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Gulfport Energy(GPOR) - 2024 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported adjusted EBITDA of approximately 178millionforQ32024,exceedinganalystexpectations,drivenbystrongliquidsproductionandoperatingcostperformance[30]Adjustedfreecashflowforthesameperiodwasapproximately178 million for Q3 2024, exceeding analyst expectations, driven by strong liquids production and operating cost performance [30] - Adjusted free cash flow for the same period was approximately 73 million, also better than expected [30] - Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in working capital totaled approximately 160million,morethansufficienttofundcapitalexpendituresandcommonsharerepurchases[29]Thecompanylowereditsfullyear2024capitalguidancebyapproximately4160 million, more than sufficient to fund capital expenditures and common share repurchases [29] - The company lowered its full year 2024 capital guidance by approximately 4% at the midpoint, now forecasting D&C capital to be in the range of 325 million to 335million[12]BusinessLineDataandKeyMetricsChangesHighmargincondensateproductionincreasedby68335 million [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - High-margin condensate production increased by 68% quarter-over-quarter [7] - Production for Q3 averaged 1.06 billion cubic feet equivalent per day, consistent with the first half of 2024, but included a significant increase in high-margin oil volumes [31] - The company expects over 60% of total turn-in lines in 2025 to be liquids-rich, up from approximately 37% in 2024 [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The all-in realized price for Q3 was 3.09 per Mcfe, which is 43% above the NYMEX Henry Hub Index price [32] - The company realized a cash hedging gain of approximately 85millionforthequarter,demonstratingthevalueofitshedgebook[32]Approximately1585 million for the quarter, demonstrating the value of its hedge book [32] - Approximately 15% of natural gas has firm delivery to the Gulf Coast at attractive premiums [35] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on enhancing shareholder value through share repurchases, with a 54% increase in the common stock repurchase authorization to 1 billion [7][40] - There is a strategic shift towards high-margin liquids development, with plans to allocate the majority of capital savings to shareholder returns [11][27] - The company aims to maintain flexibility in its asset base, allowing for shifts between liquids and gas depending on market conditions [50][81] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the gas price outlook for 2025 and 2026, indicating a constructive view on future commodity prices [33] - The company is committed to emission intensity reductions and has achieved an A grade under the MIQ methane emission standard for its natural gas production [9] - Management highlighted the importance of operational efficiencies and cost reductions, attributing two-thirds of capital savings to efficiency gains [46] Other Important Information - The company completed drilling on five gross wells in Ohio during Q3 and concluded its 2024 turn-in-line program in the Utica [13] - The company has extended the maturity of its long-term senior notes by about 3.2 years and lowered the weighted average interest rate on its long-term senior notes by approximately 1.2% [36] Q&A Session Summary Question: Could you walk us through where the savings came from? - Management attributed two-thirds of the capital savings to efficiency gains and one-third to service cost reductions, with no material shifts in planned activity [45][46] Question: How do you think about your inventory ranking? - Management stated that they have several liquids window options and are focusing on high-quality inventory with returns generally within 15% to 20% [47][49] Question: Is the 60% liquids weight on TILs in 2025 the new normal? - Management indicated that the shift towards liquids will be a continuous presence in the company's portfolio, driven by high-quality acreage and commodity price outlook [54][55] Question: Can you characterize the pressure management program? - Management explained that the program is applied across the portfolio and varies with commodity prices, providing benefits such as increased plateau periods and reduced potential damage [57][60] Question: Can you discuss the decision process behind the capital budget adjustments? - Management described a hybrid approach, balancing shareholder returns with some redeployment into drilling activity [63] Question: What is the trajectory of oil production from here? - Management expects a significant increase in liquids production moving into next year, with a shift from a high percentage of gas to a more balanced mix [65] Question: How do you see discretionary acreage opportunities developing in 2025? - Management plans to remain opportunistic in acquiring high-quality acreage, having added significant inventory in recent years [74][76] Question: What is driving the widening of oil differentials? - Management clarified that the widening is a mathematical function due to back-weighted production and not an operational change [78] Question: How flexible is the company regarding the liquids mix? - Management confirmed the ability to pivot between liquids and gas based on commodity price changes, with a focus on maximizing returns [81]