Is Prairie Operating Stock a Bargain After its Recent Decline?

Company Overview - Prairie Operating Co. (PROP) is an independent oil and gas company based in Houston, focusing on acquiring and developing assets in the DJ Basin, particularly in the Niobrara and Codell formations [2] - The company benefits from its strategic location near major industry players like Chevron and Occidental Petroleum, which allows for efficient permitting and drilling processes [2] Recent Performance and Acquisition - Prairie Operating has experienced a 39% decline in stock price over the past six months, reaching a 52-week low of $4.50 [1] - The company made a significant acquisition of Bayswater's DJ Basin assets for $602.75 million, adding 24,000 net acres and 26,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE/d) in production [3] Production Growth Targets - Prairie Operating aims for a production increase to 7,000-8,000 BOE/d by 2025, representing a 300% increase from the previous year [8] - Post-acquisition, production is expected to rise to 29,000-31,000 BOE/d, positioning the company as a major player in the DJ Basin [8] Earnings Growth Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts a 327.6% increase in earnings for 2025, with analysts revising their earnings forecast from $2.44 per share to $4.78 over the past 60 days [10] - Projected net income for 2025 is between $69 million and $102 million, with adjusted EBITDA expected to jump to $350-$370 million post-acquisition [11] Operational Efficiencies - Prairie Operating plans to optimize costs and enhance production efficiency by leveraging existing midstream infrastructure and multi-well pad drilling strategies [12] - The focus on high-return oil formations ensures strong margins and rapid payback periods, with some wells expected to recover costs in less than a year [12] Financial Outlook - The company has expanded its credit facility to $475 million, providing sufficient liquidity for aggressive expansion while maintaining a manageable leverage ratio of 1.0x [11] - Capital expenditures are projected to rise significantly, with planned spending between $300 million and $320 million in 2025 [13]