Northern Oil and Gas(NOG) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company generated over $126 million in free cash flow for the quarter, marking the 22nd consecutive quarter of positive free cash flow, totaling over $1.8 billion during this period [10][27][30] - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $440.4 million, including a legal settlement impact of approximately $48.6 million [27][30] - Total average daily production was approximately 134,000 BOE per day, up 9% year-over-year and in line sequentially [26][30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Oil production was approximately 77,000 barrels per day, up 10.5% year-over-year but down 2% sequentially due to lower activity in the Williston [26][30] - The Uinta basin showed strong performance with volumes up 18.5% sequentially [26] - Gas production reached record volumes of approximately 343 MMcf per day, with contributions from the Appalachian JV [27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Oil differentials averaged $5.31 per barrel, while natural gas realizations were 82% of benchmark prices, down from 100% in the previous quarter [27][28] - Lease operating costs per BOE rose 6% to $9.95 due to higher expenses in the Williston and Permian [28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company emphasizes a disciplined approach to capital allocation, focusing on maximizing returns for investors and maintaining a strong balance sheet [16][17] - The strategy includes a shift towards acquisitions in a lower price environment, with a backlog of potential acquisitions at an all-time peak [13][14] - The company aims to grow profits on a per-share basis while focusing on strong returns on capital [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the business model has proven resilient despite commodity price volatility, with a focus on risk optimization and cash flow generation [4][5] - The outlook for the second half of the year anticipates a modest dip in production in Q3, with expectations for a recovery in Q4 [76] - Management remains optimistic about the M&A landscape, with a robust pipeline of opportunities driven by market conditions [70][71] Other Important Information - The company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $115.6 million due to lower oil prices, leading to a reduction in DD&A guidance per BOE [32] - The company has maintained over $1.1 billion in liquidity, consisting of cash and available credit [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the cadence into 2026? - Management indicated that lower spending in Q2 would translate into modestly lower volumes in Q3, but Q4 should see levels similar to Q2 [36][38] Question: Is the reduction in CapEx due to fewer wells being proposed? - The reduction is attributed to a combination of lower activity from operators and discretionary spending being curtailed due to risk-adjusted returns [50][51] Question: How will the nearly $50 million legal settlement be treated? - The settlement will be treated as working capital and will not be included in free cash flow calculations [64][65] Question: What are the expectations for the M&A market? - The M&A market remains robust, with a variety of asset types available, and management is optimistic about finding value-accretive opportunities [70][71][90]