Civitas Resources(CIVI) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company removed approximately $150 million of capital expenditures (CapEx) compared to 2024, focusing on capital discipline and lower reinvestment rates [7] - The company aims to achieve a year-end 2025 net debt target of $4.5 billion, which remains unchanged [10] - The company has expanded its hedge position and is now nearly 50% hedged on crude oil for the remainder of the year, with hedge positions valued at nearly $200 million [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Production volumes in the first quarter were slightly lower than expectations, primarily due to low activity levels at the end of the previous year and the start of 2025 [13] - The company expects oil production to grow by 5% in the second quarter, led by growth in the Permian Basin [13] - In the Permian, the team is drilling 10% faster than expected, and there was a 5% sequential increase in throughput in the Midland Basin [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is experiencing significant uncertainty in the global economy and the oil price environment, which could impact service costs [7][10] - The company is not planning to be price takers in the divestment process, indicating a focus on maximizing asset value [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is prioritizing sustainable free cash flow and has announced a comprehensive cost optimization plan to generate an additional $100 million of annual free cash flow [8] - The focus is on protecting and strengthening the balance sheet to sustain shareholder returns over the long term [10] - The company is not planning to make acquisitions in the asset market for the foreseeable future, focusing instead on execution and optimization of existing assets [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving the full-year outlook but acknowledged the need to adjust activity levels if market conditions deteriorate further [8][20] - The company is prepared to reduce capital expenditures and activity levels if oil prices remain low [22][46] - Management emphasized the importance of maintaining flexibility to respond to changing market conditions [16] Other Important Information - The company completed its existing 10b5 share repurchase program, buying back nearly 2% of its outstanding shares [12] - Operational challenges in the Permian due to contracted water takeaway elevated first-quarter costs, but the company plans to pursue cost recovery [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Comfort level executing on production and free cash flow ramp for the rest of 2025 - Management expressed confidence in the production growth plan, with a strong second half expected, despite some first-quarter challenges due to weather [20] Question: Response if oil prices fall below $55 - The first cuts would be completion-related, followed by drilling dollars, while maintaining some productive capacity [24] Question: Trends in operating expenses and LOE expectations - LOE was above expectations due to contractor issues, but management expects costs to decline in the second half of the year as water volumes peak [30][32] Question: Confidence in achieving $300 million asset sale target - Management remains confident in achieving the target through non-producing assets and infrastructure, despite challenging market conditions [33] Question: Priorities in the uncertain macro environment - The top priority is to hit the $4.5 billion debt target, but management will not sacrifice asset value to achieve this [37] Question: Flexibility to alter trajectory to hit debt target if oil prices are low - Management indicated that they have multiple levers to adjust, including cost reductions and potential CapEx adjustments [44][46] Question: Operational focus in the Delaware - The company is enhancing returns by extending laterals and targeting known zones with high returns [48][49] Question: DJ volumes and second-quarter trends - DJ volumes were down due to a lack of TILs and weather impacts, but management expects growth to resume in the third quarter [55][56] Question: Changes in oilfield service costs - Management is seeing opportunities to negotiate lower costs due to reduced activity in the market, which should help manage overall costs [61][62]