Vitesse Energy Announces Second Quarter 2024 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Vitesse Energy (NYSE: VTS) reported its Q2 2024 financial results, highlighting a 5% dividend increase to $0.525 per share. Key metrics include:

- Net income: $10.9 million
- Adjusted Net Income: $11.7 million
- Adjusted EBITDA: $43.1 million
- Cash flow from operations: $35.2 million
- Free Cash Flow: $15.9 million
- Production: 13,504 Boe/day (70% oil)
- Total debt: $115.0 million
- Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio: 0.67

The company closed previously announced near-term development acquisitions in the Williston Basin, expecting significant production and cash flow increases in Q4 2024 and early 2025. Vitesse reaffirmed its 2024 annual guidance with production between 13,000-14,000 Boe/day and total capital expenditures of $130-$150 million.

Positive

• Increased quarterly dividend by 5% to $0.525 per share
• Production increased 8% from Q1 2024 to 13,504 Boe per day
• Adjusted EBITDA of $43.1 million
• Low Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio of 0.67
• Closed acquisitions expected to boost production and cash flows in Q4 2024 and 2025
• Reaffirmed 2024 annual guidance

Negative

• Total debt increased to $115.0 million
• Natural gas revenue decreased by 13% compared to Q2 2023
• Interest expense increased by 132% year-over-year

Insights

Financial Analyst

Vitesse Energy's Q2 2024 results show a mixed performance. The company reported $10.9 million in net income and $43.1 million in Adjusted EBITDA. Production increased by 8% quarter-over-quarter to 13,504 Boe/day, with oil comprising 70% of production and 96% of revenue.

The company's financial position appears stable with a Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio of 0.67. However, total debt increased to $115 million. The 5% dividend increase to $0.525 per share is positive for shareholders, but investors should monitor the sustainability of this payout given the capital-intensive nature of the business.

Vitesse's hedging strategy, covering 62% of oil production, provides some downside protection but may limit upside potential if oil prices rise significantly. The company's focus on acquisitions and development in the Williston Basin could drive future growth, but also increases capital expenditure requirements.

Oil Industry Expert

Vitesse Energy's Q2 results reflect the volatile nature of the oil and gas sector. The company's increased production and higher realized oil prices ($74.63 per Bbl before hedging) contributed to revenue growth. However, the natural gas side faces challenges with prices dropping to $1.11 per Mcf.

The company's operational efficiency is improving, with lease operating expenses decreasing 3% on a per unit basis. This is important in a commodity business where cost control is key. The significant number of wells in drilling or completion phases (308 gross, 11.1 net) suggests potential for future production growth.

Vitesse's strategy of acquiring near-term development properties in the Williston Basin is a calculated risk. While it could boost production and cash flows in late 2024 and 2025, it also exposes the company to execution risks and potential market fluctuations. The success of this strategy will largely depend on oil price trends and the company's ability to efficiently develop these assets.

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vitesse Energy, Inc. (NYSE: VTS) (“we,” “our,” “Vitesse,” or the “Company”) today reported the Company’s second quarter 2024 financial and operating results.

SECOND QUARTER 2024 HIGHLIGHTS

• As previously announced, declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.525 per common share to be paid on September 30, 2024
• Net income of $10.9 million and Adjusted Net Income⁽¹⁾ of $11.7 million
• Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ of $43.1 million
• Cash flow from operations of $35.2 million and Free Cash Flow⁽¹⁾ of $15.9 million
• Production of 13,504 barrels of oil equivalent (“Boe”) per day (70% oil)
• Total cash development capital expenditures and acquisition costs of $37.6 million
• Total debt of $115.0 million and Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio⁽¹⁾ of 0.67

(1)	Non-GAAP financial measure; see reconciliation schedules at the end of this release

MANAGEMENT COMMENTS

“In the second quarter we increased our dividend by 5%,” commented Bob Gerrity, Vitesse’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We closed previously announced near-term development acquisitions and added hedges to protect returns, which supports the dividend as the added production comes online later this year and in early 2025.”

STOCKHOLDER RETURNS

In July 2024, Vitesse’s Board of Directors declared its third quarter cash dividend for Vitesse’s common stock of $0.525 per share for stockholders of record as of September 16, 2024, which will be paid on September 30, 2024.

On June 28, 2024, the Company paid its second quarter cash dividend of $0.525 per share to common stockholders of record as of June 14, 2024.

FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS

Second quarter net income was $10.9 million and Adjusted Net Income was $11.7 million. Adjusted EBITDA was $43.1 million. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.

Oil and natural gas production for the second quarter of 2024 averaged 13,504 Boe per day, an increase of 8% from the first quarter of 2024. Oil represented 70% of production and 96% of total oil and natural gas revenue. Total revenue, including the effects of our realized hedges, was $65.6 million.

Vitesse’s average realized oil and natural gas prices before hedging were $74.63 per Bbl and $1.11 per Mcf, respectively, during the second quarter of 2024. The Company had hedges covering 62% of oil production in the second quarter of 2024 and its realized oil price with hedging was $73.42 per Bbl.

Lease operating expenses in the second quarter of 2024 were $12.3 million, or $9.99 per Boe, a 3% decrease on a per unit basis compared to the first quarter of 2024. The lower lease operating expense is primarily attributable to weather related expenses in the first quarter. General and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2024 totaled $4.7 million, or $3.84 per Boe.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

As of June 30, 2024, Vitesse had $0.1 million in cash and $115.0 million of borrowings outstanding on its revolving credit facility. Vitesse had total liquidity of $130.1 million as of June 30, 2024, consisting of cash and $130.0 million of committed borrowing availability under its revolving credit facility.

During the quarter, Vitesse invested $24.5 million in development capital expenditures and $13.1 million in acquisitions of oil and gas properties.

OPERATIONS UPDATE

As of June 30, 2024 the Company owned an interest in 308 gross (11.1 net) wells that were either drilling or in the completion phase, and another 372 gross (8.7 net) locations that had been permitted for development.

The Company closed previously announced near-term development acquisitions in the Williston Basin of North Dakota that will result in over $40 million of acquisition and related development capital expenditures primarily during 2024. These acquisitions are expected to provide significant increases to production and cash flows primarily during the fourth quarter of 2024 and into 2025.

2024 ANNUAL GUIDANCE

Vitesse reaffirms its previously revised 2024 annual guidance, which is set forth below.

	2024 Guidance
Annual Production (Boe per day)	13,000 - 14,000
Oil as a Percentage of Annual Production	67% - 71%
Total Capital Expenditures ($ in millions)	$130 - $150

SECOND QUARTER 2024 RESULTS

The following table sets forth selected financial and operating data for the periods indicated.

	QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30,						INCREASE (DECREASE)
($ in thousands, except production and per unit data)	2024			2023			AMOUNT				PERCENT
Financial and Operating Results:
Revenue
Oil	$	64,127		$	48,733		$	15,394			32	%
Natural gas		2,471			2,855			(384	)		(13	%)
Total revenue	$	66,598		$	51,588		$	15,010			29	%
Operating Expenses
Lease operating expense	$	12,272		$	9,316		$	2,956			32	%
Production taxes		5,426			4,919			507			10	%
General and administrative		4,724			4,461			263			6	%
Depletion, depreciation, amortization, and accretion		25,315			18,748			6,567			35	%
Equity-based compensation		2,047			1,428			619			43	%
Interest Expense	$	2,585		$	1,115		$	1,470			132	%
Commodity Derivative Gain, Net	$	379		$	4,779		$	(4,400	)		(92	%)
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense	$	3,678		$	6,812		$	(3,134	)		(46	%)
Production Data:
Oil (MBbls)		859			697			162			23	%
Natural gas (MMcf)		2,217			2,018			199			10	%
Combined volumes (MBoe)		1,229			1,034			195			19	%
Daily combined volumes (Boe/d)		13,504			11,359			2,145			19	%
Average Realized Prices before Hedging:
Oil (per Bbl)	$	74.63		$	69.90		$	4.73			7	%
Natural gas (per Mcf)		1.11			1.41			(0.30	)		(21	%)
Combined (per Boe)		54.20			49.91			4.29			9	%
Average Realized Prices with Hedging:
Oil (per Bbl)	$	73.42		$	72.18		$	1.24			2	%
Natural gas (per Mcf)		1.11			1.41			(0.30	)		(21	%)
Combined (per Boe)		53.36			51.45			1.91			4	%
Average Costs (per Boe):
Lease operating	$	9.99		$	9.01		$	0.98			11	%
Production taxes		4.42			4.76			(0.34	)		(7	%)
General and administrative		3.84			4.32			(0.48	)		(11	%)
Depletion, depreciation, amortization, and accretion		20.60			18.14			2.46			14	%

COMMODITY HEDGING

Vitesse hedges a portion of its expected oil production volumes to increase the predictability and certainty of its cash flow and to help maintain a strong financial position to support our dividend. Vitesse does not currently have hedges in place on its expected natural gas production volumes. The following table summarizes Vitesse’s open oil commodity derivative swap contracts scheduled to settle after June 30, 2024, including those entered into in July 2024.

SETTLEMENT PERIOD	OIL (Bbls)		WEIGHTED AVERAGE PRICE
Swaps-Crude Oil
2024:
Q3	507,500		$	77.97
Q4	490,000		$	78.11
2025:
Q1	397,500		$	73.92
Q2	382,500		$	74.72
Q3	202,500		$	74.83
Q4	202,500		$	74.83

The following table presents Vitesse’s settlements on commodity derivative instruments and unsettled gains and losses on open commodity derivative instruments for the periods presented:

	QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30,
(in thousands)	2024				2023
Realized (loss) gain on commodity derivatives (1)	$	(1,033	)		$	1,595
Unrealized gain on commodity derivatives (1)		1,412				3,184
Total commodity derivative gain	$	379			$	4,779

(1)

Realized and unrealized gains and losses on commodity derivatives are presented herein as separate line items but are combined for a total commodity derivative gain (loss) in the statements of operations included below. Management believes the separate presentation of the realized and unrealized commodity derivative gains and losses is useful, providing a better understanding of our hedge position.

 Q2 2024 EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

In conjunction with Vitesse’s release of its financial and operating results, investors, analysts and other interested parties are invited to listen to a conference call with management on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

An updated corporate slide presentation that may be referenced on the conference call will be posted prior to the conference call on Vitesse’s website, www.vitesse-vts.com, in the “Investor Relations” section of the site, under “News & Events,” sub-tab “Presentations.”

Those wishing to listen to the conference call may do so via the Company’s website or by phone as follows:

Website: https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=ex7kWVY5

Dial-In Number: 877-407-0778 (US/Canada) and 201-689-8565 (International)

Conference ID: 13747956 - Vitesse Energy Second Quarter 2024 Earnings Call

Replay Dial-In Number: 877-660-6853 (US/Canada) and 201-612-7415 (International)

Replay Access Code: 13747956 - Replay will be available through August 13, 2024

UPCOMING INVESTOR EVENTS

Vitesse management will be participating in the upcoming investor events:

• EnerCom Denver Energy Conference - Denver - August 19-20, 2024.
• Midwest IDEAS Conference - Chicago - August 29, 2024.
• Barclays 38th Annual CEO Energy-Power Conference - New York - September 3-4, 2024.
• Pickering Energy Partners Energy Conference - Austin - September 16-18, 2024.

Any investor presentations to be used for such events will be posted prior to the events on Vitesse’s website, www.vitesse-vts.com, in the “Investor Relations” section of the site, under “News & Events,” sub-tab “Presentations.”

ABOUT VITESSE ENERGY, INC.

Vitesse Energy, Inc. is focused on returning capital to stockholders through owning financial interests as a non-operator in oil and gas wells drilled by leading US operators.

More information about Vitesse can be found at www.vitesse-vts.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

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 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this release regarding Vitesse’s financial position, operating and financial performance, business strategy, dividend plans and practices, guidance, plans and objectives of management for future operations, and industry conditions are forward-looking statements. When used in this release, 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 production and 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 Vitesse’s control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements, including the following: changes in oil and natural gas prices; the pace of drilling and completions activity on Vitesse’s properties; Vitesse’s ability to acquire additional development opportunities; potential acquisition transactions; integration and benefits of property acquisitions, or the effects of such acquisitions on Vitesse’s cash position and levels of indebtedness; changes in Vitesse’s reserves estimates or the value thereof; disruptions to Vitesse’s business due to acquisitions and other significant transactions; infrastructure constraints and related factors affecting Vitesse’s properties; cost inflation or supply chain disruption; ongoing legal disputes over and potential shutdown of the Dakota Access Pipeline; the impact of general economic or industry conditions, nationally and/or in the communities in which Vitesse conducts business, including central bank policy actions, bank failures and associated liquidity risks; changes in the interest rate environment, legislation or regulatory requirements; conditions of the securities markets; Vitesse’s ability to raise or access capital; cyber-related risks; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines; and financial or political instability, health-related epidemics, acts of war (including the armed conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine) or terrorism, and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technical factors affecting Vitesse’s operations, products and prices. Additional information concerning potential factors that could affect future results is included in the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and other sections of Vitesse’s 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 Vitesse’s actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward looking statements.

Vitesse 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 Vitesse’s control. Vitesse does not undertake any duty to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by the federal securities laws.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

VITESSE ENERGY, INC. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
	FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED								FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
	JUNE 30,								JUNE 30,
(In thousands, except share data)	2024				2023				2024				2023
Revenue
Oil	$	64,127			$	48,733			$	121,491			$	99,219
Natural gas		2,471				2,855				6,301				10,330
Total revenue		66,598				51,588				127,792				109,549
Operating Expenses
Lease operating expense		12,272				9,316				24,063				18,397
Production taxes		5,426				4,919				11,226				10,174
General and administrative		4,724				4,461				10,098				15,323
Depletion, depreciation, amortization, and accretion		25,315				18,748				48,860				37,220
Equity-based compensation		2,047				1,428				3,652				29,400
Total operating expenses		49,784				38,872				97,899				110,514
Operating Income (Loss)		16,814				12,716				29,893				(965	)
Other (Expense) Income
Commodity derivative gain (loss), net		379				4,779				(13,445	)			12,198
Interest expense		(2,585	)			(1,115	)			(4,788	)			(2,295	)
Other (expense) income		(2	)			52				28				50
Total other (expense) income		(2,208	)			3,716				(18,205	)			9,953
Income Before Income Taxes	$	14,606			$	16,432			$	11,688			$	8,988
(Provision for) Benefit from Income Taxes		(3,678	)			(6,812	)			(2,946	)			(47,183	)
Net Income (Loss)	$	10,928			$	9,620			$	8,742			$	(38,195	)
Net income attributable to Predecessor common unit holders		—				—				—				1,832
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Vitesse Energy, Inc.	$	10,928			$	9,620			$	8,742			$	(40,027	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic		30,046,190				29,659,771				29,990,077				29,661,556
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted		33,026,818				33,077,824				32,984,826				29,661,556
Net income (loss) per common share – basic	$	0.36			$	0.29			$	0.29			$	(1.35	)
Net income (loss) per common share – diluted	$	0.33			$	0.29			$	0.27			$	(1.35	)

VITESSE ENERGY, INC. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
	JUNE 30,				DECEMBER 31,
(in thousands, except shares)	2024				2023
Assets
Current Assets
Cash	$	121			$	552
Revenue receivable		46,319				44,915
Commodity derivatives		152				10,038
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		2,394				2,841
Total current assets		48,986				58,346
Oil and Gas Properties-Using the successful efforts method of accounting
Proved oil and gas properties		1,235,125				1,168,378
Less accumulated DD&A and impairment		(512,527	)			(464,036	)
Total oil and gas properties		722,598				704,342
Other Property and Equipment—Net		189				189
Other Assets
Commodity derivatives		277				1,109
Other noncurrent assets		6,378				1,984
Total other assets		6,655				3,093
Total assets	$	778,428			$	765,970
Liabilities and Equity
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	$	13,613			$	27,692
Accrued liabilities		42,997				32,507
Commodity derivatives		2,527				—
Other current liabilities		30				204
Total current liabilities		59,167				60,403
Long-term Liabilities
Credit facility		115,000				81,000
Deferred tax liability		67,135				64,329
Asset retirement obligations		8,677				8,353
Other noncurrent liabilities		9,944				5,479
Total liabilities	$	259,923			$	219,564
Commitments and Contingencies
Equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		—				—
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 95,000,000 shares authorized; 32,629,594 and 32,812,007 shares issued at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		326				328
Additional paid-in capital		531,013				567,654
Accumulated deficit		(12,834	)			(21,576	)
Total equity		518,505				546,406
Total liabilities and equity	$	778,428			$	765,970

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Vitesse defines Adjusted Net Income (Loss) as net income (loss) before (i) non-cash gains and losses on unsettled derivative instruments, (ii) non-cash equity-based compensation, and (iii) certain other non-cash items; reduced by the estimated impact of income tax expense.

Net Debt is calculated by deducting cash on hand from the amount outstanding on our revolving credit facility as of the balance sheet or measurement date.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before expenses for interest, income taxes, depletion, depreciation, amortization and accretion, and excludes non-cash equity-based compensation and non-cash gains and losses on unsettled derivative instruments in addition to certain other items.

Vitesse defines Free Cash Flow as cash flow from operations, adding back changes in operating assets and liabilities, less development of oil and gas properties.

Management believes the use of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors to gain an overall understanding of financial performance. Specifically, management believes the non-GAAP financial measures included herein provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain items that management believes are not indicative of Vitesse’s core operating results. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are used by management for budgeting and forecasting as well as subsequently measuring Vitesse’s performance, and management believes it is providing investors with financial measures that most closely align to its internal measurement processes. A reconciliation of each of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is included below.

RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NET INCOME
(in thousands)	FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2024
Net Income	$	10,928
Add:
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments		(1,412	)
Equity-based compensation		2,047
Provision for income taxes		3,678
Adjusted Income Before Adjusted Income Tax Expense		15,241
Adjusted Income Tax Expense(1)		(3,566	)
Adjusted Net Income (non-GAAP)	$	11,675

(1)	The Company determined the income tax impact on the “Adjusted Income Before Adjusted Income Tax Expense” using the relevant statutory tax rate of 23.4%.

RECONCILIATION OF NET DEBT AND ADJUSTED EBITDA
(in thousands except for ratio)	AT JUNE 30, 2024
Revolving credit facility	$	115,000
Less: Cash		121
Net Debt	$	114,879
	FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2024
Net Income	$	10,928
Add:
Interest expense		2,585
Provision for income taxes		3,678
Depletion, depreciation, amortization, and accretion		25,315
Equity-based compensation		2,047
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments		(1,412	)
Adjusted EBITDA	$	43,141
Annualized Adjusted EBITDA		172,564
Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio		0.67

RECONCILIATION OF FREE CASH FLOW
(in thousands)	FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2024
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	35,161
Add back: changes in operating assets and liabilities		5,197
Cash flow from operations before changes in operating assets and liabilities		40,358
Less: development of oil and gas properties		(24,482	)
Free Cash Flow	$	15,876

 

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INVESTOR AND MEDIA CONTACT

Ben Messier, CFA

Director – Investor Relations and Business Development

(720) 532-8232

benmessier@vitesse-vts.com

Source: Vitesse Energy, Inc.

FAQ

What was Vitesse Energy's (VTS) net income for Q2 2024?

Vitesse Energy (VTS) reported a net income of $10.9 million for the second quarter of 2024.

How much did Vitesse Energy (VTS) increase its dividend in Q2 2024?

Vitesse Energy (VTS) increased its quarterly dividend by 5% to $0.525 per share in the second quarter of 2024.

What was Vitesse Energy's (VTS) average daily production in Q2 2024?

Vitesse Energy's (VTS) average daily production in Q2 2024 was 13,504 barrels of oil equivalent (Boe) per day, with 70% being oil.

How much cash flow from operations did Vitesse Energy (VTS) generate in Q2 2024?

Vitesse Energy (VTS) generated $35.2 million in cash flow from operations during the second quarter of 2024.

What is Vitesse Energy's (VTS) production guidance for 2024?

Vitesse Energy (VTS) reaffirmed its 2024 production guidance of 13,000 to 14,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.