Earthstone Energy, Inc. Reports 2022 Third Quarter and Year-to-Date Financial Results

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Nov. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Earthstone Energy, Inc. (NYSE: ESTE) ("Earthstone", the "Company", "we", "our" or "us"), today announced financial and operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022.

Third Quarter 2022 and Other Recent Highlights

• Repurchase of 3 million shares of Class A Common Stock for $43.7 million
• Closed the Titus Acquisition on August 10, 2022
• Net income attributable to Earthstone Energy, Inc. of $211.5 million, or $1.94 per Diluted Share
• Net income of $299.3 million, or $2.09 per Adjusted Diluted Share⁽¹⁾
• Adjusted net income⁽¹⁾ of $186.9 million, or $1.30 per Adjusted Diluted Share⁽¹⁾
• Adjusted EBITDAX⁽¹⁾ of $345.8 million, up 15% compared to 2Q 2022
• Net cash provided by operating activities of $365.5 million
• Free Cash Flow⁽¹⁾ of $174.2 million, up 6% compared to 2Q 2022
• Average net production of 94,329 Boepd⁽²⁾, up 22% compared to 2Q 2022 and 7% above the midpoint of 3Q 2022 guidance
• Capital expenditures of $147.2 million

Year to Date 2022 Highlights

• Closed the Titus, Bighorn and Chisholm acquisitions
• Net income attributable to Earthstone Energy, Inc. of $322.9 million, or $3.61 per Diluted Share
• Net income of $465.5 million, or $3.66 per Adjusted Diluted Share⁽¹⁾
• Adjusted net income⁽¹⁾ of $438.8 million, or $3.45 per Adjusted Diluted Share⁽¹⁾
• Adjusted EBITDAX⁽¹⁾ of $769.8 million
• Net cash provided by operating activities of $703.2 million
• Free Cash Flow⁽¹⁾ of $374.0 million
• Average net production of 69,203 Boepd⁽²⁾
• Capital expenditures of $348.7 million

(1)     See the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section below.
(2)     Represents reported sales volumes of barrels of oil and natural gas equivalent per day.

Management Comments

Robert J. Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Earthstone, stated, "The Company delivered another outstanding quarter, with production, Adjusted EBITDAX, and Free Cash Flow each reaching record levels for the Company. During the quarter, we also closed on the previously announced Titus Acquisition in New Mexico, which has already contributed production, cash flow, and development inventory to the Company. This larger asset base, coupled with the continued success of our development program, drove our production to over 100,000 Boepd in September. Despite the continued volatility in commodity prices and inflationary pressures, this quarter's record results are indicative of the quality of the assets we have accumulated over the past two years. We are currently operating five drilling rigs across our more than 250,000-acre footprint. We continue to transform Earthstone with the significant operating scale we have built and our ability to leverage synergies and cost savings across our larger asset base. We are confident in our efforts to drive operating efficiencies from the higher operating cost assets acquired this year and expect the results of these efforts will be realized in future quarters."

Mr. Anderson continued, "Our third quarter well results further support the high-quality nature of our asset base. We brought nineteen operated wells online across the Delaware and Midland basins during the third quarter. Fourteen of these wells reached oil rates of over 1,000 barrels per day, with several wells approaching 1,500 barrels per day, highlighting the quality inventory we deliberately assembled through our focused acquisition efforts. Our outstanding financial and operational results are indicative of the high-quality nature of our assets which we believe will continue to create meaningful value for our shareholders. During the quarter, we used our substantial free cash flow to reduce debt, and we are pleased to end the quarter with a debt-to-annualized quarterly Adjusted EBITDAX ratio of 0.8x. With the significant Free Cash Flow we expect to generate over the coming quarters, our focus will be to continue reducing debt while evaluating accretive high-quality assets for consolidation, if available. However, we remain steadfast in our commitment to increasing shareholder value."

Operations Update

During the third quarter of 2022, for Company-operated activity, Earthstone commenced drilling 12 gross (12.0 net) wells and brought seven gross (6.3 net) wells online in the Midland Basin. The Company began drilling six gross (3.3 net) wells in the Delaware Basin and brought 12 gross (10.5 net) wells online. 

In the Midland Basin, the Barnhart five-well pad in Irion County came online in August 2022 and had peak IP-30 average production of ~1,170 Boepd (~81% oil) per well. These wells averaged a completed lateral length of ~10,000 ft per well and are producing from the Wolfcamp B interval.

In the Delaware Basin, the Cletus and Salt Draw pads in Eddy County commenced production in early September. The two-well Cletus pad had peak IP-30 average production of ~1,370 Boepd (69% oil) per well, and both wells have completed lateral length of approximately 9,750 ft and are producing from the Wolfcamp A interval. The two-well Salt Draw pad had a peak IP-30 average production of ~1,570 Boepd (77% oil) per well from the Second Bone Springs interval. The two wells have a completed lateral length of approximately 4,700 ft per well. Additionally, in early September, the six drilled but uncompleted wells (Lonesome Dove and Cattlemen pads) acquired in the Titus acquisition in Lea County came online and had peak IP-30 average production of ~1,520 Boepd (73% oil) per well. All six wells had completed lateral length of approximately 7,700 ft per well and are producing from the First and Second Bone Springs interval.

The Company operated a four-rig drilling program in the third quarter with two rigs in each of the Midland and Delaware basins. Earthstone has recently added a fifth rig in the Delaware Basin and expects to continue a five-rig operated drilling program in 2023 with two rigs in the Midland Basin and three rigs in the Delaware Basin. For full year 2022 and only for Company-operated activity, Earthstone anticipates spudding 36 gross (32.4 net) wells and bringing 34 gross (30.7 net) wells online in the Midland Basin. In the Delaware Basin, the Company anticipates spudding 28 gross (18.2 net) wells and bringing 27 gross (19.3 net) wells online.

Updated 2022 Guidance

The Company is providing updated guidance for the fourth quarter of 2022 based on recent operating results and the current operating plan for the fourth quarter. On the strength of production from new wells and continued operational improvements which resulted in exceeding our third quarter production guidance, Earthstone is increasing its fourth quarter production guidance to a new range of 98,000 -102,000 Boepd (~43% oil). For the fourth quarter, the Company expects to incur $170-185 million in capital expenditures, resulting in 2022 capital expenditures of $519-534 million, representing a $12 million increase from the midpoint of prior guidance. The increase in expected capital expenditures is driven primarily by anticipated improvements in capital efficiency via an increase in the lateral length of fourth quarter wells by approximately 30% compared to our prior plan. To a lesser degree, Earthstone also anticipates higher non-operated capital activity in the fourth quarter compared to prior expectations.

Liquidity and Equity Capitalization

As of September 30, 2022, we had $642 million of long-term debt outstanding under our senior secured credit facility ("Credit Facility"), including the term loan tranche of $250 million, with elected commitments of $1.2 billion, resulting in available borrowings of approximately $558 million. As of September 30, 2022, our borrowing base was $1.85 billion.

Through September 30, 2022, we had incurred $348.7 million of capital expenditures. We expect to fund the estimated $170-185 million of fourth quarter of 2022 capital expenditures with cash flow from operations while any excess cash flow will be used to repay borrowings under our Credit Facility.

As of October 31, 2022, 105,416,926 shares of Class A Common Stock and 34,261,641 shares of Class B Common Stock were outstanding.

Commodity Hedging

Hedging Activities

The following tables set forth our outstanding derivative contracts as of September 30, 2022. When aggregating multiple contracts, the weighted average contract price is disclosed.

Hedging Update

The following tables set forth our outstanding derivative contracts at October 31, 2022. When aggregating multiple contracts, the weighted average contract price is disclosed.

Conference Call Details

Earthstone is hosting a conference call on Thursday, November 3, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern (12:00 p.m. Central) to discuss the Company's financial results for the third quarter of 2022 and its outlook for the fourth quarter of 2022. Prepared remarks by Robert J. Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mark Lumpkin, Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and Steven C. Collins, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, will be followed by a question and answer session.

Investors and analysts are invited to participate in the call by dialing 877-407-6184 for domestic calls or 201-389-0877 for international calls, in both cases asking for the Earthstone conference call. A webcast will also be available through the Company website (www.earthstoneenergy.com). Please select "Events & Presentations" under the "Investors" section of the Company's website and log on at least 10 minutes in advance to register.

A replay of the call and webcast will be available on the Company's website and by telephone until 1:00 p.m. Eastern (12:00 p.m. Central), Thursday, November 17, 2022. The number for the replay is 877-660-6853 for domestic calls or 201-612-7415 for international calls, using Replay ID: 13733887.

About Earthstone Energy, Inc.

Earthstone Energy, Inc. is a growth-oriented, independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, development and operation of oil and natural gas properties. The Company's primary assets are located in the Midland Basin in West Texas, the Eagle Ford Trend in South Texas and the Delaware Basin in New Mexico. Earthstone is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "ESTE." For more information, visit the Company's website at www.earthstoneenergy.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements that are not strictly historical statements constitute forward-looking statements and may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words such as "expects," "believes," "intends," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "forecast," "guidance," "target," "potential," "possible," or "probable" or statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "will," "should," or "could" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and analyses made by Earthstone and its management in light of experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors appropriate under the circumstances that involve various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, those set forth in Earthstone's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, recent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, recent current reports on Form 8-K, and other Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings. Earthstone undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Contact

Clay Jeansonne
Investor Relations
Earthstone Energy, Inc.
1400 Woodloch Forest Drive, Suite 300  
The Woodlands, TX 77380
713-379-3080
[email protected]

Earthstone Energy, Inc.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Unaudited

The non-GAAP financial measures of Adjusted Diluted Shares, Adjusted EBITDAX, Adjusted Net Income, Free Cash Flow and Operating Margin per Boe, as defined and presented below, are intended to provide readers with meaningful information that supplements our financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). Further, these non-GAAP measures should only be considered in conjunction with financial statements and disclosures prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP measures, such as net income or loss, operating income or loss or any other GAAP measure of financial position or results of operations. Adjusted EBITDAX and Adjusted Net Income are presented herein and reconciled from the GAAP measure of net income (loss) because of their wide acceptance by the investment community as a financial indicator.

I. Adjusted Diluted Shares

We define "Adjusted Diluted Shares" as the weighted average shares of Class A Common Stock - Diluted outstanding plus the weighted average shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding.

Our Adjusted Diluted Shares is a non-GAAP financial measure that provides a comparable per share measurement when presenting results such as Adjusted EBITDAX and Adjusted Net Income that include the interests of both Earthstone and the noncontrolling interest. Adjusted Diluted Shares is used in calculating several metrics that we use as supplemental financial measurements in the evaluation of our business, none of which should be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income as an indicator of operating performance.

Adjusted Diluted Shares for the periods indicated:

II. Adjusted EBITDAX

The non-GAAP financial measure of Adjusted EBITDAX (as defined below), as calculated by us below, is intended to provide readers with meaningful information that supplements our financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Further, this non-GAAP financial measure should only be considered in conjunction with financial statements and disclosures prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP measures, such as net income or loss, operating income or loss or any other GAAP measure of financial position or results of operations. Adjusted EBITDAX is presented herein and reconciled from the GAAP measure of net income (loss) because of its wide acceptance by the investment community as a financial indicator.

We define "Adjusted EBITDAX" as net income (loss) plus, when applicable, accretion of asset retirement obligations; depreciation, depletion and amortization; interest expense, net; transaction costs; (gain) on sale of oil and gas properties; exploration expense; unrealized (gain) loss on derivative contracts; stock-based compensation (non-cash and expected to settle in cash); and income tax expense (benefit).

Our Adjusted EBITDAX measure provides additional information that may be used to better understand our operations. Adjusted EBITDAX is one of several metrics that we use as a supplemental financial measurement in the evaluation of our business and should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income (loss) as an indicator of operating performance. Certain items excluded from Adjusted EBITDAX are significant components in understanding and assessing a company's financial performance, such as a company's cost of capital and tax structure, as well as the historic cost of depreciable and depletable assets. Adjusted EBITDAX, as used by us, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. We believe that Adjusted EBITDAX is a widely followed measure of operating performance and is one of many metrics used by our management team and by other users of our consolidated financial statements. For example, Adjusted EBITDAX can be used to assess our operating performance and return on capital in comparison to other independent exploration and production companies without regard to financial or capital structure and to assess the financial performance of our assets and our Company without regard to capital structure or historical cost basis.

The following table provides a reconciliation of Net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDAX for the periods indicated:

III. Adjusted Net Income

We define "Adjusted Net Income" as net income (loss) plus, when applicable, unrealized (gain) loss on derivative contracts; (gain) on sale of oil and gas properties; transaction costs; and the associated changes in estimated income tax.

Our Adjusted Net Income is a non-GAAP financial measure that provides additional information that may be used to further understand our operations. Adjusted Net Income is one of several metrics that we use as a supplemental financial measurement in the evaluation of our business and should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income (loss) as an indicator of operating performance. Certain items excluded from Adjusted Net Income are significant components in understanding and assessing a company's financial performance, such as a company's cost of capital and tax structure, as well as the historic cost of depreciable and depletable assets. Adjusted Net Income, as used by us, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. We believe that Adjusted Net Income is a widely followed measure of operating performance and is one of many metrics used by our management team and by other users of our consolidated financial statements. For example, Adjusted Net Income can be used to assess our operating performance and return on capital in comparison to other independent exploration and production companies without regard to financial or capital structure and to assess the financial performance of our assets and our Company without regard to capital structure or historical cost basis.

The following table provides a reconciliation of Net income (loss) to Adjusted Net Income for the periods indicated:

IV. Free Cash Flow

Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that we use as an indicator of our ability to fund our development activities and reduce our leverage. We define Free Cash Flow as Net cash provided by operating activities; less (1) Settlement of asset retirement obligations, Gain on sale of office and other equipment, Amortization of deferred financing costs and Change in assets and liabilities from the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; plus (2) Transaction costs, Exploration expense and the current portion of Income tax (expense) benefit from the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations; less (3) Capital expenditures (accrual basis). Alternatively, Free Cash Flow could be defined as Adjusted EBITDAX (defined above), less interest expense, less the current portion of income tax expense, less accrual-based capital expenditures.

Management believes that Free Cash Flow, which measures our ability to generate additional cash from our business operations, is an important financial measure for use in evaluating the Company's financial performance. Free Cash Flow should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, consolidated net income as a measure of our performance and net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of our liquidity.

Free Cash Flow for the periods indicated:

Alternate calculation of Free Cash Flow for the periods indicated:

V. Operating Margin per Boe and Operating Margin per Boe (Including Realized Hedge Settlements)

Operating Margin per Boe is a non-GAAP financial measure that we use to evaluate our operating performance on a per Boe basis. We define Operating Margin per Boe as average realized price per Boe minus lease operating expense per BOE and production and ad valorem taxes per Boe. Operating Margin per Boe (including Realized Hedge Settlements) is calculated as the sum of Operating Margin per Boe and Realized hedge settlements per Boe.

Our Operating Margin per Boe measure provides additional information that may be used to further understand our operating margins. We use Operating Margin per Boe as a supplemental financial measurement in the evaluation of our operational performance. We believe that investors benefit from having access to the same financial measures that our management uses in evaluating our results. Operating Margin per Boe should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income (loss) as an indicator of operating performance. Operating Margin per Boe, as used by us, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

SOURCE Earthstone Energy, Inc.