Crescent Energy Announces Complementary Central Eagle Ford Bolt-On

Rhea-AI Summary

Crescent Energy Company (NYSE: CRGY) has announced a $168 million acquisition of assets from a private Eagle Ford operator. This bolt-on acquisition complements Crescent's existing Central Eagle Ford footprint and follows recent significant acquisition activity in the region. Key highlights include:

- Strong investment returns and accretive to financial metrics
- Complementary operations directly offsetting core position
- Addition of ~30 oil-weighted, core development locations
- Ownership of minerals, surface, and midstream assets
- Maintenance of strong balance sheet and Investment Grade credit metrics

The transaction is expected to close in September 2024, subject to customary conditions. Crescent CEO David Rockecharlie emphasized the opportunity for further growth and compelling investment returns in the Eagle Ford region.

Positive

• Acquisition is accretive to Operating Cash Flow, Levered Free Cash Flow, and net asset value per share
• Unlevered cash-on-cash returns exceed Crescent's 2.0x Multiple on Invested Capital target
• Addition of approximately 30 oil-weighted, core development locations with advantaged NRIs
• Acquisition includes 5,300 net royalty acres, 3,500+ surface acres, and owned takeaway infrastructure
• Leverage ratio expected to remain below the company's 1.5x maximum target

Negative

• Significant cash outlay of $168 million for the acquisition

Insights

Financial Analyst

This $168 million acquisition in the Eagle Ford shale is a strategic move for Crescent Energy. It's accretive to key financial metrics like Operating Cash Flow and Levered Free Cash Flow, suggesting immediate value creation. The deal's unlevered cash-on-cash returns exceeding the 2.0x MOIC target is particularly impressive, indicating strong potential for return on investment.

The acquisition's complementary nature to Crescent's existing assets is crucial. It allows for operational synergies, potentially leading to cost reductions and efficiency gains. The addition of 30 oil-weighted development locations with high net revenue interests (NRIs) from owned minerals is a significant boost to the company's inventory, likely enhancing future production and revenue streams.

Importantly, the deal maintains Crescent's strong balance sheet, with the leverage ratio expected to remain below the 1.5x target. This financial prudence is commendable, as it allows for future growth opportunities while managing risk.

Oil & Gas Industry Expert

This bolt-on acquisition strengthens Crescent's position in the Eagle Ford, a prime U.S. shale play. The low-decline oil production is particularly valuable in today's market, offering stable cash flows. The addition of 5,300 net royalty acres and 3,500+ surface acres is strategically significant, providing operational flexibility and potential cost savings.

The owned minerals and midstream assets are key differentiators. They not only increase margins but also provide a hedge against potential bottlenecks in takeaway capacity, a common issue in rapidly developing shale plays. This vertical integration can be a significant competitive advantage.

The immediate competitiveness of the new inventory for capital allocation suggests high-quality assets, which is important in the current environment of capital discipline in the oil and gas sector. This acquisition aligns well with the industry trend of consolidation and focus on core areas for operational efficiency.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Crescent Energy Company (NYSE: CRGY) (“Crescent” or the “Company”) today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire assets from a private Eagle Ford operator for total cash consideration of $168 million, subject to customary purchase price adjustments. The acquisition is directly offset Crescent’s existing Central Eagle Ford footprint and builds upon its significant acquisition activity in the Eagle Ford over the past 18 months, including the recently closed acquisition of SilverBow Resources Inc. The transaction, which has an effective date of May 1, is expected to close in September 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. Additional details have been posted on Crescent’s website at www.crescentenergyco.com.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Strong investment returns and accretive to key financial metrics – The transaction is accretive to Operating Cash Flow, Levered Free Cash Flow⁽¹⁾ and net asset value per share, with unlevered cash-on-cash returns in excess of Crescent’s 2.0x Multiple on Invested Capital (“MOIC”) target
• Complementary operations directly offset core position – Low-decline oil production with attractive inventory directly offset Crescent’s existing footprint in Frio, Atascosa, La Salle and McMullen counties with potential for meaningful operating efficiencies and extended lateral lengths across Crescent’s existing position
• High-return drilling inventory; immediately competes for capital – Acquisition adds roughly 30 oil-weighted, core development locations with advantaged NRIs from owned minerals further increasing returns
• Minerals, surface and midstream ownership enhances flexibility – Approximately 5,300 net royalty acres, greater than 3,500 surface acres and owned takeaway increase margins and create meaningful operating flexibility
• Maintains strong balance sheet and Investment Grade credit metrics – Crescent’s leverage ratio is expected to remain relatively unchanged, with net debt to trailing 12-month Adjusted EBITDAX ratio expected to be below the Company’s publicly stated maximum leverage target of 1.5x⁽²⁾. In conjunction with the signing of the transaction, Crescent entered into additional hedges in-line with its risk-management strategy

“This transaction builds upon our momentum in the Eagle Ford, where we see substantial opportunity for further growth and compelling investment returns,” said Crescent CEO David Rockecharlie. “We are adding low-decline oil production and high-quality acreage adjacent to our existing position, with meaningful opportunity to further increase returns through improved operating efficiency. We are pleased with this attractive acquisition, and we believe in our ability to continue to accretively scale Crescent.”

(1)		Non-GAAP financial measure. Please see “Non-GAAP Measures” for a description of the applicable metric.
(2)		Crescent defines leverage as the ratio of consolidated net debt to consolidated Adjusted EBITDAX (non-GAAP).

About Crescent Energy

Crescent is a differentiated U.S. energy company committed to delivering value for shareholders through a disciplined growth through acquisition strategy and consistent return of capital. Our long-life, balanced portfolio combines stable cash flows from low-decline production with deep, high-quality development inventory. Our activities are focused in Texas and the Rocky Mountains. For additional information, please visit www.crescentenergyco.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This communication 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. These statements are based on current expectations, including with respect to the proposed transaction. The words and phrases “should”, “could”, “may”, “will”, “believe”, “think”, “plan”, “intend”, “expect”, “potential”, “possible”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “view”, “efforts”, “target”, “goal” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements and express the Company’s expectations about future events. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this communication that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability of the parties to consummate the transaction in a timely manner or at all; satisfaction of the conditions precedent to consummation of the transaction; the integration of the assets acquired in the transaction into the Company’s existing strategies and plans; the possibility of litigation (including related to the transaction itself), weather, political, economic and market conditions, including a decline in the price and market demand for natural gas, natural gas liquids and crude oil, actions by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) and non-OPEC oil producing countries, the timing and success of business development efforts, and other uncertainties. Consequently, actual future results could differ materially from expectations. The Company assumes no duty to update or revise its forward-looking statements based on new information, future events or otherwise.

Non-GAAP Measures

Crescent defines Levered Free Cash Flow as Adjusted EBITDAX less interest expense, excluding non-cash amortization of deferred financing costs, discounts, and premiums, loss from extinguishment of debt, excluding non-cash write-off of deferred financing costs, discounts, and premiums, realized loss on interest rate derivatives, current income tax benefit (expense), tax-related redeemable noncontrolling interest distributions made by OpCo and development of oil and natural gas properties. Levered Free Cash Flow does not take into account amounts incurred on acquisitions.

Crescent defines Adjusted EBITDAX as net income (loss) before interest expense, loss from extinguishment of debt, realized (gain) loss on interest rate derivatives, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation, depletion and amortization, exploration expense, non-cash gain (loss) on derivatives, impairment expense, non-cash equity-based compensation expense, (gain) loss on sale of assets, other (income) expense, transaction and nonrecurring expenses and early settlement of derivative contracts. Additionally, we further subtract certain redeemable noncontrolling interest distributions made by Crescent Energy OpCo LLC, our wholly owned subsidiary, related to Manager Compensation to KKR Energy Assets Manager LLC, our external manager, and settlement of acquired derivative contracts.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240903447796/en/

IR@crescentenergyco.com

Source: Crescent Energy

FAQ

What is the value of Crescent Energy's recent Eagle Ford acquisition?

Crescent Energy (NYSE: CRGY) has announced a $168 million acquisition of assets from a private Eagle Ford operator.

When is the expected closing date for Crescent Energy's Eagle Ford acquisition?

The transaction is expected to close in September 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.

How many new development locations does the acquisition add to Crescent Energy's portfolio?

The acquisition adds approximately 30 oil-weighted, core development locations to Crescent Energy's portfolio.

What additional assets are included in Crescent Energy's Eagle Ford acquisition?

The acquisition includes approximately 5,300 net royalty acres, over 3,500 surface acres, and owned takeaway infrastructure.

How does this acquisition impact Crescent Energy's (CRGY) leverage ratio?

Crescent Energy's leverage ratio is expected to remain relatively unchanged and below the company's publicly stated maximum leverage target of 1.5x.