Summary of Select Water Solutions (WTTR) FY Conference Call Company Overview - **Company Name**: Select Water Solutions - **Ticker Symbol**: WTTR - **Industry**: Water Infrastructure, Oil and Gas - **Founded**: July 2017, went public in 2017 [1][2] Core Business and Market Position - **Business Model**: Primarily a water infrastructure company focused on the oil and gas sector, with expansion into municipal water services [2][6] - **Market Leadership**: Leader in water recycling applications, particularly in the Permian Basin, with a significant market share [3][8] - **Revenue Growth**: Transitioned from an oil field service business to a water infrastructure business, with a focus on high free cash flow conversion and low capital expenditures (CapEx) [4][16] Financial Performance - **Cash Flow Conversion**: Capable of converting 70% to 80% of earnings to cash, indicating strong financial health [4][17] - **Debt Management**: Maintains a conservative debt level, with debt less than one year of EBITDA [5][34] - **Stock Buybacks**: Approximately $200 million worth of stock repurchased during the growth phase [6][37] - **Dividend Policy**: Increased dividend by 17% last year, indicating commitment to returning value to shareholders [35][36] Infrastructure and Services - **Water Recycling**: Focus on recycling produced water for fracking, reducing the need for fresh water [7][23] - **Municipal Expansion**: Recently entered the municipal water space with a significant investment in Colorado, acquiring 16,600 acre-feet of water rights [30][31] - **Long-term Contracts**: Contracts with municipalities can last 30 to 50 years, providing stable revenue streams [32][33] Strategic Initiatives - **Mergers and Acquisitions**: Actively pursuing M&A to build out water management networks, enhancing service offerings [5][28] - **Chemical Technologies**: In-house chemical manufacturing to treat water for fracking, differentiating the company from competitors [11][48] - **Environmental Focus**: Initiatives to reclaim waste water for agricultural use, promoting sustainability [7][30] Market Dynamics and Challenges - **Cyclical Nature**: Business is cyclical, heavily influenced by oil and gas completion activities [17][19] - **Regulatory Environment**: Facing increasing regulations regarding water use in oil and gas, particularly in regions with limited water resources [49][52] - **Competitive Landscape**: Limited competition in fixed recycling facilities, positioning Select Water Solutions uniquely in the market [47] Future Outlook - **Growth Opportunities**: Anticipates significant growth in the municipal and industrial water sectors, with plans to secure long-term contracts [36][45] - **Investment in Infrastructure**: Committed to building out infrastructure to support water management needs across various basins in the U.S. [13][19] - **Focus on Recycling**: Emphasizes recycling as the most economically viable solution for water management in the oil and gas industry [55] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed during the Select Water Solutions FY Conference Call, highlighting the company's strategic direction, financial health, and market positioning within the water infrastructure and oil and gas sectors.

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Aris Water Solutions reported adjusted EBITDA of $54.5 million for Q4 2024 and $211.9 million for the full year, representing a 21% increase from 2023 [24][14] - The adjusted operating margin for Q4 was $0.44 per barrel, while the full year margin was $0.45 per barrel, up 15% from the prior year [24][14] - Free cash flow for the year was $73 million, with capital expenditures of approximately $101 million [24][14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Water solutions volumes grew 14% sequentially in Q4 2024 and 7% year-over-year for the full year [13][14] - The company expects water solutions volumes to average between 460,000 and 520,000 barrels per day in 2025, a 15% increase compared to 2024 [26] - Adjusted operating margins for the water solutions business are anticipated to be between $0.43 and $0.45 per barrel in 2025 [26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has over 450,000 acres dedicated to its water solutions business, with 80% of forecasted 2025 volumes under long-term contracts [15][16] - Customers are forecasting mid-single-digit production growth in the Permian Basin, which will drive produced water volume growth [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to maintain and expand margins achieved in 2024 while pursuing operating efficiencies and disciplined capital investment [9][10] - Strategic initiatives include the acquisition of the McNeil Ranch, which is expected to support long-term water injection needs and reduce operating expenses [18][20] - Expansion into industrial water treatment beyond the oil and gas industry is a key focus, leveraging expertise in complex water treatment [22][86] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to generate significant free cash flow and increase shareholder returns in 2025 [7][9] - The company ended 2024 without any safety incidents, highlighting a strong commitment to safety as a priority [8] - Management anticipates continued strong completion activity and production growth from long-term contracted customers [9][16] Other Important Information - A 33% increase in the dividend to $0.14 per share was announced, reflecting confidence in the long-term outlook [13][29] - The company is pursuing beneficial reuse activities and has applied for a discharge permit for up to 475,000 barrels of reclaimed water per day [21][66] Q&A Session Summary Question: Thoughts on the Ranch acquisition and return profile - Management highlighted the attractive price of the McNeil Ranch and its potential for future growth, emphasizing the strategic optionality it provides [35][36] Question: Future acquisition strategy - The company continues to evaluate opportunities for inorganic growth, focusing on quality contracts and assets [44][45] Question: Dividend growth expectations - Management indicated that future dividend increases would likely be at a more consistent level, reflecting a sustainable growth approach [52] Question: Timing for McNeil Ranch development - Development of the ranch is expected to occur around 2026-2027, with initial surface revenue anticipated sooner [55] Question: Integration of the Ranch into existing operations - The ranch is expected to provide operational advantages, including reduced operating expenses due to eliminated landowner royalties [61][62] Question: Industrial water recycling projects - The company is expanding into industrial water treatment, leveraging expertise in proprietary treatment technologies [86][89] Question: Activity levels and customer stability - Management confirmed that operations with major customers remain stable, with an uptick in completion activity noted [102]