Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q3 2025, the company reported net production of 137,000 boe per day, with 78% being oil, remaining roughly flat quarter over quarter [12] - Adjusted EBITDAX was $338 million, and free cash flow before changes in working capital was $231 million, indicating strong cash flow generation [12] - The company raised $400 million to refinance Berry's debt ahead of the merger, demonstrating financial agility [13] - Net leverage stood at 0.6 times, with total liquidity exceeding $1.1 billion, showcasing a robust balance sheet [14] - The company increased its dividend by 5%, reflecting confidence in its business and cash generation [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The exploration and production (E&P) business continues to perform well, with a revised annual base decline assumption of 8%-13%, down from 10%-15% [4][12] - The carbon capture and storage (CCS) business is advancing, with the first CO2 injection expected in early 2026 at the Elk Hills project [6][8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - California's energy and regulatory environment is improving, with new legislation supporting oil and gas permitting and extending the Cap and Invest program through 2045 [3][4] - The California Public Utilities Commission estimates that power capacity needs to double by 2035 to meet demand, indicating a significant opportunity for the company [8][10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on disciplined growth, operational efficiency, and capital allocation to enhance shareholder value [15][19] - The merger with Berry Corporation is expected to create meaningful synergies and enhance operational scale [5][17] - The company aims to play a leading role in California's energy transition, focusing on clean, reliable power solutions [20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the company's position in California's energy revival, citing improved regulatory frameworks and strong production performance [3][4] - The company anticipates continued stable production and lower costs in Q4 2025, with a modest increase in capital spending [16][17] - The preliminary 2026 plan includes hedging two-thirds of expected production at a Brent floor price of $64 per barrel, ensuring cash flow stability [17] Other Important Information - The company has seven Class VI permits under active review with the EPA, aiming to expand its statewide storage network for CCS [8] - The company is exploring partnerships to develop carbon management solutions and enhance its power generation capabilities [11][60] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the MOU with Capital Power and the next steps for the PPA? - Management noted that the market is heating up with more opportunities, and they are focused on building a hub to serve data centers and the grid at scale [23][24] Question: What is driving the improvement in PDP decline rates? - The improvement is attributed to owning high-quality conventional assets and effective management practices, including injection and surveillance technologies [28][29] Question: Can you elaborate on the decarbonized power opportunity in Kern County? - Management highlighted the potential for retrofitting existing power plants for CCS and the ability to connect these plants with storage sites, creating a decarbonized power hub [34][35] Question: How does the company plan to ramp up production for gas assets? - The focus will primarily be on oil production, with natural gas being a secondary priority depending on market demand and capital allocation [68][69] Question: What is the capital plan for 2026? - The preliminary plan includes running four rigs with a capital expenditure of $280 million-$300 million, focusing on workovers and sidetracks [72][74]

Core Insights - Google is investing in a natural gas power plant in Illinois that aims to capture approximately 90% of its carbon emissions [1][2] - The power plant will have a capacity of 400 megawatts and will be located next to an ethanol plant operated by Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) [1] - The project is being developed by Low Carbon Infrastructure, and Google plans to purchase most of the electricity generated for its data centers [1] Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Performance - The power plant's carbon dioxide will be injected into geological storage formations already utilized by ADM's ethanol facility, which is the site of the first long-term CO2 storage well in the U.S. [2] - A recent study of 13 CCS facilities indicates that many are not meeting their carbon capture expectations, with an ExxonMobil facility capturing 36% less than anticipated [5] - A similar Canadian power plant has only captured about 50% of the promised carbon emissions [5] Environmental Impact Considerations - While CCS can reduce emissions from natural gas power generation, it does not address methane leaks throughout the natural gas supply chain, which is a significant greenhouse gas [6] - Methane has a warming potential 84 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, and even with carbon capture, the overall warming impact from natural gas extraction and transportation remains [6][7] - Leakage rates as low as 2% can make burning natural gas comparable to coal in terms of carbon accounting [7]

Core Points - California Resources Corporation (CRC) plans to release its third quarter 2025 financial results on November 4th after market close [1] - A conference call to discuss these results is scheduled for November 5th at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time [1] Conference Call Details - Participants are encouraged to pre-register for the conference call via a provided link [2] - Callers who pre-register will receive a conference passcode and unique PIN for immediate access [2] - To participate, callers can dial (877) 328-5505 or access the webcast at www.crc.com [3] - A digital replay of the conference call will be available for approximately 90 days on the Investor Relations page [3] Company Overview - California Resources Corporation is an independent energy and carbon management company focused on energy transition and environmental stewardship [4] - The company aims to maximize the value of its land, mineral ownership, and energy expertise for decarbonization through carbon capture and storage (CCS) and emissions-reducing projects [4]

Core Insights - TotalEnergies has entered into a Farm-Down Agreement with CarbonVault, granting TotalEnergies E&P Denmark a 45% interest in the Bifrost Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Project, with CarbonVault holding 35% and Nordsøfonden 20% [1][10]. Project Overview - The Bifrost Project consists of two CO2 offshore storage licenses located approximately 200 kilometers west of the Danish coast and is part of TotalEnergies' North Sea CCS portfolio [2]. Partnership and Decarbonization Efforts - SCHWENK, the German cement producer, has selected the Bifrost Project as its preferred solution for future emissions storage, highlighting TotalEnergies' role in aiding customers' emissions reduction through its CCS capabilities [3]. - TotalEnergies aims to support the decarbonization of European businesses through various projects, including Bifrost, by implementing the best available technologies for carbon storage [5]. Strategic Importance - The Bifrost Project is considered a cornerstone of Denmark's ambition to establish a European hub for CO2 storage, emphasizing the project's significance in the broader context of carbon neutrality [4].

Project Overview - Rio Grande LNG Facility has a potential liquefaction capacity of approximately 48 MTPA, with Phase 1 (Trains 1-3) under construction and Trains 4-5 in commercialization[12] - First LNG is expected in 2027[13] - NextDecade is developing a potential CCS project at the Rio Grande Facility[14] Financial Highlights - Phase 1 has an estimated capital project cost of $18 billion, fully funded through $6.1 billion in equity commitments and $12.3 billion in debt financing[111] - Over 90% of Phase 1 nameplate capacity is contracted with diverse customers, with Henry Hub-linked SPAs providing approximately $1.8 billion in expected annual fixed fees[105] - NextDecade expects an economic interest of up to 20.8% in Phase 1[111] - Projected distributable cash flow from Trains 1-3 is estimated between $0.2 billion and $0.3 billion per year over 20 years, and Trains 4-5 is estimated between $0.7 billion and $1.0 billion per year[123] Expansion and Growth - Equity partners have options to provide 60% of equity financing for each of Train 4 and 5[27] - A 20-year SPA with ADNOC for 1.9 MTPA of LNG and a Heads of Agreement with Aramco for 1.2 MTPA for 20 years have been executed for Train 4[27] - TotalEnergies holds an LNG purchase option for 1.5 MTPA from Train 4 for a 20-year SPA[27] - Expansion plans include developing Trains 6-8 with a total potential liquefaction capacity of approximately 18 MTPA[35] Construction Progress - Trains 1 and 2 are 38.1% complete, while Train 3 is 15.3% complete[35] - A $175 million senior secured loan was entered into for working capital and development expenses for expansion trains[35]

Rio Grande LNG Facility Development - Rio Grande LNG Facility has approximately 48 MTPA of potential liquefaction capacity under construction or in development[15] - Phase 1 (Trains 1-3) is under construction with first LNG expected in 2027[15, 16] - Train 4 commercialization is complete, supported by 4.6 MTPA of LNG SPAs with ADNOC, Aramco, and TotalEnergies[30, 37] - Equity partners have options to provide 60% of equity financing for each of Train 4 and 5[30] - Trains 1 and 2 are 42.8% complete, and Train 3 is 17.8% complete[38, 48] Commercial Agreements and Financial Structure - Over 90% of Phase 1 nameplate capacity is contracted with creditworthy customers, with Henry Hub-linked SPAs providing approximately $1.8 billion in expected annual fixed fees[114] - Total estimated capital project costs for Phase 1 are $18 billion, fully funded by project financing[120] - NextDecade expects an economic interest of up to 20.8% in Phase 1[120] Market and Sustainability - Global gas demand increased approximately 2.5% in 2024 despite limited new LNG supplies[75] - Global gas demand is expected to outpace LNG supply growth of approximately 170 MTPA to 2030 in a conservative growth case[79] - NextDecade is developing a potential CCS project at the Rio Grande LNG Facility, focused on post-combustion carbon capture[34, 139]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported net production of 141,000 BOE per day and realized oil prices at 99% of Brent, leading to $316 million in adjusted EBITDAX and $118 million in free cash flow for Q4 2024 [19][20] - For the full year 2024, the company achieved over $1 billion in adjusted EBITDAX and generated $355 million in free cash flow, returning about 85% of free cash flow to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases [24][31] - The company ended 2024 with gross production of 163,000 BOE per day and maintained a low annual gross decline of about 6% [23][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The conventional oil and gas business continues to deliver robust cash flow, supported by quality proved reserves and a deep inventory, with significant synergies from low decline, low capital intensity assets [8][19] - The carbon management business is rapidly expanding, with nearly nine million metric tons per annum of carbon management projects under consideration and the first EPA class six permits received for the Elk Hills project [12][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company expects to benefit from enhanced revenue streams in natural gas marketing and power, with resource adequacy power capacity payments projected to increase by 50% to $150 million [28] - More than 70% of expected 2025 oil production is hedged at an average price of $67 per barrel, reducing commodity price risk [27] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on sustainable efficiencies and plans to invest $285 million to $335 million in 2025, with a targeted controllable cost structure estimated to be nearly 16% lower than the pro forma combined 2023 organization [25][29] - The company aims to lead California's decarbonization efforts, with significant projects in carbon capture and storage (CCS) and partnerships with industrial players like National Cement [16][36] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's strong position and ability to deliver significant near-term value drivers, emphasizing the importance of shareholder returns and maintaining a strong balance sheet [34][36] - The management team highlighted the importance of carbon management as a growing sector, with increasing demand for innovative solutions to complex challenges [10][16] Other Important Information - The company has more than $1 billion in liquidity and has rebuilt cash on hand from nearly zero to over $350 million within six months post-merger [30][90] - The company redeemed roughly half of its 2026 senior notes at par, maintaining a leverage ratio of less than one [31][88] Q&A Session Summary Question: Stock price underperformance compared to peers - Management acknowledged the stock's underperformance but highlighted a strong track record of returning capital to shareholders and emphasized the company's intrinsic value [39][42] Question: Details on the buyback program - Management confirmed a buyback program with over $550 million remaining and noted that they have repurchased 18.5 million shares since the program's inception [45][46] Question: Update on data center agreements - Management discussed ongoing talks with multiple parties for data centers, emphasizing the strategic infrastructure advantage and potential for long-term contracts [49][51] Question: Addressing power redundancy in colocated opportunities - Management confirmed that their plant operates 24/7 and has standby agreements to ensure backup power, enhancing reliability [56][58] Question: Clarification on synergies and financial guidance - Management provided details on the targeted synergies from the merger, indicating that they expect to achieve significant cost improvements in 2025 [60][66] Question: Milestones for the National Cement project - Management expressed excitement about the partnership and outlined the importance of CO2 transportation solutions as part of the project [75][78] Question: Financial priorities of the new CFO - The CFO outlined priorities including maintaining a strong balance sheet, driving sustainable cash flow, and disciplined capital allocation [84][86] Question: Update on the Brookfield JV - Management reported that the JV is progressing well, with a focus on capital allocation and project execution [94][96] Question: Future outlook for oil and gas operations - Management indicated confidence in maintaining production levels and achieving a normalized investment cadence as permitting improves [113][130]