Liberty Energy Inc - LBRT STOCK NEWS

Liberty Energy (NYSE: LBRT) announced significant leadership changes with Ron Gusek appointed as Chief Executive Officer and Board member, while William Kimble becomes non-executive Chairman of the Board. These changes coincide with former CEO and founder Chris Wright's confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Energy.

Gusek, who has served as Liberty's President since November 2016, brings nearly 30 years of experience in strategic leadership. His appointment comes at a important time as Liberty focuses on expanding its power business and advancing technology innovation in completions services. Prior to his role as President, Gusek joined Liberty in 2014 as Vice President of Technology and Development, following leadership positions at Sanjel , Zodiac Exploration, and Pinnacle Technologies.

Kimble, who has served on Liberty's Board since its 2018 IPO and as Lead Director since October 2018, brings extensive experience from his three-decade career at KPMG. These leadership transitions are part of Liberty's long-term succession planning strategy.

Liberty Energy (NYSE: LBRT) reported its 2024 financial results with revenue of $4.3 billion, down 9% year-over-year, and net income of $316 million ($1.87 EPS). The company achieved an Adjusted EBITDA of $922 million and distributed $175 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends.

Fourth quarter 2024 results showed revenue of $944 million and net income of $52 million ($0.31 EPS). The company raised its quarterly dividend by 14% to $0.08 per share and continued its share repurchase program, retiring 1.0% of shares in Q4.

Looking ahead to 2025, Liberty expects a modest sequential increase in Q1 revenue and Adjusted EBITDA. The company plans to deploy 400 MW of power generation capacity for commercial applications by 2026 and will moderate its digiFleet deployments to four to five units while retiring legacy equipment.

Cummins (NYSE: CMI) and Liberty Energy (NYSE: LBRT) announced plans to deploy the industry's first natural gas variable speed, large displacement engine for Liberty's digiPrime hydraulic fracturing platform in the first half of 2025. The system features Cummins' HSK78G engine, a 3,000 horsepower natural gas variable speed engine offering direct drive solution with superior thermal efficiency.

The technology promises significant advantages including reduced fuel costs, lower emissions, and extended maintenance intervals - estimated at four times longer than standard diesel engines. The engine demonstrates high tolerance to methane content fluctuations and can operate across various gas compositions, providing flexibility in fuel sourcing. The system is designed to be EPA Mobile Off highway and CSA compliant, while maintaining compatibility with multiple well-servicing transmissions.

Cummins (NYSE: CMI) and Liberty Energy (NYSE: LBRT) announced plans to deploy the industry's first natural gas variable speed, large displacement engine for Liberty's digiPrime hydraulic fracturing platform in the first half of 2025. The system features Cummins' HSK78G natural gas engine, which will power a 3,000 horsepower direct drive solution.

The engine offers improved response time, load acceptance, and outstanding thermal efficiency, leading to reduced fuel costs and lower emissions. Key benefits include a maintenance interval four times longer than standard diesel engines and high tolerance to methane content fluctuations. The system is EPA Mobile Off highway and CSA compliant, maintaining reliability while reducing carbon footprint.

Tamboran Resources has initiated stimulation activities for the Shenandoah South 2H sidetrack (SS-2H ST1) and 3H (SS-3H) wells in the Beetaloo Basin EP 98. The campaign includes up to 119 stimulation stages across both wells, with SS-2H ST1 planned for 43 stages over 5,427 feet and SS-3H planned for 76 stages over 9,766 feet.

The operation utilizes Liberty Energy's modern stimulation equipment - the first 80,000 hydraulic horsepower frac spread imported from the US to the Beetaloo Basin. This increased horsepower is expected to deliver >25% increase in proppant intensity of >2,800 pounds per foot compared to the previous Shenandoah South 1H well. The wells are planned to provide energy to the Northern Territory through the proposed 40 MMcf/d Shenandoah South Pilot Project.

Liberty Energy (NYSE: LBRT) has announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share of Class A common stock. The dividend will be paid on March 20, 2025, to shareholders of record as of March 6, 2025. The company's Board of Directors maintains discretion over future dividend declarations, which will be based on market conditions, capital availability, and the best interests of Liberty and its stockholders.

Liberty Energy (NYSE: LBRT) has announced the appointment of Arjun Murti to its Board of Directors. Murti brings over 30 years of experience as an equity research analyst, advisor, and board member in the global energy sector. He currently serves as a Partner at Veriten and as a Senior Advisor at Warburg Pincus. His previous roles include Partner at Goldman Sachs (2006-2014), where he also served as Co-Director of Equity Research for the Americas.

Murti's extensive career includes positions at JP Morgan Investment Management and Petrie Parkman. He has been a board member at ConocoPhillips since 2015, where he chairs the audit and finance committee. The appointment was announced by Ron Gusek, President and named successor to the chief executive officer, who emphasized Murti's expertise in energy markets, policy, and strategy as complementary additions to Liberty's board.

Liberty Energy (NYSE: LBRT) has scheduled the release of its fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results after market close on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. The company will host a conference call to discuss the results on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. Mountain Time (10:00 a.m. Eastern Time).

The results presentation will be led by Ron Gusek, President and named successor to the Chief Executive Officer, alongside Michael Stock, Chief Financial Officer. The conference call will be accessible via phone and webcast, with replay options available until February 6, 2025.

Liberty Energy (NYSE: LBRT) and DC Grid have announced a strategic collaboration through a memorandum of understanding to deliver advanced power solutions. The partnership combines Liberty's power infrastructure and operational expertise with DC Grid's DC-based off-grid modular power systems to address growing energy demands in critical infrastructure sectors.

The collaboration focuses on providing solutions for commercial fleet EV charging hubs and data centers. DC Grid's systems offer higher power conversion efficiency and simplified architecture, reducing energy consumption and emissions. Small-scale power outputs can be deployed within three months for EV charging hubs, while larger installations of hundreds of megawatts for data centers take 12-18 months.

Liberty's contribution through its Liberty Power Innovations (LPI) subsidiary includes low emissions mobile power generation with fuel flexibility, supporting natural gas, RNG, and hydrogen. The modular design allows scaling alongside growing customer demands while ensuring operational reliability in harsh environments.