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Consolidation in the DJ Basin
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Can Prairie Operating Co. Win Big With Its DJ Basin Land Grab?
ZACKSยท 2025-06-11 12:56
Core Insights - Prairie Operating Co. (PROP) has established itself as a leading consolidator in the northern Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin through significant acquisitions, including Genesis, Nickel Road, and Bayswater, covering over 54,000 net acres and providing a 10-year inventory runway [1][3][4] Company Overview - The DJ Basin is geologically favorable with supportive local policies and infrastructure proximity, benefiting from a regional gas market that imports from Canada, potentially offering better pricing than the oversupplied Texas gas markets [2] - The $603 million Bayswater acquisition significantly expanded PROP's production capacity to 26,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE/d) and added 600 drilling locations across 24,000 net acres, enhancing operational leverage and financial stability [3][4] Competitive Landscape - The lack of near-term competition in the DJ Basin is advantageous for PROP, as larger operators like Chevron and Civitas Resources have shifted their focus to other basins, allowing PROP to capitalize on consolidation opportunities [6][7] - With over 586 gross locations and 157 permits, PROP is positioned as a mini-major in its niche, with a strong appetite for further acquisitions [7] Financial Performance and Valuation - PROP's shares have declined over 40% year to date, but the company anticipates a strong adjusted EBITDA of $350-$370 million post-acquisition, indicating robust free cash flow generation to support future growth without excessive debt [4][8][9] - The forward price-to-sales ratio for PROP is 0.29, significantly below the sector average, and the company holds a Value Score of A [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PROP's 2025 earnings suggests a remarkable 383% year-over-year increase, with substantial growth projections for upcoming quarters [11][12]