Comstock Resources(CRK) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2025, natural gas and oil sales increased to $365 million, an 8% rise compared to Q4 2024, despite lower production [5][9] - The company generated $222 million of operating cash flow, or $0.75 per share, with adjusted EBITDAX of $277 million and adjusted net income of $46 million, or $0.16 per share [6][10] - For the full year 2025, production averaged 1.2 Bcfe per day, a 14% decrease from 2024, but oil and gas sales rose by 15% to $1.4 billion due to improved natural gas prices [10][11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In 2025, the company drilled 52 successful operated Haynesville Bossier wells with an average initial production (IP) rate of 27 million cubic feet per day [3][4] - The company turned 12 new Western Haynesville wells to sales in 2025, with an average lateral length of 8,399 feet and an average IP rate of 29 million cubic feet per day [6][26] - In the Legacy Haynesville, 35 wells were turned to sales in 2025, with an average lateral length of 11,738 feet and an average IP rate of 25 million cubic feet per day [25][26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The average NYMEX settlement price for natural gas in Q4 was $3.55, while the average Henry Hub spot price was $3.69, approximately 4% higher than the NYMEX price [11][12] - The company sold 27% of its gas in the spot market during the quarter, with a realized gas price of $3.29, reflecting a basis differential compared to the NYMEX settlement price [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to focus on building out its assets in the Western Haynesville to benefit from long-term growth in natural gas demand driven by LNG exports and data center power needs [37][39] - A partnership with NextEra for a data center project aims to support hyperscaler development with an initial capacity of 2 gigawatts, potentially expanding to 8 gigawatts [4][38] - The company aims to maintain the lowest producing cost structure in the industry while enhancing drilling efficiencies to reduce costs further in 2026 [38][42] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the volatility in gas prices and indicated flexibility in capital spending based on market conditions [50][51] - The company expects to see a growth in natural gas demand of about 3 Bcf annually through 2030, driven by LNG facilities and data centers [53][55] - Management expressed confidence in the potential of the Western Haynesville, estimating recoverable reserves could reach 99 TCF [39][40] Other Important Information - The company completed $445 million in divestitures in 2025, improving its balance sheet and reducing debt [4][5] - The total shareholder return over the last two years was 162%, the highest among public E&P companies [5] Q&A Session Summary Question: Guidance and Capital Spending Flexibility - Management confirmed that the capital budget was prepared in a more constructive gas environment and emphasized the ability to adjust capital spending based on gas prices [47][50] Question: NextEra Partnership and Data Center Project - Management discussed the potential scaling of the data center project from 2 GW to 8 GW, highlighting the demand for such infrastructure in Texas [56][58] Question: Pinnacle Gas Services Recapitalization - Management outlined plans to recapitalize Pinnacle Gas Services, including eliminating preferred equity and establishing a new credit facility [61][62]