SD Q3 Earnings Rise Y/Y on Higher Oil Production, Cash Flow

Core Insights - SandRidge Energy, Inc. (SD) shares increased by 7.8% following the release of third-quarter 2025 results, outperforming the S&P 500 index's 0.5% rise, indicating strong investor confidence due to solid operational execution and capital discipline [1] Financial Performance - The company reported earnings per share of 42 cents for Q3 2025, up from 19 cents in the same period last year, with revenues rising 32% year-over-year to $39.8 million, driven by higher production volumes, particularly in oil [2] - Net income decreased to $16 million from $25.5 million a year earlier, while adjusted net income more than doubled to $15.5 million from $7.1 million [2] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 54% to $27.3 million, supported by production growth and effective cost management [2] Operational Performance - Average production reached 19,000 barrels of oil-equivalent (Boe) per day, a 12% increase, with oil output jumping 49% year-over-year [3] - Revenues from oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids totaled $39.82 million, an increase of $9.77 million year-over-year, with average realized prices of $65.23 per barrel for oil, $1.71 per Mcf for gas, and $15.61 per barrel for NGLs [3] Cost Management - Lease operating expenses rose to $6.25 per Boe from $5.82 per Boe last year, attributed to higher costs related to the Cherokee development [4] - Adjusted general and administrative expenses increased to $2.1 million or $1.23 per Boe from $1.6 million or $1.02 per Boe, while maintaining low overhead levels compared to peers [4] Management Commentary - The CEO highlighted the strong quarter, emphasizing the success of the Cherokee drilling campaign and operational efficiency, alongside a commendable safety record of four years without incidents [5] - Management reaffirmed commitment to Cherokee asset development, cost control, and shareholder returns, noting a debt-free status with $103 million in cash [6] Business Development - In Q3, SandRidge completed and brought online three wells from its one-rig Cherokee program, achieving an average 30-day peak production of 2,000 Boe per day, with 43% being oil [7] - The company plans to drill eight Cherokee wells in 2025, with six completions and two carried over to the following year [7] Capital Expenditure - Capital expenditure for the first nine months of 2025 totaled $50.6 million, with expectations for 2025 capital spending between $66 million and $85 million, funded from cash flows [8] Commodity Price Management - Commodity price hedges cover approximately 35% of fourth-quarter production, providing downside protection amid price volatility, with operated Cherokee wells remaining profitable at $35 WTI breakevens [9] Factors Influencing Results - Growth in Q3 was driven by increased production and a favorable commodity mix, despite lower realized oil prices per barrel compared to the previous year [10] - Improved natural gas prices and higher production contributed to margin expansion [10] Financial Position - The company maintains a strong liquidity position with over $100 million in cash and no debt, supporting financial flexibility and shareholder returns [11] - SandRidge has distributed $4.48 per share in dividends since the start of 2023, including special payouts [11] Outlook and Guidance - Management reiterated a disciplined capital allocation framework, focusing on high-return projects and shareholder distributions, with plans to sustain the one-rig Cherokee development into the next year [12] - The 2025 capital program will prioritize drilling and completion activities and production optimization [12] Strategic Positioning - The CEO noted that the combination of oil-weighted Cherokee and gas-weighted legacy assets positions the company to capitalize on commodity cycles, with expectations for significant oil volume increases as additional Cherokee wells come online [13] Shareholder Engagement - SandRidge engaged in opportunistic share repurchases, buying 0.6 million shares for $6.4 million during the first nine months of 2025, with a remaining authorization of $68.3 million [14] - The Board declared a 12 cents per-share dividend payable on November 28, 2025, with a reinvestment option for stockholders [14]