TULSA, OK, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vital Energy, Inc. (NYSE:VTLE) ("Vital Energy" or the "Company") today reported first-quarter 2024 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 is planned for 7:30 a.m. CT, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Participation details can be found within this release. First-Quarter 2024 Highlights Execution of business plan and successful integration of acquired properties drove record production and higher-than-expected cash flows Reported 1Q-24 net loss of $66.1 million, Adjusted Net Income1 of $68.1 million and cash flows from operating activities of $158.6 million Generated 1Q-24 Consolidated EBITDAX1 of $301.3 million and Adjusted Free Cash Flow1 of $43.3 million Reported record 1Q-24 total and oil production that exceeded the high-end of guidance, producing 124.7 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day ("MBOE/d") and 58.5 thousand barrels of oil per day ("MBO/d"), respectively Production outperformance attributed to a 20-well package of long-lateral wells in W. Glasscock County being completed ahead of schedule and outperforming initial production expectations Drilled three horseshoe wells in Upton County, one of which is believed to have set an industry record with a total measured depth of 23,650' Reported 1Q-24 capital investments of $217.9 million, excluding non-budgeted acquisitions and leasehold expenditures Issued $800.0 million of senior unsecured notes due 2032 at 7.875% (subsequent to quarter end, issued an additional $200.0 million of these notes) and utilized proceeds in March and April 2024 to redeem all 10.125% notes due in 2028 and $197.6 million of 9.75% notes due 2030, resulting in annualized interest expense savings of $11 million 1Non-GAAP financial measure; please see supplemental reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures at the end of this release. "We continued our trend of delivering strong financial and operational results while successfully integrating recent acquisitions," stated Jason Pigott, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our focus on capital-efficient development is driving sustainable gains in well productivity and lowering capital costs. Results in the Southern Delaware position we built last year are far exceeding industry results. Recent success drilling horseshoe wells in the Midland Basin is expected to significantly increase returns on a large portion of our inventory. Our team has repeatedly demonstrated their ability to identify accretive transactions and apply our operational practices to create long-term value, enhance cash flows and strengthen our balance sheet." First-Quarter 2024 Financial and Operations Summary Financial Results. The Company reported a net loss of $66.1 million, or $(1.87) per diluted share, and Adjusted Net Income of $68.1 million, or $1.84 per adjusted diluted share. Cash flows from operating activities were $158.6 million and Consolidated EBITDAX was $301.3 million. Production. Vital Energy's first quarter total and oil production set Company records, averaging 124,719 BOE/d and 58,534 BO/d, respectively. Production volumes benefited from both accelerated timing and production outperformance from a 20-well package in W. Glasscock County and outperformance from a three-well package in Reeves County. Capital Investments. Total capital investments, excluding non-budgeted acquisitions and leasehold expenditures, were $218 million. The Company turned-in-line ("TIL") 21 wells during the quarter, higher than forecast related to completions efficiencies on the W. Glasscock package. Investments included $185 million for drilling and completions, $17 million in infrastructure investments (including Vital Midstream Services), $9 million in other capitalized costs and $7 million in land, exploration and data related costs. Operating Expenses. Lease operating expenses ("LOE") during the period were $9.32 per BOE. Higher LOE was primarily related to expenses for chemicals and water disposal on recently acquired properties in the Delaware Basin that were higher during the integration period. General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses, excluding long-term incentive plan ("LTIP") and transaction expenses, for first-quarter 2024 were $2.11 per BOE. Cash LTIP expenses were $0.17 per BOE and reflected the increase in Vital Energy's common stock during the first quarter. Non-cash LTIP expenses were $0.28 per BOE. Liquidity. At March 31, 2024, the Company had $265 million drawn on its $1.25 billion senior secured credit facility and cash and cash equivalents of $423 million, which included proceeds from the issuance of senior unsecured notes due 2032 in first-quarter 2024. At May 3, 2024, $215 million was drawn on the senior secured credit facility and the Company had $72 million of cash and cash equivalents, subsequent to the redemption of and tender offers for senior unsecured notes due 2028 and 2030. As of May 8, 2024, through the regular semi-annual redetermination process, the Company's lenders have reaffirmed the senior secured credit facility's $1.5 billion borrowing base and increased the elected commitment to $1.35 billion from $1.25 billion. 2024 Outlook Production. The Company reiterated its full-year 2024 total and oil production guidance of 116.5 - 121.5 MBOE/d and 55.0 - 59.0 MBO/d, respectively. Production is expected to be weighted to the first half of the year as approximately 60% of expected TIL's are scheduled for the first half of 2024. Capital Investments. Full-year 2024 capital investments guidance is unchanged at $750 - $850 million, with development activity moderating in the second-half of the year. Operating Expenses. LOE for full-year 2024 is expected to average $8.85 per BOE, benefiting, beginning in the second-quarter 2024, from lower chemical and water disposal costs on recently acquired properties. LOE is expected to average $8.50 per BOE in the second half of 2024 through improved chemical management across both basins, further centralizing surface investments and increased use of a Vital Energy-owned water system. Second-Quarter 2024 Guidance During the second quarter of 2024, Vital Energy plans to operate four drilling rigs and two completions crews, and TIL 24 wells. The table below reflects the Company's guidance for production and capital investments for second-quarter 2024.     2Q-24E Total production (MBOE/d)   122.0 - 126.0 Oil production (MBO/d)   56.0 - 60.0 Capital investments, excluding non-budgeted acquisitions ($ MM)   $225 - $250       The table below reflects the Company's guidance for select revenue and expense items for second-quarter 2024.     2Q-24E Average sales price realizations (excluding derivatives):     Oil (% of WTI)   102% NGL (% of WTI)   16% Natural gas (% of Henry Hub)   (3)%       Net settlements received (paid) for matured commodity derivatives ($ MM):     Oil   $(25) NGL   $(1) Natural gas   $18       Selected average costs & expenses:     Lease operating expenses ($/BOE)   $8.90 Production and ad valorem taxes (% of oil, NGL and natural gas sales revenues)   6.30% Oil transportation and marketing expenses ($/BOE)   $1.00 Gas gathering, processing and transportation expenses ($/BOE)   $0.35 General and administrative expenses (excluding LTIP and transaction expenses, $/BOE)   $1.95 General and administrative expenses (LTIP cash, $/BOE)   $0.10 General and administrative expenses (LTIP non-cash, $/BOE)   $0.30 Depletion, depreciation and amortization ($/BOE)   $14.75       Conference Call Details Vital Energy plans to host a conference call at 7:30 a.m. CT on Thursday, May 9, 2024, to discuss its first-quarter 2024 financial and operating results and management's outlook. Supplemental slides will be posted to the Company's website. Interested parties are invited to listen to the call via the Company's website at www.vitalenergy.com, under the tab for "Investor Relations | News & Presentations | Upcoming Events." Portfolio managers and analysts who would like to participate should dial 800.715.9871, using conference code 5520992. A replay will be available following the call via the 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 StatementsThis 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 or Israeli-Hamas military conflicts, 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; uncertainties in estimating reserves and production results; 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, technological innovations and scientific developments, physical and transition risks associated with climate change, increased attention to ESG and sustainability-related matters, risks related to our public statements with respect to such matters that may be subject to heightened scrutiny from public and governmental authorities related to the risk of potential "greenwashing," i.e., misleading information or false claims overstating potential sustainability-related benefits, risks regarding potentially conflicting anti-ESG initiatives from certain U.S. state or other governments, 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, 2023 (the "2023 Annual Report") 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. This press release and any accompanying disclosures include financial measures that are not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), such as Adjusted 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 March 31,       2024       2023       (unaudited) Sales volumes:         Oil (MBbl)     5,327       3,467   NGL (MBbl)     2,934       1,849   Natural gas (MMcf)     18,534       11,529   Oil equivalent (MBOE)(1)(2)     11,349       7,237   Average daily oil equivalent sales volumes (BOE/d)(2)     124,719       80,416   Average daily oil sales volumes (Bbl/d)(2)     58,534       38,522   Average sales prices(2):         Oil ($/Bbl)(3)   $ 78.06     $ 76.94   NGL ($/Bbl)(3)   $ 16.05     $ 17.85   Natural gas ($/Mcf)(3)   $ 0.98     $ 1.57   Average sales price ($/BOE)(3)   $ 42.39     $ 43.91   Oil, with commodity derivatives ($/Bbl)(4)   $ 74.95     $ 76.82   NGL, with commodity derivatives ($/Bbl)(4)   $ 15.92     $ 17.85   Natural gas, with commodity derivatives ($/Mcf)(4)   $ 1.41     $ 1.45   Average sales price, with commodity derivatives ($/BOE)(4)   $ 41.60     $ 43.67   Selected average costs and expenses per BOE sold(2):         Lease operating expenses   $ 9.32     $ 6.93   Production and ad valorem taxes     2.70       2.84   Oil transportation and marketing expenses     0.87       1.51   Gas gathering, processing and transportation expenses     0.21       —   General and administrative (excluding LTIP and transaction expenses)     2.11       3.02   Total selected operating expenses   $ 15.21     $ 14.30   General and administrative (LTIP):         LTIP cash   $ 0.17     $ 0.13   LTIP non-cash   $ 0.28     $ 0.31   General and administrative (transaction expenses)   $ 0.03     $ 0.12   Depletion, depreciation and amortization   $ 14.64     $ 11.99   _______________________________________________________________________________(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)   March 31, 2024   December 31, 2023     (unaudited) Assets         Current assets:         Cash and cash equivalents   $ 423,325     $ 14,061   Accounts receivable, net     290,248       238,773   Derivatives     7,929       99,336   Other current assets     24,395       18,749   Total current assets     745,897       370,919   Property and equipment:         Oil and natural gas properties, full cost method:         Evaluated properties     12,100,933       11,799,155   Unevaluated properties not being depleted     190,387       195,457   Less: accumulated depletion and impairment     (7,925,773 )     (7,764,697 ) Oil and natural gas properties, net     4,365,547       4,229,915   Midstream and other fixed assets, net     130,918       130,293   Property and equipment, net     4,496,465       4,360,208   Derivatives     34,898       51,071   Operating lease right-of-use assets     144,667       144,900   Deferred income taxes     205,760       188,836   Other noncurrent assets, net     34,214       33,647   Total assets   $ 5,661,901     $ 5,149,581   Liabilities and stockholders' equity