DENVER, May 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SM Energy Company (the "Company") (NYSE:SM) today announced operating and financial results for the first quarter 2024 and provided certain full year and second quarter 2024 guidance. Excellent operational execution drove a great start to 2024. First quarter 2024 highlights include: Net production was 13.2 MMBoe, or 145.1 MBoe/d, at 44% oil or 63.7 MBbls/d, which exceeded guidance. Higher than expected production was driven largely from South Texas through better performance from new wells and accelerated turn-in-lines due to faster drilling and completion times versus expectations. Early year performance and capital efficiencies support increasing full year guidance for net production to 57-60 MMBoe (156-164 MBoe/d) and lowering full year guidance for capital expenditures to $1.14-$1.18 billion. The Company entered into an agreement providing it the option to increase its South Texas Austin Chalk acreage position by approximately 8,000 net acres through a drill-to-earn arrangement. The expanded position is located in a high oil/liquids content area. Eleven new wells located in the high-liquids area of South Texas are demonstrating noteworthy early results. The peak 30-day initial production rate from one pad having three wells averaged 1,973 Boe/d per well with 46% oil and 70% liquids and from a 3-pad group having eight wells averaged 2,020 Boe/d per well with 49% oil and 77% liquids. Net income was $131.2 million, or $1.13 per diluted common share, Adjusted net income(1) was $1.41 per diluted common share, net cash provided by operating activities was $276.0 million and Adjusted EBITDAX(1) was $409.0 million, all of which benefited from strong oil production and higher than expected oil and NGL prices. Return of capital to stockholders during the quarter totaled $53.6 million through the repurchase of 712,235 shares of common stock in combination with the Company's $0.18 per share quarterly dividend paid on February 5, 2024. Since announcing the return of capital program in September 2022, the Company has repurchased approximately 9.0 million shares, or 7% of shares then outstanding, and returned $428.8 million to stockholders, inclusive of dividends and common stock repurchases. Approximately $182.1 million remains available for repurchases under the Company's stock repurchase program. Net cash provided by operating activities of $276.0 million before net change in working capital of $97.7 million totaled $373.7 million(1) and capital expenditures of $332.4 million adjusted for a decrease in capital accruals of $(26.6) million were $305.8 million.(1) The Company completed 27 net wells compared to guidance of approximately 20 net wells. Adjusted free cash flow(1) was $67.9 million, up 35% from the first quarter 2023. Leverage remained low with the Net debt-to-Adjusted EBITDAX(1) ratio of 0.6 at quarter-end. The Company received a Leadership level score of A- from the CDP for Supplier Engagement based on the CDP Climate Change Questionnaire 2023. This places SM Energy among the top 5% of companies in its CDP peer group for best practices to incentivize environmental change through supplier engagement. President and Chief Executive Officer Herb Vogel comments: "Top-tier assets and excellent operational execution delivered strong financial results and kicked-off another great year. Seventy-nine percent of first quarter Adjusted free cash flow(1) was returned to stockholders while we maintained low leverage of 0.6 times. We are very well positioned to deliver on all of our 2024 objectives to create long term value as we focus on operational execution, successfully work to expand our top tier inventory and continue to prioritize a strong balance sheet." NET PRODUCTION BY OPERATING AREA First Quarter 2024 Midland Basin South Texas Total Oil (MBbl / MBbl/d) 4,363 / 47.9 1,431 / 15.7 5,795 / 63.7 Natural Gas (MMcf / MMcf/d) 14,475 / 159.1 16,670 / 183.2 31,145 / 342.3 NGLs (MBbl / MBbl/d) 3 / - 2,214 / 24.3 2,217 / 24.4 Total (MBoe / MBoe/d) 6,779 / 74.5 6,423 / 70.6 13,203 / 145.1 Note: Totals may not calculate due to rounding.   First quarter net production volumes were 13.2 MMBoe (145.1 MBoe/d), and were 44% oil (63.7 MBbls/d). Volumes were 51% from the Midland Basin and 49% from South Texas. First quarter net production exceeded expectations due to strong performance and early completion of new wells in South Texas. REALIZED PRICES BY OPERATING AREA First Quarter 2024 Midland Basin South Texas Total (Pre/Post-hedge)(1) Oil ($/Bbl) $76.13 $75.94 $76.09 / $76.52 Natural Gas ($/Mcf) $2.80 $1.64 $2.18 / $2.57 NGLs ($/Bbl) nm $22.94 $22.94 / $22.28 Per Boe $54.99 $29.08 $42.39 / $43.40 Note: Totals may not calculate due to rounding.   First quarter average realized price before the effect of hedges was $42.39 per Boe, and average realized price after the effect of hedges was $43.40 per Boe.(1) First quarter benchmark pricing included NYMEX WTI at $76.96/Bbl, NYMEX Henry Hub natural gas at $2.24/MMBtu and OPIS Composite NGLs at $29.28/Bbl. The effect of commodity net derivative settlements for the first quarter was a gain of $1.01 per Boe, or $13.3 million. For additional operating metrics and regional detail, please see the Financial Highlights section below and the accompanying slide deck. NET INCOME, NET INCOME PER SHARE AND NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES First quarter 2024 net income was $131.2 million, or $1.13 per diluted common share, compared with net income of $198.6 million, or $1.62 per diluted common share, for the same period in 2023. Production and realized pricing after the effect of net derivative settlements were similar in the year-over-year periods with the primary variance in net income attributable to a non-cash derivative gain in the prior year period compared with a non-cash net derivative loss in the current year period. The current year period also had slightly higher per unit DD&A costs. First quarter 2024 net cash provided by operating activities of $276.0 million before net change in working capital of $97.7 million totaled $373.7 million(1) compared with net cash provided by operating activities of $331.6 million before net change in working capital of $26.2 million that totaled $357.9 million(1) for the same period in 2023. The $15.8 million, or 4%, increase in the current year period is primarily due to lower cash production costs and net interest, plus a tax refund. ADJUSTED EBITDAX,(1) ADJUSTED NET INCOME,(1) AND NET DEBT-TO-ADJUSTED EBITDAX(1) First quarter 2024 Adjusted EBITDAX(1) was $409.0 million, up $7.7 million, or 2%, from $401.4 million for the same period in 2023. For the first three months of 2024, Adjusted net income(1) was $164.1 million, or $1.41 per diluted common share, compared with an Adjusted net income(1) of $162.2 million, or $1.33 per diluted common share, for the same period in 2023. At March 31, 2024, Net debt-to-Adjusted EBITDAX(1) was 0.6 times. FINANCIAL POSITION, LIQUIDITY, CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND ADJUSTED FREE CASH FLOW(1) On March 31, 2024, the outstanding principal amount of the Company's long-term debt was $1.59 billion, with zero drawn on the Company's senior secured revolving credit facility, and cash and cash equivalents were $506.3 million. Net debt(1) was $1.08 billion. Subsequent to quarter-end, the Company's borrowing base and commitments under its senior secured revolving credit facility were reaffirmed at $2.50 billion and $1.25 billion, respectively, and combined with the quarter-end cash and cash equivalents balance, provided $1.75 billion in available liquidity. First quarter 2024 capital expenditures of $332.4 million adjusted for decreased capital accruals of $(26.6) million totaled $305.8 million.(1) Capital activity during the quarter included drilling 29 net wells, of which 12 were in South Texas and 17 were in the Midland Basin, and adding 27 net flowing completions, of which 16 were in South Texas and 11 were in the Midland Basin. First quarter 2024 cash flow from operations before net change in working capital totaled $373.7 million,(1) and capital expenditures before changes in accruals totaled $305.8 million,(1) delivering Adjusted free cash flow of $67.9 million.(1) COMMODITY DERIVATIVES As of April 25, 2024, commodity derivative positions for the second through fourth quarters of 2024 include: SWAPS: Oil: Approximately 5,870 MBbls, or approximately 30% of expected 2Q-4Q 2024 net oil production, is hedged to benchmark prices at an average price of $69.31/Bbl (weighted-average of collar floors and swaps) to $81.91/Bbl (weighted-average of collar ceilings and swaps), excluding basis swaps. Natural gas: Approximately 25,050 BBtu, or approximately 25% of expected 2Q-4Q 2024 net natural gas production, is hedged to benchmark prices at an average price of $3.41/MMBtu (weighted-average of collar floors and swaps, excluding basis swaps). BASIS SWAPS: Oil, Midland Basin differential: Approximately 3,660 MBbls of expected 2Q-4Q 2024 net oil production are hedged to the local price point at a positive weighted-average price of $1.21/Bbl basis. Gas, WAHA differential: Approximately 15,870 BBtu of expected 2Q-4Q 2024 net natural gas production are hedged to WAHA at a weighted-average price of ($0.93)/MMBtu basis. Gas, HSC differential: Approximately 12,490 BBtu of expected 2Q-4Q 2024 net natural gas production are hedged to HSC at a weighted-average price of ($0.35)/MMBtu basis. A detailed schedule of these and additional derivative positions are provided in the 1Q24 accompanying slide deck. 2024 OPERATING PLAN AND GUIDANCE The Company is unable to provide a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP capital expenditures because components of the calculation are inherently unpredictable, such as changes to, and timing of, capital accruals. The inability to project certain components of the calculation would significantly affect the accuracy of a reconciliation. UPDATED GUIDANCE FULL YEAR 2024: Full year guidance for net production is increased 2% at the mid-point to 57-60 MMBoe or 156-164 MBoe/d at ~44% oil. Full year guidance for capital expenditures (net of the change in capital accruals),(1) excluding acquisitions, is reduced 2% at the mid-point to $1.14-$1.18 billion. Full year guidance for transportation expense per Boe is reduced 9% at the mid-point to $2.10-2.20 per Boe. Other line items remain unchanged. GUIDANCE SECOND QUARTER 2024: Capital expenditures (net of the change in capital accruals),(1) excluding acquisitions: approximately $315-$325 million. In the second quarter of 2024, the Company expects to drill approximately 31 net wells, of which 9 are planned for South Texas and 22 are planned for the Midland Basin, and turn-in-line approximately 38 net wells, of which 10 are planned for South Texas and 28 are planned for the Midland Basin. Production: Approximately 14.1-14.3 MMBoe or 155-157 MBoe/d, at approximately 44% oil and 60% liquids. UPCOMING EVENTS EARNINGS Q&A WEBCAST AND CONFERENCE CALL May 3, 2024 – Please join SM Energy management at 8:00 a.m. Mountain time/10:00 a.m. Eastern time for the first quarter 2024 financial and operating results Q&A session. This discussion will be accessible via: Webcast (available live and for replay) - on the Company's website at sm-energy.com/investors (replay accessible approximately 1 hour after the live call); or Telephone - join the live conference call by registering at http://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=ySnEXvkM. Dial-in for domestic toll free/International is 877-407-6050 / +1 201-689-8022. CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION June 4, 2024 - RBCCM 2024 Global Energy, Power and Infrastructure Conference. Chief Financial Officer Wade Pursell will host a breakout session at 12:00 p.m. Mountain time/2:00 p.m. Eastern time and will also meet with investors in one-on-one settings. The event will not be webcast. The Company will post an investor presentation to its website the morning of the event. June 5 - 6, 2024 - BofA Securities 2024 Energy Credit Conference. Chief Financial Officer Wade Pursell will be meeting with investors in one-on-one settings. The event will not be webcast. DISCLOSURES FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities laws. The words "anticipate," "deliver," "demonstrate," "establish," "estimate," "expects," "goal," "generate," "maintain," "objectives," "optimize," "plan," "target," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this release include, among other things: projections for the full year and second quarter 2024, including guidance for capital expenditures, production, transportation expense, the number of wells expected to be drilled and completed in each of our operating areas, and the percent of future production to be hedged. These statements involve known and unknown risks, which may cause SM Energy's actual results to differ materially from results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Future results may be impacted by the risks discussed in the Risk Factors section of SM Energy's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and such risk factors may be updated from time to time in the Company's other periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak as of the date of this release. Although SM Energy may from time to time voluntarily update its prior forward-looking statements, it disclaims any commitment to do so, except as required by securities laws. FOOTNOTE 1 Indicates a non-GAAP measure or metric. Please refer below to the section "Definitions of non-GAAP Measures and Metrics as Calculated by the Company" in Financials Highlights for additional information. ABOUT THE COMPANY SM Energy Company is an independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil, gas, and NGLs in the state of Texas. SM Energy routinely posts important information about the Company on its website. For more information about SM Energy, please visit its website at www.sm-energy.com. SM ENERGY INVESTOR CONTACTS Jennifer Martin Samuels, 303-864-2507 SM ENERGY COMPANY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED) March 31, 2024 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, except share data) March 31, December 31, ASSETS 2024 2023 Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $            506,252 $            616,164 Accounts receivable 241,731 231,165 Derivative assets 33,913 56,442 Prepaid expenses and other 11,149 12,668 Total current assets 793,045 916,439 Property and equipment (successful efforts method): Proved oil and gas properties 11,756,523 11,477,358 Accumulated depletion, depreciation, and amortization (6,994,005) (6,830,253) Unproved oil and gas properties, net of valuation allowance of $34,934 and $35,362, respectively 335,755 335,620 Wells in progress 380,419 358,080 Other property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $60,606 and $59,669, respectively 34,905 35,615 Total property and equipment, net 5,513,597 5,376,420 Noncurrent assets: Derivative assets 7,198 8,672 Other noncurrent assets 84,618 78,454 Total noncurrent assets 91,816 87,126 Total assets $         6,398,458 $         6,379,985 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued expenses $            496,361 $            611,598 Derivative liabilities 24,108 6,789 Other current liabilities 15,615 15,425 Total current liabilities 536,084 633,812 Noncurrent liabilities: Revolving credit facility — — Senior Notes, net 1,576,115 1,575,334 Asset retirement obligations 124,085 118,774 Net deferred tax liabilities 397,296 369,903 Derivative liabilities 1,369 1,273 Other noncurrent liabilities 65,258 65,039 Total noncurrent liabilities 2,164,123 2,130,323 Stockholders' equity: Common stock, $0.01 par value - authorized: 200,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding:115,036,144 and 115,745,393 shares, respectively 1,150 1,157 Additional paid-in capital 1,536,929 1,565,021 Retained earnings 2,162,771 2,052,279 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (2,599) (2,607) Total stockholders' equity 3,698,251 3,615,850 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $         6,398,458 $         6,379,985   SM ENERGY COMPANY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED) March 31, 2024 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands, except per share data) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 2023 Operating revenues and other income: Oil, gas, and NGL production revenue $         559,596 $         570,778 Other operating income 274 2,727 Total operating revenues and other income 559,870 573,505 Operating expenses: Oil, gas, and NGL production expense 137,375 142,348 Depletion, depreciation, amortization, and asset retirement obligation liability accretion 166,188