no
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
For the quarterly period ended
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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(State or other jurisdiction of | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
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(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically 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).
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 definition of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer", "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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:
At November 7, 2024,
EVOLUTION PETROLEUM CORPORATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
We use the terms, “EPM,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” to refer to Evolution Petroleum Corporation, and unless the context otherwise requires, its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
1
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Form 10-Q and the information referenced herein contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigations Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, except for statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The words “plan,” “expect,” “project,” “estimate,” “may,” “assume,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “budget,” “forecast,” “predict” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words or phrases. These statements appear in a number of places and include statements regarding our plans, beliefs or current expectations, including the plans, beliefs and expectations of our officers and directors, which may include, but are not limited to, the following:
● | our expectations of plans, strategies and objectives, including anticipated development activity and capital spending; |
● | our capital allocation strategy, capital structure, anticipated sources of funding, growth in long-term shareholder value and ability to preserve balance sheet strength; |
● | our ability to complete future acquisitions and the need for additional capital to complete future acquisitions; |
● | the benefits of our multi-basin portfolio, including operational and commodity flexibility; |
● | our ability to maximize cash flow and the application of excess cash flows to pay; |
● | estimates of our oil, natural gas and NGLs production and commodity mix; |
● | anticipated oil, natural gas and NGL prices; |
● | anticipated drilling and completions activity; |
● | drilling and operational risks, including accidents, equipment failures, fires, and leaks of toxic or hazardous materials; |
● | estimates of our oil, natural gas and NGL reserves and recoverable quantities; |
● | our ability to access credit facilities and other sources of liquidity to meet financial obligations throughout commodity price cycles; |
● | limitations on our ability to obtain funding based on environmental, social, and corporate governance (“ESG”) performance; |
● | future interest expense; |
● | our ability to manage debt and financial ratios, finance growth and comply with financial covenants; |
● | the implementation and outcomes of risk management programs, including exposure to commodity price and interest rate fluctuations, the volume of oil and natural gas production hedged, and the markets or physical sales locations hedged; |
● | the impact of changes in federal, state, provincial and local, rules and regulations; |
● | anticipated compliance with current or proposed environmental requirements, including the costs thereof; |
● | the possible impact of greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions limitations and renewable energy incentives; |
● | adequacy of provisions for abandonment and site reclamation costs; |
● | our operational and financial flexibility, discipline and ability to respond to evolving market conditions; |
● | the declaration and payment of future dividends and any anticipated repurchase of our outstanding common shares; |
● | the adequacy of our provision for taxes and legal claims; |
● | our ability to manage cost inflation and expected cost structures, including expected operating, transportation, processing and labor expenses; |
● | our competitiveness relative to our peers, including with respect to capital, materials, people, assets and production; |
● | oil, natural gas and NGL inventories and global demand for oil, natural gas and NGLs; |
● | the outlook of the oil and natural gas industry generally, including impacts from changes to the geopolitical environment; |
● | adverse weather events; |
● | anticipated staffing levels; |
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● | anticipated payments related to our commitments, obligations and contingencies, and the ability to satisfy the same; and |
● | the possible impact of accounting and tax pronouncements, rule changes and standards. |
Readers are cautioned against unduly relying on forward-looking statements which, by their nature, involve numerous assumptions and are subject to both known and unknown risks and uncertainties (many of which are beyond our control) that may cause actual events or results to differ materially and/or adversely from those expressed or implied, which include, but are not limited to, the following assumptions:
● | future commodity prices and basis differentials; |
● | our ability to access credit facilities and shelf prospectuses; |
● | assumptions contained in our corporate guidance; |
● | the availability of attractive commodity or financial hedges and the enforceability of risk management programs; |
● | expectations that counterparties will fulfill their obligations pursuant to gathering, processing, transportation and marketing agreements; |
● | access to adequate gathering, transportation, processing and storage facilities; |
● | assumed tax, royalty and regulatory regimes; |
● | expectations and projections made in light of, and generally consistent with, our historical experience and our perception of historical industry trends; and |
● | the other assumptions contained herein. |
Readers are cautioned that the assumptions, risks and uncertainties referenced above, and in the other documents incorporated herein by reference (if any), are not exhaustive. Although we believe the expectations represented by our forward-looking statements are reasonable based on the information available to us as of the date such statements are made, forward-looking statements are only predictions and statements of our current beliefs and there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.
When considering any forward-looking statement, the reader should keep in mind the risk factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements herein include the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices for oil, natural gas and NGLs, operating risks and other risk factors as described under the Risk Factors section of our previously filed Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, as well as the other disclosures contained herein, therein, and as also may be described from time to time in future reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There also may be other factors that we cannot anticipate or that are not described in this report, generally because we do not currently perceive them to be material. Such factors could cause results to differ materially from our expectations.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update these statements other than as required by law. Readers are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
EVOLUTION PETROLEUM CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
| September 30, 2024 |
| June 30, 2024 | |||
Assets |
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Current assets |
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Cash and cash equivalents | $ | | $ | | ||
Receivables from crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids revenues | | | ||||
Derivative contract assets | | | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | ||||
Total current assets | | | ||||
Property and equipment, net of depletion, depreciation, and impairment |
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Oil and natural gas properties, net—full-cost method of accounting, of which none were excluded from amortization | | | ||||
Other noncurrent assets | ||||||
Derivative contract assets | | | ||||
Other assets | | | ||||
Total assets | $ | | $ | | ||
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity |
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Current liabilities |
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Accounts payable | $ | | $ | | ||
Accrued liabilities and other | | | ||||
Derivative contract liabilities | | | ||||
State and federal taxes payable | — | | ||||
Total current liabilities | | | ||||
Long term liabilities |
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Senior secured credit facility | | | ||||
Deferred income taxes | | | ||||
Asset retirement obligations | | | ||||
Derivative contract liabilities | | | ||||
Operating lease liability | | | ||||
Total liabilities | | | ||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10) | ||||||
Stockholders' equity |
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Common stock; par value $ | ||||||
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and June 30, 2024, respectively | | | ||||
Additional paid-in capital | | | ||||
Retained earnings | | | ||||
Total stockholders' equity | | | ||||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | | $ | |
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
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EVOLUTION PETROLEUM CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
| Three Months Ended | |||||
September 30, | ||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 | |||
Revenues | ||||||
Crude oil | $ | | $ | | ||
Natural gas | | | ||||
Natural gas liquids | | | ||||
Total revenues | | | ||||
Operating costs |
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Lease operating costs | | | ||||
Depletion, depreciation, and accretion | | | ||||
General and administrative expenses | | | ||||
Total operating costs | | | ||||
Income (loss) from operations | | | ||||
Other income (expense) |
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Net gain (loss) on derivative contracts | | — | ||||
Interest and other income | | | ||||
Interest expense | ( | ( | ||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | | | ||||
Income tax (expense) benefit | ( | ( | ||||
Net income (loss) | $ | | $ | | ||
Net income (loss) per common share: |
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Basic | $ | | $ | | ||
Diluted | $ | | $ | | ||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: |
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Basic | | | ||||
Diluted | | |
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
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EVOLUTION PETROLEUM CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30, | ||||||
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| 2024 |
| 2023 | ||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
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Net income (loss) | $ | | $ | | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: |
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Depletion, depreciation, and accretion | | | ||||
Stock-based compensation | | | ||||
Settlement of asset retirement obligations | ( | — | ||||
Deferred income taxes | ( | ( | ||||
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative contracts | ( | — | ||||
Accrued settlements on derivative contracts | ( | — | ||||
Other | ( | — | ||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
| |||||
Receivables from crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids revenues | ( | ( | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | ||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | ( | | ||||
State and federal income taxes payable | ( | | ||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | | | ||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||
Acquisition of oil and natural gas properties | ( | — | ||||
Capital expenditures for oil and natural gas properties | ( | ( | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ( | ||||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
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Common stock dividends paid | ( | ( | ||||
Common stock repurchases, including stock surrendered for tax withholding | ( | ( | ||||
Net cash used in financing activities | ( | ( | ||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | ( | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | | | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | | $ | | ||
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | ||||||
Non-cash investing and financing transactions: | ||||||
Increase (decrease) in accrued capital expenditures for oil and natural gas properties | $ | | $ | ( |
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
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EVOLUTION PETROLEUM CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
| Additional |
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| Total | |||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Paid-in | Retained | Treasury | Stockholders' | ||||||||||||
| Shares |
| Par Value |
| Capital |
| Earnings |
| Stock |
| Equity | ||||||
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||
Balances at June 30, 2024 | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | — | $ | | ||||||
Issuance of restricted common stock | | | ( | — | — | — | |||||||||||
Common stock repurchases, including stock surrendered for tax withholding | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||
Retirements of treasury stock | ( | — | ( | — | | — | |||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | | — | — | | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) | — | — | — | | — | | |||||||||||
Common stock dividends paid | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||
Balances at September 30, 2024 | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | — | $ | | ||||||
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
Balances at June 30, 2023 | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | — | $ | | ||||||
Issuance of restricted common stock | | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||
Common stock repurchases, including stock surrendered for tax withholding | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||
Retirements of treasury stock | ( | — | ( | — | | — | |||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | | — | — | | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) | — | — | — | | — | | |||||||||||
Common stock dividends paid | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||
Balances at September 30, 2023 | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | — | $ | |
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
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Note 1. Financial Statement Presentation
Nature of Operations. Evolution Petroleum Corporation (“Evolution,” and together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company”) is an independent energy company focused on maximizing returns to shareholders through the ownership of and investment in onshore oil and natural gas properties in the United States. The Company’s long-term goal is to maximize total shareholder return from a diversified portfolio of long-life oil and natural gas properties built through acquisitions and through selective development opportunities, production enhancement, and other exploitation efforts on its oil and natural gas properties.
The Company’s oil and natural gas properties consist of non-operated interests in the following areas: the SCOOP and STACK plays of the Anadarko Basin located in central Oklahoma; the Chaveroo oilfield in Chaves and Roosevelt Counties of New Mexico; the Jonah Field in Sublette County, Wyoming; the Williston Basin in North Dakota; the Barnett Shale located in North Texas; the Hamilton Dome Field located in Hot Springs County, Wyoming, a secondary recovery field utilizing water injection wells to pressurize the reservoir; the Delhi Holt-Bryant Unit in the Delhi Field in Northeast Louisiana, a CO2 enhanced oil recovery project; as well as small overriding royalty interests in
Interim Financial Statements. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the appropriate rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. All adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented have been included. The interim financial information and notes hereto should be read in conjunction with the Company’s 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, as filed with the SEC on September 11, 2024. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full fiscal year. The Company has evaluated events and transactions through the date of issuance of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Principles of Consolidation and Reporting. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Evolution Petroleum Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the previous year may be condensed or include certain reclassifications to conform to the current presentation.
Risk and Uncertainties. The Company’s oil and natural gas interests are operated by third-party operators and involve other third-party working interest owners. As a result, the Company has limited ability to influence the operation or future development of such properties. However, the Company is proactive with its third-party operators to review the management of capital expenditures.
Oil and Natural Gas Properties. The Company uses the full-cost method of accounting for its investments in oil and natural gas properties. Under this method of accounting, all costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties, including unproductive wells, are capitalized. This includes any internal costs that are directly related to property acquisition, exploration, and development activities but does not include any costs related to production, general corporate overhead, or similar activities. Oil and natural gas properties include costs that are excluded from depletion and amortization, which represent investments in unproved and unevaluated properties and include non-producing leasehold, geologic and geophysical costs associated with leasehold or drilling interests, and exploration drilling costs. These costs are excluded until the project is evaluated and proved reserves are established or impairment is determined.
Use of Estimates. The preparation of the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, if any, at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the respective reporting periods. Significant estimates include (a) reserve quantities and estimated future cash flows associated with proved reserves, which may
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significantly impact depletion expense and potential impairments of oil and natural gas properties, (b) asset retirement obligations, (c) stock-based compensation, (d) fair values of derivative contract assets and liabilities, (e) income taxes and the valuation of deferred income tax assets, (f) commitments and contingencies, and (g) accruals of crude oil, natural gas, and NGL revenues and expenses. The Company analyzes estimates and judgments based on historical experience and various other assumptions and information that are believed to be reasonable. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects cannot be predicted with certainty and, accordingly, these estimates may change as additional information is obtained, as new events occur, and as the Company’s environment changes. Actual results may differ from the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses (“ASU 2024-03”). ASU 2024-03 increases the transparency of expense information presented in the statement of operations through disclosures of expanded disaggregation of relevant expense captions including purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depletion, depreciation, and amortization. ASU 2024- 03 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating ASU 2024-03 and the impact it may have to the Company’s disclosures.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“ASU 2023-09”). ASU 2023-09 enhances the transparency of income tax disclosures by expanding the income tax rate reconciliation disclosure and income taxes paid information. ASU 2023-09 also includes certain other amendments to improve the effectiveness of income tax disclosures. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is currently evaluating ASU 2023-09 and the impact it may have to the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flow or disclosures.
In November 2023 the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (“ASU 2023-07”). ASU 2023-07 expands the segment disclosures, even for entities with only one reportable segment, to include additional information about significant segment expenses and other segment items on an annual and interim basis as well as the title and position of the chief operating decision maker. ASU 2023-07 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted and entities must adopt the amendment retrospectively for all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating ASU 2023-07 and the impact it may have to the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flow or disclosures.
Other accounting pronouncements that have recently been issued by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures.
Note 2. Revenue Recognition
The Company’s revenues are primarily generated from its crude oil, natural gas and NGL production from the SCOOP and STACK plays in central Oklahoma, the Chaveroo oilfield in Chaves and Roosevelt Counties of New Mexico, the Jonah Field in Sublette County, Wyoming, the Williston Basin in North Dakota, the Barnett Shale located in North Texas, the Hamilton Dome Field in Wyoming, and the Delhi Field in Northeast Louisiana. Additionally, an overriding royalty interest retained in a past divestiture of Texas properties provides de minimis revenue. The following table
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disaggregates the Company’s revenues by major product for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):
| Three Months Ended | |||||
September 30, | ||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 | |||
Revenues | ||||||
Crude oil | $ | | $ | | ||
Natural gas | | | ||||
Natural gas liquids | | | ||||
Total revenues | $ | | $ | |
In the Jonah Field, the Company has elected to take its natural gas and NGL working interest production in-kind and markets its NGL production to Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (“Enterprise”) and its natural gas production to different purchasers.
The Company does not take production in-kind at any of its other properties and does not negotiate contracts with customers for such production. The Company recognizes crude oil, natural gas, and NGL production revenue at the point in time when custody and title (“control”) of the product transfers to the customer. The sales of oil and natural gas are made under contracts which the Company’s third-party operators of its wells have negotiated with customers, which typically include variable consideration that is based on pricing tied to local indices and volumes delivered in the current month. The Company typically receives payment from the sale of oil and natural gas production
Judgments made in applying the guidance in ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, relate primarily to determining the point in time when control of product transfers to the customer. The Company does not believe that significant judgments are required with respect to the determination of the transaction price, including amounts that represent variable consideration, as volume and price carry a low level of estimation uncertainty given the precision of volumetric measurements and the use of index pricing with predictable differentials. Accordingly, the Company does not consider estimates of variable consideration to be constrained.
The Company’s contractual performance obligations arise upon the production of hydrocarbons from wells in which the Company has an ownership interest. The performance obligations are considered satisfied upon control of produced hydrocarbons transferring to a customer at a specified delivery point. Consideration is allocated to completed performance obligations at the end of an accounting period.
Revenue is recorded in the month when contractual performance obligations are satisfied. However, settlement statements from the purchasers of hydrocarbons and the related cash consideration are received by field operators
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Note 3. Acquisitions
SCOOP/STACK Acquisitions
On February 12, 2024, the Company closed the acquisitions of certain non-operated oil and natural gas assets in the SCOOP and STACK plays in central Oklahoma (the "SCOOP/STACK Acquisitions") from Red Sky Resources III, LLC, Red Sky Resources IV, LLC, and Coriolis Energy Partners I, LLC. After taking into account customary closing adjustments and an effective date of November 1, 2023, total combined cash consideration for the SCOOP/STACK Acquisitions was approximately $
The acquired assets consist of an average net working interest of approximately
Chaveroo Oilfield Participation Agreement
On September 12, 2023, the Company entered into a Participation Agreement with PEDEVCO for the joint development of a portion of PEDEVCO’s Permian Basin property in the Chaveroo oilfield, located in Chaves and Roosevelt Counties, New Mexico. In accordance with the Participation Agreement, the Company has the right, but not the obligation, to elect to participate and acquire a
As of September 30, 2024, the Company has incurred approximately $
Note 4. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment as of September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024 consisted of the following (in thousands):
| September 30, 2024 |
| June 30, 2024 | |||
Oil and natural gas properties |
|
| ||||
Property costs subject to amortization | $ | | $ | | ||
Less: Accumulated depletion, depreciation, and impairment | ( | ( | ||||
Oil and natural gas properties, net | $ | | $ | |
The Company uses the full cost method of accounting for its investments in oil and natural gas properties. All costs of acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and natural gas reserves are capitalized as the cost of oil and natural gas properties when incurred. To the extent capitalized costs of evaluated oil and natural gas properties, net of accumulated depletion, exceed the discounted future net revenues of proved oil and natural gas reserves, net of deferred taxes, such excess capitalized costs would be charged to expense as a write-down of oil and natural gas properties.
Additionally, the Company assesses all properties classified as unevaluated property on a quarterly basis for possible impairment. The Company assesses properties on an individual basis or as a group, if properties are individually insignificant. The assessment includes consideration of the following factors, among others: intent to drill; remaining lease term; geological and geophysical evaluations; drilling results and activity; the assignment of proved reserves; and the economic viability of development if proved reserves are assigned. During any period in which these factors indicate
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impairment, the cumulative drilling costs incurred to date for such property and all or a portion of the associated leasehold costs are transferred to the full cost pool and are then subject to depletion and the full cost ceiling test limitation.
Depletion on oil and natural gas properties was $
At September 30, 2024, the ceiling test value of the Company’s reserves was calculated based on the first-day-of-the-month average for the 12-months ended September 30, 2024 of the West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) crude oil spot price of $
At September 30, 2023, the ceiling test value of the Company’s reserves was calculated based on the first-day-of the month average for the 12-months ended September 30, 2023 of the WTI crude oil spot price of $
Note 5. Senior Secured Credit Facility
On April 11, 2016, the Company entered into a senior secured reserve-based credit facility, as amended, (the “Senior Secured Credit Facility”) with MidFirst Bank in an amount up to $
The Company may elect, at its option, to prepay any borrowings outstanding under the Senior Secured Credit Facility without premium or penalty. Amounts outstanding under the Senior Secured Credit Facility are guaranteed by the Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries and secured by a security interest in substantially all of the properties of the Company and its subsidiaries. Borrowings under the Senior Secured Credit Facility may be used for the acquisition and development of oil and natural gas properties, investments in cash flow generating properties complimentary to the production of oil and natural gas, and for letters of credit or other general corporate purposes.
The Senior Secured Credit Facility contains certain events of default, including non-payment; breaches or representation and warranties; non-compliance with covenants; cross-defaults to material indebtedness; voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy; judgments and change in control. The Senior Secured Credit Facility also contains financial covenants including a requirement that the Company maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, (i) a maximum total leverage ratio of not more than
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weighted average interest on borrowings under the Senior Secured Credit Facility was
The Senior Credit Agreement also contains hedging requirements that apply when there is
Note 6. Income Taxes
The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return in the United States and various combined and separate filings in several state and local jurisdictions.
There were
For three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recognized income tax expense of $
The Company’s effective tax rate will typically differ from the statutory federal rate as a result of state income taxes, primarily in the states of Louisiana, Oklahoma, North Dakota and Texas, percentage depletion in excess of basis, and other permanent differences. For both periods, the respective statutory federal tax rate was
Deferred income taxes primarily represent the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.
Note 7. Derivatives
The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations, including commodity price risk and interest rate risk. In accordance with the Company’s strategy and the requirements under the Senior Secured Credit Facility (as discussed in Note 5, “Senior Secured Credit Facility”), it may hedge or may be required to hedge a varying portion of anticipated oil and natural gas production for future periods. Derivatives are carried at fair value on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities, with the changes in the fair value included in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the period in which the change occurs. The Company’s hedge strategies and objectives may change significantly as its operational profile changes or as required under the Senior Secured Credit Facility. The Company does not enter into derivative contracts for speculative trading purposes.
It is the Company’s policy to enter into derivative contracts only with counterparties that are creditworthy financial or commodity hedging institutions deemed by management as competent and competitive market makers. As of September 30, 2024, the Company did
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When the Company utilizes commodity derivative contracts, it expects to enter into deferred premium puts, costless put/call collars and/or fixed-price swaps to hedge a portion of its anticipated future production. A costless collar consists of a sold call, which establishes a maximum price the Company will receive for the volumes under contract, and a purchased put that establishes a minimum price. Fixed-price swaps are designed so that the Company receives or makes payments based on a differential between fixed and variable prices for the volumes under contract. The Company has elected not to designate its open derivative contracts for hedge accounting. Accordingly, the Company records the net change in the mark-to-market valuation of the derivative contracts and all payments and receipts on settled derivative contracts in “Net gain (loss) on derivative contracts” on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
All derivative contracts are recorded at fair market value in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”) and ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”) and included in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities. The “Derivative contract assets” and “Derivative contract liabilities” represent the difference between the market commodity prices and the hedged prices for the remaining volumes of production hedges as of September 30, 2024 (the “mark-to-market valuation”).
The following table summarizes the location and fair value amounts of all derivative contracts in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024 (in thousands):
Derivatives not designated | ||||||||||||||||
as hedging contracts | Balance sheet | Derivative Contract Assets | Balance sheet | Derivative Contract Liabilities | ||||||||||||
under ASC 815 |
| location |
| September 30, 2024 |
| June 30, 2024 |
| location |
| September 30, 2024 |
| June 30, 2024 | ||||
Commodity contracts | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Commodity contracts | Other assets - derivative contract assets | | | Long term liabilities - derivative contract liabilities | | | ||||||||||
Total derivatives not designated as hedging contracts under ASC 815 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
The following table summarizes the location and amounts of the Company’s realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivative contracts in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands). “Realized gain (loss) on derivative contracts” represents all receipts (payments) on derivative contracts settled during the period. “Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts” represents the net change in the mark-to-market valuation of the derivative contracts.
Derivatives not designated | Location of gain (loss) | Three Months Ended | ||||||
as hedging contracts | recognized in income on | September 30, | ||||||
under ASC 815 |
| derivative contracts | 2024 |
| 2023 | |||
Commodity contracts: | ||||||||
Realized gain (loss) on derivative contracts | Other income and expenses - net gain (loss) on derivative contracts | $ | ( | $ | — | |||
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts | Other income and expenses - net gain (loss) on derivative contracts | | — | |||||
Total net gain (loss) on derivative contracts | $ | | $ | — |
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As of September 30, 2024, the Company had the following open crude oil and natural gas derivative contracts:
Weighted Average | Weighted Average | Weighted Average | |||||||||||||
Volumes in | Swap Price per | Floor Price per | Ceiling Price per | ||||||||||||
Period |
| Instrument |
| Commodity |
| MMBTU/BBL | MMBTU/BBL |
| MMBTU/BBL |
| MMBTU/BBL | ||||
October 2024 - December 2024 | Fixed-Price Swap | Crude Oil | | $ | | ||||||||||
October 2024 - December 2024 | Collar | Crude Oil | | $ | | $ | |||||||||
January 2025 - March 2025 | Collar | Crude Oil | | | |||||||||||
January 2025 - February 2025 | Fixed-Price Swap | Natural Gas | | | |||||||||||
April 2025 - June 2025 | Collar | Crude Oil | | | |||||||||||
March 2025 - December 2026 | Fixed-Price Swap | Natural Gas | | |
Subsequent to September 30, 2024, the Company entered into the following new crude oil derivative contracts:
Weighted Average | |||||||||
Volumes in | Swap Price per | ||||||||
Period |
| Instrument |
| Commodity |
| MMBTU/BBL | MMBTU/BBL | ||
January 2025 - June 2025 | Fixed-Price Swap | Crude Oil | | $ | | ||||
July 2025 - December 2025 | Fixed-Price Swap | Crude Oil | | |
The Company presents the fair value of its derivative contracts at the gross amounts in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. The following table shows the potential effects of master netting arrangements on the fair value of the Company’s derivative contracts as of September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024 (in thousands):
Derivative Contracts Assets | Derivative Contracts Liabilities | |||||||||||
Offsetting of Derivative Assets and Liabilities |
| September 30, 2024 |
| June 30, 2024 |
| September 30, 2024 |
| June 30, 2024 | ||||
Gross amounts presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||
Amounts not offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||
Net amount | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
The Company enters into an International Swap Dealers Association Master Agreements (“ISDA”) with each counterparty prior to a derivative contract with such counterparty. The ISDA is a standard contract that governs all derivative contracts entered into between the Company and the respective counterparty. The ISDA allows for offsetting of amounts payable or receivable between the Company and the counterparty, at the election of both parties, for transactions that occur on the same date and in the same currency.
Note 8. Fair Value Measurement
Accounting guidelines for measuring fair value establish a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy categorizes assets and liabilities measured at fair value into one of three different levels depending on the observability of the inputs employed in the measurement.
The three levels are defined as follows:
Level 1—Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
Level 2—Other inputs that are observable directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
Level 3—Unobservable inputs for which there are little or no market data and which the Company makes its own assumptions about how market participants would price the assets and liabilities.
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Fair Value of Derivative Instruments. The Company’s determination of fair value incorporates not only the credit standing of the counterparties involved in transactions with the Company resulting in receivables on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets, but also the impact of the Company’s nonperformance risk on its own liabilities. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The Company utilizes market data or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable (Level 1) market corroborated (Level 2), or generally unobservable (Level 3). The Company classifies fair value balances based on observability of those inputs.
As required by ASC 820, a financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgement, and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. There were no transfers between fair value hierarchy levels for any period presented in this report. The following table, set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, shows the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value as of September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024 (in thousands).
September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Level 1 |
| Level 2 |
| Level 3 |
| Total | |||||
Assets | ||||||||||||
Derivative contract assets | $ | — | $ | | $ | — | $ | | ||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||
Derivative contract liabilities | $ | — | $ | | $ | — | $ | |
June 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Level 1 |
| Level 2 |
| Level 3 |
| Total | |||||
Assets | ||||||||||||
Derivative contract assets | $ | — | $ | | $ | — | $ | | ||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||
Derivative contract liabilities | $ | — | $ | | $ | — | $ | |
Derivative contracts listed above as Level 2 include fixed-price swaps and costless put/call collars that are carried at fair value. The Company records the net change in fair value of these positions in “Net gain (loss) on derivative contracts” in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company is able to value the assets and liabilities based on observable market data for similar instruments, which resulted in the Company reporting its derivatives as Level 2. This observable data includes the forward curves for commodity prices based on quoted market prices and implied volatility factors related to changes in the forward curves. See Note 7, “Derivatives,” for additional discussion of derivatives.
The Company’s derivative contracts are with large utilities with investment grade credit ratings which are believed to have minimal credit risk. As such, the Company is exposed to credit risk to the extent of nonperformance by the counterparties in the derivative contracts; however, the Company does not expect such nonperformance.
Other Fair Value Measurements. The following disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments is made in accordance with the requirements of ASC 825, Financial Instruments. The estimated fair value amounts have been determined at discrete points in time based on relevant market information. These estimates involve uncertainties and cannot be determined with precision. The estimated fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximates their carrying value due to their short-term nature. The estimated fair value of the Company’s Senior Secured Credit Facility approximates carrying value because the interest rates approximate current market rates.
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The Company follows the provisions of ASC 820, for nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. These provisions apply to the Company’s initial measurement and any subsequent revision of asset retirement obligations (“ARO”) for which fair value is calculated using discounted future cash flows derived from historical costs and management’s expectations of future cost environments. Significant Level 3 inputs used in the calculation of ARO include the costs of plugging and abandoning wells, surface restoration, and reserve lives. Subsequent to initial recognition, revisions to estimated asset retirement obligations are made when changes occur for input values. See Note 9, “Asset Retirement Obligations,” for a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the liability for the Company’s ARO.
Note 9. Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company’s ARO represents the estimated present value of the amount expected to be incurred to plug, abandon, and remediate its oil and natural gas properties at the end of their productive lives in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The Company records the ARO liability on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and capitalizes the cost in “Oil and natural gas properties, net” during the period in which the obligation is incurred. The Company records the accretion of its ARO liabilities in “Depletion, depreciation and accretion” expense in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The following is a reconciliation of the activity related to the Company’s ARO liability (inclusive of the current portion) for the period ended September 30, 2024 (in thousands):
|
| September 30, 2024 | |
Asset retirement obligations — beginning of period | $ | | |
Accretion of discount | | ||
Asset retirement obligations — end of period | | ||
Less: current asset retirement obligations | ( | ||
Long-term portion of asset retirement obligations | $ | |
Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is subject to various claims and contingencies in the normal course of business. In addition, from time to time, the Company receives communications from government or regulatory agencies concerning investigations or allegations of noncompliance with laws or regulations in jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The Company discloses such matters if it believes there is a reasonable possibility that a future event or events will confirm a material loss through impairment of an asset or the incurrence of a material liability. The Company accrues a material loss if it believes it probable that a future event or events will confirm a loss and the loss is reasonably subject to estimation. Furthermore, the Company will disclose any matter that is unasserted if it considers it probable that a claim will be asserted and there is a reasonable possibility that the outcome will be unfavorable and material in amount. The Company expenses legal defense costs as they are incurred.
Note 11. Stockholders’ Equity
Common Stock
As of September 30, 2024, the Company had
The Company began paying quarterly cash dividends on common stock in December 2013. As of September 30, 2024, the Company has cumulatively paid over $
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The following table reflects the dividends paid per share within the respective three-month periods:
Fiscal Year | ||||||
| 2025 |
| 2024 | |||
First fiscal quarter | $ | | $ | |
On September 8, 2022, the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program, under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $
During the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company acquired treasury stock upon the ordinary course of scheduled vestings of employee stock-based awards to fund payroll tax withholding obligations. These treasury shares were subsequently cancelled. Such shares were valued at fair market value on the date of vesting.
The following table summarizes all treasury stock purchases during the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
Three Months Ended | ||||||
September 30, | ||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||
Number of treasury shares acquired | | | ||||
Average cost per share | $ | | $ | | ||
Total cost of treasury shares acquired | $ | | $ | |
Expected Tax Treatment of Dividends
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, all common stock dividends for that fiscal year were treated for tax purposes as qualified dividend income to the recipients. Based on its current projections for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, the Company expects all common stock dividends for such period to be treated as qualified dividend income to the recipients. Such projections are based on the Company’s reasonable expectations as of September 30, 2024 and are subject to change based on the Company’s final tax calculations at the end of the fiscal year.
Stock-Based Incentive Plan
The Evolution Petroleum Corporation 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended, the “2016 Plan”) authorizes the issuance of
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Restated Plan, as well as indefinitely extend the duration of the Amended and Restated Plan provided that no new awards shall be made under the Amended and Restated Plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the date the stockholders approve the Amended and Restated Plan.
The Company estimates the fair value of stock-based compensation awards on the grant date to provide the basis for future compensation expense. During the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized $
Time-Vested Restricted Stock Awards
Time-vested restricted stock awards contain service-based vesting conditions and expire after a maximum of
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Awards and Performance-Based Contingent Stock Units
Performance-based restricted stock awards and performance-based contingent stock units contain market-based vesting conditions based on the price of the Company’s common stock, the intrinsic value indexed solely to its common stock or the intrinsic value indexed to its common stock compared to the performance of the common stock of its peers. The common shares underlying the Company’s performance-based restricted stock awards are issued on the date of grant and participate in dividends paid by the Company and expire after a maximum of
from the date of grant if unvested. Performance-based contingent share units do not participate in dividends and shares are only issued in part or in full upon the attainment of vesting conditions, generally have a lower probability of achievement and expire after a maximum of from the date of grant if unvested. Shares underlying performance-based contingent share units are reserved from the 2016 Plan. Performance-based restricted stock awards and contingent restricted stock units are valued using a Monte Carlo simulation and geometric Brownian motion techniques applied to the historical volatility of the Company’s total stock return compared to the historical volatilities of other companies or indices to which the Company compares its performance and/or the Company’s absolute total stock return. For certain awards, this Monte Carlo simulation also provides an expected vesting term. Stock-based compensation is recognized ratably over the expected vesting period, so long as the award holder remains an employee of the Company. Previously recognized compensation expense is only reversed for the awards with market-based vesting conditions if the requisite service period is not rendered by the holder resulting in forfeiture of the award or as a result of regulatory required clawback.Vesting of grants with performance-based vesting conditions is dependent on the future price of the Company’s common stock. Such awards vest in part or in full if the trailing total returns on the Company’s common stock for a specified
During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company granted a total of
During the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company granted a total of
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For performance-based awards granted during the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the assumptions used in the Monte Carlo simulation valuations were as follows:
Three Months Ended | ||||||
September 30, | ||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 | |||
Weighted average fair value of performance-based awards granted | $ | | $ | | ||
Risk-free interest rate | ||||||
Expected term in years | ||||||
Expected volatility | ||||||
Dividend yield |
Unvested restricted stock awards as of September 30, 2024 consisted of the following:
Weighted | |||||
Number of | Average | ||||
Restricted | Grant-Date | ||||
Award Type |
| Shares |
| Fair Value | |
Time-vested awards | | $ | | ||
Performance-based awards | | | |||
Unvested at September 30, 2024 | | $ | |
The following table sets forth the restricted stock award transactions for the three months ended September 30, 2024:
Weighted | ||||||||||
Weighted | Unamortized | Average | ||||||||
Number of | Average | Compensation | Remaining | |||||||
Restricted | Grant-Date | Expense | Amortization | |||||||
| Shares |
| Fair Value |
| (In thousands) |
| Period (Years) | |||
Unvested at June 30, 2024 | | | $ | | ||||||
Time-vested shares granted | | | ||||||||
Performance-based shares granted | | | ||||||||
Vested | ( | | ||||||||
Unvested at September 30, 2024 | | $ | | $ | |
The following table sets forth contingent restricted stock unit transactions for the three months ended September 30, 2024:
Weighted | ||||||||||
Unamortized | Average | |||||||||
Number of | Weighted Average | Compensation | Remaining | |||||||
Restricted | Grant-Date | Expense | Amortization | |||||||
|
| Stock Units |
| Fair Value |
| (In thousands) |
| Period (Years) | ||
Unvested at June 30, 2024 | | $ | | $ | | |||||
Performance-based awards granted | | | ||||||||
Unvested at September 30, 2024 | | $ | | $ | |
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Note 12. Earnings (Loss) per Common Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share, reflecting the application of the two-class method (in thousands, except per share amounts):
| Three Months Ended | |||||
September 30, | ||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 | |||
Numerator |
|
| ||||
Net income (loss) | $ | | $ | | ||
Undistributed earnings allocated to unvested restricted stock | ( | ( | ||||
Net income (loss) for earnings per share calculation | $ | | $ | | ||
|
| |||||
Denominator | ||||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — Basic | | | ||||
Effect of dilutive securities: | ||||||
Unvested restricted stock awards | | | ||||
Unvested contingent restricted stock units | — | | ||||
Weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares used in diluted earnings per share | | | ||||
Net income (loss) per common share — Basic | $ | | $ | | ||
Net income (loss) per common share — Diluted | $ | | $ | |
Unvested restricted stock awards (both time-vested and performance-based), totaling approximately
In addition, unvested performance-based restricted stock awards and unvested contingent restricted stock units that would not meet the performance criteria as of the period end are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per common share.
21
Note 13. Additional Financial Statement Information
Certain amounts on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets are comprised of the following (in thousands):
|
| September 30, 2024 |
| June 30, 2024 | ||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets: | ||||||
Other receivables | $ | | $ | | ||
Prepaid insurance | | | ||||
Prepaid federal and state income taxes | | | ||||
Carryback of EOR tax credit | — | | ||||
Advances to operators | | | ||||
Prepaid other | | | ||||
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets | $ | | $ | | ||
Other assets: | ||||||
Deposit(1) | $ | | $ | | ||
| | |||||
Total other assets | $ | | $ | | ||
Accrued liabilities and other: | ||||||
Accrued payables | $ | | $ | | ||
Accrued capital expenditures | — | | ||||
Accrued incentive and other compensation | | | ||||
Accrued royalties payable(2) | | | ||||
Accrued taxes other than federal and state income tax | | | ||||
Accrued settlements on derivative contracts | — | | ||||
| | |||||
Asset retirement obligations due within one year | | | ||||
Accrued interest and other | | | ||||
Total accrued liabilities and other | $ | | $ | |
(1) | The deposit of $ |
(2) | Accrued royalties payable relate to royalty and owner payments in the Jonah Field as the Company takes its natural gas and NGL working interest production in-kind. See Note 2, “Revenue Recognition” for a further discussion. |
Note 14. Subsequent Events
At-the-Market (“ATM”) Equity Sales Program
On October 21, 2024, the Company entered into an ATM equity Sales Agreement (the “ATM Sales Agreement”) with Roth Capital Partners, LLC (the “Lead Agent”), Northland Securities Inc., and A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners pursuant to which the Company may issue and sell, from time to time, up to $
Dividend Declaration
On
22
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Commonly Used Terms
“Current quarter” refers to the three months ended September 30, 2024, our first quarter of fiscal year 2025.
“Year-ago quarter” refers to the three months ended September 30, 2023, our first quarter of fiscal year 2024.
Executive Overview
General
Evolution Petroleum Corporation is an independent energy company focused on maximizing total returns to its shareholders through the ownership of and investment in onshore oil and natural gas properties in the United States. In support of that objective, our long-term goal is to maximize total shareholder return from a diversified portfolio of long-life oil and natural gas properties built through acquisitions and through selective development opportunities, production enhancements, and other exploitation efforts on our oil and natural gas properties.
Our oil and natural gas properties consist of non-operated interests in the SCOOP and STACK plays of the Anadarko Basin located in central Oklahoma; the Chaveroo oilfield in Chaves and Roosevelt Counties of New Mexico; Jonah Field in Sublette County, Wyoming; the Williston Basin in North Dakota; the Barnett Shale located in North Texas; the Hamilton Dome Field located in Hot Springs County, Wyoming; the Delhi Holt-Bryant Unit in the Delhi Field in Northeast Louisiana; and small overriding royalty interests in four onshore central Texas wells.
Our non-operated interests in the SCOOP and STACK plays consist of oil and natural gas producing properties in the Anadarko basin, where we hold approximately 2.6% average net working interest and approximately 2.0% average net revenue interests located on approximately 103,700 gross or 4,200 net acres (approximately 96% held by production), across Blaine, Canadian, Carter, Custer, Dewey, Garvin, Grady, Kingfisher, McClain, Murray, and Stephens counties in Oklahoma. The oil and natural gas properties are operated by Continental Resources, Inc., Ovintiv USA Inc. and EOG Resources, Inc. with approximately 40% of wells operated by other operators.
Our non-operated interests in the Chaveroo oilfield consist of a 50% net working interest, with an average associated 41% revenue interest, in approximately 3,200 gross or 1,600 net acres all held by production, associated with five development blocks with the right to acquire the same working interest in additional development locations and associated acreage at a fixed price. The field is operated by PEDEVCO Corp. (“PEDEVCO”).
Our non-operated interests in the Jonah Field, a natural gas and NGL property in Sublette County, Wyoming, consist of approximately 20% average net working interest and approximately 15% average net revenue interest located on approximately 5,300 gross or 950 net acres all held by production. The properties are operated by Jonah Energy.
Our non-operated interests in the Williston Basin, an oil and natural gas producing property, consist of approximately 39% average net working interest and approximately 33% average net revenue interest located on approximately 141,400 gross or 42,200 net acres (approximately 95% held by production) across Billings, Golden Valley, and McKenzie Counties in North Dakota. The properties are operated by Foundation Energy Management.
23
Our non-operated interests in the Barnett Shale, a natural gas and NGL producing shale reservoir, consist of approximately 17% average net working interest and approximately 14% average net revenue interest (inclusive of small overriding royalty interests). The approximately 123,800 gross or 21,000 net acres are held by production across nine North Texas counties. The oil and natural gas properties are primarily operated by Diversified Energy Company with approximately 10% of wells operated by six other operators.
Our non-operated interests in the Hamilton Dome Field, a secondary recovery field utilizing water injection wells to pressurize the reservoir, consist of approximately 24% average net working interest, with an associated 20% average net revenue interest (inclusive of a small overriding royalty interest). The approximately 5,900 gross acre unitized field, of which we hold approximately 1,400 net acres, is operated by Merit Energy Company, who owns the majority of the remaining working interest in the Hamilton Dome Field. The Hamilton Dome Field is located in the southwest region of the Big Horn Basin in northwest Wyoming.
Our non-operated interests in the Delhi Field, a CO2-EOR project, consist of approximately 24% average net working interest, with an associated 19% revenue interest and separate overriding royalty and mineral interests of approximately 7% yielding a total average net revenue interest of approximately 26%. The field is operated by Denbury Onshore LLC, a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation. The approximately 13,600 gross acre unitized Delhi Field, of which we hold approximately 3,200 net acres, is located in northeast Louisiana in Franklin, Madison, and Richland Parishes.
Recent Developments
At-the-Market (“ATM”) Equity Sales Program
On October 21, 2024, we entered into an ATM equity Sales Agreement (the “ATM Sales Agreement”) with Roth Capital Partners, LLC (the “Lead Agent”), Northland Securities Inc., and A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners pursuant to which we may issue and sell, from time to time, up to $30.0 million of shares of common stock through or to the Lead Agent, acting as agent or principal. We have not sold any shares of common stock under the ATM Sales agreement and are not obligated to sell any shares of common stock in the future. We intend to use the net proceeds from any sales of common stock for general corporate purposes, including to redeem or repay outstanding indebtedness.
Dividend Declaration
On November 11, 2024, Evolution’s Board of Directors approved and declared a quarterly dividend of $0.12 per common share payable December 31, 2024.
Risks and uncertainties
The oil and natural gas industry is a global market impacted by many factors, such as government regulations, particularly in the areas of trade sanctions, taxation, energy, climate change and the environment, geopolitical instability and armed conflicts (including between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East between Israel and Gaza), demand in Asian and European markets, and the extent to which members of OPEC and other oil exporting nations manage oil supply through export quotas. Natural gas prices are generally determined by North American supply and demand and are also affected by imports and exports of liquefied natural gas. Weather also has a significant impact on demand for natural gas since it is a primary heating source.
Oil and natural gas prices have been, and we expect may continue to be, volatile. Lower oil and natural gas prices not only decrease our revenues, but an extended decline in oil or natural gas prices may affect planned capital expenditures and the oil and natural gas reserves that we can economically produce. Lower oil and natural gas prices may also reduce the amount of our borrowing base under our Senior Secured Credit Facility, which is determined at the discretion of the lenders based on various factors including the collateral value of our proved reserves, as well as the dividend rate determined by the Board of Directors each quarter.
At times, we maintain cash balances in excess of the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). We utilize insured cash sweep deposits to maximize the amount of our cash that is protected by FDIC insurance.
24
Currently, our oil and natural gas properties are operated by third-party operators and involve other third-party working interest owners. As a result, we have limited ability to influence the operation or future development of such properties. Despite these uncertainties, we remain focused on our long-term objectives and continue to be proactive with our third-party operators to review the management of capital expenditures.
Given the dynamic nature of these factors and events, we cannot reasonably estimate the period of time that certain market conditions will persist. Nor can we predict the broader impact of liquidity concerns around financial institutions; the impact to long-term cost of capital or economic growth as a result of the Federal Reserve’s policies; or the impact on the commodity prices that we realize.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of September 30, 2024, we had $6.9 million in cash and cash equivalents and $39.5 million outstanding borrowings on our Senior Secured Credit Facility compared to $6.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and $39.5 million borrowings outstanding on our Senior Secured Credit Facility at June 30, 2024. Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources during the three months ended September 30, 2024 were cash provided by operations. Our primary uses of liquidity and capital resources for the three months ended September 30, 2024 were our cash dividend payments to our common stockholders and development capital expenditures. As of September 30, 2024, working capital was $8.5 million, an increase of $2.6 million from working capital of $5.9 million as of June 30, 2024.
The Senior Secured Credit Facility has a maximum capacity of $50.0 million subject to a borrowing base determined by the lender based on the value of our oil and natural gas properties. The Senior Secured Credit Facility has a current borrowing base of $50.0 million, with $39.5 million drawn as of September 30, 2024. The Senior Secured Credit Facility is secured by substantially all of our oil and natural gas properties and matures on April 9, 2026.
Borrowings bear interest, at our option, at either the SOFR plus 2.80% or the Prime Rate, as defined under the Senior Secured Credit Facility, plus 1.0%. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the weighted average interest on our borrowings was 8.09%. The Senior Secured Credit Facility contains covenants requiring the maintenance of (i) a total leverage ratio of not more than 3.00 to 1.00, (ii) a current ratio of not less than 1.00 to 1.00, and (iii) a consolidated tangible net worth of not less than $40.0 million, each as defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facility. It also contains other customary affirmative and negative covenants, including a hedging covenant discussed below, and events of default. As of September 30, 2024, we were in compliance with all covenants under the Senior Secured Credit Facility.
The Senior Credit Agreement contains hedging requirements that apply when there is 25% or more utilization of the Margined Collateral Value, as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement, to the extent it exceeds the borrowing base then in effect. At each redetermination, our Margined Collateral Value takes into account the estimated value of our oil and natural gas properties, proved developed reserves, total indebtedness, and other relevant factors consistent with customary oil and natural gas lending criteria. On February 12, 2024, we entered into an amendment to the Senior Secured Credit Facility. This amendment required that we enter into hedges for the next 12-month period, and on a rolling 12-month basis thereafter, covering expected crude oil and natural gas production from proved developed reserves, calculated separately, equal to a minimum of 40% of expected crude oil production each month, or 25% each of expected crude oil and natural gas production each month over that period. Thus, we have the option to choose whether to hedge 40% of expected crude oil production or 25% each of expected crude oil and natural gas production.
We have historically funded operations through cash from operations and working capital. Our primary source of cash is the sale of produced crude oil, natural gas, and NGLs. A portion of these cash flows is used to fund capital expenditures and pay cash dividends to shareholders. We expect to fund near-future capital development activities for our properties with cash flows from operating activities, existing working capital and, as needed, borrowings under our Senior Secured Credit Facility and any proceeds from ATM Sales Agreement (as described in “Recent Developments” above).
We are pursuing new growth opportunities through acquisitions and other transactions. In addition to cash on hand, we have access to the undrawn portion of the borrowing base available under our Senior Secured Credit Facility, totaling $10.5 million as of September 30, 2024. We also have an effective shelf registration statement with the SEC under which we may issue up to $500.0 million of new debt or equity securities.
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On October 21, 2024, we entered into an ATM Sales Agreement with Roth Capital Partners, LLC as our Lead Agent, Northland Securities Inc., and A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners pursuant to which we may issue and sell, from time to time, up to $30.0 million of shares of common stock through or to the Lead Agent, acting as agent or principal. We have not sold any shares of our common stock under the ATM Sales Agreement and are not obligated to sell any shares of common stock in the future.
Our Board of Directors instituted a cash dividend on common stock in December 2013. We have since paid 44 consecutive quarterly dividends. Distribution of a substantial portion of free cash flow in excess of operating and capital requirements through cash dividends remains a priority of our financial strategy, and it is our long-term goal to increase dividends over time, as appropriate. On November 11, 2024, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per share of common stock to shareholders of record on December 13, 2024 and payable on December 31, 2024.
Capital Expenditures
During the three months ending September 30, 2024, we incurred $1.0 million on development capital expenditures. During the first quarter of 2024, capital spending occurred at our fields, including the SCOOP/STACK properties where our operators are actively drilling and have brought seven gross wells online. Based on discussions with our operators, we expect capital workover projects to continue in most of our fields throughout the year.
Overall, for fiscal year 2025, we expect budgeted capital expenditures to be in the range of $12.5 million to $14.5 million, which excludes any potential acquisitions. Our expected capital expenditures for fiscal year 2025 include the seven gross wells brought online at our SCOOP/STACK properties, discussed above, bringing an additional eight gross wells online at our SCOOP/STACK properties, the drilling and completion of four new wells at Chaveroo Field, and the drilling and completion of one new well at Delhi Field Test Site V.
Full Cost Pool Ceiling Test
Under the full cost method of accounting, capitalized costs of oil and natural gas properties, net of accumulated depletion, depreciation, and amortization and related deferred taxes, are limited to the estimated future net cash flows from proved oil and natural gas reserves, discounted at 10%, plus the lower of cost or fair value of unproved properties, as adjusted for related income tax effects (the valuation “ceiling”). If capitalized costs exceed the full cost ceiling, the excess would be charged to expense as a write-down of oil and natural gas properties in the quarter in which the excess occurred. The quarterly ceiling test calculation requires that we use the average first day of the month price for our petroleum products during the 12-month period ending with the balance sheet date. The prices used in calculating our ceiling test as of September 30, 2024 were $79.40 per barrel of oil, $2.21 per MMBtu of natural gas and $23.63 per barrel of NGLs. As of September 30, 2024, our capitalized costs of oil and natural gas properties were below the full cost valuation ceiling. If commodity price levels were to substantially decline from the 12-month average first day of the month pricing levels as of September 30, 2024 and remain down for a prolonged period of time, our valuation ceiling over our capitalized costs may be reduced and adversely impact our ceiling test results in future quarters. While a 10% reduction in respective commodity prices at September 30, 2024, while all other factors remained constant, would not have generated an impairment, we cannot give assurance that a write-down of capitalized oil and natural gas properties will not be required in the future.
Overview of Cash Flow Activities
Three Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| Change | ||||
Cash flows provided by operating activities | $ | 7,614 | $ | 4,324 | $ | 3,290 | |||
Cash flows used in investing activities | (3,002) | (1,827) | (1,175) | ||||||
Cash flows used in financing activities | (4,121) | (4,118) | (3) | ||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 491 | $ | (1,621) | $ | 2,112 |
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Cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended September 30, 2024 increased $3.3 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in revenues. Total revenues increased $1.3 million as compared to the prior year period primarily due increased production volumes partially offset by lower commodity prices. Our average daily production increased 1,021 BOEPD or 15.8% from the prior year period; however our average realized price per barrel of oil equivalent (“BOE”) decreased $2.85, or 8.2% from the prior year period. Refer to “Results of Operations” below for further information.
Cash used in investing activities for the three months ended September 30, 2024 increased $1.2 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to the addition of our SCOOP/STACK properties since the prior year period and the active drilling and completion projects of our operators in the field.
Net cash flows used in financing activities were approximately $4.1 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. For each of the three months ended, September 30, 2024 and 2023, we paid $4.0 million in cash dividends to our common stockholders.
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Results of Operations
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
We reported net income of $2.1 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The following table summarizes the comparison of financial information for the periods presented:
| Three Months Ended | |||||||||||
September 30, | ||||||||||||
(in thousands, except per unit and per BOE amounts) |
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| Variance |
| Variance % | ||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 2,065 | $ | 1,474 | $ | 591 | 40.1 | % | ||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||
Crude oil | 14,737 | 12,616 | 2,121 | 16.8 | % | |||||||
Natural gas | 4,285 | 5,552 | (1,267) | (22.8) | % | |||||||
Natural gas liquids | 2,874 | 2,433 | 441 | 18.1 | % | |||||||
Total revenues | 21,896 | 20,601 | 1,295 | 6.3 | % | |||||||
Operating costs: | ||||||||||||
Lease operating costs: | ||||||||||||
Ad valorem and production taxes | 1,414 | 1,278 | 136 | 10.6 | % | |||||||
Gathering, transportation and other costs | 2,675 | 1,833 | 842 | 45.9 | % | |||||||
Other lease operating costs | 7,701 | 8,772 | (1,071) | (12.2) | % | |||||||
Depletion, depreciation, and accretion: | ||||||||||||
Depletion of full cost proved oil and natural gas properties | 5,325 | 3,910 | 1,415 | 36.2 | % | |||||||
Accretion of asset retirement obligations | 400 | 352 | 48 | 13.6 | % | |||||||
General and administrative expenses: | ||||||||||||
General and administrative | 1,968 | 2,131 | (163) | (7.6) | % | |||||||
Stock-based compensation | 559 | 472 | 87 | 18.4 | % | |||||||
Other income (expense): | ||||||||||||
Net gain (loss) on derivative contracts | 1,798 | — | 1,798 | - | % | |||||||
Interest and other income | 57 | 116 | (59) | (50.9) | % | |||||||
Interest expense | (823) | (32) | (791) | 2,471.9 | % | |||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit | (821) | (463) | (358) | 77.3 | % | |||||||
Production: | ||||||||||||
Crude oil (MBBL) | 204 | 161 | 43 | 26.7 | % | |||||||
Natural gas (MMCF) | 2,228 | 2,025 | 203 | 10.0 | % | |||||||
Natural gas liquids (MBBL) | 113 | 95 | 18 | 18.9 | % | |||||||
Equivalent (MBOE)(1) | 688 | 594 | 94 | 15.8 | % | |||||||
Average daily production (BOEPD)(1) | 7,478 | 6,457 | 1,021 | 15.8 | % | |||||||
Average price per unit(2): | ||||||||||||
Crude oil (BBL) | $ | 72.24 | $ | 78.36 | $ | (6.12) | (7.8) | % | ||||
Natural gas (MCF) | 1.92 | 2.74 | (0.82) | (29.9) | % | |||||||
Natural Gas Liquids (BBL) | 25.43 | 25.61 | (0.18) | (0.7) | % | |||||||
Equivalent (BOE)(1) | 31.83 | 34.68 | (2.85) | (8.2) | % | |||||||
Average cost per unit: | ||||||||||||
Operating costs: | ||||||||||||
Lease operating costs: | ||||||||||||
Ad valorem and production taxes | $ | 2.06 | $ | 2.15 | $ | (0.09) | (4.2) | % | ||||
Gathering, transportation and other costs | 3.89 | 3.09 | 0.80 | 25.9 | % | |||||||
Other lease operating costs | 11.19 | 14.77 | (3.58) | (24.2) | % | |||||||
Depletion of full cost proved oil and natural gas properties | 7.74 | 6.58 | 1.16 | 17.6 | % | |||||||
General and administrative expenses: | ||||||||||||
General and administrative | 2.86 | 3.59 | (0.73) | (20.3) | % | |||||||
Stock-based compensation | 0.81 | 0.79 | 0.02 | 2.5 | % |
(1) | Equivalent oil reserves are defined as six MCF of natural gas and 42 gallons of NGLs to one barrel of oil conversion ratio which reflects energy equivalence and not price equivalence. Natural gas prices per MCF and NGL prices per barrel often differ significantly from the equivalent amount of oil. |
(2) | Amounts exclude the impact of cash paid or received on the settlement of derivative contracts since we did not elect to apply hedge accounting. |
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Revenues
Crude oil, natural gas and NGL revenues were $21.9 million and $20.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in revenues is primarily due to an increase in production volumes partially offset by the decrease in our average realized price per BOE. Average daily equivalent production increased 15.8% from 6,457 BOEPD in the prior year period to 7,478 BOEPD in the current period as a result of the acquisitions of non-operated working interests in the SCOOP/STACK properties in February 2024 and first production at our wells in the Chaveroo Field in early February 2024, which collectively increased production for the three months ended September 30, 2024 by approximately 1,600 BOEPD. The overall increase in production is partially offset by natural production declines in our other fields combined with reduced oil recovery at Delhi Field as the field experienced reduced CO2 injected volumes during the quarter. Similar to last quarter, downtime from one of the CO2 recycle compressors at Delhi Field reduced CO2 injection volumes for part of the current quarter. The compressor was replaced, and full CO2 recycling resumed in mid-July 2024. The CO2 purchase pipeline was taken offline for preventative maintenance at the end of February 2024 and has remained down since then. The operator anticipates resuming CO2 purchases in October 2025. Our average realized commodity price (excluding the impact of derivative contracts) for the three months ended September 30, 2024 decreased approximately $2.85 per BOE, or 8.2%, over the prior year period. The amount we realize for our production depends predominantly upon commodity prices, which are affected by changes in market demand and supply, as impacted by overall economic activity, weather, inventory storage levels, basis differentials and other factors. Realized natural gas prices decreased 29.9% from the year-ago quarter, which was the largest portion of the driver of the decrease in revenues.
Lease Operating Costs
Ad valorem and production taxes were $1.4 million and $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. On a per unit basis, ad valorem and production taxes were $2.06 per BOE and $2.15 per BOE for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease in ad valorem and production taxes on a per BOE basis is primarily due to decreases in oil and natural gas prices since the year-ago quarter.
Gathering, transportation and other costs were $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $1.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Costs include gathering, transportation and processing fees we incur primarily for our natural gas producing properties. The increase is primarily due to the acquisitions of non-operated working interests in the SCOOP/STACK plays in February 2024 which added $0.5 million in gathering transportation and other costs for the three months ended September 30, 2024. On a per unit basis, gathering transportation and other costs were $3.89 per BOE and $3.09 per BOE for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Other lease operating costs decreased $1.1 million, or 12.2%, compared to the year-ago quarter primarily due to decreased CO2 purchases at Delhi. We did not purchase any CO2 at Delhi for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to purchases of $1.6 million in the year-ago quarter. On a per unit basis, other lease operating costs decreased to $11.19 per BOE for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $14.77 per BOE in the year-ago quarter.
Depletion of Full Cost Proved Oil and Natural Gas Properties
Depletion expense increased $1.4 million or 36.2% from $3.9 million to $5.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 primarily due to an increase in the depletion rate. On a per unit basis, depletion expense was $7.74 per BOE and $6.58 per BOE for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The depletion rate of our unit of production calculation increased due to an increase in our depletable base due to our SCOOP/STACK Acquisitions and capital expenditures since the year-ago quarter.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were $2.0 million and $2.1 million, respectively. On a per unit basis, general and administrative expenses were $2.86 per BOE and $3.59 per
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BOE for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease primarily relates to lower transaction and consulting fees.
Stock-based Compensation Expense
Stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024 increased $0.1 million to $0.6 million compared to $0.5 million for the year-ago quarter. The increase is associated with new awards granted since the year-ago quarter.
Net Gain (Loss) on Derivative Contracts
Periodically, we utilize commodity derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices. We have elected not to designate our open derivative contracts for hedge accounting, and accordingly, we recorded the net change in the mark-to-market valuation of the derivative contracts in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. The amounts recorded on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations related to derivative contracts represent the (i) gains (losses) related to fair value adjustments on our open, or unrealized, derivative contracts, and (ii) gains (losses) on settlements of derivative contracts for positions that have settled or been realized. The table below summarizes our net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivative contracts as well as the impact of net realized gains (losses) on our average realized prices for the periods presented. As a result of our SCOOP/STACK Acquisitions in February 2024 and the corresponding borrowings on our Senior Secured Credit Facility, we were required by terms in our Senior Secured Credit Facility to hedge a portion of our production. The decrease in forward commodity prices as of September 30, 2024, resulted in an unrealized gain on the mark-to-market of our hedges. As of September 30, 2024, we had $1.5 million derivative assets, $1.3 million of which was classified as current, and $0.5 million derivative liabilities, $0.2 million of which was classified as current.
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||
September 30, | ||||||||||||
(in thousands, except per unit and per BOE amounts) |
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| Variance |
| Variance % | ||||
Realized gain (loss) on derivative contracts | $ | (70) | $ | — | $ | (70) | — | % | ||||
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts | 1,868 | — | 1,868 | — | % | |||||||
Total net gain (loss) on derivative contracts | $ | 1,798 | $ | — | $ | 1,798 | — | % | ||||
Average realized crude oil price per BBL | $ | 72.24 | $ | 78.36 | $ | (6.12) | (7.8) | % | ||||
Cash effect of oil derivative contracts per BBL | (0.34) | — | (0.34) | — | % | |||||||
Crude oil price per BBL (including impact of realized derivatives) | $ | 71.90 | $ | 78.36 | $ | (6.46) | (8.2) | % | ||||
Average realized natural gas price per MCF | $ | 1.92 | $ | 2.74 | $ | (0.82) | (29.9) | % | ||||
Cash effect of natural gas derivative contracts per MCF | — | — | — | — | % | |||||||
Natural gas price per MCF (including impact of realized derivatives) | $ | 1.92 | $ | 2.74 | $ | (0.82) | (29.9) | % |
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $0.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the prior year period primarily due to borrowings drawn on our Senior Secured Credit Facility to finance our SCOOP/STACK Acquisitions in February 2024. In addition, the weighted average interest rate on our borrowings was 8.09% for the three months ended September 30, 2024.
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Income Tax (Expense) Benefit
For the three months ended September 30, 2024, we recognized income tax expense of $0.8 million on net income before income taxes of $2.9 million compared to income tax expense of $0.5 million on net income before income taxes of $1.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The effective tax rates were 28.4% and 23.9% for three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The effective tax rate increased compared to the year-ago quarter as projected state income taxes have become a larger component of our overall income tax expense during the current quarter.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires that we select certain accounting policies and make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of the assets, liabilities, and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These policies, together with our estimates, have a significant effect on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies from those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity
We are exposed to various risks, including energy commodity price risk, such as price differentials between the NYMEX commodity price and the index price at the location where our production is sold. When oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids prices decline significantly, our ability to finance our capital budget and operations may be adversely impacted. We expect energy prices to remain volatile and unpredictable, therefore we monitor commodity prices to identify the potential need for the use of derivative financial instruments to provide partial protection against declines in oil and natural gas prices. We do not enter into derivative contracts for speculative trading purposes. In accordance with our Senior Secured Credit Facility, we may be required to enter into hedges if we meet certain utilization levels of the borrowing base under the credit facility. We intend to remain in compliance with these covenants and will enter into derivative contracts from time to time to meet the requirements. Additionally, depending on market conditions, financial and other considerations we may enter into additional hedges to meet our objectives of increasing value to shareholders.
We are exposed to market risk on our open derivative contracts related to potential non-performance by our counterparties. It is our policy to enter into derivative contracts only with counterparties that are creditworthy institutions deemed by management as competitive market makers. For the derivative contracts settled during fiscal 2024 and 2023, we did not post collateral. We account for our derivative activities under the provisions of ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, (“ASC 815”). ASC 815 establishes accounting and reporting that every derivative instrument be recorded on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at fair value. See Note 7, “Derivatives” to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for more details.
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to changes in interest rates. Changes in interest rates affect the interest earned on our cash and cash equivalents. Additionally, any borrowings under the Senior Secured Credit Facility will bear interest, at our option, at either SOFR plus 2.80%, subject to a minimum SOFR of 0.50%, or the Prime Rate, as defined under the Senior Secured Credit Facility, plus 1.00%. SOFR rates are sensitive to the period of contract and market volatility, as well as changes in forward interest rate yields. Under our current practices, we do not use interest rate derivative instruments to manage exposure to interest rate changes.
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) rules and forms. This information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As required by SEC Rule 13a-15(b), we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(c) and 15(d)-15(e)) as of the end of the quarter covered by this report. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognizes that controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving desired control objectives. Based on the foregoing, our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that as of September 30, 2024 our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, we have determined that there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Part II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
See Note 10, “Commitments and Contingencies” to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for a description of any legal proceedings, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2024 includes a detailed description of our risk factors.
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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The table below summarizes information about the Company's purchases of its equity securities during the three months ended September 30, 2024.
(c) Total number | (d) Maximum dollar value | |||||||||
(a) Total number | of shares | of shares that may yet be | ||||||||
of shares | purchased as part | purchased under the | ||||||||
purchased and | (b) Average price | of public announced | plans or programs | |||||||
Period | received (1) | paid per share (1) | plans or programs(2) | (in thousands)(2) | ||||||
July 2024 | — | $ | — | — | $ | 20,403 | ||||
August 2024 | 16,775 | 5.15 | — | 20,403 | ||||||
September 2024 | 445 | 5.15 | — | 20,403 |
(1) | During the three months ended September 30, 2024, all of the shares received were surrendered by employees in exchange for the payment of tax withholding upon the vesting of restricted stock awards. |
(2) | On September 8, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program, under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $25.0 million of its common stock in the open market through December 31, 2024. The shares may be repurchased from time to time in open market transactions, through privately negotiated transactions or by other means in accordance with federal securities laws. The timing, as well as the number and value of shares repurchased under the program, will depend on a variety of factors, including management’s assessment of the intrinsic value of the Company’s shares, the market price of the Company's common stock, the Company’s capital needs and resources, general market and economic conditions, and applicable legal requirements. The value of shares authorized for repurchase by the Company's Board of Directors does not require the Company to repurchase such shares or guarantee that such shares will be repurchased, and the program may be suspended, modified, or discontinued at any time without prior notice. |
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Not Applicable.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not Applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
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Item 6. Exhibits
The following documents are included as exhibits to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Those exhibits incorporated by reference are so indicated by the information supplied with respect thereto. Those exhibits which are not incorporated by reference are attached hereto.
3.1 | ||
3.3 | ||
31.1** | ||
31.2** | ||
32.1** | ||
32.2** | ||
101.INS* | Inline XBRL Instance Document | |
101.SCH* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | |
101.CAL* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | |
101.DEF* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | |
101.LAB* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | |
101.PRE* | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | |
104* | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
* Attached hereto.
** Furnished herewith.
34
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.
|
| Evolution Petroleum Corporation | |
Date: November 13, 2024 | By: | /s/ KELLY W. LOYD | |
Kelly W. Loyd President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Director | |||
By: | /s/ RYAN STASH | ||
Ryan Stash Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) and Treasurer |
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