EX-99.1 2 ex_644683.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 ex_644683.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

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U.S. Energy Corp. Reports Financial and Operating Results for First Quarter 2024

 

HOUSTON, May 9, 2024  U.S. Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: USEG, “U.S. Energy” or the “Company”), a growth-focused energy company engaged in operating a portfolio of high-quality producing oil and natural gas assets, today reported financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

 

 First QUARTER 2024 HIGHLIGHTS

 

Net daily production of 1,207 barrels of oil equivalent per day (“Boe/d”);

Oil production of 68,599 barrels, or 62% of total production;

Lease Operating Expense of $3.2 million, or $29.02 per Boe, a 28% and 2% decrease, respectively, from first quarter of 2023;

Adjusted EBITDA of $0.2 million;
Repurchased approximately 0.3 million shares of common stock, representing nearly 1.5% of outstanding shares, for approximately $0.3 million;
Ended the quarter with an outstanding debt balance of $5.0 million, $2.0 million of cash, and total liquidity of $17.0 million.

 

MANAGEMENT COMMENTS

 

"I’m pleased with U.S. Energy’s first quarter, with our operations team rebounding quickly against highly adverse weather conditions while the Company continues to uphold its balance sheet strength and actively executes our stock repurchase plan,” said Ryan Smith, U.S. Energy’s Chief Executive Officer.  “While the heavy rains and flooding significantly affected our East Texas and Gulf Coast operations during the quarter, much of the production was brought back online without any negative long-term effects in late March and early April.  As we continue through 2024, U.S. Energy’s balance sheet and liquidity position affords the Company a high degree of optionality as we continue to pursue value enhancing initiatives with a clear focus of maximizing total returns for our shareholders."

 

PRODUCTION UPDATE

 

During the first quarter of 2024, the Company produced 109,800 Boe, or an average of 1,207 Boe/d.  Weather related downtime, primarily attributed to heavy flooding throughout East Texas and the Gulf Coast, caused an estimated of 125-150 boe/d of temporarily shut-in production during the quarter.  The first quarter of 2024 was the first period since the Company divested substantially all of its non-operated assets during the fourth quarter of 2023.

 

   

Three months ended March 31,

 
   

2024

   

2023

 
                 

Sales volume

               

Oil (Bbls)

    68,599       91,311  

Natural gas and liquids (Mcfe)

    247,209       384,031  

BOE

    109,800       155,316  

Average daily production (BOE/Day)

    1,207       1,726  
                 

Average sales prices:

               

Oil (Bbls)

  $ 68.91     $ 77.70  

Natural gas and liquids (Mcfe)

  $ 2.69     $ 3.06  

BOE

  $ 49.10     $ 53.26  

 

First QUARTER 2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS

 

Total oil and gas sales during the first quarter of 2024 were approximately $5.4 million, compared to $8.3 million in the first quarter of 2023.  The decrease in revenue was primarily due to a decrease in our production quantities related to the asset divestiture and the weather-related events described above, combined with an 8% decrease in realized prices.  Sales from oil production represented 88% of total revenue during the quarter, an increase from 86% in the first quarter of 2023.

 

Lease operating expense (“LOE”) for the first quarter of 2024 was approximately $3.2 million, or $29.02 per Boe, as compared to $4.4 million, or $28.39, in the first quarter of 2023.  The decrease in the total amount of LOE was due primarily to a reduction in workover activity period over period.

 

Cash general and administrative (“G&A”) expenses were approximately $2.0 million during the first quarter of 2024, a reduction from the $2.1 million reported during the first quarter of 2023.

 

Adjusted EBITDA was $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared to adjusted EBITDA of $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2023.  The Company reported a net loss of $9.5 million, or a loss of $0.38 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2024, compared to net loss of $1.3 million, or $0.05 per share, in the first quarter of 2023.  The largest contributor to the net loss was a non-cash impairment taken during the first quarter of $5.4 million primarily driven by a reduction in SEC reserve pricing.

 

 

 

BALANCE SHEET UPDATE

 

As of March 31, 2024, the Company had debt outstanding of $5.0 million on its revolving credit facility with availability of $15.0 million and a cash balance of approximately $2.0 million.

 

HEDGING PROGRAM UPDATE

 

The Company previously entered into fixed priced crude oil swaps with outstanding settlement dates from the second quarter of 2024 through the fourth quarter of 2024 with a weighted average swap price of $80.01/bbl oil. 

 

On April 2, 2024, the Company entered into fixed price crude oil swaps with outstanding settlement dates from the first quarter of 2025 to the fourth quarter of 2025 with a weighted average swap price of $73.71/bbl oil.  The following table reflects the Company's hedged volumes under commodity derivative contracts and the average floor and ceiling or fixed swap prices at which production is hedged as of May 9, 2024:

 

 

Swaps

 

Period

Commodity

 

Volume
(Bbls)

   

Price
($/bbl)

 

Q2 2024

Crude Oil

    48,600     $ 81.76  

Q3 2024

Crude Oil

    45,000     $ 79.80  

Q4 2024

Crude Oil

    40,720     $ 78.15  

Q1 2025

Crude Oil

    45,000     $ 75.73  

Q2 2025

Crude Oil

    43,225     $ 74.19  

Q3 2025

Crude Oil

    39,100     $ 72.82  

Q4 2025

Crude Oil

    36,800     $ 71.64  

 

ABOUT U.S. ENERGY CORP.

 

We are a growth company focused on consolidating high-quality producing assets in the United States with the potential to optimize production and generate free cash flow through low-risk development while maintaining an attractive shareholder returns program.  We are committed to being a leader in reducing our carbon footprint in the areas in which we operate. More information about U.S. Energy Corp. can be found at www.usnrg.com.

 

INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT

 

Mason McGuire

 

IR@usnrg.com

(303) 993-3200

www.usnrg.com

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Certain of the matters discussed in this communication which are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Words such as “strategy,” “expects,” “continues,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “would,” “will,” “estimates,” “intends,” “projects,” “goals,” “targets” and other words of similar meaning are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying these statements.

 

Important factors that may cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, risks associated with the integration of the recently acquired assets; the Company’s ability to recognize the expected benefits of the acquisitions and the risk that the expected benefits and synergies of the acquisition may not be fully achieved in a timely manner, or at all; the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the acquisitions; the Company’s ability to comply with the terms of its senior credit facilities; the ability of the Company to retain and hire key personnel; the business, economic and political conditions in the markets in which the Company operates; fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices, uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of oil and natural gas reserves and projecting future rates of production and timing of development activities; competition; operating risks; acquisition risks; liquidity and capital requirements; the effects of governmental regulation; adverse changes in the market for the Company’s oil and natural gas production; dependence upon third-party vendors; risks associated with COVID-19, the global efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, potential downturns in the U.S. and global economies due to COVID-19 and the efforts to stop the spread of the virus, and COVID-19 in general; economic uncertainty relating to increased inflation and global conflicts; the lack of capital available on acceptable terms to finance the Company’s continued growth; the review and evaluation of potential strategic transactions and their impact on stockholder value; the process by which the Company engages in evaluation of strategic transactions; the outcome of potential future strategic transactions and the terms thereof; and other risk factors included from time to time in documents U.S. Energy files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, its Form 10-Ks, Form 10-Qs and Form 8-Ks. Other important factors that may cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements included in this communication are described in the Company’s publicly filed reports, including, but not limited to, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. These reports and filings are available at www.sec.gov.

 

The Company cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not complete. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or any person acting on behalf of any Sale Agreement Parties are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements referenced above. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on U.S. Energy’s future results. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. U.S. Energy cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Finally, U.S. Energy undertakes no obligation to update these statements after the date of this release, except as required by law, and takes no obligation to update or correct information prepared by third parties that are not paid for by U.S. Energy. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

 

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

U.S. ENERGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

   

March 31, 2024

   

December 31, 2023

 
                 

ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               

Cash and equivalents

  $ 2,006     $ 3,351  

Oil and natural gas sales receivables

    2,088       2,336  

Marketable equity securities

    179       164  

Commodity derivative asset -current

    59       1,844  

Other current assets

    929       527  

Real estate assets held for sale, net of selling costs

    139       150  
                 

Total current assets

    5,400       8,372  
                 

Oil and natural gas properties under full cost method:

               

Unevaluated properties

    -       -  

Evaluated properties

    171,339       176,679  

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

    (108,250 )     (106,504 )
                 

Net oil and natural gas properties

    63,089       70,175  
                 

Other Assets:

               

Property and equipment, net

    842       899  

Right-of-use asset

    653       693  

Other assets

    286       305  
                 

Total assets

  $ 70,270     $ 80,444  
                 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

  $ 3,695     $ 4,064  

Accrued compensation and benefits

    404       702  

Revenue and royalties payable

    4,937       4,857  

Asset retirement obligations - current

    1,273       1,273  

Current lease obligation

    186       182  
                 

Total current liabilities

    10,495       11,078  
                 

Noncurrent liabilities:

               

Credit facility

    5,000       5,000  

Asset retirement obligations - noncurrent

    17,452       17,217  

Long-term lease obligation, net of current portion

    564       611  

Deferred tax liability

    16       16  
                 

Total liabilities

    33,527       33,922  
                 

Commitments and contingencies

               
                 

Shareholders’ equity:

               

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 245,000,000 shares authorized; 25,343,013 and 25,333,870 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively

    253       253  

Additional paid-in capital

    218,161       218,403  

Accumulated deficit

    (181,671 )     (172,134 )
                 

Total shareholders’ equity

    36,743       46,522  
                 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

  $ 70,270     $ 80,444  

 

 

 

U.S. ENERGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE Three Months Ended AND 2023

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2024

   

2023

 
                 

Revenue:

               

Oil

  $ 4,727     $ 7,095  

Natural gas and liquids

    664       1,177  

Total revenue

    5,391       8,272  
                 

Operating expenses:

               

Lease operating expenses

    3,186       4,409  

Gathering, transportation and treating

    64       114  

Production taxes

    343       520  

Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization

    2,195       2,417  

Impairment of oil and natural gas properties

    5,419       -  

General and administrative expenses

    2,206       2,772  

Total operating expenses

    13,413       10,232  
                 

Operating income (loss)

    (8,022 )     (1,960 )
                 

Other income (expense):

               

Commodity derivative gain (loss), net

    (1,381 )     919  

Interest (expense), net

    (120 )     (268 )

Other income (expense), net

    4       -  

Total other income (expense)

    (1,497 )     651  
                 

Net income (loss) before income taxes

  $ (9,519 )   $ (1,309 )

Income tax (expense) benefit

    (18 )     62  

Net income (loss)

  $ (9,537 )   $ (1,247 )
                 

Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding

    25,388,221       25,178,565  

Basic and diluted income (loss) per share

  $ (0.38 )   $ (0.05 )

 

 

 

U.S. ENERGY CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 AND 2023

(in thousands)

 

   

2024

   

2023

 
                 

Cash flows from operating activities:

               

Net income (loss)

  $ (9,537 )   $ (1,247 )

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

               

Depreciation, depletion, accretion, and amortization

    2,195       2,417  

Impairment of oil and natural gas properties

    5,419       -  

Deferred income taxes

    -       (62 )

Total commodity derivatives (gains) losses, net

    1,381       (919 )

Commodity derivative settlements received (paid)

    404       (406 )

(Gains) losses on marketable equity securities

    (15 )     -  

Impairment and loss on real estate held for sale

    11       -  

Amortization of debt issuance costs

    12       12  

Stock-based compensation

    200       727  

Right of use asset amortization

    40       55  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    -       -  

Oil and natural gas sales receivable

    248       1,145  

Other assets

    (397 )     52  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    (245 )     (794 )

Accrued compensation and benefits

    (298 )     (754 )

Revenue and royalties payable

    80       79  

Payments on operating lease liability

    (43 )     (58 )

Payments of asset retirement obligations

    (58 )     (11 )
                 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    (603 )     236  
                 

Cash flows from investing activities:

               

Oil and natural gas capital expenditures

    (144 )     (1,106 )

Property and equipment expenditures

    -       (261 )

Proceeds from sale of oil and natural gas properties, net

    (35 )     -  
                 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    (179 )     (1,367 )
                 

Cash flows from financing activities:

               

Payments on insurance premium finance note

    (62 )     (112 )

Shares withheld to settle tax withholding obligations for restricted stock awards

    (105 )     (151 )

Dividends paid

    -       (596 )

Repurchases of common stock

    (396 )     -  
                 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    (563 )     (859 )
                 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and equivalents

    (1,345 )     (1,990 )
                 

Cash and equivalents, beginning of period

    3,351       4,411  
                 

Cash and equivalents, end of period

  $ 2,006     $ 2,421  

 

 

 

ADJUSTED EBITDA RECONCILIATION

 

In addition to our results calculated under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), in this earnings release we also present Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA is a “non-GAAP financial measure” presented as supplemental measures of the Company’s performance. It is not presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss), plus net interest expense, net unrealized loss (gain) on change in fair value of derivatives, income tax (benefit) expense, deferred income taxes, depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization, one-time costs associated with completed transactions and the associated assumed derivative contracts, non-cash share-based compensation, transaction related expenses, transaction related acquired realized derivative loss (gain), and loss (gain) on marketable securities. Company management believes this presentation is relevant and useful because it helps investors understand U.S. Energy’s operating performance and makes it easier to compare its results with those of other companies that have different financing, capital and tax structures. Adjusted EBITDA is presented because we believe it provides additional useful information to investors due to the various noncash items during the period. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our operating results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are: Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash expenditures, or future requirements for capital expenditures, or contractual commitments; Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital needs; Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on debt or cash income tax payments; although depreciation and amortization are noncash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements; and other companies in this industry may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently than the Company does, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

 

The Company’s presentation of this measure should not be construed as an inference that future results will be unaffected by unusual or nonrecurring items. We compensate for these limitations by providing a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to the most comparable GAAP measure, below. We encourage investors and others to review our business, results of operations, and financial information in their entirety, not to rely on any single financial measure, and to view this non-GAAP measure in conjunction with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

 

   

Three months ended March 31,

 
In Thousands  

2024

   

2023

 

Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation

               

Net Income (Loss)

  $ (9,537 )   $ (1,247 )
                 

Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization

    2,195       2,417  

Non-cash loss (gain) on commodity derivatives

    1,785       (1,325 )

Interest Expense, net

    120       268  

Income tax expense (benefit)

    18       (62 )

Non-cash stock based compensation

    200       727  

Transaction related acquired realized derivative losses

    -       405  

Loss (gain) on marketable securities

    (14 )     -  

Loss (gain) on real estate held for sale

    11       -  

Impairment of oil and natural gas properties

    5,419       -  

Total Adjustments

    9,734       2,430  
                 

Total Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 197     $ 1,183