Raises estimates for full-year 2023 oil and total production
Reduces expectations for 2023 capital investments
2024 outlook reflects ongoing operational synergies and capital-efficient development
TULSA, OK, Aug. 08, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vital Energy, Inc. (: VTLE) ("Vital Energy" or the "Company") today reported its second-quarter 2023 financial and operating results. Supplemental slides have been posted to the Company's website and can be found at www.vitalenergy.com. A conference call and webcast to discuss the results is planned for 7:30 a.m. CT, Wednesday, August 9, 2023. Participation details can be found within this release.
Highlights
- Reported 2Q-23 net income of $294.8 million, Adjusted Net Income1 of $78.6 million and cash flows from operating activities of $248.9 million
- Generated 2Q-23 Consolidated EBITDAX1 of $239.5 million and Free Cash Flow1 of $60.7 million
- Reported 2Q-23 oil and total production that exceeded the high-end of Company guidance, producing 44.4 thousand barrels of oil per day ("MBO/d"), a Company record, and 90.0 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day ("MBOE/d")
- Reported 2Q-23 incurred capital expenditures below the low-end of guidance, investing $149 million, excluding non-budgeted acquisitions and leasehold expenditures
- Closed previously announced accretive Midland and Delaware basin acquisitions, adding approximately 35,000 net acres and 130 gross high-value, oil-weighted locations
"Vital Energy continued to deliver exceptional results in the second quarter, exceeding production expectations while controlling capital investments and operational expenses and delivering more than $60 million of Free Cash Flow," stated Jason Pigott, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are highly confident in our ability to execute on our 2023 plan as we further drive down costs, enhance base production and efficiently develop our high-margin inventory to maximize Free Cash Flow generation and reduce debt."
"In the second quarter, we closed two accretive, high-value oil acquisitions, further growing our inventory of capital efficient, oil-weighted development opportunities," continued Mr. Pigott. "These transactions enhance our operational scale and create sustainable synergies that enhance our Free Cash Flow outlook in 2023 and 2024."
1Non-GAAP financial measure; please see supplemental reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures at the end of this release.
Second-Quarter 2023 Financial and Operations Summary
Financial Results. The Company reported net income attributable to common stockholders of $294.8 million, or $16.30 per diluted share, including income of $222.2 million related to the reduction of the valuation allowance against the Company's gross deferred tax asset. Adjusted Net Income was $78.6 million, or $4.35 per adjusted diluted share. Cash flows from operating activities were $248.9 million and Consolidated EBITDAX was $239.5 million.
Production. Consistent with preliminary volumes disclosed in July, Vital Energy's oil and total production during the period averaged 44,360 barrels of oil per day and 90,030 barrels of oil equivalent per day, respectively. Production outperformance was driven by improvements in base production and acceleration of production from new wells.
Capital Investments. Total incurred capital expenditures were $149 million, excluding non-budgeted acquisitions and leasehold expenditures. Capital investments were lower than expected, primarily related to moderating inflationary pressures and continuing operational efficiencies. Vital Energy completed 16 wells and turned-in-line ("TIL") 23 wells during second-quarter 2023. Investments included $125 million in drilling and completions, $10 million in land, exploration and data related costs, $7 million in infrastructure, including Vital Midstream Services investments, and $7 million in other capitalized costs.
Operating Expenses. Lower than expected unit lease operating expenses ("LOE") during the period were $7.05 per BOE, primarily related to higher production levels and reduced inflationary pressures for tangible goods and day rates for workover rigs and rental equipment.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative ("G&A") expenses, excluding long-term incentive plan ("LTIP") expenses and transaction expenses, for second-quarter 2023 were $1.88 per BOE, lower than guidance, primarily related to lower compensation related expenses. Cash and non-cash LTIP expenses were in line with expectations at $0.16 per BOE and $0.32 per BOE, respectively.
Liquidity. At June 30, 2023, the Company had $575 million drawn on its $1.0 billion senior secured credit facility and cash and cash equivalents of $72 million.
At August 4, 2023, the Company had $595 million drawn on its senior secured credit facility and cash and cash equivalents of $73 million.
2023 Outlook
Production. The Company recently increased expectations for full-year 2023 production to incorporate second-quarter 2023 outperformance and production associated with the Forge acquisition. Higher than expected volumes year-to-date were primarily related to stronger base production, which exceeded expectations for both oil and total production by approximately 10%. As a result, full-year 2023 oil production guidance is further increased to 41.9 - 43.4 MBO/d (previously 40.0 - 43.0 MBO/d) and total production guidance to 87.0 - 89.0 MBOE/d (previously 82.0 - 86.0 MBOE/d).
Capital Investments. Vital Energy recently updated full-year 2023 capital investment guidance to incorporate activity associated with the Forge acquisition. To optimize completions activities across the Midland and Delaware basin programs, Vital Energy expects to utilize a second completions crew in the Midland Basin commencing in late November 2023, a month earlier than previously planned. The additional capital expenditures are expected to be offset by operational efficiencies and moderating inflation. Accordingly, full-year 2023 capital investment guidance is reduced to $665 - $695 million (previously $675 - $725 million).
Operating Expenses. Total LOE is expected to increase slightly in the second half of the year, with unit LOE varying with production volumes. Unit LOE in the second half of 2023 is estimated at $7.40 per BOE.
Free Cash Flow. Through the first half of 2023, Vital Energy generated $57 million of Free Cash Flow. Integration of the Forge acquisition enhances the outlook for Free Cash Flow, which is expected to be approximately $90 million in the second half of 2023, at $80 WTI. Full-year 2023 Free Cash Flow is estimated to be approximately $150 million.
The table below reflects the Company's guidance for total and oil production and incurred capital expenditures for the third and fourth quarters of 2023 and full-year 2023.
| 3Q-23E | 4Q-23E | FY-23E | |||
| Total production (MBOE/d) | 94.0 - 98.0 | 83.3 - 87.3 | 87.0 - 89.0 | ||
| Oil production (MBO/d) | 45.5 - 48.5 | 39.3 - 42.3 | 41.9 - 43.4 | ||
| Incurred capital expenditures, excluding non-budgeted acquisitions ($ MM) | $165 - $180 | $165 - $180 | $665 - $695 |
The table below reflects the Company's guidance for select revenue and expense items for third-quarter 2023.
| 3Q-23E | ||
| Average sales price realizations (excluding derivatives): | ||
| Oil (% of WTI) | 101% | |
| NGL (% of WTI) | 19% | |
| Natural gas (% of Henry Hub) | 63% | |
| Net settlements received (paid) for matured commodity derivatives ($ MM): | ||
| Oil | ($13) | |
| NGL | $0 | |
| Natural gas | ($3) | |
| Selected average costs & expenses: | ||
| Lease operating expenses ($/BOE) | $7.00 | |
| Production and ad valorem taxes (% of oil, NGL and natural gas sales revenues) | 6.50% | |
| Transportation and marketing expenses ($/BOE) | $1.20 | |
| General and administrative expenses (excluding LTIP and transaction expenses, $/BOE) | $2.00 | |
| General and administrative expenses (LTIP cash, $/BOE) | $0.11 | |
| General and administrative expenses (LTIP non-cash, $/BOE) | $0.30 | |
| Depletion, depreciation and amortization ($/BOE) | $12.75 | |
2024 Outlook
"Our recent operational performance and successful acquisitions have materially strengthened our outlook for 2024," said Mr. Pigott. "In 2024, we expect to maintain our full-year 2023 production levels while holding investment levels relatively flat and growing full-year 2024 Free Cash Flow to approximately $175 million, at current strip commodity prices."
Vital Energy expects to operate three drilling rigs and approximately 1.7 completions crews across the Company's Midland and Delaware basin assets in 2024. The Company expects to complete and TIL 70 - 75 gross (58 - 62 net) wells in 2024, a slight increase versus 2023.
Conference Call Details
Vital Energy plans to host a conference call at 7:30 a.m. CT on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, to discuss its second-quarter financial and operating results and management's outlook, the content of which is not part of this earnings release. A slide presentation providing summary financial and statistical information will be posted to the Company's website. The Company invites interested parties to listen to the call via the Company's website at www.vitalenergy.com, under the tab for "Investor Relations | News & Presentations." Portfolio managers and analysts who would like to participate on the call should dial 800.715.9871, using conference code 2893062. A replay will be available following the call via the Company's website.
About Vital Energy
Vital Energy, Inc. is an independent energy company with headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Vital Energy's business strategy is focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties in the Permian Basin of West Texas.
Additional information about Vital Energy may be found on its website at www.vitalenergy.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release and any oral statements made regarding the contents of this release, including in the conference call referenced herein, contain forward-looking statements as defined under Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities that Vital Energy assumes, plans, expects, believes, intends, projects, indicates, enables, transforms, estimates or anticipates (and other similar expressions) will, should or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on management’s current belief, based on currently available information, as to the outcome and timing of future events. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, assumptions and uncertainties.
General risks relating to Vital Energy include, but are not limited to, continuing and worsening inflationary pressures and associated changes in monetary policy that may cause costs to rise; changes in domestic and global production, supply and demand for commodities, including as a result of actions by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and other producing countries ("OPEC+") and the Russian-Ukrainian military conflict, the decline in prices of oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas and the related impact to financial statements as a result of asset impairments and revisions to reserve estimates, reduced demand due to shifting market perception towards the oil and gas industry; competition in the oil and gas industry; the ability of the Company to execute its strategies, including its ability to successfully identify and consummate strategic acquisitions at purchase prices that are accretive to its financial results and to successfully integrate acquired businesses, assets and properties, pipeline transportation and storage constraints in the Permian Basin, the effects and duration of the outbreak of disease, and any related government policies and actions, long-term performance of wells, drilling and operating risks, the possibility of production curtailment, the impact of new laws and regulations, including those regarding the use of hydraulic fracturing, and under the Inflation Reduction Act (the "IRA"), including those related to climate change, the impact of legislation or regulatory initiatives intended to address induced seismicity on our ability to conduct our operations; hedging activities, tariffs on steel, the impacts of severe weather, including the freezing of wells and pipelines in the Permian Basin due to cold weather, possible impacts of litigation and regulations, the impact of the Company's transactions, if any, with its securities from time to time, the impact of new environmental, health and safety requirements applicable to the Company's business activities, the possibility of the elimination of federal income tax deductions for oil and gas exploration and development and imposition of any additional taxes under the IRA or otherwise, and other factors, including those and other risks described in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and those set forth from time to time in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). These documents are available through Vital Energy's website at www.vitalenergy.com under the tab "Investor Relations" or through the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering and Analysis Retrieval System at www.sec.gov. Any of these factors could cause Vital Energy's actual results and plans to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, Vital Energy can give no assurance that its future results will be as estimated. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. Vital Energy does not intend to, and disclaims any obligation to, correct, update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
The SEC generally permits oil and natural gas companies, in filings made with the SEC, to disclose proved reserves, which are reserve estimates that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions, and certain probable and possible reserves that meet the SEC's definitions for such terms. In this press release and the conference call, the Company may use the terms "resource potential," "resource play," "estimated ultimate recovery" or "EURs," "type curve" and "standardized measure," each of which the SEC guidelines restrict from being included in filings with the SEC without strict compliance with SEC definitions. These terms refer to the Company’s internal estimates of unbooked hydrocarbon quantities that may be potentially discovered through exploratory drilling or recovered with additional drilling or recovery techniques. "Resource potential" is used by the Company to refer to the estimated quantities of hydrocarbons that may be added to proved reserves, largely from a specified resource play potentially supporting numerous drilling locations. A "resource play" is a term used by the Company to describe an accumulation of hydrocarbons known to exist over a large areal expanse and/or thick vertical section potentially supporting numerous drilling locations, which, when compared to a conventional play, typically has a lower geological and/or commercial development risk. "EURs" are based on the Company’s previous operating experience in a given area and publicly available information relating to the operations of producers who are conducting operations in these areas. Unbooked resource potential and "EURs" do not constitute reserves within the meaning of the Society of Petroleum Engineer’s Petroleum Resource Management System or SEC rules and do not include any proved reserves. Actual quantities of reserves that may be ultimately recovered from the Company’s interests may differ substantially from those presented herein. Factors affecting ultimate recovery include the scope of the Company’s ongoing drilling program, which will be directly affected by the availability of capital, decreases in oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas prices, well spacing, drilling and production costs, availability and cost of drilling services and equipment, lease expirations, transportation constraints, regulatory approvals, negative revisions to reserve estimates and other factors, as well as actual drilling results, including geological and mechanical factors affecting recovery rates. "EURs" from reserves may change significantly as development of the Company’s core assets provides additional data. In addition, the Company's production forecasts and expectations for future periods are dependent upon many assumptions, including estimates of production decline rates from existing wells and the undertaking and outcome of future drilling activity, which may be affected by significant commodity price declines or drilling cost increases. "Type curve" refers to a production profile of a well, or a particular category of wells, for a specific play and/or area. The "standardized measure" of discounted future new cash flows is calculated in accordance with SEC regulations and a discount rate of 10%. Actual results may vary considerably and should not be considered to represent the fair market value of the Company’s proved reserves.
This press release and any accompanying disclosures include financial measures that are not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), such as Free Cash Flow, Adjusted Net Income and Consolidated EBITDAX. While management believes that such measures are useful for investors, they should not be used as a replacement for financial measures that are in accordance with GAAP. For a reconciliation of such non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest comparable measure in accordance with GAAP, please see the supplemental financial information at the end of this press release.
Unless otherwise specified, references to "average sales price" refer to average sales price excluding the effects of the Company's derivative transactions.
All amounts, dollars and percentages presented in this press release are rounded and therefore approximate.
| Vital Energy, Inc. Selected operating data | |||||||||||||
| Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| (unaudited) | (unaudited) | ||||||||||||
| Sales volumes: | |||||||||||||
| Oil (MBbl) | 4,037 | 3,690 | 7,504 | 7,317 | |||||||||
| NGL (MBbl) | 2,050 | 2,100 | 3,899 | 4,094 | |||||||||
| Natural gas (MMcf) | 12,638 | 12,774 | 24,167 | 25,017 | |||||||||
| Oil equivalent (MBOE)(1)(2) | 8,193 | 7,920 | 15,430 | 15,581 | |||||||||
| Average daily oil equivalent sales volumes (BOE/d)(2) | 90,030 | 87,032 | 85,250 | 86,080 | |||||||||
| Average daily oil sales volumes (Bbl/d)(2) | 44,360 | 40,553 | 41,457 | 40,424 | |||||||||
| Average sales prices(2): | |||||||||||||
| Oil ($/Bbl)(3) | $ | 74.09 | $ | 111.20 | $ | 75.41 | $ | 103.57 | |||||
| NGL ($/Bbl)(3) | $ | 12.63 | $ | 34.52 | $ | 15.11 | $ | 33.62 | |||||
| Natural gas ($/Mcf)(3) | $ | 0.71 | $ | 5.21 | $ | 1.12 | $ | 4.20 | |||||
| Average sales price ($/BOE)(3) | $ | 40.76 | $ | 69.38 | $ | 42.24 | $ | 64.22 | |||||
| Oil, with commodity derivatives ($/Bbl)(4) | $ | 74.43 | $ | 74.72 | $ | 75.53 | $ | 71.01 | |||||
| NGL, with commodity derivatives ($/Bbl)(4) | $ | 12.63 | $ | 27.24 | $ | 15.11 | $ | 26.65 | |||||
| Natural gas, with commodity derivatives ($/Mcf)(4) | $ | 1.45 | $ | 3.33 | $ | 1.45 | $ | 2.90 | |||||
| Average sales price, with commodity derivatives ($/BOE)(4) | $ | 42.07 | $ | 47.41 | $ | 42.82 | $ | 45.01 | |||||
| Selected average costs and expenses per BOE sold(2): | |||||||||||||
| Lease operating expenses | $ | 7.05 | $ | 5.30 | $ | 6.99 | $ | 5.32 | |||||
| Production and ad valorem taxes | 2.64 | 4.17 | 2.73 | 3.88 | |||||||||
| Transportation and marketing expenses | 1.30 | 1.39 | 1.40 | 1.65 | |||||||||
| General and administrative (excluding LTIP and transaction expenses) | 1.88 | 1.71 | 2.42 | 1.73 | |||||||||
| Total selected operating expenses | $ | 12.87 | $ | 12.57 | $ | 13.54 | $ | 12.58 | |||||
| General and administrative (LTIP): | |||||||||||||
| LTIP cash | $ | 0.16 | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.15 | $ | 0.47 | |||||
| LTIP non-cash | $ | 0.32 | $ | 0.33 | $ | 0.32 | $ | 0.30 | |||||
| General and administrative (transaction expenses) | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
| Depletion, depreciation and amortization | $ | 12.61 | $ | 9.87 | $ | 12.32 | $ | 9.73 | |||||
____________________
(1) BOE is calculated using a conversion rate of six Mcf per one Bbl.
(2) The numbers presented are calculated based on actual amounts and may not recalculate using the rounded numbers presented in the table above.
(3) Price reflects the average of actual sales prices received when control passes to the purchaser/customer adjusted for quality, certain transportation fees, geographical differentials, marketing bonuses or deductions and other factors affecting the price received at the delivery point.
(4) Price reflects the after-effects of the Company's commodity derivative transactions on its average sales prices. The Company's calculation of such after-effects includes settlements of matured commodity derivatives during the respective periods.
| Vital Energy, Inc. Consolidated balance sheets | ||||||||
| (in thousands, except share data) | June 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 71,696 | $ | 44,435 | ||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 143,672 | 163,369 | ||||||
| Derivatives | 11,942 | 24,670 | ||||||
| Other current assets | 15,619 | 13,317 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 242,929 | 245,791 | ||||||
| Property and equipment: | ||||||||
| Oil and natural gas properties, full cost method: | ||||||||
| Evaluated properties | 10,349,348 | 9,554,706 | ||||||
| Unevaluated properties not being depleted | ||||||||
