UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

 ☒      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023

 or

☐     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 For the transition period from                             to                            

Commission File Number: 001-35380

 Vital Energy, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	45-3007926
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

521 E. Second Street	Suite 1000
Tulsa	Oklahoma	74120
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip code)

(918) 513-4570

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

Title of each class	Trading symbol	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share	VTLE	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒  No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒  No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 

Large accelerated filer ☒ Accelerated filer  ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☐ Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐  No ☒ 

Number of shares of registrant's common stock outstanding as of October 31, 2023: 24,760,683

VITAL ENERGY, INC.

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Page
Glossary of Oil and Natural Gas Terms and Certain Other Terms	iii
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements	v
Part I	1
Item 1.    Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	1
Consolidated balance sheets	1
Consolidated statements of operations	2
Consolidated statements of stockholders' equity	3
Consolidated statements of cash flows	5
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements:	6
Note 1—Organization and basis of presentation	6
Note 2—New accounting standards	6
Note 3—Acquisitions and divestiture	7
Note 4—Debt	9
Note 5—Stockholders' equity	11
Note 6—Equity Incentive Plan	12
Note 7—Net income per common share	13
Note 8—Derivatives	14
Note 9—Fair value measurements	16
Note 10—Commitments and contingencies	17
Note 11—Supplemental cash flow and non-cash information	18
Note 12—Income taxes	18
Note 13—Related parties	19
Note 14—Organizational restructurings	19
Note 15—Subsequent events	20
Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	21
Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	37
Item 4.    Controls and Procedures	38
Part II	39
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings	39
Item 1A.    Risk Factors	39
Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	39
Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities	39
Item 4.    Mine Safety Disclosures	39
Item 5.    Other Information	40
Item 6.    Exhibits	41
Signatures	42

ii

Glossary of Oil and Natural Gas Terms and Certain Other Terms

The following terms are used throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this "Quarterly Report"):

"Argus WTI Midland"—An index price reflecting the weighted average price of WTI at the pipeline and storage hub at Midland.

"Argus WTI Formula Basis"—The outright price at Cushing that is used as the basis for pricing all other Argus US Gulf coast physical crudes.

"Basin"—A large natural depression on the earth's surface in which sediments, generally brought by water, accumulate.

"Bbl" or "barrel"—One stock tank barrel, of 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume, used herein in reference to crude oil, condensate, natural gas liquids or water.

"Bbl/d"—Bbl per day.

"Benchmark Prices"—The unweighted arithmetic average first-day-of-the-month price for each month within the 12-month period prior to the end of the reporting period before differentials, as required by SEC guidelines.

"BOE"—One barrel of oil equivalent, calculated by converting natural gas to oil equivalent barrels at a ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one Bbl of oil.

"BOE/d"—BOE per day.

"Btu"—British thermal unit, the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of a one pound mass of water by one degree Fahrenheit.

"Completion"—The process of treating a drilled well followed by the installation of permanent equipment for the production of oil or natural gas, or in the case of a dry hole, the reporting of abandonment to the appropriate agency.

"Dry hole"—A well found to be incapable of producing hydrocarbons in sufficient quantities such that proceeds from the sale of such production exceed production expenses and taxes.

"Exchange Act" —The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

"Formation"—A layer of rock which has distinct characteristics that differ from nearby rock.

"Fracturing" or "Frac"—The propagation of fractures in a rock layer by a pressurized fluid. This technique is used to release petroleum and natural gas for extraction.

"GAAP"—Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

"Gross acres"—The total acres or wells, as the case may be, in which a working interest is owned.

"Henry Hub"—A natural gas pipeline delivery point in south Louisiana that serves as the benchmark natural gas price underlying NYMEX natural gas futures contracts.

"Horizon" —A term used to denote a surface in or of rock, or a distinctive layer of rock that might be represented by a reflection in seismic data.

"Initial Production"—The measurement of production from an oil or gas well when first brought on stream. Often stated in terms of production during the first thirty days.

"Liquids"—Describes oil, condensate and natural gas liquids.

"MBbl"—One thousand barrels of crude oil, condensate or natural gas liquids.

"MBOE"—One thousand BOE.

"Mcf"—One thousand cubic feet of natural gas.

"MMBtu"—One million Btu.

"MMcf"—One million cubic feet of natural gas.

"Natural gas liquids" or "NGL"—Components of natural gas that are separated from the gas state in the form of liquids, which include propane, butanes and ethane, among others.

iii

"Net acres"—The percentage of gross acres an owner has out of a particular number of acres, or a specified tract. An owner who has 50% interest in 100 acres owns 50 net acres.

"NYMEX"—The New York Mercantile Exchange.

"OPEC"—The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

"Proved reserves"—The estimated quantities of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be commercially recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions.

"Realized Prices"—Prices which reflect adjustments to the Benchmark Prices for quality, transportation fees, geographical differentials, marketing bonuses or deductions and other factors affecting the price received at the delivery point without giving effect to our commodity derivative transactions.

"Reservoir"—A porous and permeable underground formation containing a natural accumulation of producible oil and/or natural gas that is confined by impermeable rock or water barriers and is separate from other reservoirs.

"SEC" — The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

"Securities Act" — The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

"Senior Secured Credit Facility" — The Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among Vital Energy, Inc., as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, Vital Midstream Services, LLC, as guarantor, and the banks signatory thereto.

"Spacing"—The distance between wells producing from the same reservoir.

"Standardized measure"—Discounted future net cash flows estimated by applying Realized Prices to the estimated future production of year-end proved reserves. Future cash inflows are reduced by estimated future production and development costs based on period end costs to determine pre-tax cash inflows. Future income taxes, if applicable, are computed by applying the statutory tax rate to the excess of pre-tax cash inflows over our tax basis in the oil and natural gas properties. Future net cash inflows after income taxes are discounted using a 10% annual discount rate.

"WAHA"—Waha West Texas Natural Gas Index price as quoted in Platt's Inside FERC.

"Working interest" or "WI"—The right granted to the lessee of a property to explore for and to produce and own crude oil, natural gas liquids, natural gas or other minerals. The working interest owners bear the exploration, development and operating costs on either a cash, penalty or carried basis.

"WTI"—West Texas Intermediate grade crude oil. A light (low density) and sweet (low sulfur) crude oil, used as a pricing benchmark for NYMEX oil futures contracts.

iv

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Various statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this Quarterly Report are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements include statements, projections and estimates concerning our operations, performance, business strategy, oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves, drilling program capital expenditures, liquidity and capital resources, the timing and success of specific projects, outcomes and effects of litigation, claims and disputes, derivative activities and potential financing. Forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by words such as "estimate," "project," "predict," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "potential," "could," "may," "will," "foresee," "plan," "goal," "should," "intend," "pursue," "target," "continue," "suggest" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. Among the factors that significantly impact our business and could impact our business in the future are:

•moderating but continuing inflationary pressures and associated changes in monetary policy that may cause costs to rise;

•changes in domestic and global production, supply and demand for oil, NGL and natural gas and actions by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries members and other oil exporting nations ("OPEC+");

•the volatility of oil, NGL and natural gas prices, including our area of operation in the Permian Basin;

•reduced demand due to shifting market perception towards the oil and gas industry;

•our ability to optimize spacing, drilling and completions techniques in order to maximize our rate of return, cash flows from operations and shareholder value;

•the ongoing instability and uncertainty in the U.S. and international energy, financial and consumer markets that could adversely affect the liquidity available to us and our customers and the demand for commodities, including oil, NGL and natural gas;

•competition in the oil and gas industry;

•our ability to execute our strategies, including our ability to successfully identify and consummate strategic acquisitions at purchase prices that are accretive to our financial results and to successfully integrate acquired businesses, assets and properties; our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions, including effectively managing our expanded acreage;

•our ability to discover, estimate, develop and replace oil, NGL and natural gas reserves and inventory;

•insufficient transportation capacity in the Permian Basin and challenges associated with such constraint, and the availability and costs of sufficient gathering, processing, storage and export capacity;

•a decrease in production levels which may impair our ability to meet our contractual obligations and ability to retain our leases;

•risks associated with the uncertainty of potential drilling locations and plans to drill in the future;

•the inability of significant customers to meet their obligations;

•revisions to our reserve estimates as a result of changes in commodity prices, decline curves and other uncertainties;

•the availability and costs of drilling and production equipment, supplies, labor and oil and natural gas processing and other services;

•the effects, duration and other implications of, including government response to widespread epidemic or pandemic diseases;

•ongoing war and political instability, such as the conflict in Ukraine and Russian efforts to destabilize the global hydrocarbon market and the conflict in the Gaza strip;

v

•loss of senior management or other key personnel;

•risks related to the geographic concentration of our assets;

•capital requirements for our operations and projects;

•our ability to hedge commercial risk, including commodity price volatility, and regulations that affect our ability to hedge such risks;

•our ability to continue to maintain the borrowing capacity under our Senior Secured Credit Facility (as defined herein) or access other means of obtaining capital and liquidity, especially during periods of sustained low commodity prices;

•our ability to comply with covenants and other terms and conditions contained in our debt agreements, including our Senior Secured Credit Facility and the indentures governing our senior unsecured notes, as well as debt that could be incurred in the future;

•our ability to generate sufficient cash to service our indebtedness, fund our capital requirements and generate future profits;

•drilling and operating risks, including risks related to hydraulic fracturing activities and those related to inclement or extreme weather, impacting our ability to produce existing wells and/or drill and complete new wells over an extended period of time;

•physical and transition risks relating to climate change;

•the impact of legislation or regulatory initiatives intended to address induced seismicity, including restrictions on the use of water, produced water and produced water wells, on our ability to conduct our operations;

•United States ("U.S.") and international economic conditions and legal, tax, political and administrative developments, including the effects of energy, trade and environmental policies and existing and future laws and government regulations;

•our ability to comply with federal, state and local regulatory requirements;

•the impact of repurchases, if any, of securities from time to time;

•our ability to maintain the health and safety of, as well as recruit and retain, qualified personnel necessary to operate our business;

•our ability to secure or generate sufficient electricity to produce our wells without limitations; and

•our belief that the outcome of any legal proceedings will not materially affect our financial results and operations.

These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various factors, including those set forth under "Part I, Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report, and under "Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors" and "Part II, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (the "2022 Annual Report") and those set forth from time to time in our other filings with the SEC. These documents are available through our website or through the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering and Analysis Retrieval system at https://www.sec.gov. In light of such risks and uncertainties, we caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report, or if earlier, as of the date they were made. We do not intend to, and disclaim any obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements unless required by securities law.

vi

Part I

Item 1.    Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Vital Energy, Inc.

Consolidated balance sheets

(in thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

	September 30, 2023		December 31, 2022
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	589,695	$	44,435
Accounts receivable, net	199,838		163,369
Derivatives	3,775		24,670
Other current assets	20,900		13,317
Total current assets	814,208		245,791
Property and equipment:
Oil and natural gas properties, full cost method:
Evaluated properties	10,512,608		9,554,706
Unevaluated properties not being depleted	199,490		46,430
Less: accumulated depletion and impairment	(7,616,830)		(7,318,399)
Oil and natural gas properties, net	3,095,268		2,282,737
Midstream and other fixed assets, net	129,115		127,803
Property and equipment, net	3,224,383		2,410,540
Derivatives	27,163		24,363
Operating lease right-of-use assets	116,634		23,047
Deferred income taxes	220,382		—
Other noncurrent assets, net	23,482		22,373
Total assets	$	4,426,252	$	2,726,114
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	106,376	$	102,516
Accrued capital expenditures	74,149		48,378
Undistributed revenue and royalties	165,027		160,023
Derivatives	106,767		5,960
Operating lease liabilities	47,399		15,449
Other current liabilities	71,984		82,950
Total current liabilities	571,702		415,276
Long-term debt, net	1,926,966		1,113,023
Derivatives	5,885		—
Asset retirement obligations	75,416		70,366
Operating lease liabilities	66,366		9,435
Other noncurrent liabilities	6,853		7,268
Total liabilities	2,653,188		1,615,368
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized and zero issued as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022	—		—
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized, and 21,751,758 and 16,762,127 issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively	218		168
Additional paid-in capital	3,002,709		2,754,085
Accumulated deficit	(1,229,863)		(1,643,507)
Total stockholders' equity	1,773,064		1,110,746
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	4,426,252	$	2,726,114

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

1

Vital Energy, Inc.

Consolidated statements of operations

(in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2023		2022		2023		2022
Revenues:
Oil sales	$	375,166	$	311,740	$	940,982	$	1,069,542
NGL sales	38,303		59,377		97,196		197,037
Natural gas sales	21,234		73,831		48,260		179,026
Sales of purchased oil	3		18,371		14,192		106,030
Other operating revenues	808		795		2,453		5,030
Total revenues	435,514		464,114		1,103,083		1,556,665
Costs and expenses:
Lease operating expenses	66,040		44,246		173,939		127,136
Production and ad valorem taxes	27,360		29,024		69,498		89,512
Oil transportation and marketing expenses	10,795		13,285		32,391		39,022
Gas gathering, processing and transportation expenses	371		—		371		—
Costs of purchased oil	101		18,772		14,856		108,516
General and administrative	28,641		11,857		73,053		50,800
Organizational restructuring expenses	—		10,420		—		10,420
Depletion, depreciation and amortization	120,499		74,928		310,618		226,555
Other operating expenses, net	1,703		2,616		4,538		6,973
Total costs and expenses	255,510		205,148		679,264		658,934
Gain on disposal of assets, net	149		4,282		540		4,952
Operating income	180,153		263,248		424,359		902,683
Non-operating income (expense):
Gain (loss) on derivatives, net	(135,321)		100,748		(132,875)		(290,995)
Interest expense	(39,305)		(30,967)		(99,388)		(96,251)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt, net	—		553		—		(245)
Other income, net	1,739		173		3,697		543
Total non-operating income (expense), net	(172,887)		70,507		(228,566)		(386,948)
Income before income taxes	7,266		333,755		195,793		515,735
Income tax benefit (expense):
Current	(464)		960		(2,298)		(4,771)
Deferred	(1,909)		2,808		220,149		2,324
Total income tax benefit (expense)	(2,373)		3,768		217,851		(2,447)
Net income	$	4,893	$	337,523	$	413,644	$	513,288
Net income per common share:
Basic	$	0.27	$	20.27	$	23.44	$	30.64
Diluted	$	0.26	$	20.08	$	23.32	$	30.26
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic	18,455		16,650		17,646		16,750
Diluted	18,569		16,809		17,740		16,963

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

2

Vital Energy, Inc.

Consolidated statements of stockholders' equity

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Common stock			Additional paid-in capital		Treasury stock (at cost)			Accumulated deficit
	Shares	Amount				Shares	Amount				Total
Balance, December 31, 2022	16,762	$	168	$	2,754,085	—	$	—	$	(1,643,507)	$	1,110,746
Restricted stock awards	315	3		(3)		—	—		—		—
Restricted stock forfeitures	(3)	—		—		—	—		—		—
Stock exchanged for tax withholding	—	—		—		49	(2,459)		—		(2,459)
Retirement of treasury stock	(49)	(1)		(2,458)		(49)	2,459		—		—
Share-settled equity-based compensation	—	—		3,141		—	—		—		3,141
Net income	—	—		—		—	—		113,940		113,940
Balance, March 31, 2023	17,025	170		2,754,765		—	—		(1,529,567)		1,225,368
Restricted stock awards	6	—		—		—	—		—		—
Restricted stock forfeitures	(9)	—		—		—	—		—		—
Stock exchanged for tax withholding	—	—		—		7	(385)		—		(385)
Retirement of treasury stock	(7)	—		(385)		(7)	385		—		—
Share-settled equity-based compensation	—	—		3,711		—	—		—		3,711
Equity issued for acquisition of oil and natural gas properties	1,579	16		80,052		—	—		—		80,068
Net income	—	—		—		—	—		294,811		294,811
Balance, June 30, 2023	18,594	186		2,838,143		—	—		(1,234,756)		1,603,573
Restricted stock awards	6	—		—		—	—		—		—
Restricted stock forfeitures	(7)	—		—		—	—		—		—
Stock exchanged for tax withholding	—	—		—		4	(212)		—		(212)
Retirement of treasury stock	(4)	—		(212)		(4)	212		—		—
Share-settled equity-based compensation	—	—		3,807		—	—		—		3,807
Issuance of common stock, net of costs	3,163	32		160,971		—	—		—		161,003
Net income	—	—		—		—	—		4,893		4,893
Balance, September 30, 2023	21,752	$	218	$	3,002,709	—	$	—	$	(1,229,863)	$	1,773,064

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

3

Vital Energy, Inc.

Consolidated statements of stockholders' equity

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Common stock			Additional paid-in capital		Treasury stock (at cost)			Accumulated deficit
	Shares	Amount				Shares	Amount				Total
Balance, December 31, 2021	17,075	$	171	$	2,788,628	—	$	—	$	(2,275,019)	$	513,780
Restricted stock awards	232	2		(2)		—	—		—		—
Restricted stock forfeitures	(4)	—		—		—	—		—		—
Stock exchanged for tax withholding	—	—		—		76	(5,847)		—		(5,847)
Retirement of treasury stock	(76)	(1)		(5,846)		(76)	5,847		—		—
Share-settled equity-based compensation	—	—		2,636		—	—		—		2,636
Performance share conversion	75	1		(1)		—	—		—		—
Net loss	—	—		—		—	—		(86,781)		(86,781)
Balance, March 31, 2022	17,302	173		2,785,415		—	—		(2,361,800)		423,788
Restricted stock awards	5	—		—		—	—		—		—
Restricted stock forfeitures	(3)	—		—		—	—		—		—
Share repurchases	—	—		—		85	(9,071)		—		(9,071)
Stock exchanged for tax withholding	—	—		—		7	(742)		—		(742)
Retirement of treasury stock	(92)	(1)		(9,812)		(92)	9,813		—		—
Share-settled equity-based compensation	—	—		2,935		—	—		—		2,935
Net income	—	—		—		—	—		262,546		262,546
Balance, June 30, 2022	17,212	172		2,778,538		—	—		(2,099,254)		679,456
Restricted stock awards	9	—		—		—	—		—		—
Restricted stock forfeitures	(50)	(1)		1		—	—		—		—
Share repurchases	—	—		—		245	(17,515)		—		(17,515)
Stock exchanged for tax withholding	—	—		—		11	(853)		—		(853)
Retirement of treasury stock	(256)	(2)		(18,366)		(256)	18,368		—		—
Share-settled equity-based compensation	—	—		2,059		—	—		—		2,059
Net income	—	—		—		—	—		337,523		337,523
Balance, September 30, 2022	16,915	$	169	$	2,762,232	—	$	—	$	(1,761,731)	$	1,000,670

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

4

Vital Energy, Inc.

Consolidated statements of cash flows

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Nine months ended September 30,
	2023		2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	413,644	$	513,288
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Share-settled equity-based compensation, net	8,402		6,295
Depletion, depreciation and amortization	310,618		226,555
Gain on disposal of assets, net	(540)		(4,952)
Mark-to-market on derivatives:
Loss on derivatives, net	132,875		290,995
Settlements paid for matured derivatives, net	(14,320)		(423,668)
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net	—		245
Deferred income tax benefit	(220,149)		(2,324)
Other, net	8,851		25,932
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	(38,807)		(11,069)
Other current assets	(9,589)		7,574
Other noncurrent assets, net	1,266		1,450
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	4,243		15,084
Undistributed revenue and royalties	199		131,356
Other current liabilities	(12,846)		(41,362)
Other noncurrent liabilities	(4,625)		(14,697)
Net cash provided by operating activities	579,222		720,702
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of oil and natural gas properties, net	(540,129)		(5,581)
Capital expenditures:
Oil and natural gas properties	(455,046)		(432,124)
Midstream and other fixed assets	(10,692)		(10,264)
Proceeds from dispositions of capital assets, net of selling costs	2,343		2,939
Settlements received for contingent consideration	2,082		1,555
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,001,442)		(443,475)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings on Senior Secured Credit Facility	630,000		335,000
Payments on Senior Secured Credit Facility	(700,000)		(400,000)
Issuance of senior unsecured notes	897,710		—
Extinguishment of debt	—		(182,319)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of offering costs	161,003		—
Share repurchases	—		(26,586)
Stock exchanged for tax withholding	(3,056)		(7,442)
Payments for debt issuance costs	(16,331)		(1,725)
Other, net	(1,846)		(1,012)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	967,480		(284,084)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	545,260		(6,857)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	44,435		56,798
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	589,695	$	49,941

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Unaudited)

Note 1—Organization and basis of presentation

Organization

Vital Energy, Inc. ("Vital" or the "Company"), together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, is an independent energy company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties in the Permian Basin of West Texas. The Company has identified one operating segment: exploration and production. In these notes, the "Company" refers to Vital and its subsidiaries collectively, unless the context indicates otherwise. All amounts, dollars and percentages presented in these unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes are rounded and, therefore, approximate.

Basis of presentation

The unaudited consolidated financial statements were derived from the historical accounting records of the Company and reflect the historical financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods described herein. The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. All material intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated in the consolidation of accounts.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements have not been audited by the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, except that the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 is derived from the Company's audited consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all necessary adjustments to present fairly the Company's interim financial position, results of operations and cash flows. All adjustments are of a recurring nature unless otherwise disclosed herein.

Certain disclosures have been condensed or omitted from the unaudited consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the 2022 Annual Report.

Significant accounting policies

There have been no material changes in the Company's significant accounting policies during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. See Note 2 in the 2022 Annual Report for discussion of significant accounting policies.

Use of estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although management believes these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ.

See Note 2 in the 2022 Annual Report for further information regarding the use of estimates and assumptions.

Note 2—New accounting standards

The Company considered the applicability and impact of all accounting standard updates ("ASU") issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to the Accounting Standards Codification and has determined there are no ASUs that are not yet adopted and meaningful to disclose as of September 30, 2023. Additionally, the Company did not adopt any new ASUs during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

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Note 3—Acquisitions and divestitures

2023 Acquisitions

Henry Acquisition

On September 13, 2023, the Company entered into a purchase and sale agreement (the “Henry PSA”) with Henry Resources, LLC, Henry Energy LP and Moriah Henry Partners LLC (collectively, “Henry”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to purchase (the “Henry Acquisition”) Henry’s oil and gas properties in the Midland and Delaware Basin, including approximately 15,900 net acres located in Midland, Reeves and Upton Counties, equity interests in certain subsidiaries and related assets and contracts, for consideration comprising (i) approximately 3.72 million shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), and (ii) approximately 4.98 million shares of the Company’s 2.0% Cumulative Mandatorily Convertible Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Preferred Stock"), each subject to purchase price adjustments and customary closing adjustments. Upon entering into the Henry PSA, the Company issued Preferred Stock as a deposit to be held in escrow until the closing of the Henry Acquisition, which shares may remain in escrow post-closing to satisfy potential title defect claims under the Henry PSA. See Note 5 for additional information. The Company expects the Henry Acquisition to close in the fourth quarter of 2023, subject to customary closing conditions.

Upon execution of the Henry PSA, the "tag-along" sales rights of certain parties unrelated to Henry (the "Third Parties") to sell their non-operated working interest in the oil and natural gas properties were triggered and Henry gave notice to such Third Parties (the "Potential Acquisitions"). The elections of such "tag-along" sales rights by the Third Parties are ongoing and therefore the terms of the Potential Acquisitions are still subject to negotiation and due diligence is still in process. The amount and mix of consideration to be received by the Third Parties (which may consist of cash, Common Stock and/or Preferred Stock) has not been determined yet. The number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to Henry may decrease to approximately 2.1 million shares, and the number of share of Preferred Stock to be issued to Henry may increase to approximately 6.6 million shares to reserve shares of Common Stock for the Potential Acquisitions. There can be no assurance that the Company will enter into purchase and sale agreements with any of the Third Parties. The Henry Acquisition and the Potential Acquisitions are not contingent on each other, and the Henry Acquisition is expected to be consummated regardless of whether or not the Company enters into purchase and sale agreements with any of the Third Parties.

The Company expects to account for the Henry Acquisition as a business combination and, accordingly, will estimate the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, while transaction costs associated with the acquisition will be expensed.

Maple Acquisition

On September 13, 2023, the Company entered into a purchase and sale agreement (the “Maple PSA”) with Maple Energy Holdings, LLC (“Maple”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to purchase (the “Maple Acquisition”) Maple’s oil and gas properties in the Delaware Basin, including approximately 15,500 net acres located in Reeves County and related assets and contracts, for consideration comprising approximately 3.58 million shares of Common Stock, subject to purchase price adjustments and customary closing adjustments. Upon entering into the Maple PSA, the Company issued Common Stock as a deposit to be held in escrow until closing of the Maple Acquisition, which shares will remain in escrow post-closing to satisfy potential indemnification claims arising under the Maple PSA during the 12-month period following the closing of the Maple Acquisition. See Note 5 for additional information. See Note 15 for discussion of the October 31, 2023 closing of the Maple Acquisition. The Company's analysis of the accounting treatment determination for the Maple Acquisition is ongoing and not yet complete.

Tall City Acquisition

On September 13, 2023, the Company entered into a purchase and sale agreement (the “Tall City PSA”) with Tall City Property Holdings III LLC and Tall City Operations III LLC (collectively, “Tall City”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to purchase (the “Tall City Acquisition” and, together with the Henry Acquisition and Maple Acquisition, the “Acquisitions”) Tall City’s oil and gas properties in the Delaware Basin, including approximately 21,450 net acres located in Reeves County and related assets and contracts, for consideration comprising (i) $300.0 million payable to Tall City in cash and (ii) approximately 2.27 million shares of Common Stock, each subject to purchase price adjustments and customary closing adjustments. Upon entering into the Tall City PSA, the Company issued Common Stock as a deposit to be held in escrow until closing of the Tall City Acquisition, which shares will remain in escrow to satisfy potential indemnification claims under the Tall City PSA. See

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Note 5 for additional information. The Company expects the Tall City Acquisition to close in the fourth quarter of 2023, subject to customary closing conditions. The Company's analysis of the accounting treatment determination for the Tall City Acquisition is ongoing and not yet complete.

Forge Acquisition

On June 30, 2023 ("Forge Closing Date"), the Company purchased certain oil and natural gas properties located in the Delaware Basin, including approximately 34,000 net acres in Pecos, Reeves and Ward Counties, and related assets and contracts, with an effective date of March 1, 2023 (the "Forge Acquisition") from Forge Energy II Delaware, LLC ("Forge").

The aggregate purchase price of $398.2 million consisted of (i) $391.6 million in cash, inclusive of customary closing price adjustments, subject to post-closing adjustments, and (ii) $6.6 million in transaction related expenses. The Forge Acquisition was accounted for as an asset acquisition, as substantially all the gross assets acquired are concentrated in a group of similar identifiable assets. Based on the relative fair values on the Forge Closing Date, the acquired assets and liabilities assumed were allocated as follows: i) $250.3 million to evaluated properties, ii) $149.8 million to unevaluated properties, iii) $4.1 million to equipment inventory, iii) $4.3 million to revenue suspense liabilities and iv) $1.7 million to asset retirement obligation liabilities.

Driftwood Acquisition

On April 3, 2023 ("Driftwood Closing Date"), the Company purchased certain oil and natural gas properties in the Midland Basin, including approximately 11,200 net acres located in Upton and Reagan Counties and related assets and contracts, inclusive of derivatives (the "Driftwood Assets") with an effective date of January 1, 2023 (the "Driftwood Acquisition") from Driftwood Energy Operating, LLC ("Driftwood").

The aggregate purchase price of $201.3 million consisted of (i) $117.0 million of cash, inclusive of post-closing adjustments, (ii) 1,578,948 shares of Common Stock based upon the share price as of the Driftwood Closing Date and (iii) $4.2 million in transaction related expenses. The Driftwood Acquisition was accounted for as an asset acquisition, as substantially all the gross assets acquired are concentrated in a group of similar identifiable assets. Based on the relative fair values on the Driftwood Closing Date, the acquired assets and liabilities assumed were allocated as follows: i) $148.4 million to evaluated properties, ii) $58.3 million to unevaluated properties, iii) $0.5 million to revenue suspense liabilities, iv) $4.2 million to derivative liabilities and v) $0.7 million to asset retirement obligation liabilities.

During the second quarter of 2023, in connection with the Driftwood Acquisition, the Company acquired additional interests in the Driftwood Assets through additional sellers that exercised their "tag-along" sales rights, for total cash consideration of $8.6 million, excluding customary purchase price adjustments. These acquisitions were accounted for as asset acquisitions.

2022 Divestiture

On August 16, 2022, the Company entered into a purchase and sale agreement with NOG, pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to NOG the Company's working interests in certain specified non-operated oil and gas properties (the "NOG Working Interest Sale").

On October 3, 2022, the Company closed the NOG Working Interest Sale for an aggregate sales price of $106.1 million, inclusive of post-closing adjustments.

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(Unaudited)

Note 4—Debt

Long-term debt, net

The following table presents the Company's long-term debt and unamortized debt issuance costs, discounts and premiums included in "Long-term debt, net" on the consolidated balance sheets as of the dates presented:

(in thousands)	September 30, 2023		December 31, 2022
January 2025 Notes	$	455,628	$	455,628
January 2028 Notes	700,309		300,309
July 2029 Notes	298,214		298,214
September 2030 Notes	500,000		—
Senior Secured Credit Facility(1)	—		70,000
Total long-term debt	1,954,151		1,124,151
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(24,895)		(11,128)
Unamortized discounts	(6,290)		—
Unamortized premiums	4,000		—
Total long-term debt, net	$	1,926,966	$	1,113,023

______________________________________________________________________________

(1)Unamortized debt issuance costs related to the Senior Secured Credit Facility of $5.1 million and $7.3 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, are included in "Other noncurrent assets, net" on the consolidated balance sheets.

Senior unsecured notes repurchases

The following table presents the Company's repurchases of its senior unsecured notes and the related gain or loss on extinguishment of debt during the periods presented:

(in thousands)	Three months ended September 30, 2022		Nine months ended September 30,2022
January 2025 Notes	$	48,449	$	48,449
January 2028 Notes	28,038		34,288
January 2029 Notes	76,010		101,786
Total principal amount repurchased	$	152,497	$	184,523
Less:
Consideration paid	$	149,986	$	182,320
Write off of debt issuance costs	1,958		2,448
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt, net(1)	$	553	$	(245)

______________________________________________________________________________

(1)Amounts are included in "Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt, net" on the consolidated statements of operations.

No senior unsecured notes were repurchased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Senior Secured Credit Facility

As of September 30, 2023, the Senior Secured Credit Facility, which matures on July 16, 2025 (subject to a springing maturity date of July 29, 2024 if any of the January 2025 Notes are outstanding on such date), had a maximum credit amount of $2.0 billion, a borrowing base and an aggregate elected commitment of $1.3 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively, with no balance outstanding. The Senior Secured Credit Facility contains both financial and non-financial covenants, all of which the Company was in compliance with for all periods presented. Additionally, the Senior Secured Credit Facility provides for the issuance of letters of credit, limited to the lesser of total capacity or $80.0 million. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had no letters of credit outstanding under the Senior Secured Credit Facility. For additional information see Note 7 in the 2022 Annual Report. See Note 15 for discussion of changes to the Senior Secured Credit Facility in connection with the closing of the Maple Acquisition subsequent to September 30, 2023.

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On September 13, 2023 (the "Eleventh Amendment Effective Date"), the Company entered into the Limited Consent and Eleventh Amendment to the Senior Secured Credit Facility (the "Eleventh Amendment"). The Eleventh Amendment, among other things, (i) provides for consent to the Acquisitions and (ii) upon consummation of at least one of the Acquisitions, further amends the Senior Secured Credit Facility to provide for increases to the borrowing base and revolving elected commitments (as so amended, the "Amended Senior Secured Credit Facility"). The Amended Senior Secured Credit Facility will mature on September 13, 2027, subject to a springing maturity date of July 19, 2024 if more than a certain amount of the Company's January 2025 Notes relative to the availability under the Amended Senior Secured Credit Facility are outstanding on such date. The Amended Senior Secured Credit Facility will have a maximum credit amount of $3.0 billion, a borrowing base of up to $1.5 billion (consisting of an initial borrowing base of $1.3 billion, which would increase by $75.0 million at the closing of the Henry Acquisition, $50.0 million at the closing of the Maple Acquisition and $75.0 million at the closing of the Tall City Acquisition) and an aggregate revolving elected commitment of up to $1.25 billion (consisting of an initial revolving elected commitment of $1.0 billion, which would increase by $150.0 million at the closing of the Henry Acquisition and $100.0 million at the closing of the Maple Acquisition) and a term loan commitment of $250.0 million (as such amount may be reduced by the proceeds of debt and equity on and after the Eleventh Amendment Effective Date), and such other term loan commitments as the Company and the applicable term loan lenders may agree from time to time in an aggregate amount not to exceed the lesser of (i) the excess of the borrowing base over the revolving elected commitments, in each case, then in effect and (ii) one-third of the sum of the total revolving commitments plus the aggregate term loan exposure then outstanding. The borrowing base will be subject to a semi-annual redetermination occurring by May 1 and November 1 of each year based on the lenders’ evaluation of the Company’s oil and gas reserves, beginning May 1, 2024.

2023 Issuance of Notes

January 2028 Notes

On January 24, 2020, the Company completed an offering and sale of $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 10.125% senior unsecured notes due 2028 (the "Original January 2028 Notes"). Interest for the Original January 2028 Notes is payable semi-annually, in cash in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year.

On September 18, 2023, the Company completed an offering and sale of $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of new 10.125% senior unsecured notes due 2028 (the "New January 2028 Notes" and, together with the Original January 2028 Notes, the "January 2028 Notes") as additional notes under, and subject to the terms of, the indenture governing the January 2028 Notes. The New January 2028 Notes were issued at 101.000% of par value, which resulted in a premium upon issuance of $4.0 million. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $396.7 million from the New January 2028 Notes, after issuance premiums and deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering costs.

September 2030 Notes

On September 18, 2023, the Company completed an offering and sale of $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 9.750% senior unsecured notes due 2030 (the "September 2030 Notes"). Interest for the September 2030 Notes is payable semi-annually, in cash in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing October 15, 2023 with interest from closing to that date. If the Henry PSA is terminated prior to the closing of the Henry Acquisition, or if the closing of the Henry Acquisition does not otherwise occur on or prior to January 11, 2024, the Company will redeem all of the September 2030 Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate issue price of the September 2030 Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. The September 2030 Notes were issued at 98.742% of par value, which resulted in a discount upon issuance of $6.3 million. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $484.7 million from the September 2030 Notes, after deducting issuance discounts, underwriting discounts and commissions and offering costs.

The terms of the Company's January 2028 Notes and September 2030 Notes include covenants, which are in addition to but different than similar covenants in the Senior Secured Credit Facility, which limit the Company's ability to incur indebtedness, make restricted payments, grant liens and dispose of assets. The January 2028 Notes and September 2030 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by Vital Midstream Services, LLC and certain of the Company's future restricted subsidiaries, subject to certain automatic customary releases, including the sale, disposition or transfer of all of the capital stock or of all or substantially all of the assets of a subsidiary guarantor to one or more persons that are not the Company or a restricted subsidiary, exercise of legal defeasance or covenant defeasance options or satisfaction and discharge

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of the applicable indenture, designation of a subsidiary guarantor as a non-guarantor restricted subsidiary or as an unrestricted subsidiary in accordance with the applicable indenture, release from guarantee under the Senior Secured Credit Facility, or liquidation or dissolution.

Note 5—Stockholders' equity

Equity offering

On September 19, 2023, the Company completed the sale of 2,750,000 shares of its common stock for net proceeds of $140.0 million, after underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses. On September 29, 2023, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase an additional 412,500 shares of common stock, which resulted in net proceeds to the Company of $21.0 million, after underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses.

Equity issued for acquisitions of oil and natural gas properties

On September 13, 2023, in connection with the signing of the Henry PSA, the Company issued 869,419 shares of Preferred Stock as a deposit to be held in escrow until closing of the Henry Acquisition, which shares may remain in escrow post-closing to satisfy potential title defect claims under the Henry PSA. Additionally, on September 13, 2023, in connection with the signing of the Maple PSA, the Company issued 357,500 shares of its common stock as a deposit to be held in escrow until closing of the Maple Acquisition, which shares will remain in escrow post-closing to satisfy potential indemnification claims arising under the Maple PSA during the 12-month period following the closing of the Maple Acquisition. Further, on September 13, 2023, in connection with the signing of the Tall City PSA, the Company issued 579,968 shares of its common stock as a deposit to be held in escrow until closing of the Tall City Acquisition, which shares will remain in escrow to satisfy potential indemnification claims under the Tall City PSA. During the escrow period, the issued shares of the Company's preferred stock and common stock held in escrow are not considered outstanding for accounting purposes as they are subject to recall and other conditions, and under the escrow agreements for the Henry Acquisition and Maple Acquisition, the Company retains certain rights, including voting and dividend rights, as applicable.

On April 3, 2023, in connection with the Driftwood Acquisition, the Company issued 1,578,948 shares of its common stock as part of the purchase price.

See Note 3 for additional information on the Henry Acquisition, the Maple Acquisition, the Tall City Acquisition and the Driftwood Acquisition. See Note 15 for discussion of the October 31, 2023 closing of the Maple Acquisition.

Authorized shares increase

On May 26, 2022, upon recommendation of the Company's board of directors, stockholders approved an amendment to the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of its common stock from 22,500,000 shares to 40,000,000 shares.

Share repurchase program

On May 31, 2022, the Company's board of directors authorized a $200.0 million share repurchase program. The repurchase program commenced in May 2022 and expires in May 2024. Share repurchases under the program may be made through a variety of methods, which may include open market purchases, including under plans complying with Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act, and privately negotiated transactions. The timing and actual number of share repurchases will depend upon several factors, including market conditions, business conditions, the trading price of the Company's common stock and the nature of other investment opportunities available to the Company.

The following table presents the Company's open market repurchases of its common stock during the periods presented:

(in thousands, except for share and share price data)	Three months ended September 30, 2022		Nine months ended September 30, 2022
Shares of Company common stock repurchased	244,687		329,848
Average share price(1)	$	71.58	$	80.60
Total	$	17,515	$	26,586

___________________________________________________________________________

(1)Average share price includes any commissions paid to repurchase stock.

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All shares were retired upon repurchase. No shares were repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. As of September 30, 2023, approximately $162.7 million remained available for future repurchases under the share repurchase program.

Note 6—Equity Incentive Plan

The Vital Energy, Inc. Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the "Equity Incentive Plan") provides for the granting of incentive awards in the form of restricted stock awards, stock option awards, performance share awards, performance unit awards, phantom unit awards and other awards. The Equity Incentive Plan allows for the issuance of up to 2,432,500 shares.

See Note 9 in the 2022 Annual Report for additional discussion of the Company's equity-based compensation awards.

The following table presents activity for equity-based compensation awards for the nine months ended September 30, 2023:

	Equity Awards			Liability Awards
(in thousands)	Restricted Stock Awards	Stock Option Awards	Performance Share Awards	Performance Unit Awards(1)(2)	Phantom Unit Awards(3)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2022	362	3	48	150	18
Granted	327	—	—	75	—
Forfeited	(19)	—	—	—	—
Vested	(176)	—	—	(67)	(16)
Expired or canceled	—	(1)	—	—	—
Outstanding as of September 30, 2023	494	2	48	158	2

_____________________________________________________________________________

(1)The performance unit awards granted on March 5, 2020 had a performance period of January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022 and, as their market and performance criteria were satisfied, resulted in a 151% payout, or 101,368 units. As such, the granted awards vested and were paid out in cash on March 3, 2023 at $57.06 based on the Company's closing stock price on the vesting date.

(2)On February 15, 2023, the Company granted performance unit awards with a performance period of January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025. The market criteria consists of: (i) annual relative total shareholder return comparing the Company's shareholder return to the shareholder return of the exploration and production companies listed in the Russel 2000 Index and (ii) annual absolute shareholder return. The performance criteria for these awards consists of: (i) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and exploration expense and three-year total debt reduction, (ii) growth in inventory and (iii) emissions reductions. Any units earned are expected to be paid in cash during the first quarter following the completion of the requisite service period, based on the achievement of market and performance criteria, and the payout can range from 0% to 225%.

(3)On March 1, 2023 and March 3, 2023, granted phantom unit awards vested and were paid out in cash at $52.56 and $57.06, respectively, based on the Company's closing stock price on the vesting date.

As of September 30, 2023, total unrecognized cost related to equity-based compensation awards was $27.0 million, of which $4.9 million was attributable to liability awards which will be settled in cash rather than shares. Such cost will be recognized on a straight-line basis over an expected weighted-average period of 1.92 years.

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Equity-based compensation

The following table reflects equity-based compensation expense for the periods presented:

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2023		2022		2023		2022
Equity awards:
Restricted stock awards	$	3,272	$	1,818	$	9,311	$	6,428
Performance share awards	535		241		1,348		1,202
Total share-settled equity-based compensation, gross	3,807		2,059		10,659		7,630
Less amounts capitalized	(870)		(421)		(2,257)		(1,335)
Total share-settled equity-based compensation, net	2,937		1,638		8,402		6,295
Liability awards:
Performance unit awards	2,479		(4,311)		4,069		1,595
Phantom unit awards	28		199		263		1,078
Total cash-settled equity-based compensation, gross	2,507		(4,112)		4,332		2,673
Less amounts capitalized	—		(45)		(50)		(247)
Total cash-settled equity-based compensation, net	2,507		(4,157)		4,282		2,426
Total equity-based compensation, net	$	5,444	$	(2,519)	$	12,684	$	8,721

Note 7—Net income per common share

Basic and diluted net income per common share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per common share reflects the potential dilution of non-vested equity-based compensation awards. See Note 9 in the 2022 Annual Report for additional discussion of these awards.

The following table reflects the calculations of basic and diluted (i) weighted-average common shares outstanding and (ii) net income per common share for the periods presented:

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands, except for per share data)	2023		2022		2023		2022
Net income	$	4,893	$	337,523	$	413,644	$	513,288
Weighted-average common shares outstanding(1):
Basic	18,455		16,650		17,646		16,750
Dilutive non-vested restricted stock awards	112		159		93		197
Dilutive non-vested performance share awards(2)	2		—		1		16
Diluted	18,569		16,809		17,740		16,963
Net income per common share:
Basic	$	0.27	$	20.27	$	23.44	$	30.64
Diluted	$	0.26	$	20.08	$	23.32	$	30.26

_____________________________________________________________________________

(1)Weighted-average common shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 does not include shares of Preferred Stock and common stock issued into escrow accounts in connection with the Acquisitions. See Notes 3 and 5 for additional information.

(2)The dilutive effect of the non-vested performance shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2023 were calculated assuming each respective performance period ended on September 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.

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Note 8—Derivatives

The Company has two types of derivative instruments as of September 30, 2023: (i) commodity derivatives and (ii) a contingent consideration derivative. In previous periods, the Company also engaged in an interest rate swap derivative, which concluded during the second quarter of 2022. See Note 9 for discussion of fair value measurement of derivatives on a recurring basis and Note 15 for discussion of derivatives subsequent events. The Company's derivatives were not designated as hedges for accounting purposes, and the Company does not enter into such instruments for speculative trading purposes. Accordingly, the changes in derivative fair values are recognized in "Gain (loss) on derivatives, net" under "Non-operating income (expense)" on the consolidated statements of operations.

The following table summarizes components of the Company's gain (loss) on derivatives, net by type of derivative instrument for the periods presented:

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2023		2022		2023		2022
Commodity	$	(138,946)	$	110,356	$	(137,554)	$	(285,715)
Contingent consideration	3,625		(9,608)		4,679		(5,294)
Interest rate	—		—		—		14
Gain (loss) on derivatives, net	$	(135,321)	$	100,748	$	(132,875)	$	(290,995)

Commodity

Due to the inherent volatility in oil, NGL and natural gas prices and the sometimes wide pricing differentials between where the Company produces and where the Company sells such commodities, the Company engages in commodity derivative transactions, such as puts, swaps, collars and basis swaps, to hedge price risk associated with a portion of the Company's anticipated sales volumes. By removing a portion of the price volatility associated with future sales volumes, the Company expects to mitigate, but not eliminate, the potential effects of variability in cash flows from operations. See Note 11 in the 2022 Annual Report for discussion of transaction types and settlement indexes. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company’s derivatives were settled based on reported prices on commodity exchanges, with oil derivatives settled based on WTI NYMEX, Argus WTI Midland and Argus WTI Formula Basis pricing and natural gas derivatives settled based on Henry Hub NYMEX and Waha Inside FERC pricing.

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Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Unaudited)

The following table summarizes open commodity derivative positions as of September 30, 2023, for commodity derivatives that were entered into through September 30, 2023, for the settlement periods presented:

	Remaining Year 2023		Year 2024		Year 2025
Oil:
WTI NYMEX - Swaps:
Volume (Bbl)	2,760,000		14,809,950		2,902,000
Weighted-average price ($/Bbl)	$	75.82	$	75.08	$	75.54
WTI NYMEX - Collars:
Volume (Bbl)	890,550		—		—
Weighted-average floor price ($/Bbl)	$	69.60	$	—	$	—
Weighted-average ceiling price ($/Bbl)	$	87.04	$	—	$	—
WTI NYMEX - Three-way Collars:
Volume (Bbl)	91,550		217,350		—
Weighted-average sold put price ($/Bbl)	$	45.50	$	50.00	$	—
Weighted-average floor price ($/Bbl)	$	57.64	$	66.51	$	—
Weighted-average ceiling price ($/Bbl)	$	74.25	$	87.09	$	—
Argus WTI Midland to Argus WTI Formula Basis - Basis Swaps:
Volume (Bbl)	154,100		293,300		—
Weighted-average differential ($/Bbl)	$	0.17	$	0.11	$	—
Natural gas:
Henry Hub NYMEX - Swaps:
Volume (MMBtu)	38,000		26,075,700		—
Weighted-average price ($/MMBtu)	$	2.46	$	3.47	$	—
Henry Hub NYMEX - Collars:
Volume (MMBtu)	6,826,534		776,292		—
Weighted-average floor price ($/MMBtu)	$	4.11	$	3.40	$	—
Weighted-average ceiling price ($/MMBtu)	$	8.34	$	6.11	$	—
Henry Hub NYMEX - Three-way Collars:
Volume (MMBtu)	33,500		—		—
Weighted-average sold put price ($/MMBtu)	$	2.00	$	—	$	—
Weighted-average floor price ($/MMBtu)	$	2.50	$	—	$	—
Weighted-average ceiling price ($/MMBtu)	$	3.01	$	—	$	—
Waha Inside FERC to Henry Hub NYMEX - Basis Swaps:
Volume (MMBtu)	10,578,034		26,851,992		—
Weighted-average differential ($/MMBtu)	$	(1.53)	$	(0.74)	$	—

Contingent consideration

On May 7, 2021, the Company entered into a purchase and sale agreement (the "Sixth Street PSA"), to sell 37.5% of the Company's working interest in certain producing wellbores and the related properties primarily located within Glasscock and Reagan Counties, Texas. The Sixth Street PSA provides for potential contingent payments to be paid to the Company if certain cash flow targets are met related to divested oil and natural gas property operations (the "Sixth Street Contingent Consideration"). The Sixth Street Contingent Consideration provides the Company with the right to receive up to a maximum of $93.7 million in additional cash consideration, comprised of potential quarterly payments through June 2027 totaling up to $38.7 million and a potential balloon payment of $55.0 million in June 2027. As of September 30, 2023, the maximum remaining additional cash consideration of the contingent consideration was $85.4 million. The fair value of the Sixth Street Contingent Consideration was $29.8 million as of September 30, 2023 and $26.6 million as of December 31, 2022.

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Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Unaudited)

Note 9—Fair value measurements

See the beginning of Note 12 in the 2022 Annual Report for information about the fair value hierarchy levels.

Fair value measurement on a recurring basis

See Note 8 for further discussion of the Company's derivatives.

Balance sheet presentation

The following tables present the Company's derivatives by (i) balance sheet classification, (ii) derivative type and (iii) fair value hierarchy level, and provide a total, on a gross basis and a net basis reflected in "Derivatives" on the consolidated balance sheets as of the dates presented:

	September 30, 2023
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total gross fair value		Amounts offset		Net fair value presented on the consolidated balance sheets
Assets:
Current:
Commodity	$	—	$	12,208	$	—	$	12,208	$	(11,165)	$	1,043
Contingent consideration	—		—		2,732		2,732		—		2,732
Noncurrent:
Commodity	—		(38)		—		(38)		116		78
Contingent consideration	—		—		27,085		27,085		—		27,085
Liabilities:
Current:
Commodity	—		(117,932)		—		(117,932)		11,165		(106,767)
Noncurrent:
Commodity	—		(5,769)		—		(5,769)		(116)		(5,885)
Net derivative liability positions	$	—	$	(111,531)	$	29,817	$	(81,714)	$	—	$	(81,714)

	December 31, 2022
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total gross fair value		Amounts offset		Net fair value presented on the consolidated balance sheets
Assets:
Current:
Commodity	$	—	$	35,586	$	—	$	35,586	$	(13,193)	$	22,393
Contingent consideration	—		—		2,277		2,277		—		2,277
Noncurrent:
Contingent consideration	—		—		24,363		24,363		—		24,363
Liabilities:
Current:
Commodity	—		(19,153)		—		(19,153)		13,193		(5,960)
Net derivative asset positions	$	—	$	16,433	$	26,640	$	43,073	$	—	$	43,073

See Note 12 in the 2022 Annual Report for discussion of the significant Level 2 inputs used in the fair value mark-to-market analysis of commodity, interest rate and contingent consideration derivatives. The Company reviewed the third-party specialist's valuations of commodity, interest rate and contingent consideration derivatives, including the related inputs, and analyzed changes in fair values between reporting dates.

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Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Unaudited)

The Sixth Street Contingent Consideration associated with the Working Interest Sale was categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, as the Company utilized its own cash flow projections along with a risk-adjusted discount rate generated by a third-party valuation specialist to determine the valuation. The Company reviewed the third-party specialist's valuation, including the related inputs, and analyzed changes in fair values between the divestiture closing date and the reporting dates. The fair value of the Sixth Street Contingent Consideration was recorded as part of the basis in the oil and natural gas properties divested and as a contingent consideration asset. At each quarterly reporting period, the Company remeasures contingent consideration with the change in fair values recognized in "Gain (loss) on derivatives, net" under "Non-operating income (expense)" on the consolidated statement of operations.

The following table summarizes the changes in contingent consideration derivatives classified as Level 3 measurements for the periods presented:

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2023		2022		2023		2022
Balance of Level 3 at beginning of period	$	26,239	$	38,620	$	26,640	$	35,861
Change in Sixth Street Contingent Consideration fair value	3,625		(9,608)		4,679		(5,294)
Settlements realized(1)	(47)		(322)		(1,502)		(1,877)
Balance of Level 3 at end of period	$	29,817	$	28,690	$	29,817	$	28,690

_____________________________________________________________________________

(1)For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the settlements are included in "Settlements received for contingent consideration" in cash flows from investing activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Items not accounted for at fair value

The carrying amounts reported on the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued capital expenditures, undistributed revenue and royalties and other accrued assets and liabilities approximate their fair values.

The Company has not elected to account for its debt instruments at fair value. The following table presents the carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's debt as of the dates presented:

	September 30, 2023				December 31, 2022
(in thousands)	Carrying amount		Fair value(1)		Carrying amount		Fair value(1)
January 2025 Notes	$	455,628	$	459,350	$	455,628	$	449,122
January 2028 Notes	700,309		713,188		300,309		292,846
July 2029 Notes	298,214		277,414		298,214		268,416
September 2030 Notes	500,000		511,020		—		—
Senior Secured Credit Facility	—		—		70,000		69,945
Total	$	1,954,151	$	1,960,972	$	1,124,151	$	1,080,329

______________________________________________________________________________

(1)The fair values of the outstanding notes were determined using the Level 2 fair value hierarchy quoted market prices for each respective instrument as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. The fair values of the outstanding debt under the Senior Secured Credit Facility was estimated utilizing the Level 2 fair value hierarchy pricing model for similar instruments as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Note 10—Commitments and contingencies

From time to time, the Company is subject to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, including those that arise from interpretation of federal, state and local laws and regulations affecting the oil and natural gas industry, personal injury claims, title disputes, royalty disputes, contract claims, contamination claims relating to oil and natural gas exploration and development and environmental claims, including claims involving assets previously sold to third parties and no longer part of the Company's current operations. The Company may not have insurance coverage for some of these proceedings and failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations can result in substantial penalties. While many of these matters involve inherent uncertainty, as of the date hereof, the Company believes that any such legal proceedings, if

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Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Unaudited)

ultimately decided adversely, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

The Company has committed to deliver, for sale or transportation, fixed volumes of product under certain contractual arrangements that specify the delivery of a fixed and determinable quantity. If not fulfilled, the Company is subject to firm transportation payments on excess pipeline capacity and other contractual penalties. These commitments are normal and customary for the Company's business. In certain instances, the Company has used spot market purchases to meet its commitments in certain locations or due to favorable pricing. A portion of the Company's commitments are related to transportation commitments with a certain pipeline pertaining to the gathering of the Company's production from established acreage that extends into 2024. The Company was unable to satisfy a portion of this particular commitment with produced or purchased oil, therefore, the Company expensed firm transportation payments on excess capacity of $6.5 million and $7.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which are recorded in "Oil transportation and marketing expenses" on the consolidated statements of operations. The Company had an estimated aggregate liability of firm transportation payments on excess capacity of $10.4 million and $11.5 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, which is included in "Accounts payable and accrued liabilities" on the consolidated balance sheets. As of September 30, 2023, future firm sale and transportation commitments of $129.1 million are expected to be satisfied and, as such, are not recorded as a liability on the consolidated balance sheet.

Note 11—Supplemental cash flow and non-cash information

The following table presents supplemental cash flow and non-cash information for the periods presented:

	Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2023		2022
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, net of $1,827 and $3,265 of capitalized interest, respectively	$	109,795	$	130,082
Supplemental non-cash operating information:
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities(1)	$	125,940	$	34,532
Supplemental non-cash investing information:
Change in accrued capital expenditures	$	25,771	$	5,144
Equity issued for acquisition of oil and natural gas properties(2)	$	80,068	$	—
Liabilities assumed in acquisitions of oil and natural gas properties(2)	$	11,411	$	—

_____________________________________________________________________________

(1)See Notes 5 and 18 in the 2022 Annual Report for additional discussion of the Company's leases.

(2)See Note 3 for additional discussion of the Company's acquisitions.

Note 12—Income taxes

As of September 30, 2023, the Company’s deferred tax assets were primarily the result of U.S. net operating loss carryforwards. A valuation allowance of $298.2 million was recorded against the gross deferred tax asset balance as of December 31, 2022, on the basis of management’s assessment that its deferred tax assets did not meet the standard for recognition. As of each reporting date, the Company considers new evidence, both positive and negative, that could affect its view of the future realization of deferred tax assets. As of June 30, 2023, the Company determined that there was sufficient positive evidence to conclude that it is more likely than not its federal deferred tax assets are realizable. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded $220.4 million of discrete tax benefit, which is primarily attributable to the release of the valuation allowance. The balance of the valuation allowance reversal is reflected as part of the Company's estimated annualized effective tax rate with respect to current year projected earnings. The Company believes that it is more-likely-than-not that its Oklahoma deferred tax assets are not realizable and continues to maintain a full valuation allowance recorded against these deferred tax assets.

As of September 30, 2023, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards totaling $1.1 billion, $712.1 million of which will begin to expire in 2035 and $366.8 million of which will not expire but may be limited in future periods, and state of Oklahoma net operating loss carryforwards totaling $34.4 million that will begin to expire in 2032. If the Company were to experience an "ownership change" as determined under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Company's ability to

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Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Unaudited)

offset taxable income arising after the ownership change with net operating losses arising prior to the ownership change could be significantly limited. Based on information available as of September 30, 2023, no such ownership change has occurred. The Company has signed purchase and sale agreements for acquisitions that have closed or are expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2023, which may result in an ownership change and limit its ability to utilize tax attributes in subsequent years. For income tax purposes, these acquisitions will be treated as asset purchases such that the tax basis in the assets and liabilities will generally reflect the allocated fair value at closing. Therefore, the Company does not anticipate recording any deferred income taxes as part of the purchase consideration with respect to these acquisitions. See Note 3 for additional information regarding the Company's acquisitions.

Note 13—Related parties

Halliburton

The Chairman of the Company's board of directors is on the board of directors of Halliburton Company ("Halliburton"). Halliburton provides drilling and completions services to the Company. The Company has entered into a lease agreement with Halliburton, which became effective during the first quarter of 2023 and extends through 2025, to provide an electric fracture stimulation crew and the related services. Under the agreement, the Company had a lease liability of $66.5 million as of September 30, 2023 which is included in both current and noncurrent "Operating lease liabilities" on the consolidated balance sheets. Services provided under the lease agreement do not differ substantially from historical services provided by Halliburton, which were previously not subject to a long-term agreement. Payments to Halliburton are included in capital expenditures for oil and natural gas properties in cash flows from investing activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows.

The following table presents the capital expenditures for oil and natural gas properties paid to Halliburton included in the consolidated statements of cash flows for the periods presented:

	Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2023		2022
Capital expenditures for oil and natural gas properties	$	91,751	$	78,749

Note 14—Organizational restructurings

On August 24, 2022, the Company announced the departure of the Company's Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. In connection with the departure, the Company incurred one-time charges for certain payments and benefits of $10.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2022. These charges were recorded as "Organizational restructuring expenses" on the consolidated statements of operations. All equity-based compensation awards held by the Company's Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer were forfeited and the corresponding equity-based compensation totaling $4.9 million previously recorded was reversed in "General and administrative" on the consolidated statements of operations during the three months ended September 30, 2022.

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Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements

(Unaudited)

Note 15—Subsequent events

Maple Acquisition

On October 31, 2023, the Company closed the Maple Acquisition and issued 3,012,997 shares of its common stock, which, in addition to the 357,500 previously issued escrow shares, constituted the purchase price, inclusive of customary closing adjustments. See Notes 3 and 5 for additional discussion of the Maple Acquisition.

Senior Secured Credit Facility

On October 31, 2023, in connection with, and upon closing of the Maple Acquisition, the Senior Secured Credit Facility was further amended under the Eleventh Amendment. As of October 31, 2023, the Amended Senior Secured Credit Facility, which matures on September 13, 2027, subject to a springing maturity date of July 19, 2024 if more than a certain amount of the Company's January 2025 Notes relative to the availability under the Amended Senior Secured Credit Facility are outstanding on such date, had a borrowing base of $1.35 billion and an aggregate elected commitment of $1.1 billion. See Note 4 for additional discussion of the Company's Amended Senior Secured Credit Facility.

Commodity derivatives

The following table summarizes the Company's open oil derivative positions as of September 30, 2023, updated for the derivative transactions entered into from September 30, 2023 through November 2, 2023, for the settlement periods presented:

	Remaining Year 2023		Year 2024		Year 2025
Oil:
WTI NYMEX - Swaps:
Volume (Bbl)	2,760,000		18,103,950		3,445,000
Weighted-average price ($/Bbl)	$	75.82	$	75.36	$	75.52
WTI NYMEX - Collars:
Volume (Bbl)	890,550		—		—
Weighted-average floor price ($/Bbl)	$	69.60	$	—	$	—
Weighted-average ceiling price ($/Bbl)	$	87.04	$	—	$	—
WTI NYMEX - Three-way Collars:
Volume (Bbl)	91,550		217,350		—
Weighted-average sold put price ($/Bbl)	$	45.50	$	50.00	$	—
Weighted-average floor price ($/Bbl)	$	57.64	$	66.51	$	—
Weighted-average ceiling price ($/Bbl)	$	74.25	$	87.09	$	—
Argus WTI Midland to Argus WTI Formula Basis - Basis Swaps:
Volume (Bbl)	154,100		293,300		—
Weighted-average differential ($/Bbl)	$	0.17	$	0.11	$	—

See Note 8 for additional discussion regarding the Company's derivatives. There has been no other derivative activity subsequent to September 30, 2023.

20

Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and condensed notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report as well as our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2022 Annual Report. The following discussion contains "forward-looking statements" that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. We caution that assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions or beliefs about future events may, and often do, vary from actual results and the differences can be material. Please see "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors." Except for purposes of the unaudited consolidated financial statements and condensed notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report, references in this Quarterly Report to "Vital," "we," "us," "our" or similar terms refer to Vital and its subsidiaries, collectively, unless the context otherwise indicates or requires. Unless otherwise specified, references to "average sales price" refer to average sales price excluding the effects of our derivative transactions. All amounts, dollars and percentages presented in this Quarterly Report are rounded and therefore approximate.

Executive overview

We are an independent energy company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties in the Permian Basin of West Texas. The oil and liquids-rich Permian Basin is characterized by multiple target horizons, extensive production histories, long-lived reserves, high drilling success rates and high initial production rates. We have grown primarily through our drilling program, coupled with select strategic acquisitions. As of September 30, 2023, we had assembled 197,917 net acres in the Permian Basin.

We signed purchase and sale agreements for the Acquisitions during the third quarter of 2023, which will add an approximate combined 53,000 net acres and 150 gross high value locations. The Maple Acquisition closed on October 31, 2023 and we expect to close both the Henry Acquisition and Tall City Acquisition in early November 2023. Additionally, we issued (i) an aggregate $900.0 million of senior unsecured notes for net proceeds of $881.4 million and (ii) 3,162,500 shares of our common stock for net proceeds of $161.0 million. See Notes 3, 4 and 5 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for additional discussion.

As of September 30, 2023, we were operating three drilling rigs and one completions crew. We utilized a second completions crew during a portion of third-quarter 2023, and expect to utilize a fourth drilling rig and a second completions crew starting in mid fourth-quarter 2023 to optimize drilling and completion activities in the Midland and Delaware basins. Our planned capital expenditures for full-year 2023 are expected to be between $670.0 million and $685.0 million. However, we will continue to monitor commodity prices and service costs and adjust activity levels in order to proactively manage our cash flows and preserve liquidity. Below is a summary and comparative analysis of our financial and operating performance for the periods presented:

	Three months ended September 30,				2023 compared to 2022
(in thousands)	2023		2022		Change (#)		Change (%)
Oil sales volumes (MBbl)	4,507		3,219		1,288		40	%
Oil equivalent sales volumes (MBOE)	9,361		7,324		2,037		28	%
Oil, NGL and natural gas sales(1)	$	434,703	$	444,948	$	(10,245)	(2)	%
Net income	$	4,893	$	337,523	$	(332,630)	(99)	%
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	214,209	$	182,615	$	31,594	17	%

_____________________________________________________________________________

(1)Our oil, NGL and natural gas sales decreased primarily as a result of a 24% decrease in average sales price per BOE, partially offset by a 28% increase in sales volumes.

21

	Nine months ended September 30,				2023 compared to 2022
(in thousands)	2023		2022		Change (#)		Change (%)
Oil sales volumes (MBbl)	12,011		10,536		1,475		14	%
Oil equivalent sales volumes (MBOE)	24,791		22,905		1,886		8	%
Oil, NGL and natural gas sales(1)	$	1,086,438	$	1,445,605	$	(359,167)	(25)	%
Net income(2)	$	413,644	$	513,288	$	(99,644)	(19)	%
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	579,222	$	720,702	$	(141,480)	(20)	%

_____________________________________________________________________________

(1)Our oil, NGL and natural gas sales decreased primarily as a result of a 31% decrease in average sales price per BOE.

(2)Our net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 includes a non-cash deferred income tax benefit of $220.4 million in connection with the release of our valuation allowance in the second quarter of 2023.

Recent developments

Inflation and interest rates considerations

Drilling and completions costs and costs of oilfield services, equipment and materials are moderating but continue to persist at elevated levels in the third quarter of 2023 in conjunction with labor tightening, lingering supply chain disruptions and the resulting limited availability of certain materials and products manufactured using such materials and heightened levels of inflation. In addition to the effect of such inflationary pressures on our operating and capital costs, higher interest rates have increased our borrowing costs on debt under our Senior Secured Credit Facility and may limit our ability to access debt capital markets. Additional increases in interest rates have the potential to increase our costs of borrowing even more. We remain committed to our ongoing efforts to increase the efficiency of our operations and improve costs, which may, in part, offset cost increases from inflation and reduce our borrowing needs.

See Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for discussion of recent developments that have occurred subsequent to September 30, 2023.

Pricing and reserves

Commodity prices have historically been volatile. While general economic concerns continue to place some downward pressure on commodity prices, worldwide commodity demand continues to rise. Although supply has increased, it has been constrained and pricing has been affected, in part, by the impact of the world political and economic environment. Any of the above factors could change or reverse, and global commodity and financial markets remain subject to heightened levels of uncertainty and volatility.

Our results of operations are heavily influenced by oil, NGL and natural gas prices. We maintain an active commodity derivatives strategy to minimize commodity price volatility and support cash flows for operations. We have entered into a number of commodity derivative contracts that have enabled us to offset a portion of the changes in our cash flow caused by fluctuations in price and basis differentials for our sales of oil, NGL and natural gas, as discussed in "Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk." See Notes 8, 9 and 15 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for additional discussion of our commodity derivatives. Notwithstanding our derivatives strategy, a collapse in commodity prices may affect the economic viability of, and our ability to fund, our drilling projects, as well as the economic recovery of oil, NGL and natural gas reserves. See "Critical accounting estimates" in "Part II, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of the 2022 Annual Report for further discussion of our oil, NGL and natural gas reserve quantities and standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows.

Our reserves are reported in three streams: oil, NGL and natural gas. The Realized Prices, which are utilized to value our proved reserves and calculated using the average first-day-of-the-month prices for each month within the 12-month period prior to the end of the reporting period, adjusted for factors affecting price received at the delivery point, as of September 30, 2023 were $80.37 for oil, $15.57 for NGL and $1.53 for natural gas. The unamortized cost of evaluated oil and natural gas properties being depleted did not exceed the full cost ceiling as of September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022. As such, no full cost ceiling impairments were recorded during the nine months ending September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022. Oil prices have declined from mid-2022 levels; however, even with this decline, if oil prices remain at current levels, we do not

22

anticipate recording full cost ceiling impairments for the foreseeable future. See Notes 2 and 6 in our 2022 Annual Report for discussion of the full cost method of accounting and our Realized Prices.

Results of operations

Revenues

Sources of our revenue

Our revenues are primarily derived from the sale of produced oil, NGL and natural gas and the sale of purchased oil, all within the continental U.S. and do not include the effects of derivatives. See Note 2 in our 2022 Annual Report for additional information regarding our revenue recognition policies.

The following tables present our sources of revenue as a percentage of total revenues for the periods presented and the corresponding changes for such periods:

	Three months ended September 30,				2023 compared to 2022
	2023		2022		Change (#)		Change (%)
Oil sales	86	%	67	%	19	%	28	%
NGL sales	9	%	13	%	(4)	%	(31)	%
Natural gas sales	5	%	16	%	(11)	%	(69)	%
Sales of purchased oil	—	%	4	%	(4)	%	(100)	%
Other operating revenues	—	%	—	%	—	%	—	%
Total	100	%	100	%

	Nine months ended September 30,				2023 compared to 2022
	2023		2022		Change (#)		Change (%)
Oil sales	86	%	69	%	17	%	25	%
NGL sales	9	%	13	%	(4)	%	(31)	%
Natural gas sales	4	%	11	%	(7)	%	(64)	%
Sales of purchased oil	1	%	7	%	(6)	%	(86)	%
Other operating revenues	—	%	—	%	—	%	—	%
Total	100	%	100	%

23

Oil, NGL and natural gas sales volumes, revenues and prices

The following tables present information regarding our oil, NGL and natural gas sales volumes, sales revenues and average sales prices for the periods presented and the corresponding changes for such periods:

	Three months ended September 30,				2023 compared to 2022
	2023		2022		Change (#)		Change (%)
Sales volumes:
Oil (MBbl)	4,507		3,219		1,288		40	%
NGL (MBbl)	2,421		2,034		387		19	%
Natural gas (MMcf)	14,593		12,430		2,163		17	%
Oil equivalent (MBOE)(1)(2)	9,361		7,324		2,037		28	%
Average daily oil equivalent sales volumes (BOE/d)(2)	101,746		79,613		22,133		28	%
Average daily oil sales volumes (Bbl/d)(2)	48,996		34,994		14,002		40	%
Sales revenues (in thousands):
Oil	$	375,166	$	311,740	$	63,426	20	%
NGL	38,303		59,377		(21,074)		(35)	%
Natural gas	21,234		73,831		(52,597)		(71)	%
Total oil, NGL and natural gas sales revenues	$	434,703	$	444,948	$	(10,245)	(2)	%
Average sales prices(2):
Oil ($/Bbl)(3)	$	83.23	$	96.83	$	(13.60)	(14)	%
NGL ($/Bbl)(3)	$	15.82	$	29.20	$	(13.38)	(46)	%
Natural gas ($/Mcf)(3)	$	1.46	$	5.94	$	(4.48)	(75)	%
Average sales price ($/BOE)(3)	$	46.44	$	60.75	$	(14.31)	(24)	%
Oil, with commodity derivatives ($/Bbl)(4)	$	78.62	$	71.09	$	7.53	11	%
NGL, with commodity derivatives ($/Bbl)(4)	$	15.82	$	24.47	$	(8.65)	(35)	%
Natural gas, with commodity derivatives ($/Mcf)(4)	$	1.32	$	3.35	$	(2.03)	(61)	%
Average sales price, with commodity derivatives ($/BOE)(4)	$	44.01	$	43.74	$	0.27	1	%

__________________________________________________________________________

(1)BOE is calculated using a conversion rate of six Mcf per one Bbl.

(2)The numbers presented in the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 columns are based on actual amounts and may not recalculate using the rounded numbers presented in the table above or the table below.

(3)Price reflects the average of actual sales prices received when control passes to the purchaser/customer adjusted for quality, certain transportation fees, geographical differentials, marketing bonuses or deductions and other factors affecting the price received at the delivery point.

(4)Price reflects the after-effects of our commodity derivative transactions on our average sales prices. Our calculation of such after-effects includes settlements of matured commodity derivatives during the respective periods.

24

	Nine months ended September 30,				2023 compared to 2022
	2023		2022		Change (#)		Change (%)
Sales volumes:
Oil (MBbl)	12,011		10,536		1,475		14	%
NGL (MBbl)	6,320		6,128		192		3	%
Natural gas (MMcf)	38,760		37,447		1,313		4	%
Oil equivalent (MBOE)(1)(2)	24,791		22,905		1,886		8	%
Average daily oil equivalent sales volumes (BOE/d)(2)	90,809		83,901		6,908		8	%
Average daily oil sales volumes (Bbl/d)(2)	43,997		38,594		5,403		14	%
Sales revenues (in thousands):
Oil	$	940,982	$	1,069,542	$	(128,560)	(12)	%
NGL	97,196		197,037		(99,841)		(51)	%
Natural gas	48,260		179,026		(130,766)		(73)	%
Total oil, NGL and natural gas sales revenues	$	1,086,438	$	1,445,605	$	(359,167)	(25)	%
Average sales prices(2):
Oil ($/Bbl)(3)	$	78.34	$	101.51	$	(23.17)	(23)	%
NGL ($/Bbl)(3)	$	15.38	$	32.16	$	(16.78)	(52)	%
Natural gas ($/Mcf)(3)	$	1.25	$	4.78	$	(3.53)	(74)	%
Average sales price ($/BOE)(3)	$	43.82	$	63.11	$	(19.29)	(31)	%
Oil, with commodity derivatives ($/Bbl)(4)	$	76.69	$	71.03	$	5.66	8	%
NGL, with commodity derivatives ($/Bbl)(4)	$	15.38	$	25.93	$	(10.55)	(41)	%
Natural gas, with commodity derivatives ($/Mcf)(4)	$	1.40	$	3.05	$	(1.65)	(54)	%
Average sales price, with commodity derivatives ($/BOE)(4)	$	43.27	$	44.60	$	(1.33)	(3)	%

__________________________________________________________________________

(1)BOE is calculated using a conversion rate of six Mcf per one Bbl.

(2)The numbers presented in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 columns are based on actual amounts and may not recalculate using the rounded numbers presented in the table above or the table below.

(3)Price reflects the average of actual sales prices received when control passes to the purchaser/customer adjusted for quality, certain transportation fees, geographical differentials, marketing bonuses or deductions and other factors affecting the price received at the delivery point.

(4)Price reflects the after-effects of our commodity derivative transactions on our average sales prices. Our calculation of such after-effects includes settlements of matured commodity derivatives during the respective periods.

The following tables present net settlements received (paid) for matured commodity derivatives utilized in our calculation of the average sales prices, with commodity derivatives, for the periods presented and the corresponding changes for such periods:     

	Three months ended September 30,				2023 compared to 2022
(in thousands)	2023		2022		Change ($)		Change (%)
Oil	$	20,768	$	(82,862)	$	103,630	125	%
NGL	—		(9,618)		9,618		100	%
Natural gas	1,992		(32,131)		34,123		106	%
Total	$	22,760	$	(124,611)	$	147,371	118	%

	Nine months ended September 30,				2023 compared to 2022
(in thousands)	2023		2022		Change ($)		Change (%)
Oil	$	19,827	$	(321,106)	$	340,933	106	%
NGL	—		(38,152)		38,152		100	%
Natural gas	(6,087)		(64,694)		58,607		91	%
Total	$	13,740	$	(423,952)	$	437,692	103	%

25

Changes in average sales prices and sales volumes caused the following changes to our oil, NGL and natural gas revenues between the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:

(in thousands)	Oil			NGL			Natural gas			Total
Third-quarter 2022 Revenues	$	311,740		$	59,377		$	73,831		$	444,948
Effect of changes in average sales prices	(61,310)			(32,389)			(65,448)			(159,147)
Effect of changes in sales volumes	124,736			11,315			12,851			148,902
Third-quarter 2023 Revenues	$	375,166		$	38,303		$	21,234		$	434,703
Change ($)	$	63,426		$	(21,074)		$	(52,597)		$	(10,245)
Change (%)	20		%	(35)		%	(71)		%	(2)		%

(in thousands)	Oil			NGL			Natural gas			Total
Third-quarter year-to-date 2022 Revenues	$	1,069,542		$	197,037		$	179,026		$	1,445,605
Effect of changes in average sales prices	(278,293)			(106,015)			(137,044)			(521,352)
Effect of changes in sales volumes	149,733			6,174			6,278			162,185
Third-quarter year-to-date 2023 Revenues	$	940,982		$	97,196		$	48,260		$	1,086,438
Change ($)	$	(128,560)		$	(99,841)		$	(130,766)		$	(359,167)
Change (%)	(12)		%	(51)		%	(73)		%	(25)		%

The following tables present sales of purchased oil for the periods presented and the corresponding changes for such periods:

	Three months ended September 30,				2023 compared to 2022
(in thousands)	2023		2022		Change ($)		Change (%)
Sales of purchased oil	$	3	$	18,371	$	(18,368)	(100)	%

	Nine months ended September 30,				2023 compared to 2022
(in thousands)	2023		2022		Change ($)		Change (%)
Sales of purchased oil	$	14,192	$	106,030	$	(91,838)	(87)	%

Sales of purchased oil are a function of the volumes and prices of purchased oil sold to customers and are offset by the volumes and costs of purchased oil. We are a firm shipper on the Gray Oak pipeline and we may utilize purchased oil to fulfill portions of our commitments. In previous periods, we also utilized purchased oil to fulfill portions of our Bridgetex pipeline commitment, which ended during the first quarter of 2022. The continuance of this practice in the future is based upon, among other factors, our pipeline capacity as a firm shipper and the quantity of our lease production which may contribute to our pipeline commitments. Sales of purchased oil decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the same periods in 2022 primarily due to (i) a larger portion of our pipeline commitments being fulfilled by our lease production and (ii) a decrease in sales price.

26

Costs and expenses

The following tables present information regarding costs and expenses and selected average costs and expenses per BOE sold for the periods presented and the corresponding changes for such periods:

	Three months ended September 30,				2023 compared to 2022
(in thousands except for per BOE sold data)	2023		2022		Change ($)		Change (%)
Costs and expenses:
Lease operating expenses	$	66,040	$	44,246	$	21,794	49	%
Production and ad valorem taxes	27,360		29,024		(1,664)		(6)	%
Oil transportation and marketing expenses	10,795		13,285		(2,490)		(19)	%
Gas gathering, processing and transportation expenses	371		—		371		100%
Costs of purchased oil	101		18,772		(18,671)		(99)	%
General and administrative (excluding LTIP and transaction expenses)	20,196		14,831		5,365		36	%
General and administrative (LTIP):
LTIP cash	2,690		(3,782)		6,472		171	%
LTIP non-cash	2,635		808		1,827		226	%
General and administrative (transaction expenses)	3,120		—		3,120		100%
Organizational restructuring expenses	—		10,420		(10,420)		(100)	%
Depletion, depreciation and amortization	120,499		74,928		45,571		61	%
Other operating expenses, net	1,703		2,616		(913)		(35)	%
Total costs and expenses	$	255,510	$	205,148	$	50,362	25	%
Gain on disposal of assets, net	$	149	$	4,282	$	(4,133)	(97)	%
Selected average costs and expenses per BOE sold(1):
Lease operating expenses	$	7.05	$	6.04	$	1.01	17	%
Production and ad valorem taxes	2.92		3.96		(1.04)		(26)	%
Oil transportation and marketing expenses	1.15		1.81		(0.66)		(36)	%
General and administrative (excluding LTIP and transaction expenses)	2.16		2.02		0.14		7	%
Total selected operating expenses	$	13.28	$	13.83	$	(0.55)	(4)	%
General and administrative (LTIP):
LTIP cash	$	0.29	$	(0.52)	$	0.81	156	%
LTIP non-cash	$	0.28	$	0.11	$	0.17	155	%
General and administrative (transaction expenses)	$	0.33	$	—	$	0.33	100%
Depletion, depreciation and amortization	$	12.87	$	10.23	$	2.64	26	%

_____________________________________________________________________________

(1)Selected average costs and expenses per BOE sold are based on actual amounts and may not recalculate using the rounded numbers presented in the table above.

27

	Nine months ended September 30,				2023 compared to 2022
(in thousands except for per BOE sold data)	2023		2022		Change ($)		Change (%)
Costs and expenses:
Lease operating expenses	$	173,939	$	127,136	$	46,803	37	%
Production and ad valorem taxes	69,498		89,512		(20,014)		(22)	%
Oil transportation and marketing expenses	32,391		39,022		(6,631)		(17)	%
Gas gathering, processing and transportation expenses	371		—		371		100%
Costs of purchased oil	14,856		108,516		(93,660)		(86)	%
General and administrative (excluding LTIP and transaction expenses)	57,497		41,729		15,768		38	%
General and administrative (LTIP):
LTIP cash	4,936		3,606		1,330		37	%
LTIP non-cash	7,500		5,465		2,035		37	%
General and administrative (transaction expenses)	3,120		—		3,120		100%
Organizational restructuring expenses	—		10,420		(10,420)		(100)	%
Depletion, depreciation and amortization	310,618		226,555		84,063		37	%
Other operating expenses, net	4,538		6,973		(2,435)		(35)	%
Total costs and expenses	$	679,264	$	658,934	$	20,330	3	%
Gain on disposal of assets, net	$	540	$	4,952	$	(4,412)	(89)	%
Selected average costs and expenses per BOE sold(1):
Lease operating expenses	$	7.02	$	5.55	$	1.47	26	%
Production and ad valorem taxes	2.80		3.91		(1.11)		(28)	%
Oil transportation and marketing expenses	1.31		1.70		(0.39)		(23)	%
General and administrative (excluding LTIP and transaction expenses)	2.32		1.82		0.50		27	%
Total selected operating expenses	$	13.45	$	12.98	$	0.47	4	%
General and administrative (LTIP):
LTIP cash	$	0.20	$	0.16	$	0.04	25	%
LTIP non-cash	$	0.30	$	0.24	$	0.06	25	%
General and administrative (transaction expenses)	$	0.13	$	—	$	0.13	100%
Depletion, depreciation and amortization	$	12.53	$	9.89	$	2.64	27	%

_____________________________________________________________________________

(1)Selected average costs and expenses per BOE sold are based on actual amounts and may not recalculate using the rounded numbers presented in the table above.

Lease operating expenses ("LOE"). LOE, which includes workover expenses, increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same periods in 2022. LOE are daily expenses incurred to bring oil, NGL and natural gas out of the ground and to market, together with the daily expenses incurred to maintain our producing properties. Such costs also include maintenance, repairs and non-routine workover expenses related to our oil and natural gas properties. LOE increased during 2023 due to overall inflationary pressures and a greater percentage of our production shifting to recently acquired wells, where, among other things, we have (i) higher water production, resulting in increased water handling and lifting costs and (ii) higher non-routine workover expenses. We continue to focus on economic efficiencies associated with the usage and procurement of products and services related to LOE. LOE is expected to increase approximately 18% on a per BOE basis during the fourth quarter of 2023, as compared to third-quarter 2023.

Production and ad valorem taxes. Production and ad valorem taxes decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same periods in 2022, due to decreased oil, NGL and natural gas sales revenues. Production taxes are based on and fluctuate in proportion to our oil, NGL and natural gas sales revenues, and are established by federal, state or local taxing authorities. We take advantage of all credits and exemptions in our various taxing jurisdictions. Ad valorem taxes are based on and fluctuate in proportion to the taxable value assessed by the various counties where our oil and natural gas properties are located.

28

Oil transportation and marketing expenses. Oil transportation and marketing expenses decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same periods in 2022. These are expenses incurred for the delivery of produced oil to customers in the U.S. Gulf Coast market via the Gray Oak pipeline and, in previous periods, the Bridgetex pipeline. We ship the majority of our produced oil to the U.S. Gulf Coast, which we believe provides a long-term pricing advantage versus the Midland market. Additionally, firm transportation payments on excess pipeline capacity associated with transportation agreements are included in oil transportation and marketing expenses. See Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for additional discussion of our transportation commitments.

Gas gathering, processing and transportation expenses. During the third quarter of 2023, we became party to certain natural gas processing agreements where the Company concluded it is the principal in the transaction and the customer is the ultimate third party, with control of the NGL or residue gas transferring at the tailgate of the midstream entity's processing plant. Revenue for such agreements is recognized on a gross basis, with gathering, processing and transportation fees presented as an expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

Costs of purchased oil. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, we were a firm shipper on the Gray Oak pipeline and we utilized purchased oil to fulfill portions of our commitments. In previous periods, we also utilized purchased oil to fulfill portions of our Bridgetex pipeline commitment, which ended during the first quarter of 2022. In the event our long-haul transportation capacity on the Gray Oak pipeline exceeds our net production, we purchase third-party oil at the trading hubs to satisfy the deficit in our associated long-haul transportation commitments. Costs of purchased oil decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same periods in 2022 primarily due to a larger portion of our pipeline commitments being fulfilled by our lease production. We expect to continue to satisfy the majority of our commitments through our own production in the near future.

General and administrative ("G&A"). G&A, excluding employee compensation expenses from our long-term incentive plan ("LTIP") and transaction expenses associated with the Acquisitions and certain financing transactions, increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same periods in 2022. Such increases are primarily due to (i) bonuses paid to our workforce in first-quarter 2023 for full-year 2022 performance, which were higher than expected, (ii) bonuses accrued for our workforce related to 2023 performance, (iii) expenses in connection with retention bonuses paid to our workforce and (iv) inflationary pressures on workforce compensation.

LTIP cash expense increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same periods in 2022 due to (i) forfeitures in 2022 related to the departure of the Company's Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (ii) new cash-settled performance unit awards granted in 2023 and (iii) fluctuations in the fair value of our cash-settled LTIP awards, as a result of the performance of our stock.

LTIP non-cash expense increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same periods in 2022 due to (i) forfeitures in 2022 related to the departure of the Company's Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and (ii) more restricted shares issued at a higher fair value in the 2023 grant compared to the grant that vested during the current year. See Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for information regarding our equity-based compensation.

Transaction expenses represent incurred costs associated with the Acquisitions and certain financing transactions. The ultimate treatment of such costs associated with the Acquisitions, whether capitalized as part of the acquisition purchase price or expensed as incurred, is dependent upon the whether each acquisition is determined to be an asset acquisition or a business combination, respectively. We are currently evaluating the accounting treatment criteria and expect to finalize our determination as soon as practicable after completion of the Acquisitions. Costs incurred for the most recent amendment to our Senior Secured Credit Facility will be reclassified as debt issuance costs upon effectiveness of the amendment. See Notes 3, 4 and 5 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for further discussion of the Acquisitions and our Senior Secured Credit Facility.

29

Depletion, depreciation and amortization. The following tables present depletion expense per BOE sold for the periods presented and the corresponding changes for such periods:

	Three months ended September 30,				2023 compared to 2022
(in thousands)	2023		2022		Change ($)		Change (%)
Depletion expense per BOE sold	$	12.41	$	9.79	$	2.62	27	%

	Nine months ended September 30,				2023 compared to 2022
(in thousands)	2023		2022		Change ($)		Change (%)
Depletion expense per BOE sold	$	12.05	$	9.46	$	2.59	27	%

Depletion expense per BOE increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same periods in 2022, primarily due to an increase in future development costs of our oil and natural gas properties, which includes the effects of inflationary pressures. See Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements included in our 2022 Annual Report and "—Pricing and reserves" for additional information regarding the full cost method of accounting.

Non-operating income (expense)

The following table presents the components of non-operating income (expense), net for the periods presented and the corresponding changes for such periods:

	Three months ended September 30,				2023 compared to 2022
(in thousands)	2023		2022		Change ($)		Change (%)
Gain (loss) on derivatives, net	$	(135,321)	$	100,748	$	(236,069)	(234)	%
Interest expense	(39,305)		(30,967)		(8,338)		(27)	%
Gain on extinguishment of debt, net	—		553		(553)		(100)	%
Other income, net	1,739		173		1,566		905	%
Total non-operating income (expense), net	$	(172,887)	$	70,507	$	(243,394)	(345)	%

	Nine months ended September 30,				2023 compared to 2022
(in thousands)	2023		2022		Change ($)		Change (%)
Loss on derivatives, net	$	(132,875)	$	(290,995)	$	158,120	54	%
Interest expense	(99,388)		(96,251)		(3,137)		(3)	%
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net	—		(245)		245		100	%
Other income, net	3,697		543		3,154		581	%
Total non-operating expense, net	$	(228,566)	$	(386,948)	$	158,382	41	%

Gain (loss) on derivatives, net. The following table presents the changes in the components of gain (loss) on derivatives, net for the periods presented and the corresponding changes for such periods:

	Three months ended September 30,				2023 compared to 2022
(in thousands)	2023		2022		Change ($)		Change (%)
Non-cash gain (loss) on derivatives, net	$	(112,608)	$	225,037	$	(337,645)	(150)	%
Settlements paid for matured derivatives, net	(22,760)		(124,611)		101,851		82	%
Settlements received for contingent consideration	47		322		(275)		(85)	%
Gain (loss) on derivatives, net	$	(135,321)	$	100,748	$	(236,069)	(234)	%

30

	Nine months ended September 30,				2023 compared to 2022
(in thousands)	2023		2022		Change ($)		Change (%)
Non-cash gain (loss) on derivatives, net	$	(120,637)	$	131,118	$	(251,755)	(192)	%
Settlements paid for matured derivatives, net	(13,740)		(423,990)		410,250		97	%
Settlements received for contingent consideration	1,502		1,877		(375)		(20)	%
Loss on derivatives, net	$	(132,875)	$	(290,995)	$	158,120	54	%

Non-cash gain (loss) on derivatives, net is the result of (i) new and matured contracts, including contingent consideration derivatives for the period subsequent to the initial valuation date and through the end of the contingency period, and the changing relationship between our outstanding contract prices and the future market prices in the forward curves, which we use to calculate the fair value of our derivatives and (ii) matured interest rate swaps and the changing relationship between the contract interest rate and the LIBOR interest rate forward curve. In general, if outstanding commodity contracts are held constant, we experience gains during periods of decreasing market prices and losses during periods of increasing market prices. Settlements paid or received for matured derivatives are for our (i) commodity derivative contracts, which are based on the settlement prices compared to the prices specified in the derivative contracts, (ii) interest rate derivative and (iii) contingent consideration derivatives.

See Notes 8, 9 and 15 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report and "Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" for additional information regarding our derivatives.

Interest expense. Interest expense increased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. This increase is due to a reduction in the principal amounts of our senior unsecured notes as a result of repurchases made during 2022, which was partially offset by increased borrowings under our Senior Secured Credit Facility related to acquisitions. See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for additional information regarding our long-term debt.

Income tax benefit (expense)

The following tables present income tax benefit (expense) for the periods presented and the corresponding changes for such periods:

	Three months ended September 30,				2023 compared to 2022
(in thousands)	2023		2022		Change ($)		Change (%)
Current	$	(464)	$	960	$	(1,424)	(148)	%
Deferred	$	(1,909)	$	2,808	$	(4,717)	(168)	%

	Nine months ended September 30,				2023 compared to 2022
(in thousands)	2023		2022		Change ($)		Change (%)
Current	$	(2,298)	$	(4,771)	$	2,473	52	%
Deferred	$	220,149	$	2,324	$	217,825	9,373	%

We are subject to federal and state income taxes and the Texas franchise tax. Included in the income tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, is a $220.4 million discrete income tax benefit, which is primarily attributable to the release of the federal valuation allowance in the second quarter of 2023.

As of June 30, 2023, management considered evidence, both positive and negative, and determined it is more likely than not that a portion of our federal deferred tax assets are realizable which resulted in the release of the federal valuation allowance and preservation of the Oklahoma valuation allowance. Management reviews new evidence, both positive and negative, for each reporting period that could impact our judgement on the realizability of our deferred tax assets. As of September 30, 2023, management concluded that our federal deferred tax assets are more likely than not to be realized and continue to maintain a full valuation allowance with respect to Oklahoma.

We have significant federal and state net operating loss carry-forwards. If we were to experience an “ownership change” as determined under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, our ability to offset taxable income arising after the ownership change with net operating losses arising prior to the ownership change may be significantly limited. Based on information available as of September 30, 2023, no such ownership change has occurred. We have signed purchase and sale agreements

31

for acquisitions that have closed or are expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2023, which may result in an ownership change and limit our ability to utilize tax attributes in subsequent years. For income tax purposes, these acquisitions will be treated as asset purchases such that the tax basis in the assets and liabilities will generally reflect the allocated fair value at closing. Therefore, we do not anticipate recording any deferred income taxes as part of the purchase consideration with respect to these acquisitions. See Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for additional discussion of our acquisitions.

Liquidity and capital resources

Historically, our primary sources of liquidity have been cash flows from operations, proceeds from equity offerings, proceeds from senior unsecured note offerings, borrowings under our Senior Secured Credit Facility and proceeds from asset dispositions. Our primary operational uses of capital have been for the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties and infrastructure development.

We continually seek to maintain a financial profile that provides operational flexibility and monitor the markets to consider which financing alternatives, including debt and equity capital resources, joint ventures and asset sales, are available to meet our future planned capital expenditures, a significant portion of which we are able to adjust and manage. We also continually evaluate opportunities with respect to our capital structure, including issuances of new securities, as well as transactions involving our outstanding senior notes, which could take the form of open market or private repurchases, exchange or tender offers, or other similar transactions, and our common stock, which could take the form of open market or private repurchases. We may make changes to our capital structure from time to time, with the goal of maintaining financial flexibility, preserving or improving liquidity and/or achieving cost efficiency. Such financing alternatives, or combination of alternatives, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material. We continuously look for other opportunities to maximize shareholder value. For further discussion of our financing activities related to debt instruments, see Notes 4 and 15 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.

Due to the inherent volatility in the prices of oil, NGL and natural gas and the sometimes wide pricing differentials between where we produce and where we sell such commodities, we engage in commodity derivative transactions to hedge price risk associated with a portion of our anticipated sales volumes. Due to the inherent volatility in interest rates, from time to time, we have in the past entered into and we may in the future enter into interest rate derivative swaps to hedge interest rate risk associated with our debt under the Senior Secured Credit Facility. By removing a portion of the price volatility associated with future sales volumes, we expect to mitigate, but not eliminate, the potential effects of variability in cash flows from operations. As of September 30, 2023, the Company has not entered into any interest rate derivative swaps, and therefore our outstanding debt balance under our Senior Secured Credit Facility is subject to interest rate fluctuations. See "Part I. Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" below. See Notes 9 and 15 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for discussion of our open commodity positions.

As of September 30, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents of $589.7 million and available capacity under the Senior Secured Credit Facility of $1.0 billion, resulting in total liquidity of $1.6 billion. As of November 1, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents of $611.0 million and available capacity under the Senior Secured Credit Facility of $1.1 billion, resulting in total liquidity of $1.7 billion. We anticipate utilizing our available cash to fund (i) the cash portion of the Tall City Acquisition purchase consideration and (ii) the discharge of the January 2025 Notes at a future date. We believe that our operating cash flows and the aforementioned liquidity sources provide us with sufficient liquidity and financial resources to manage our cash needs and contractual obligations, to implement our currently planned capital expenditure budget and, at our discretion, to fund any share repurchases, pay down, repurchase or refinance debt or adjust our planned capital expenditure budget.

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Cash requirements for known contractual and other obligations

The following table presents significant cash requirements for known contractual and other obligations as of September 30, 2023:

(in thousands)	Short-term		Long-term		Total
Senior unsecured notes(1)	$	164,386	$	2,656,398	$	2,820,784
Senior Secured Credit Facility	—		—		—
Asset retirement obligations	3,490		75,416		78,906
Firm transportation commitments	17,955		44,742		62,697
Operating lease commitments(2)	54,854		76,211		131,065
Total	$	240,685	$	2,852,767	$	3,093,452

______________________________________________________________________________

(1)Amounts presented include both principal and interest obligations.

(2)Amounts presented include both minimum lease payments and imputed interest.

We expect to satisfy our short-term contractual and other obligations with cash flows from operations. See Notes 4 and 10 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report and Notes 2, 5 and 18 in our 2022 Annual Report for further discussion of our known contractual and other obligations.

Cash flows

The following table presents our cash flows for the periods presented and the corresponding changes for such periods:

	Nine months ended September 30,				2023 compared to 2022
(in thousands)	2023		2022		Change ($)		Change (%)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	579,222	$	720,702	$	(141,480)	(20)	%
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,001,442)		(443,475)		(557,967)		(126)	%
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	967,480		(284,084)		1,251,564		441	%
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	$	545,260	$	(6,857)	$	552,117	8,052	%

Cash flows from operating activities

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. Notable cash changes include (i) a decrease in total oil, NGL and natural gas sales revenues of $359.2 million, (ii) an increase of $409.3 million due to changes in net settlements for matured derivatives, mainly due to decreases in commodity prices and (iii) a decrease of $148.5 million due to net changes in operating assets and liabilities. The decrease in total oil, NGL and natural gas sales revenues was primarily due to a 31% decrease in average sales price per BOE, partially offset by an increase in volumes. For additional information, see "—Results of operations."

Our operating cash flows are sensitive to a number of variables, the most significant of which are the volatility of oil, NGL and natural gas prices, mitigated to the extent of our commodity derivatives' exposure, and sales volume levels. Regional and worldwide economic activity, weather, infrastructure, transportation capacity to reach markets, costs of operations, legislation and regulations, including potential government production curtailments, and other variable factors significantly impact the prices of these commodities. For additional information on risks related to our business, see "Part I. Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" and "Part II. Item 1A. Risk Factors" included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report and "Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our 2022 Annual Report.

Cash flows from investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022, mainly due to (i) an increase in acquisitions of oil and natural gas properties for the Driftwood Acquisition and Forge Acquisition and (ii) an increase in capital expenditures, which includes the effects of inflationary pressures. For further discussion of our acquisitions and divestiture of oil and natural gas properties, see Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.

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The following table presents the components of our incurred capital expenditures, excluding non-budgeted acquisition costs, for the periods presented and the corresponding changes for such periods:

	Nine months ended September 30,				2023 compared to 2022
(in thousands)	2023		2022		Change ($)		Change (%)
Oil and natural gas properties(1)	$	483,329	$	439,168	$	44,161	10	%
Midstream and other fixed assets(1)	11,090		9,794		1,296		13	%
Total incurred capital expenditures, excluding non-budgeted acquisition costs	$	494,419	$	448,962	$	45,457	10	%

_____________________________________________________________________________

(1)Includes capitalized share-settled equity-based compensation and asset retirement costs.

The amount, timing and allocation of capital expenditures are largely discretionary and within management's control. If oil, NGL and natural gas prices are below our acceptable levels, or costs are above our acceptable levels, we may choose to defer a portion of our capital expenditures until later periods to achieve the desired balance between sources and uses of liquidity and prioritize capital projects that we believe have the highest expected returns and potential to generate near-term cash flow. Subject to financing alternatives, we may also increase our capital expenditures significantly to take advantage of opportunities we consider to be attractive. We continually monitor and may adjust our projected capital expenditures in response to world developments, as well as success or lack of success in drilling activities, changes in prices, availability of financing and joint venture opportunities, drilling and acquisition costs, industry conditions, the timing of regulatory approvals, the availability of rigs and supplies, changes in service costs, contractual obligations, internally generated cash flow and other factors both within and outside our control.

Cash flows from financing activities

For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, $967.5 million of net cash was provided by financing activities compared to $284.1 million of net cash that was used in financing activities for the same period in 2022. Notable 2023 activity includes (i) proceeds from the issuance of our senior unsecured notes of $897.7 million, (ii) payments on our Senior Secured Credit Facility of $700.0 million, (iii) borrowings on our Senior Secured Credit Facility of $630.0 million, (iv) proceeds from our issuance of common stock of $161.0 million, net of offering and transaction costs and (v) payments for debt issuance costs of $16.3 million. For further discussion of our financing activities related to debt instruments, see Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.

Sources of Liquidity

Equity offering

During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we completed an equity offering for the issuance of 3,162,500 shares of our common stock in aggregate for net proceeds of $161.0 million after underwriting discounts, commissions and offering costs.

Senior Secured Credit Facility

As of September 30, 2023, the Senior Secured Credit Facility, which matures on July 16, 2025, (subject to a springing maturity date of July 29, 2024 if any of the January 2025 Notes are outstanding on such date) had a maximum credit amount of $2.0 billion, a borrowing base and an aggregate elected commitment of $1.3 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively,with no balance outstanding. The Senior Secured Credit Facility contains both financial and non-financial covenants, all of which we were in compliance with for all periods presented. Additionally, the Senior Secured Credit Facility provides for the issuance of letters of credit, limited to the lesser of total capacity or $80.0 million. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had no letters of credit outstanding under the Senior Secured Credit Facility.

Senior unsecured notes

During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we completed offerings for the New January 2028 Notes and the September 2030 Notes for total net proceeds of $881.4 million, after issuance premiums, issuance discounts and underwriting discounts and commission and offering costs.

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The following table presents principal amounts and applicable interest rates for our outstanding senior unsecured notes as of September 30, 2023:

(in millions, except for interest rates)	Principal		Interest rate
January 2025 Notes	$	455.6	9.500	%
January 2028 Notes	700.3		10.125	%
July 2029 Notes	298.2		7.750	%
September 2030 Notes	500.0		9.750	%
Total senior unsecured notes	$	1,954.1

During the third quarter of 2023, we utilized a portion of the net proceeds from our equity offering and senior unsecured notes offerings to repay borrowings on our Senior Secured Credit Facility. Additionally, we intend to utilize the remainder of the net proceeds to fund (i) the cash portion of the Tall City Acquisition purchase consideration and (ii) the discharge of the January 2025 Notes at a future date. See Notes 3, 4, 5 and 15 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for further discussion of our acquisitions, debt offerings, equity offering and Senior Secured Credit Facility, respectively.

Supplemental Guarantor information

As of September 30, 2023, approximately $2.0 billion of our senior unsecured notes remained outstanding. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Vital Midstream Services, LLC (the "Guarantor"), jointly and severally, and fully and unconditionally, guarantees the January 2025 Notes, January 2028 Notes, July 2029 Notes and September 2030 Notes.

The guarantees are senior unsecured obligations of the Guarantor and rank equally in right of payment with other existing and future senior indebtedness of such Guarantor, and senior in right of payment to all existing and future subordinated indebtedness of such Guarantor. The guarantees of the senior unsecured notes by the Guarantor are subject to certain Releases. The obligations of the Guarantor under its note guarantee are limited as necessary to prevent such note guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law. Further, the rights of holders of the senior unsecured notes against the Guarantor may be limited under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or state fraudulent transfer or conveyance law. Vital is not restricted from making investments in the Guarantor and the Guarantor is not restricted from making intercompany distributions to Vital.

The assets, liabilities and results of operations of the combined issuer and the Guarantor are not materially different than the corresponding amounts presented in our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. Accordingly, we have omitted the summarized financial information of the issuer and the Guarantor that would otherwise be required.

Critical accounting estimates

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Certain accounting policies involve judgments and uncertainties to such an extent that there is reasonable likelihood that materially different amounts could have been reported under different conditions or if different assumptions had been used. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on a regular basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions used in preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Other than the critical accounting estimates set forth below, there have been no material changes in our critical accounting estimates during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. See our critical accounting estimates in "Part II, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of our 2022 Annual Report.

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Income taxes

As part of the process of preparing the consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate the federal and state income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This process involves estimating the actual current tax exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items such as derivative instruments, depletion, depreciation and amortization, and certain accrued assets and liabilities for tax and financial accounting purposes. These differences and our net operating loss carry-forwards result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in our consolidated balance sheets. We must then assess, using all available negative and positive evidence, the likelihood that the deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income. If we believe that recovery is not likely, we must establish a valuation allowance. Generally, to the extent we establish a valuation allowance or increase or decrease this allowance in a period, we must include an expense or reduction of expense within the tax provision in the consolidated statement of operations.

Under accounting guidance for income taxes, an enterprise must use judgment in considering the relative impact of negative and positive evidence. The weight given to the potential effect of negative and positive evidence should be commensurate with the extent to which it can be objectively verified. The more negative evidence that exists (i) the more positive evidence is necessary and (ii) the more difficult it is to support a conclusion that a valuation allowance is not needed for all or a portion of the deferred tax asset. Among the more significant types of evidence that we consider are:

•our earnings history exclusive of the loss that created the future deductible amount coupled with evidence indicating that the loss is an aberration rather than a continuing condition;

•the ability to recover our net operating loss carry-forward deferred tax assets in future years and whether or not we have experienced an "ownership change" under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code;

•the existence of significant proved oil, NGL and natural gas reserves;

•our ability to use tax planning strategies, such as electing to capitalize intangible drilling costs as opposed to expensing such costs;

•current price protection utilizing commodity hedges;

•future revenue and operating cost projections that indicate we will produce more than enough taxable income to realize the deferred tax asset based on existing sales prices and cost structures; and

•current market prices for oil, NGL and natural gas.

During the second quarter of 2023, in evaluating whether it was more-likely-than-not that our deferred tax asset was recoverable from future net income, we considered all positive and negative evidence available and determined it was more likely than not that the federal net deferred tax assets were realizable and a valuation allowance was no longer warranted. We believe that it is more-likely-than-not that our Oklahoma deferred tax assets are not realizable and continue to maintain a full valuation allowance recorded against these deferred tax assets. We will continue to assess the need for a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets considering all available evidence obtained in future reporting periods. See Note 12 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for additional discussion of our income taxes.

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Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The primary objective of the following information is to provide forward-looking quantitative and qualitative information about our potential exposure to market risk. The term "market risk," in our case, refers to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in oil, NGL and natural gas prices and in interest rates. The disclosures are not meant to be precise indicators of expected future losses, but rather indicators of how we view and manage our ongoing market risk exposures. All of our market risk-sensitive derivative instruments were entered into for hedging purposes, rather than for speculative trading.

Commodity price exposure

Due to the inherent volatility in oil, NGL and natural gas prices and the sometimes wide pricing differentials between where we produce and where we sell such commodities, we engage in commodity derivative transactions, such as puts, swaps, collars and basis swaps, to hedge price risk associated with a portion of our anticipated sales volumes. By removing a portion of the price volatility associated with future sales volumes, we expect to mitigate, but not eliminate, the potential effects of variability in cash flows from operations.

The fair values of our open commodity positions are largely determined by the relevant forward commodity price curves of the indexes associated with our open derivative positions. The following table provides a sensitivity analysis of the projected incremental effect on income or loss before income taxes of a hypothetical 10% change in the relevant forward commodity price curves of the indexes associated with our open commodity positions as of September 30, 2023:

(in thousands)	As of September 30, 2023
Commodity derivative liability position	$	(111,531)
Impact of a 10% increase in forward commodity prices	$	(172,704)
Impact of a 10% decrease in forward commodity prices	$	164,990

See Notes 8, 9 and 15 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for further discussion of our commodity derivatives. For additional discussion of our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk, see "Part II, Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" in our 2022 Annual Report.

Interest rate risk

Our Senior Secured Credit Facility bears interest at a floating rate and our senior unsecured notes bear interest at fixed rates. See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for further discussion of our debt. The interest rate on borrowings may be based on an alternate base rate or term secured overnight financing rate ("Term SOFR"), at our option. Interest on alternate base rate loans is equal to the sum of (a) the highest of (i) the "prime rate" (as publicly announced by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.) in effect on such day, (ii) the federal funds effective rate in effect on such day plus 0.5% and (iii) the Adjusted Term SOFR (as defined in our Senior Secured Credit Facility) for a one-month tenor in effect on such day plus 1% and (b) the applicable margin. Interest on Term SOFR loans is equal to the sum of (a)(i) the Term SOFR (as defined in our Senior Secured Credit Facility) rate for such period plus (ii) the Term SOFR Adjustment (as defined in our Senior Secured Credit Facility) of 0.1% (in the case of clause (a), subject to a floor of 0%) plus (b) the applicable margin. The applicable margin varies from 1.5% to 2.5% on alternate base rate borrowings and from 2.5% to 3.5% on Term SOFR borrowings, in each case, depending on our utilization ratio. At September 30, 2023, we had no outstanding borrowings on our Senior Secured Credit Facility.

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Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of Vital's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act), was performed under the supervision and with the participation of Vital's management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer. Based on that evaluation, these officers concluded that Vital's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2023. Our disclosure controls and other procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in the reports we file and submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to Vital's management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Evaluation of changes in internal control over financial reporting

There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13(a)-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended September 30, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

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Part II

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we are subject to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings for which we may not have insurance coverage. While many of these matters involve inherent uncertainty as of the date hereof, we do not currently believe that any such legal proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Item 1A.    Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report, you should carefully consider the risks discussed in our 2022 Annual Report and those set forth from time to time in our other filings with the SEC. There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those described in our 2022 Annual Report. The risks described in such report are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or future results.

Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

None.

Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities

The following table summarizes purchases of common stock by Vital for the periods presented:

Period	Total number of shares purchased(1)	Weighted-average price paid per share		Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans	Maximum value that may yet be purchased under the program as of the respective period-end date(2)
July 1, 2023 - July 31, 2023	—	$	—	—	$	162,710,185
August 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023	76	$	52.81	—	$	162,710,185
September 1, 2023 - September 30, 2023	3,347	$	62.02	—	$	162,710,185
Total	3,423			—

______________________________________________________________________________

(1)Represents shares that were withheld by us to satisfy tax withholding obligations that arose upon the lapse of restrictions on equity-based compensation awards.

(2)On May 31, 2022, our board of directors authorized a $200 million share repurchase program commencing on the date of such announcement and continuing through and including May 27, 2024. Share repurchases under the program may be made through a variety of methods, which may include open market purchases, including under arrangements complying with Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act, and privately negotiated transactions. During the three months ended September 30, 2023, no shares were repurchased.

Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.    Mine Safety Disclosures

The operation of our Howard County, Texas sand mine is subject to regulation by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (the "MSHA") under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the "Mine Act"). MSHA may inspect our Howard County mine and may issue citations and orders when it believes a violation has occurred under the Mine Act. While we contract the mining operations of the Howard County mine to an independent contractor, we may be considered an "operator" for purpose of the Mine Act and may be issued notices or citations if MSHA believes that we are responsible for violations.

The information concerning mine safety violations and other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K is included in Exhibit 95.1 to this Quarterly Report.

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Item 5.    Other Information

Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangement Changes

None of the Company's directors or officers adopted or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement during the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023.

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Item 6.    Exhibits

		Incorporated by reference (File No. 001-35380, unless otherwise indicated)
Exhibit	Description	Form	Exhibit	Filing Date
2.1	Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated September 13, 2023, by and among Vital Energy, Inc. and Henry Resources LLC, Henry Energy LP and Moriah Henry Partners LLC.	8-K	2.1	9/13/2023
2.2	Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated September 13, 2023, by and among Vital Energy, Inc. and Maple Energy Holdings.	8-K	2.2	9/13/2023
2.3	Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated September 13, 2023, by and among Vital Energy, Inc. and Tall City Property Holdings III LLC and Tall City Operations III LLC.	8-K	2.3	9/13/2023
3.1	Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Vital Energy, Inc., dated as of December 19, 2011.	8-K	3.1	12/22/2011
3.2	Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Vital Energy, Inc., dated as of June 1, 2020.	8-K	3.1	6/1/2020
3.3	Second Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Vital Energy, Inc., dated May 26, 2022.	8-K	3.1	5/26/2022
3.4	Third Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Vital Energy, Inc., dated January 9, 2023.	8-K	3.1	1/9/2023
3.5	Certificate of Ownership and Merger, dated as of December 30, 2013.	8-K	3.1	1/6/2014
3.6	Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Vital Energy, Inc., adopted January 9, 2023.	8-K	3.2	1/9/2023
3.7	Certificate of Designations of 2.0% Cumulative Mandatorily Convertible Series A Preferred Stock of Vital Energy, Inc., as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on September 13, 2023.	8-K	3.1	9/19/2023
4.1	Form of Common Stock Certificate.	8-A12B/A	4.1	1/7/2014
4.2	Indenture, dated as of March 18, 2015, among Laredo Petroleum, Inc., Laredo Midstream Services, LLC, Garden City Minerals, LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.	8-K	4.1	9/25/2023
4.3	Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 25, 2023, among Vital Energy, Inc., Vital Midstream Services, LLC and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee.	8-K	4.2	9/25/2023
10.1	Eleventh Amendment to the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 13, 2023, among Vital Energy, Inc., as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, Vital Midstream Services, LLC, as guarantors and the banks signatory thereto.	8-K	10.1	9/13/2023
22.1	List of Issuers and Guarantor Subsidiaries.	10-K	22.1	2/22/2023
31.1*	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
31.2*	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
32.1**	Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18. U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
95.1*	Mine Safety Disclosures.
101	The following financial information from Vital’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) Condensed Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

______________________________________________________________________________

*    Filed herewith.

**    Furnished herewith.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. 

	VITAL ENERGY, INC.
Date: November 3, 2023	By:	/s/ Jason Pigott
		Jason Pigott
		President and Chief Executive Officer
		(principal executive officer)
Date: November 3, 2023	By:	/s/ Bryan J. Lemmerman
		Bryan J. Lemmerman
		Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
		(principal financial officer)
Date: November 3, 2023	By:	/s/ Jessica R. Wren
		Jessica R. Wren
		Senior Director of Financial Accounting and SEC Reporting
		(principal accounting officer)

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