Black Stone Minerals(BSM) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net income for Q2 2025 was $120 million, with adjusted EBITDA at $84.2 million, reflecting a strong financial performance despite slower natural gas production growth [10] - Distributable cash flow for the quarter was $74.8 million, representing a coverage ratio of 1.18 times [10] - The company declared a distribution of $0.30 per unit for the quarter, which translates to an annualized distribution of $1.20 [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Mineral royalty production averaged 33,200 BOE per day, while total production volumes were 34,600 BOE per day in Q2 2025 [10] - The company expects production for the full year 2025 to average between 33,035 BOE per day, reflecting a revision due to slower natural gas production growth [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has identified a substantial expansion in the Shelby Trough and is actively marketing an additional 180,000 gross acres to well-capitalized operators [6] - The outlook for natural gas remains robust, supported by growing global demand for LNG, which is expected to drive future production growth [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining a clean balance sheet and ample liquidity to support its commercial strategy, including targeted grassroots acquisitions [8] - The partnership anticipates more than doubling its drilling obligations over the next five years, which is expected to provide significant natural gas growth [7] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in production growth in 2026, projecting an incremental increase of 3,000 to 5,000 BOE per day over the revised guidance for 2025 [11] - The management remains optimistic about the outlook for the partnership, citing strong demand and ongoing development agreements as key drivers for future growth [8] Other Important Information - The company has added $172 million in royalty acquisitions since September 2023, indicating a proactive approach to expanding its asset base [7] - The company is monitoring a large project in the Permian Basin, which is expected to add meaningful oil volumes to its production base [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on activity increase in acreage and production trajectory - Management acknowledged subdued activity but highlighted upcoming development agreements and ongoing operator activity as positive indicators for future production [16][17] Question: Comparison of geology in Shelby Trough and Western Haynesville - Management noted analogous subsurface characteristics and expressed excitement about the potential for increased productivity and EURs in the Shelby Trough [19][20] Question: Understanding production guidance amidst increased rig count - Management explained that a restructuring of agreements and strategic decisions led to a slower production growth, emphasizing the long-term development strategy [28][30] Question: Future development obligations and production cadence - Management confirmed plans to significantly ramp up development obligations, aiming for a cadence of 40 to 50 wells per year [33] Question: Production outlook for 2026 and SKU assumptions - Management indicated that oil volumes are expected to be closer to 25% to 26% as they look towards 2026, influenced by ongoing projects [36]