Chesapeake Energy Corporation CHK reported second-quarter 2019 loss per share (excluding special items) of 10 cents, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of loss of 7 cents. In the year-ago quarter, the company reported a profit of 15 cents a share.Operating revenues amounted to $1,454 million, up from $982 million in the year-ago quarter. The top line also beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,163 million.The bottom line has been affected by lower natural gas production and a decline in commodity price, partially offset by record quarterly oil volumes.Operational PerformanceChesapeake’s production in the reported quarter was approximately 45 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBoe), down from 48 MMBoe a year ago. The total production comprised 11 million barrels (MMbbls) of oil (up 38% year over year), 185 billion cubic feet of natural gas (down 12%) and 3 MMbbls of natural gas liquids (NGLs) (down 40%). Importantly, the daily oil production of 122 MBbl during the June quarter represents the highest volume of crude produced in any quarter by the upstream energy player.Oil equivalent realized price — exclusive of unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives — was $26.25 per barrel of oil equivalent (Boe), increasing from $23.82 in the year-ago quarter. Oil price rose to $61.44 per barrel from $57.16 in the year-ago quarter. However, natural gas prices declined to $2.48 per thousand cubic feet from the year-ago level of $2.64. Moreover, average sales price of NGLs was recorded at $13.43 per barrel in the quarter compared with $24.97 a year ago.Operating ExpensesTotal operating costs in the second quarter declined to $2,108 million from $2,449 million in the prior-year period. However, quarterly production expenses per Boe increased to $3.68 from $2.86 in the year-ago period.Capital ExpenditureTotal capital expenditure increased to $559 million in the second quarter from $530 million in the year-ago period, primarily due to a rise in initial drilling and completion capital spending.FinancialsAt the end of the quarter under review, Chesapeake had a cash balance of $4 million. Net long-term debt was $9,701 million, leading to a debt-to-capitalization ratio of 69.6%.GuidanceThe company issued its updated production guidance for 2019 in the range of 484,000-505,000 Boe per day. Notably, the company maintained its total capital budget for 2019 at $2,105-$2,305 million.Zacks Rank & Stocks to ConsiderChesapeake Energy currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Meanwhile, a few better-ranked players in the energy space include World Fuel Services Corporation INT, Delek Logistics Partners, L.P. DKL and TC PipeLines, LP TCP. All the stocks carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.World Fuel beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the prior four quarters, the average positive earnings surprise being 16.4%.Delek Logistics is likely to see earnings growth of 4.9% through 2019.TC PipeLines has an average positive earnings surprise of 12.6% for the past four quarters.Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.See the pot trades we're targeting>>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Delek Logistics Partners, L.P. (DKL): Free Stock Analysis Report TC PipeLines, LP (TCP): Free Stock Analysis Report World Fuel Services Corporation (INT): Free Stock Analysis Report Chesapeake Energy Corporation (CHK): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research