NOG Provides Update on First Quarter Hedging Results and Capital Allocation

Rhea-AI Summary

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (NYSE: NOG) has reported strong results for the first quarter of 2023, with significant unrealized gains of approximately $140 million from derivatives and realized gains of $13.6 million. The company allocated $26.4 million toward capital repurchases, buying back 287,751 shares at an average price of $27.82. Additionally, the company repurchased $19.1 million of its 8.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2028, enhancing financial health by reducing future interest expenses. The board has increased the repurchase authorization for notes by $100 million, bringing total availability to $105.1 million. Management emphasized a strategy focused on balancing growth and shareholder returns, seizing market opportunities while maintaining leverage levels.

Positive

• Unrealized mark-to-market gains on derivatives estimated at $140 million.
• Realized derivative hedge gains estimated at $13.6 million.
• Allocated $26.4 million for securities repurchases, including 287,751 shares at an average price of $27.82.
• Repurchased $19.1 million of 8.125% Senior Unsecured Notes at 96.4% of par value, reducing future interest expense by $1.5 million annually.
• Increased notes repurchase authorization by $100 million, totaling $105.1 million available for repurchases.

Negative

• None.

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (NYSE: NOG) (“NOG” or the “Company”) today provided an update regarding first quarter hedging results and capital allocation matters.

HEDGING UPDATE

The Company periodically enters into derivative agreements to hedge a portion of its commodity pricing exposure. For the first quarter of 2023, unrealized mark-to-market gains on derivatives are estimated to be approximately $140.0 million and realized derivative hedge gains are estimated to be approximately $13.6 million.

CAPITAL ALLOCATION UPDATE; BOARD INCREASES NOTES REPURCHASE AUTHORIZATION

The Company allocated approximately $26.4 million of capital in the first quarter of 2023 to securities repurchases, including both NOG common stock and senior unsecured notes due 2028.

During the first quarter of 2023, the Company repurchased 287,751 shares of common stock at a weighted average price of $27.82 per share, repurchased prior to the most recent dividend record date. The first quarter of 2023 average closing and quarter end prices, as adjusted for the first quarter dividend payment, were $30.81 and $30.35, respectively. The Company had $87.5 million of availability remaining on its existing common stock repurchase authorization at the end of the first quarter of 2023.

During the first quarter of 2023, the Company repurchased and retired $19.1 million of its 8.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2028 (the “Notes”) at an average of 96.4% of par value. The Notes currently trade at higher levels. There were $705.1 million par value of Notes outstanding at quarter-end. On March 16, 2023, NOG’s Board of Directors increased the notes repurchase authorization by $100.0 million, augmenting the total availability under the program to $105.1 million, as of the end of the first quarter of 2023.

MANAGEMENT COMMENTS

“The volatility experienced in the capital and commodity markets in the first quarter provided significant opportunities for the Company and its investors,” commented Nick O’Grady, NOG’s Chief Executive Officer. “The Company continues to repurchase shares and retire debt during periods of market dislocations. Consistent with our objectives, we are pursuing a measured approach in 2023, balancing growth, increased cash returns, leverage levels and tactical securities repurchases to deliver a superior total return for our investors.”

Chad Allen, NOG’s Chief Financial Officer, added, “We executed Notes repurchases at a discount to par value, capturing an additional $0.7 million of principal and reducing interest expense going forward by $1.5 million on an annualized basis. We also repurchased shares at a 10% discount to the average closing price during the quarter, and an even greater discount to current trading levels.”

ABOUT NOG

NOG is a company with a primary strategy of investing in non-operated minority working and mineral interests in oil & gas properties, with focus on the premier hydrocarbon producing basins within the contiguous United States. More information about NOG can be found at www.northernoil.com.

PRELIMINARY INFORMATION

The preliminary unaudited financial and operating information and estimates included in this press release, including with respect to derivatives gains and securities repurchases, is based on estimates and subject to completion of NOG’s financial closing procedures and audit processes. Such information has been prepared by management solely based on currently available information. The preliminary information does not represent and is not a substitute for a comprehensive statement of financial and operating results, and NOG’s actual results may differ materially from these estimates because of final adjustments, the completion of NOG’s financial closing procedures, and other developments after the date of this release.

SAFE HARBOR

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and future results that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements other than statements of historical facts included or referenced in this press release regarding NOG’s dividend plans and practices (including timing, amounts and relative performance), financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives for future operations, industry conditions, cash flow, and borrowings are forward-looking statements. When used in this presentation, forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by terms or phrases such as “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “believe,” “expect,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “target,” “could,” “plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “goal,” “will,” “should,” “may” or other words and similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Items contemplating or making assumptions about actual or potential future sales, market size, collaborations, and trends or operating results also constitute such forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and important factors (many of which are beyond NOG’s control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements, including the following: changes in NOG’s capitalization, changes in crude oil and natural gas prices; the pace of drilling and completions activity on NOG’s properties and properties pending acquisition; NOG’s ability to acquire additional development opportunities; the projected capital efficiency savings and other operating efficiencies and synergies resulting from NOG’s acquisition transactions; integration and benefits of property acquisitions, or the effects of such acquisitions on NOG’s cash position and levels of indebtedness; changes in NOG’s reserves estimates or the value thereof; general economic or industry conditions, nationally and/or in the communities in which NOG conducts business; changes in the interest rate environment or market dividend practices, legislation or regulatory requirements; conditions of the securities markets; NOG's ability to consummate any pending acquisition transactions; other risks and uncertainties related to the closing of pending acquisition transactions; NOG’s ability to raise or access capital; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines; and financial or political instability, acts of war or terrorism, and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technical factors affecting NOG’s operations, products, services and prices. Additional information concerning potential factors that could affect future plans and results is included in the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and other sections of NOG’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as updated from time to time in amendments and subsequent reports filed with the SEC, which describe factors that could cause NOG’s actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

NOG has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and assumptions about future events. While management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory, and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond NOG’s control. You are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Except as may be required by applicable law or regulation, NOG does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of such statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230419005352/en/

Evelyn Leon Infurna

Vice President of Investor Relations

952-476-9800

ir@northernoil.com

Source: Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.

FAQ

What were Northern Oil and Gas' unrealized gains from derivatives in Q1 2023?

Northern Oil and Gas reported unrealized mark-to-market gains of approximately $140 million from derivatives in the first quarter of 2023.

How much capital did Northern Oil and Gas allocate for share repurchases in Q1 2023?

In the first quarter of 2023, Northern Oil and Gas allocated approximately $26.4 million for share repurchases.

What was the average repurchase price of Northern Oil and Gas shares in Q1 2023?

Northern Oil and Gas repurchased shares at a weighted average price of $27.82 per share in Q1 2023.

What is the current total availability for Northern Oil and Gas' notes repurchase program?

As of the end of the first quarter of 2023, Northern Oil and Gas had a total availability of $105.1 million for its notes repurchase program.

How much interest expense will be reduced by Northern Oil and Gas' notes repurchases?

Northern Oil and Gas' repurchase of notes is expected to reduce interest expenses by $1.5 million on an annualized basis.