.