Verde Clean Fuels, Inc. Reports 2023 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Verde Clean Fuels, Inc. reported a full-year 2023 GAAP diluted net loss per share of $(0.45). The company focuses on converting syngas into gasoline using proprietary technology. Verde announced a Joint Development Agreement with Cottonmouth Ventures for a facility in the Permian Basin, aiming to produce 3,000 barrels per day of gasoline. The company is in discussions for offtake arrangements for carbon credits and gasoline.

Insights

Market Research Analyst

The financial results presented by Verde Clean Fuels, Inc. show a significant net loss of $(10,501,276) for the year ended December 31, 2023. This loss is primarily attributed to increased general and administrative expenses, which have more than doubled from the previous year. The loss per share of $(0.45) indicates a negative impact on shareholders' value. However, it's important to note the company's strategic partnership through the Joint Development Agreement with Cottonmouth Ventures, which could be a pivotal step towards commercializing their STG+ technology.

The potential of the STG+ technology to convert syngas into gasoline using stranded natural gas or waste feedstocks aligns with the growing demand for cleaner fuel alternatives. Additionally, the proposed project's capacity to mitigate natural gas flaring in the Permian Basin by converting it into a salable product offers both environmental and economic incentives. The ability to produce approximately 3,000 barrels per day of gasoline could position Verde as a key player in the renewable energy sector if the technology proves to be commercially viable.

Investors may also be interested in the company's ongoing discussions for offtake arrangements, which could provide revenue predictability and support project financing. The financial stability is further supported by the company's current assets, including a significant increase in cash and cash equivalents from $463,475 in 2022 to $28,779,177 in 2023. This liquidity is critical for the company's ability to continue operations and fund its research and development activities.

Financial Analyst

From a financial perspective, Verde Clean Fuels' increased operating loss and net loss year-over-year raise concerns about the company's short-term profitability. The shift from a net income in 2022 to a net loss in 2023 could be indicative of the high costs associated with the development phase of their proprietary technology. The jump in general and administrative expenses reflects the company's scaling efforts but also underscores the need for effective cost management going forward.

Despite the losses, the company's balance sheet shows a strong cash position, which is important for its continued investment in the STG+ technology and for securing the necessary FEED/EPC services for the upcoming project. The presence of noncontrolling interest with a significant equity stake suggests confidence from external parties in the company's long-term prospects. The rise in additional paid-in capital, from zero to over $35 million, indicates successful capital-raising efforts, which are essential for funding capital-intensive projects.

The contingent consideration reversal of $(1,299,000) compared to $(7,551,000) in the previous year could reflect changes in the estimated fair value of expected payouts related to acquisitions or performance targets, which is a non-cash adjustment but impacts reported earnings. Investors should closely monitor the final investment decision and the progress towards definitive agreements, as these will be critical milestones that can significantly influence the company's future financial performance.

Environmental Economist

The environmental implications of Verde Clean Fuels' STG+ technology are noteworthy. By converting stranded natural gas into gasoline, the technology addresses the issue of gas flaring, which is a significant source of carbon emissions in oil-rich regions like the Permian Basin. The environmental benefits of reducing flaring could be quantified in terms of carbon credits, which the company is currently in discussions to offload. This could provide an additional revenue stream and enhance the project's economic viability.

The potential production of 3,000 barrels per day of gasoline also suggests a substantial displacement of traditional fossil fuels, aligning with global efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources. The company's ability to capitalize on low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS) credits and D3 RINs (Renewable Identification Numbers) could offer competitive advantages in markets with strong incentives for renewable energy adoption.

Long-term, the success of such projects could stimulate further investment in renewable energy technologies, potentially leading to economies of scale and lower production costs. However, the commercial success of the STG+ technology will depend on its operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness and the market's willingness to adopt alternative fuels.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Verde Clean Fuels, Inc. (“Verde” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: VGAS), a renewable energy company focused on the development of commercial production plants to convert syngas derived from diverse feedstocks into gasoline, today reported full year 2023 GAAP diluted net loss per share of $(0.45). The full year net loss consists of ongoing general and administrative and research and development expenses related to the Company’s continuing focus on development of its first commercial facility based on Verde’s proprietary STG+^® technology which is designed to produce gasoline utilizing either stranded natural gas or waste feedstocks.

Business Update Highlights Through March 28, 2024

• Verde and Cottonmouth Ventures announced the execution of a Joint Development Agreement for the first deployment of Verde’s STG+ technology in the Permian Basin. On February 13, 2024, Verde and Cottonmouth Ventures, a subsidiary of Diamondback Energy (NASDAQ: FANG), announced the execution of a joint development agreement (“JDA”) for the proposed development, construction, and operation of a facility to produce commodity-grade gasoline utilizing associated natural gas feedstock supplied from Diamondback’s operations in the Permian Basin. The expectation for the project is to produce approximately 3,000 barrels per day of fully-refined gasoline utilizing Verde’s patented STG+ process. By consuming natural gas in the pipeline-constrained Permian Basin as feedstock, the proposed project could demonstrate the ability to mitigate the flaring of up to 34 million cubic feet of natural gas per day, while also producing a high-value, salable product. The JDA provides a pathway forward for the parties to reach final definitive documents and final investment decision (“FID”). The JDA frames the contracts contemplated to be entered into between the parties, including an operating agreement, ground lease agreement, construction agreement, license agreement and financing agreements as well as conditions precedent to close such FID.
• Verde is continuing the selection process for FEED/EPC services for the Cottonmouth Ventures Permian Basin project. Verde is proceeding with selection of a front end engineering and design (“FEED”) partner and an engineering, procurement, and construction (“EPC”) partner. With the execution of the Cottonmouth Ventures JDA, Verde expects to finalize its partner selections soon.
• Verde is in preliminary discussions with various potential offtake parties of carbon credits and gasoline. Verde is in preliminary discussions with various parties with respect to long-term offtake arrangements for the purchase of D3 RINs, LCFS Credits, and gasoline produced by our facilities. Such a potential arrangement would help manage price risk associated with these commodities and would support project finance requirements.

VERDE CLEAN FUELS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
		For The Year Ended December 31,
		2023				2022
General and administrative expenses		$	11,515,192			$	4,514,994
Contingent consideration			(1,299,000	)			(7,551,000	)
Research and development expenses			329,194				316,712
Total Operating loss (income)			10,545,386				(2,719,294	)
Other (income)			(447,074	)			-
Interest expense			236,699				-
Loss (income) before income taxes			10,335,011				(2,719,294	)
Provision for income taxes			166,265				-
Net (loss) income		$	(10,501,276	)		$	2,719,294
Net (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest			(7,757,688	)			-
Net (loss) income attributable to Verde Clean Fuels, Inc.		$	(2,743,588	)		$	2,719,294
Earnings per share
Weighted average Class A common stock outstanding, basic and diluted			6,140,529				N/A
Loss per Share of Class A common stock		$	(0.45	)			N/A

VERDE CLEAN FUELS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
		As of December 31,
		2023				2022
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	28,779,177			$	463,475
Restricted cash			100,000				-
Prepaid expenses			373,324				113,676
Deferred transaction costs			-				3,258,880
Deferred financing costs			-				6,277
Total current assets			29,252,501				3,842,308
Non-current assets:
Security deposits			160,669				258,000
Property, plant and equipment, net			62,505				7,414
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net			524,813				323,170
Intellectual patented technology			1,925,151				1,925,151
Total non-current assets			2,673,138				2,513,735
Total assets		$	31,925,639			$	6,356,043
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	184,343			$	2,857,223
Accrued liabilities			1,976,812				762,119
Operating lease liabilities - current portion			297,380				237,970
Notes payable - insurance premium financing			-				11,166
Total current liabilities			2,458,535				3,868,478
Non-current liabilities:
Contingent consideration			`-				1,299,000
Promissory note – related party			409,612				-
Operating lease liabilities			232,162				85,200
Total non-current liabilities			641,774				1,384,200
Total liabilities			3,100,309				5,252,678
Stockholders’ equity
Intermediate Member's Equity			-				12,775,901
Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 9,387,836 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023			939				-
Class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 22,500,000 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023			2,250				-
Additional paid in capital			35,014,836				-
Accumulated deficit			(23,922,730	)			(11,672,536	)
Noncontrolling interest			17,730,035				-
Total stockholders’ equity			28,825,330				1,103,365
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	31,925,639			$	6,356,043

About Verde Clean Fuels, Inc.

Verde Clean Fuels, Inc. is a renewable energy company focused on the development of commercial production plants to convert syngas, derived from diverse feedstocks including biomass or stranded or flared natural gas into gasoline through its innovative and proprietary liquid fuels technology, the STG+^® process. Through its STG+^® process, Verde converts syngas into fully finished fuels that require no additional refining, such as Reformulated Blend-stock for Oxygenate Blending (“RBOB”) gasoline. To learn more, please visit www.verdecleanfuels.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The information included herein and in any oral statements made in connection herewith include “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. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included herein, regarding Verde’s expectations and any future financial performance, as well as Verde’s strategy, future operations, financial position, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used herein, including any oral statements made in connection herewith, the words “could,” “should,” “will,” “may,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “preliminary discussions,” “potential,” the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on Verde management’s current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, Verde disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Verde cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of Verde. These risks include, but are not limited to: general economic, financial, legal, political and business conditions and changes in domestic and foreign markets; the failure to realize the anticipated benefits of a particular transaction; the risks related to the growth of Verde’s business and the timing of expected business milestones; the ability of Verde to obtain financing in connection with a particular transaction or in the future; and the effects of competition on Verde’s future business. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described herein and in any oral statements made in connection therewith occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that Verde presently do not know or that Verde currently believe are immaterial that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact Verde’s expectations and projections can be found in Verde’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Verde’s SEC filings are available publicly on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240327159078/en/

Investor Contact:

Caldwell Bailey (ICR)

verdeIR@icrinc.com

Source: Verde Clean Fuels, Inc.

FAQ

What was Verde Clean Fuels, Inc.'s full-year 2023 GAAP diluted net loss per share?

Verde Clean Fuels, Inc. reported a full-year 2023 GAAP diluted net loss per share of $(0.45).

What is Verde Clean Fuels, Inc.'s proprietary technology used for?

Verde Clean Fuels, Inc.'s proprietary technology, STG+, is designed to produce gasoline from syngas derived from diverse feedstocks.

What partnership did Verde Clean Fuels, Inc. announce related to the Permian Basin?

Verde Clean Fuels, Inc. announced a Joint Development Agreement with Cottonmouth Ventures for a facility in the Permian Basin.

What is the expected production capacity of gasoline in the Permian Basin project?

The expected production capacity of gasoline in the Permian Basin project is approximately 3,000 barrels per day.

What are the ongoing discussions Verde Clean Fuels, Inc. is having regarding offtake arrangements?

Verde Clean Fuels, Inc. is in discussions for offtake arrangements for carbon credits and gasoline.