CRC Committed to Shareholder Return Strategy;
Returned Nearly $95 million Year to Date to Shareholders via
Dividends and Share Repurchases
California Resources Corporation (NYSE: CRC) today reported
financial and operating results for the first quarter 2024. The
Company plans to host a conference call and webcast on Wednesday,
May 8th at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (10:00 a.m. Pacific Time).
Participation details can be found within this release. In
addition, supplemental slides are posted to CRC’s website at
www.crc.com.
First Quarter 2024
Highlights:
- Returned $79 million to shareholders through share repurchases
and dividends
- Reported $87 million of net cash from operating activities
- Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in
operating assets and liabilities, net1 of $92 million includes $25
million of costs related to the Aera transaction and incremental
energy costs due to scheduled power plant major maintenance
- Reported net loss of $10 million, or $0.14 per diluted share.
When adjusted for items analysts typically exclude from estimates
(including mark-to-market adjustments of $59 million, one-time
costs for Aera Merger of $13 million and increased power and fuel
costs due to power plant shutdown of $21 million all of which is
before taxes), the Company's adjusted net income1 was $54 million,
or $0.75 per diluted share
- Generated an adjusted EBITDAX1 of $149 million and $33 million
of free cash flow1
- Flat entry to exit gross production of 94 thousand barrels of
oil equivalent per day (MBoe/d) after investing drilling and
workover capital of $22 million
- Delivered average quarterly net production of 76 MBoe/d and net
oil production of 48 thousand barrels of oil per day (MBo/d)
- The Carbon TerraVault JV achieved the milestone for the second
installment related to “CTV I – 26R” reservoir pore space
contribution in the amount of $46 million. See CTV's First Quarter
2024 Update press release for additional information
- Announced the expiration of the required waiting period under
the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 with
respect to the pending combination upon the completion of which
Aera Energy, LLC (Aera) and its operating affiliate Aera Energy
Services Company will be indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of CRC
(Aera Merger)
- Received “Grade A” certification through MiQ’s Methane
Emissions Performance Standard for CRC's operating assets in Los
Angeles and Orange Counties
"Our solid first quarter performance adds to CRC's historical
track record of unwavering commitment to shareholder returns and
effective cost management," said Francisco Leon, CRC's President
and Chief Executive Officer. "CRC's improved cost structure
demonstrates the fundamental improvements we’ve made to our
business, reflecting our readiness to combine with Aera while
driving a higher level of efficiency and effectiveness throughout
the organization. I want to thank all of our employees as the
foundation of CRC’s continued success comes from their ongoing
diligent efforts and hard work”
"With company's operations successfully scaled to generate free
cash flow, our advantaged balance sheet position has allowed us to
accelerate the return of capital to shareholders and return more
than double of our quarterly free cash flow1 back to investors,"
continued Leon. "Looking ahead to the remainder of the year, we
remain focused on closing the Aera Merger, further expanding our
carbon management business and continuing to provide innovative
energy solutions to meet California's energy needs."
First Quarter 2024 Financial and
Operating Summary
Net loss for the period was $10 million, or $0.14 per diluted
share of common stock, and adjusted net income1 was $54 million, or
$0.75 per diluted share. The Company reported first quarter net
cash from operating activities of $87 million. Adjusted EBITDAX1
was $149 million. Net cash provided by operating activities before
changes in operating assets and liabilities, net1, of $92 million
includes Aera Merger expenses of $13 million and incremental energy
costs due to the scheduled Elk Hills power plant major maintenance
of $12 million. CRC generated $33 million of free cash flow1 during
the quarter.
CRC’s gross production in the first quarter averaged 94 MBoe/d.
Net production averaged 76 MBoe/d, including net oil production of
48 MBo/d. A longer than expected Elk Hills power plant major
maintenance, challenging weather conditions and PSC effects
adversely affected net production in the first quarter of 2024 by
1.5 MBoe/d from previously issued guidance. Average realized oil
prices during the quarter were 98% of Brent.
Operating costs in the first quarter of 2024 were $176 million
compared to $186 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 primarily
due to lower electricity and natural gas prices.
Capital in the first quarter of 2024 was lower than previously
issued guidance due to anticipated facility and workover spend, and
totaled $54 million. CRC ran a one-rig program in the San Joaquin
basin during the period.
First Quarter 2024 Financial
Results
Certain prior period balances related to NGL marketing
activities have been reclassified to conform to CRC's 2024
presentation. For the three months ended December 31, 2023, CRC
reclassified $4 million related to NGL storage activities from
other revenue to revenue from marketing of purchased commodities on
the condensed consolidated statement of operations. CRC also
reclassified $3 million of NGL processing fees from other operating
expenses, net to costs related to marketing of purchased
commodities.
Selected Production, Price Information
and Results of Operations
1st Quarter
4th Quarter
($ in millions)
2024
2023
Average net oil production per day
(MBbl/d)
48
50
Realized oil price with derivative
settlements ($ per Bbl)
$
77.17
$
71.34
Average net NGL production per day
(MBbl/d)
11
11
Realized NGL price ($ per Bbl)
$
50.50
$
49.08
Average net natural gas production per day
(Mmcf/d)
105
130
Realized natural gas price with derivative
settlements ($ per Mcf)
$
3.90
$
4.66
Average net total production per day
(MBoe/d)
76
83
Margin from marketing of purchased
commodities ($ millions)
$
20
$
29
Margin from electricity sales ($
millions)
$
7
$
24
Net gain (loss) from oil commodity
derivatives ($ millions)
$
(71
)
$
119
Selected Financial Statement Data and
non-GAAP measures:
1st Quarter
4th Quarter
($ and shares in millions, except per
share amounts)
2024
2023
Statements of
Operations:
Revenues
Total operating revenues
$
454
$
726
Selected
Expenses
Operating costs
$
176
$
186
General and administrative expenses
$
57
$
66
Adjusted general and administrative
expenses1
$
49
$
55
Taxes other than on income
$
38
$
33
Transportation costs
$
20
$
18
Operating Income (loss)
$
(4
)
$
283
Interest and debt expense
$
(13
)
$
(13
)
Income tax benefit (provision)
$
9
$
(79
)
Net (loss) Income
$
(10
)
$
188
EPS, Non-GAAP
Measures and Select Balance Sheet Data
Adjusted net income1
$
54
$
67
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
- diluted
69.0
72.3
Net loss (income) per share - diluted
$
(0.14
)
$
2.60
Adjusted net income1 per share -
diluted
$
0.75
$
0.93
Adjusted EBITDAX1
$
149
$
179
Net cash provided by operating
activities
$
87
$
131
Net cash provided by operating activities
before changes in operating assets and liabilities, net1
$
92
$
104
Capital investments
$
54
$
66
Free cash flow1
$
33
$
65
Cash and cash equivalents
$
403
$
496
Pending Aera Merger
On February 7, 2024, CRC entered into a definitive agreement and
plan of merger (Merger Agreement) to combine with Aera in an
all-stock transaction with an effective date of January 1, 2024.
Aera is a leading operator of mature fields in California,
primarily in the San Joaquin and Ventura basins, with high
oil-weighted production. At closing, Aera's owners will receive
21.2 million shares of CRC's common stock plus an additional number
of shares determined by reference to the dividends declared by CRC
having a record date between the effective date and closing. CRC
also agreed to assume Aera’s outstanding long-term indebtedness of
$950 million. CRC expects to repay a significant portion of this
indebtedness with cash on hand and borrowings under its revolving
credit facility. CRC expects to refinance the balance through one
or more debt capital markets transactions and, only to the extent
necessary, borrowings under a bridge loan facility.
On March 26, 2024, CRC announced the expiration of the required
waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements
Act of 1976 with respect to the pending Aera Merger.
On May 7, 2024, CRC filed the definitive proxy statement for the
Aera Merger with the SEC. Closing of the Aera Merger is subject to
certain closing conditions, including among others, regulatory
approvals and CRC shareholder approval, and is expected to close
around mid-year 2024.
For more information about this transaction please visit:
https://www.crc.com/news/news-details/2024/California-Resources-Corporation-to-Combine-with-Aera-Energy/default.aspx
2024 Capital Outlook, Second Quarter
2024 Guidance and Capital Program2
CRC’s 2024 guidance estimates exclude the pending Aera Merger.
The Company intends to update guidance after the transaction
closes.
Following the March 2024 Court of Appeals decision in the Kern
County Environmental Impact Report matter, CRC expects its 2024
capital program to range between $200 million and $240 million
under current permitting conditions. Of this amount, $165 million
to $185 million is related to oil and natural gas development
(including $20 million to $25 million for maintenance at CRC’s Elk
Hills gas processing plant), $20 million to $25 million is for
carbon management projects and $15 million to $30 million is for
corporate and other (including $10 million to $15 million related
to maintenance at CRC’s Elk Hills power plant). In 2024, CRC
expects to run a one rig program while executing projects using
existing permits.
2024 PRELIMINARY OUTLOOK2
TOTAL 2024E
Net Production (MBoe/d)
75 - 79
Oil Production (%)
~61%
Capital ($ millions)
$200 - $240
Drilling & completions, workover ($
millions)
$100 - $110
Facilities ($ millions)
$45 - $50
Maintenance of gas processing and power
plants at Elk Hills ($ millions)
$30 - $40
Carbon management business ($
millions)
$20- $25
Corporate & other ($ millions)
$5 - $15
CRC expects its second quarter capital program to range between
$50 million to $57 million. The program includes capital of $45
million to $49 million related to oil and natural gas development
(including $4 million to $8 million related to maintenance at CRC’s
Elk Hills gas processing plant), $3 million to $5 million related
to carbon management projects and $2 million to $3 million related
to corporate and other activities.
CRC expects to produce 74 to 78 MBoe/d (~61% oil) in the second
quarter of 2024. The table below provides highlights of the
Company's second quarter 2024 guidance. See Attachment 2 for
complete information on CRC's second quarter 2024 guidance.
CRC GUIDANCE2
Total
2Q24E
CMB
2Q24E
E&P, Corp. & Other
2Q24E
Net Production (MBoe/d)
74 - 78
74 - 78
CMB Expenses and Operating Costs ($
millions)
$170 - $183
$10 - $13
$160 - $170
General and Administrative Expenses ($
millions)
$56 - $64
$1 - $3
$55 - $61
Adjusted General and Administrative
Expenses1 ($ millions)
$49 - $57
$1 - $3
$48 - $54
Capital ($ millions)
$50 - $57
$3 - $5
$47 - $52
Margin from Marketing of Purchased
Commodities ($ millions) 3
$5 - $15
$5 - $15
Electricity Margin ($ millions)4
$34 - $42
$34 - $42
Shareholder Return
CRC is committed to returning significant cash to shareholders
through dividends and repurchases of its common stock.
During the first quarter of 2024, CRC repurchased 1.1 million
shares for $58 million or an average price of $53.26 per share.
Post quarter end and through May 3, 2024, CRC repurchased an
additional 0.3 million shares for $15 million or an average price
of $54.80. Since the inception of the Share Repurchase Program in
May 2021 through May 3, 2024, 16.2 million shares have been
repurchased for $675 million at an average price of $41.61 per
share. These total repurchases represent 19% of CRC’s shares
outstanding at its bankruptcy emergence in October 2020.
In February 2024, CRC’s Board of Directors approved a $250
million increase of the Share Repurchase Program, bringing the
aggregate program to $1.35 billion, and extended the program
through December 31, 2025. Adjusting for this increase, CRC has
approximately $675 million of capacity remaining under the
repurchase program as of May 7, 2024.
On May 7, 2024, CRC's Board of Directors declared a quarterly
cash dividend of $0.31 per share of common stock. The dividend is
payable to shareholders of record on May 31, 2024 and will be paid
on June 14, 2024. Post closing of the Aera Merger, and subject to
Board approval, CRC expects to increase its quarterly dividend.
From October 2020 through May 7, 2024, CRC has returned $905
million of cash to its stakeholders, including $675 million in
share repurchases, $175 million of dividends and $55 million in
principal of its Senior Notes repurchases.
Balance Sheet and Liquidity
Update
In connection with the Merger Agreement, on February 9, 2024,
CRC entered into a second amendment to its Revolving Credit
Facility to permit CRC to incur debt under a bridge loan facility
that may be used in connection with closing the Aera Merger.
In March 2024, CRC entered into a third amendment to its
Revolving Credit Facility. The amendment facilitated certain
matters with respect to the Aera Merger, including the postponement
of the regular spring borrowing base redetermination until the fall
of 2024 and certain other amendments.
Additionally, CRC obtained commitments from its existing lenders
and certain new lenders to amend CRC's Revolving Credit Facility
upon closing of the Aera Merger. These commitments include
increasing its borrowing base from $1.2 billion to $1.5 billion,
increasing the aggregate commitment amount from $630 million to
$1.1 billion, and other matters.
As of March 31, 2024, CRC had liquidity of $880 million, which
consisted of $403 million in cash and cash equivalents plus $477
million of available borrowing capacity under its Revolving Credit
Facility (which is after $153 million of outstanding letters of
credit).
Acquisitions and
Divestitures
In March 2024, CRC sold its 0.9-acre Fort Apache real estate
property in Huntington Beach, California for a purchase price of
$10 million and recognized a $6 million gain.
Sustainability
In April, 2024, CRC received a “Grade A” certification through
MiQ’s Methane Emissions Performance Standard for CRC's operating
assets in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. MiQ is an independent
not-for-profit established to facilitate a rapid reduction in
methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. This certification
is the first “Grade A” independently certified gas (ICG)
designation that MiQ has presented to oil and natural gas operating
assets in California and the Rocky Mountain region. The achievement
further demonstrates CRC’s dedication to its ESG goals and
sustainability platform. CRC plans to continue to work with MiQ to
expand its ICG certifications to operations in the San Joaquin and
Sacramento basins.
Board Changes
On May 3, 2024, CRC's shareholders elected one new Board member,
Christian S. Kendall.
Mr. Kendall is the former President and Chief Executive Officer
of Denbury. Prior to joining Denbury in 2015, Mr. Kendall worked at
Noble Energy, Inc., where he served as a member of Noble’s
executive management and operations leadership team as Senior Vice
President, Global Operations Services. Prior to that, Mr. Kendall
served in several other executive and management roles of
increasing responsibility with Noble beginning in 2001. Mr.
Kendall’s career in the oil and natural gas industry began in 1989
at Mobil Oil Corporation. Mr. Kendall has served as the Chairman of
the Board of the Dallas Division of the American Heart Association
and is a member of National Petroleum Council. Mr. Kendall holds a
Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering with a Civil Specialty
from the Colorado School of Mines and has also completed the
Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School. Please
see www.crc.com for more details.
As previously disclosed, Julio M. Quintana, who has served as a
member of CRC’s Board of Directors since October 2020, did not seek
reelection as a Director at the 2024 Annual Meeting. CRC thanks Mr.
Quintana for his outstanding leadership, knowledge, and
contributions to the Company throughout his tenure on the Board of
Directors and wish him all the best.
Upcoming Investor Conference
Participation
CRC's executives will be participating in the following events
in May through July 2024:
- Goldman Sachs Ninth Annual Leveraged Finance and Credit
Conference on May 13 and 14 in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
- 2024 Citi Energy & Climate Technology Conference on May 14
to 15 in Boston, MA
- TD Cowen's 2nd Annual Sustainability Week on May 21 held
virtually
- Stifel 2024 Cross Sector Insights Conference on June 3 in
Boston, MA
- RBC Capital Markets Global Energy, Power & Infrastructure
Conference on June 5 in New York, NY
- BofA Securities Energy Credit Conference on June 6 in New York,
NY
- 2024 JP Morgan Energy, Power & Renewables Conference on
June 17 to 18 in New York, NY
- 2024 TD Calgary Energy Conference on July 9 to 10 in Calgary,
AB, Canada
CRC’s presentation materials will be available the day of the
events on the Events and Presentations page in the Investor
Relations section on www.crc.com.
Conference Call Details
A conference call is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at
1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (10:00 a.m. Pacific Time). To participate in
the call, please dial (877) 328-5505 (International calls please
dial +1 (412) 317-5421) or access via webcast at www.crc.com 15
minutes prior to the scheduled start time to register. Participants
may also pre-register for the conference call at
https://dpregister.com/sreg/10187009/fbc013eb9d. A digital replay
of the conference call will be archived for approximately 90 days
and supplemental slides for the conference call will be available
online in the Investor Relations section of www.crc.com.
1 See Attachment 3 for the non-GAAP
financial measures of operating costs per BOE (excluding effects of
PSCs), adjusted net income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) per
share - basic and diluted, net cash provided by operating
activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities, net,
adjusted EBITDAX, free cash flow and adjusted G&A, including
reconciliations to their most directly comparable GAAP measure,
where applicable. For the 2Q24 estimates of the non-GAAP measure of
adjusted general and administrative expenses, including
reconciliations to its most directly comparable GAAP measure, see
Attachment 2.
2 2Q24 guidance assumes Brent price of
$86.17 per barrel of oil, NGL realizations as a percentage of Brent
consistent with prior years and a NYMEX gas price of $1.78 per mcf.
CRC's share of production under PSC contracts decreases when
commodity prices rise and increases when prices fall.
3 Margin from Marketing of Purchased
Commodities is calculated as the difference between Revenue from
Marketing of Purchased Commodities and Costs Related to Marketing
of Purchased Commodities
4 Electricity Margin is calculated as the
difference between Electricity Sales and Electricity Generation
Expenses
About California Resources
Corporation
California Resources Corporation (CRC) is an independent energy
and carbon management company committed to energy transition. CRC
produces some of the lowest carbon intensity production in the US
and is focused on maximizing the value of its land, mineral and
technical resources for decarbonization by developing CCS and other
emissions reducing projects. For more information about CRC, please
visit www.crc.com.
About Carbon TerraVault
Carbon TerraVault Holdings, LLC (CTV), a subsidiary of CRC,
provides services that include the capture, transport and storage
of carbon dioxide for its customers. CTV is engaged in a series of
carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects that inject CO2 captured
from industrial sources into depleted underground reservoirs and
permanently store CO2 deep underground. For more information about
CTV, please visit www.carbonterravault.com.
Additional Information and Where to
Find It
This communication may be deemed to be solicitation material in
respect of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement
pursuant to which California Resources Corporation (“CRC”) has
agreed to combine with Aera Energy, LLC (“Aera”) (the “Merger
Agreement”), including the proposed issuance of CRC’s common stock
pursuant to the Merger Agreement. In connection with the
transaction, CRC filed a proxy statement on Schedule 14A with the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), as well as other
relevant materials. Following the filing of the definitive proxy
statement, CRC mailed the definitive proxy statement and a proxy
card to its stockholders. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF CRC ARE
URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS
FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME
AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT
CRC, AERA, THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and
security holders will be able to obtain copies of the proxy
statement (when available) as well as other filings containing
information about CRC, Aera and the transaction, without charge, at
the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. Copies of documents filed with the
SEC by CRC will be available, without charge, at CRC’s website,
www.crc.com.
Participants in
Solicitation
CRC and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be
participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the
transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers
of CRC is set forth in the proxy statement for CRC’s 2024 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 21,
2024. Investors may obtain additional information regarding the
interest of such participants by reading the proxy statement
regarding the transaction when it becomes available.
Forward-Looking
Statements
This document contains statements that CRC believes to be
“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of
the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than historical facts
are forward-looking statements, and include statements regarding
its future financial position, business strategy, projected
revenues, earnings, costs, capital expenditures and plans and
objectives of management for the future. Words such as "expect,"
“could,” “may,” "anticipate," "intend," "plan," “ability,”
"believe," "seek," "see," "will," "would," “estimate,” “forecast,”
"target," “guidance,” “outlook,” “opportunity” or “strategy” or
similar expressions are generally intended to identify
forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are
subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such
statements. Additionally, the information in this report contains
forward-looking statements related to the recently announced Aera
Merger.
Although CRC believes the expectations and forecasts reflected
in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, they are
inherently subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, most of
which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the
company's control. No assurance can be given that such
forward-looking statements will be correct or achieved or that the
assumptions are accurate or will not change over time. Particular
uncertainties that could cause CRC's actual results to be
materially different than those expressed in its forward-looking
statements include:
- fluctuations in commodity prices, including supply and demand
considerations for CRC's products and services;
- decisions as to production levels and/or pricing by OPEC or
U.S. producers in future periods;
- government policy, war and political conditions and events,
including the military conflicts in Israel, Ukraine and Yemen and
the Red Sea;
- the ability to successfully integrate the business of Aera once
the Aera Merger is completed;
- the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required
governmental and regulatory approvals of the Aera Merger that could
reduce anticipated benefits or cause the parties to abandon the
Aera Merger;
- the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that
could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement;
- the possibility that the stockholders of CRC may not approve
the issuance of new shares of common stock in the Aera Merger;
- the ability to obtain the required debt financing pursuant to
CRC's commitment letters and, if obtained, the potential impact of
additional debt on its business and the financial impacts and
restrictions due to the additional debt;
- regulatory actions and changes that affect the oil and gas
industry generally and CRC in particular, including (1) the
availability or timing of, or conditions imposed on, permits and
approvals necessary for drilling or development activities or its
carbon management business; (2) the management of energy, water,
land, greenhouse gases (GHGs) or other emissions, (3) the
protection of health, safety and the environment, or (4) the
transportation, marketing and sale of the company's products;
- the impact of inflation on future expenses and changes
generally in the prices of goods and services;
- changes in business strategy and CRC's capital plan;
- lower-than-expected production or higher-than-expected
production decline rates;
- changes to CRC's estimates of reserves and related future cash
flows, including changes arising from the inability to develop such
reserves in a timely manner, and any inability to replace such
reserves;
- the recoverability of resources and unexpected geologic
conditions;
- general economic conditions and trends, including conditions in
the worldwide financial, trade and credit markets;
- production-sharing contracts' effects on production and
operating costs;
- the lack of available equipment, service or labor price
inflation;
- limitations on transportation or storage capacity and the need
to shut-in wells;
- any failure of risk management;
- results from operations and competition in the industries in
which CRC operates;
- the ability to realize the anticipated benefits from prior or
future efforts to reduce costs;
- environmental risks and liability under federal, regional,
state, provincial, tribal, local and international environmental
laws and regulations (including remedial actions);
- the creditworthiness and performance of CRC's counterparties,
including financial institutions, operating partners, CCS project
participants and other parties;
- reorganization or restructuring of CRC's operations;
- the ability to claim and utilize tax credits or other
incentives in connection with CRC's CCS projects;
- the ability to realize the benefits contemplated by CRC's
energy transition strategies and initiatives, including CCS
projects and other renewable energy efforts;
- the ability to successfully identify, develop and finance
carbon capture and storage projects and other renewable energy
efforts, including those in connection with the Carbon TerraVault
JV, and the ability to convert CRC's CDMAs to definitive agreements
and enter into other offtake agreements;
- the ability to maximize the value of CRC's carbon management
business and operate it on a stand alone basis;
- the ability to successfully develop infrastructure projects and
enter into third party contracts on contemplated terms;
- uncertainty around the accounting of emissions and the ability
to successfully gather and verify emissions data and other
environmental impacts;
- changes to CRC's dividend policy and share repurchase program,
and the ability to declare future dividends or repurchase shares
under its debt agreements;
- limitations on CRC's financial flexibility due to existing and
future debt;
- insufficient cash flow to fund CRC's capital plan and other
planned investments and return capital to shareholders;
- changes in interest rates;
- CRC's access to and the terms of credit in commercial banking
and capital markets, including the ability to refinance its debt or
obtain separate financing for its carbon management business;
- changes in state, federal or international tax rates, including
the ability to utilize net operating loss carryforwards to reduce
CRC's income tax obligations;
- effects of hedging transactions;
- the effect of CRC's stock price on costs associated with
incentive compensation;
- inability to enter into desirable transactions, including joint
ventures, divestitures of oil and natural gas properties and real
estate, and acquisitions, and the ability to achieve any expected
synergies;
- disruptions due to earthquakes, forest fires, floods, extreme
weather events or other natural occurrences, accidents, mechanical
failures, power outages, transportation or storage constraints,
labor difficulties, cybersecurity breaches or attacks or other
catastrophic events;
- pandemics, epidemics, outbreaks, or other public health events,
such as the COVID-19 pandemic; and
- other factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A – Risk Factors in
CRC's 2023 Annual Report.
CRC cautions you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements contained in this document, which speak only as of the
filing date, and it undertakes no obligation to update this
information. This document may also contain information from third
party sources. This data may involve a number of assumptions and
limitations, and CRC has not independently verified them and does
not warrant the accuracy or completeness of such third-party
information.
Attachment 1
SUMMARY OF RESULTS
1st Quarter
4th Quarter
1st Quarter
($ and shares in millions, except per
share amounts)
2024
2023
2023
Statements of Operations:
Revenues
Oil, natural gas and NGL sales
$
429
$
483
$
715
Net (loss) gain from commodity
derivatives
(71
)
119
42
Revenue from marketing of purchased
commodities
74
71
187
Electricity sales
15
42
68
Other revenue
7
11
12
Total operating revenues
454
726
1,024
Operating Expenses
Operating costs
176
186
254
General and administrative expenses
57
66
65
Depreciation, depletion and
amortization
53
55
58
Asset impairment
—
—
3
Taxes other than on income
38
33
42
Exploration expense
1
1
1
Costs related to marketing of purchased
commodities
54
42
124
Electricity generation expenses
8
18
49
Transportation costs
20
18
17
Accretion expense
12
11
12
Carbon management business expenses
8
17
5
Other operating expenses, net
37
21
8
Total operating expenses
464
468
638
Net gain on asset divestitures
6
25
7
Operating (Loss) Income
(4
)
283
393
Non-Operating (Expenses) Income
Interest and debt expense
(13
)
(13
)
(14
)
Loss from investment in unconsolidated
subsidiary
(3
)
(3
)
(2
)
Net loss on early extinguishment of
debt
—
(1
)
—
Other non-operating income (loss), net
1
1
(1
)
(Loss) Income Before Income
Taxes
(19
)
267
376
Income tax benefit (provision)
9
(79
)
(75
)
Net (Loss) Income
$
(10
)
$
188
$
301
Net (loss) income per share - basic
$
(0.14
)
$
2.74
$
4.22
Net (loss) income per share - diluted
$
(0.14
)
$
2.60
$
4.09
Adjusted net income
$
54
$
67
$
193
Adjusted net income per share - basic
$
0.78
$
0.98
$
2.71
Adjusted net income per share -
diluted
$
0.75
$
0.93
$
2.63
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
- basic
69.0
68.7
71.3
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
- diluted
69.0
72.3
73.5
Adjusted EBITDAX
$
149
$
179
$
358
Effective tax rate
45
%
30
%
20
%
1st Quarter
4th Quarter
1st Quarter
($ in millions)
2024
2023
2023
Cash Flow Data:
Net cash provided by operating
activities
$
87
$
131
$
310
Net cash used in investing activities
$
(49
)
$
(42
)
$
(61
)
Net cash used in financing activities
$
(131
)
$
(72
)
$
(79
)
March 31,
December 31,
($ in millions)
2024
2023
Selected Balance Sheet Data:
Total current assets
$
839
$
929
Property, plant and equipment, net
$
2,793
$
2,770
Deferred tax asset
$
139
$
132
Total current liabilities
$
594
$
616
Long-term debt, net
$
541
$
540
Noncurrent asset retirement
obligations
$
429
$
422
Stockholders' Equity
$
2,093
$
2,219
GAINS AND LOSSES FROM COMMODITY DERIVATIVES
1st Quarter
4th Quarter
1st Quarter
($ millions)
2024
2023
2023
Non-cash derivative (loss) gain
$
(59
)
$
168
$
107
Net payments on settled commodity
derivatives
(12
)
(49
)
(65
)
Net (loss) gain from commodity
derivatives
$
(71
)
$
119
$
42
CAPITAL INVESTMENTS
1st Quarter
4th Quarter
1st Quarter
($ millions)
2024
2023
2023
Facilities (1)
$
14
$
20
$
9
Drilling
15
16
25
Workovers
7
11
6
Total E&P capital
36
47
40
CMB (1)
4
4
1
Corporate and other
14
15
6
Total capital program
$
54
$
66
$
47
(1) Facilities capital includes $0, $1
million and $1 million in the first quarter of 2024 and fourth and
first quarter of 2023, respectively, to build replacement water
injection facilities which will allow CRC to divert produced water
away from a depleted oil and natural gas reservoir held by the
Carbon TerraVault JV. Construction of these facilities supports the
advancement of CRC’s carbon management business and CRC reported
these amounts as part of adjusted CMB capital in this Earnings
Release. Where adjusted CMB capital is presented, CRC removed the
amounts from facilities capital and presented adjusted E&P,
Corporate and Other capital.
Attachment 2
2024 PRELIMINARY OUTLOOK
Total 2024E
Net Production (MBoe/d)
75 - 79
Oil Production (%)
~61%
Capital ($ millions)
$200 - $240
CRC GUIDANCE
Total
2Q24E
CMB
2Q24E
E&P, Corp. & Other
2Q24E
Net Production (MBoe/d)
74 - 78
74 - 78
Oil Production (%)
~61%
~61%
CMB Expenses & Operating Costs ($
millions)
$170 - $183
$10 - $13
$160 - $170
General and Administrative Expenses ($
millions)
$56 - $64
$1 - $3
$55 - $61
Adjusted General and Administrative
Expenses ($ millions)
$49 - $57
$1 - $3
$48 - $54
Capital ($ millions)
$50 - $57
$3 - $5
$47 - $52
Margin from Marketing of Purchased
Commodities ($ millions) (1)
$5 - $15
$5 - $15
Electricity Margin ($ millions) (2)
$34 - $42
$34 - $42
Other Operating Revenue & Expenses,
net ($ millions)
$0 - $5
$0 - $5
Transportation Costs ($ millions)
$14 - $17
$14 - $17
Taxes Other Than on Income ($ millions)
(3)
$44 - $46
$44 - $46
Interest and Debt Expense ($ millions)
$13 - $15
$13 - $15
Commodity Assumptions:
Brent ($/Bbl)
$86.17
$86.17
NYMEX ($/Mcf)
$1.78
$1.78
Oil - % of Brent:
97% - 99%
97% - 99%
NGL - % of Brent:
50% - 55%
50% - 55%
Natural Gas - % of NYMEX:
89% - 93%
89% - 93%
1) Margin from Marketing of Purchased
Commodities is calculated as the difference between Revenue from
Marketing of Purchased Commodities and Costs Related to Marketing
of Purchased Commodities.
(2) Electricity Margin is calculated as
the difference between Electricity Sales and Electricity Generation
Expenses.
(3) Other Operating Revenue &
Expenses, net is calculated as the difference between Other Revenue
and Other Operating Expenses, net. Current guidance does not
include estimated Aera Merger and integration expenses of $30 - $40
million dependent on the timing of close.
See Attachment 3 for management's
disclosure of its use of these non-GAAP measures and how these
measures provide useful information to investors about CRC's
results of operations and financial condition.
ESTIMATED ADJUSTED GENERAL AND
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES RECONCILIATION
2Q24 Estimated
Consolidated
CMB
E&P, Corporate &
Other
($ millions)
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
General and administrative expenses
$
56
$
64
$
1
$
3
$
55
$
61
Equity-settled stock-based
compensation
(6
)
(5
)
(6
)
(5
)
Other
(1
)
(2
)
(1
)
(2
)
Estimated adjusted general and
administrative expenses
$
49
$
57
$
1
$
3
$
48
$
54
Attachment 3
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES AND
RECONCILIATIONS
To supplement the presentation of its
financial results prepared in accordance with U.S generally
accepted accounting principles (GAAP), management uses certain
non-GAAP measures to assess its financial condition, results of
operations and cash flows. The non-GAAP measures include adjusted
net income (loss), adjusted EBITDAX, E&P, Corporate & Other
adjusted EBITDAX, CMB adjusted EBITDAX, net cash provided by
operating activities before changes in operating assets and
liabilities, net, free cash flow, E&P, Corporate & Other
free cash flow, CMB free cash flow, adjusted general and
administrative expenses, operating costs per BOE, and adjusted
total capital among others. These measures are also widely used by
the industry, the investment community and CRC's lenders. Although
these are non-GAAP measures, the amounts included in the
calculations were computed in accordance with GAAP. Certain items
excluded from these non-GAAP measures are significant components in
understanding and assessing CRC's financial performance, such as
CRC's cost of capital and tax structure, as well as the effect of
acquisition and development costs of CRC's assets. Management
believes that the non-GAAP measures presented, when viewed in
combination with CRC's financial and operating results prepared in
accordance with GAAP, provide a more complete understanding of the
factors and trends affecting the Company's performance. The
non-GAAP measures presented herein may not be comparable to other
similarly titled measures of other companies. Below are additional
disclosures regarding each of the non-GAAP measures reported in
this earnings release, including reconciliations to their most
directly comparable GAAP measure where applicable.
ADJUSTED NET INCOME (LOSS)
Adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted
net income (loss) per share are non-GAAP measures. CRC defines
adjusted net income as net income excluding the effects of
significant transactions and events that affect earnings but vary
widely and unpredictably in nature, timing and amount. These events
may recur, even across successive reporting periods. Management
believes these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to the
industry and the investment community interested in comparing CRC's
financial performance between periods. Reported earnings are
considered representative of management's performance over the long
term. Adjusted net income (loss) is not considered to be an
alternative to net income (loss) reported in accordance with GAAP.
The following table presents a reconciliation of the GAAP financial
measure of net income and net income attributable to common stock
per share to the non-GAAP financial measure of adjusted net income
and adjusted net income per share.
1st Quarter
4th Quarter
1st Quarter
($ millions, except per share amounts)
2024
2023
2023
Net (loss) income
$
(10
)
$
188
$
301
Unusual, infrequent and other items:
Non-cash derivative loss (gain)
59
(160
)
(107
)
Asset impairment
—
—
3
Severance and termination costs
—
—
1
Aera Merger transaction fees
10
—
—
Aera Merger integration fees
3
—
—
Increased power and fuel costs due to
power plant shutdown
21
—
—
Net loss on early extinguishment of
debt
—
1
—
Net gain on asset divestitures
(6
)
(25
)
(7
)
Other, net
2
16
3
Total unusual, infrequent and other
items
89
(168
)
(107
)
Income tax (benefit) provision of
adjustments at effective tax rate
(25
)
47
30
Income tax (benefit) provision - out of
period
—
—
(31
)
Adjusted net income
$
54
$
67
$
193
Net (loss) income per share - basic
$
(0.14
)
$
2.74
$
4.22
Net (loss) income per share - diluted
$
(0.14
)
$
2.60
$
4.09
Adjusted net income per share - basic
$
0.78
$
0.98
$
2.71
Adjusted net income per share -
diluted
$
0.75
$
0.93
$
2.63
ADJUSTED EBITDAX
CRC defines Adjusted EBITDAX as earnings
before interest expense; income taxes; depreciation, depletion and
amortization; exploration expense; other unusual, infrequent and
out-of-period items; and other non-cash items. CRC believes this
measure provides useful information in assessing its financial
condition, results of operations and cash flows and is widely used
by the industry, the investment community and its lenders. Although
this is a non-GAAP measure, the amounts included in the calculation
were computed in accordance with GAAP. Certain items excluded from
this non-GAAP measure are significant components in understanding
and assessing CRC’s financial performance, such as its cost of
capital and tax structure, as well as depreciation, depletion and
amortization of CRC's assets. This measure should be read in
conjunction with the information contained in CRC’s financial
statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. A version of Adjusted
EBITDAX is a material component of certain of its financial
covenants under CRC's Revolving Credit Facility and is provided in
addition to, and not as an alternative for, income and liquidity
measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
The following table represents a
reconciliation of the GAAP financial measures of net income and net
cash provided by operating activities to the non-GAAP financial
measure of adjusted EBITDAX. CRC has supplemented its non-GAAP
measures of consolidated adjusted EBITDAX with adjusted EBITDAX for
its exploration and production and corporate items (Adjusted
EBITDAX for E&P, Corporate & Other) which management
believes is a useful measure for investors to understand the
results of the core oil and gas business. CRC defines adjusted
EBITDAX for E&P, Corporate & Other as consolidated adjusted
EBITDAX less results attributable to its carbon management business
(CMB).
1st Quarter
4th Quarter
1st Quarter
($ millions, except per BOE amounts)
2024
2023
2023
Net (loss) income
$
(10
)
$
188
$
301
Interest and debt expense
13
13
14
Depreciation, depletion and
amortization
53
55
58
Income tax (benefit) provision
(9
)
79
75
Exploration expense
1
1
1
Interest income
(6
)
(7
)
(4
)
Unusual, infrequent and other items
(1)
89
(168
)
(107
)
Non-cash items
Accretion expense
12
11
12
Stock-based compensation
5
6
7
Post-retirement medical and pension
1
1
1
Adjusted EBITDAX
$
149
$
179
$
358
Net cash provided by operating
activities
$
87
$
131
$
310
Cash interest payments
21
1
23
Cash interest received
(6
)
(7
)
(4
)
Cash income taxes
22
41
—
Exploration expenditures
1
1
1
Adjustments to changes in operating assets
and liabilities
24
12
28
Adjusted EBITDAX
$
149
$
179
$
358
E&P, Corporate & Other Adjusted
EBITDAX
$
162
$
199
$
367
CMB Adjusted EBITDAX
$
(13
)
$
(20
)
$
(9
)
Adjusted EBITDAX per Boe
$
21.47
$
23.57
$
44.55
(1) See Adjusted Net Income (Loss)
reconciliation.
FREE CASH FLOW AND SUPPLEMENTAL CASH
FLOW MEASURES
Management uses free cash flow, which is
defined by CRC as net cash provided by operating activities less
capital investments, as a measure of liquidity. The following table
presents a reconciliation of CRC's net cash provided by operating
activities to free cash flow. CRC supplemented its non-GAAP measure
of free cash flow with (i) net cash provided by operating
activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities, net,
(ii) adjusted free cash flow, and (iii) free cash flow of
exploration and production, and corporate and other items (Free
Cash Flow for E&P, Corporate & Other), which it believes is
a useful measure for investors to understand the results of CRC's
core oil and gas business. CRC defines Free Cash Flow for E&P,
Corporate & Other as consolidated free cash flow less results
attributable to its carbon management business (CMB). CRC defines
adjusted free cash flow as net cash provided by operating
activities less adjusted capital investments.
1st Quarter
4th Quarter
1st Quarter
($ millions)
2024
2023
2023
Net cash provided by operating activities
before changes in operating assets and liabilities, net
$
92
$
104
$
316
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities, net
(5
)
27
(6
)
Net cash provided by operating
activities
87
131
310
Capital investments
(54
)
(66
)
(47
)
Free cash flow
$
33
$
65
$
263
E&P, Corporate and Other
$
50
$
84
$
270
CMB
$
(17
)
$
(19
)
$
(7
)
Adjustments to capital investments:
Replacement water facilities(1)
$
—
$
1
$
1
Adjusted capital investments:
E&P, Corporate and Other
$
50
$
61
$
45
CMB
$
4
$
5
$
2
Adjusted free cash flow:
E&P, Corporate and Other
$
50
$
85
$
271
CMB
$
(17
)
$
(20
)
$
(8
)
(1) Facilities capital includes $0, $1
million and $1 million in the first quarter of 2024 and fourth and
first quarter of 2023, respectively, to build replacement water
injection facilities which will allow CRC to divert produced water
away from a depleted oil and natural gas reservoir held by the
Carbon TerraVault JV. Construction of these facilities supports the
advancement of CRC’s carbon management business and CRC reported
these amounts as part of adjusted CMB capital in this press
release. Where adjusted CMB capital is presented, CRC removed the
amounts from facilities capital and presented adjusted E&P,
Corporate and Other capital.
ADJUSTED GENERAL & ADMINISTRATIVE
EXPENSES
Management uses a measure called adjusted
general and administrative (G&A) expenses to provide useful
information to investors interested in comparing CRC's costs
between periods and performance to our peers. CRC supplemented its
non-GAAP measure of adjusted general and administrative expenses
with adjusted general and administrative expenses of its
exploration and production and corporate items (adjusted general
& administrative expenses for E&P, Corporate & Other)
which it believes is a useful measure for investors to understand
the results or CRC's core oil and gas business. CRC defines
adjusted general & administrative Expenses for E&P,
Corporate & Other as consolidated adjusted general and
administrative expenses less results attributable to its carbon
management business (CMB).
1st Quarter
4th Quarter
1st Quarter
($ millions)
2024
2023
2023
General and administrative expenses
$
57
$
66
$
65
Stock-based compensation
(5
)
(6
)
(7
)
Information technology infrastructure
(2
)
(4
)
(3
)
Other
(1
)
(1
)
—
Adjusted G&A expenses
$
49
$
55
$
55
E&P, Corporate and Other adjusted
G&A expenses
$
47
$
53
$
52
CMB adjusted G&A expenses
$
2
$
2
$
3
OPERATING COSTS PER BOE
The reporting of PSC-type contracts
creates a difference between reported operating costs, which are
for the full field, and reported volumes, which are only CRC's net
share, inflating the per barrel operating costs. The following
table presents operating costs after adjusting for the excess costs
attributable to PSCs.
1st Quarter
4th Quarter
1st Quarter
($ per BOE)
2024
2023
2023
Energy operating costs (1)
$
8.07
$
8.65
$
15.56
Gas processing costs (2)
0.58
0.60
0.62
Non-energy operating costs
17.15
15.24
15.43
Operating costs
$
25.80
$
24.49
$
31.61
Costs attributable to PSCs
Excess energy operating costs attributable
to PSCs
$
(0.99
)
$
(1.01
)
$
(1.19
)
Excess non-energy operating costs
attributable to PSCs
(1.55
)
(1.32
)
(1.04
)
Excess costs attributable to
PSCs
$
(2.54
)
$
(2.33
)
$
(2.23
)
Energy operating costs, excluding effect
of PSCs (1)
$
7.08
$
7.64
$
14.37
Gas processing costs, excluding effect of
PSCs (2)
0.58
0.60
0.62
Non-energy operating costs, excluding
effect of PSCs
15.60
13.92
14.39
Operating costs, excluding effects of
PSCs
$
23.26
$
22.16
$
29.38
(1) Energy operating costs consist of
purchased natural gas used to generate electricity for operations
and steamfloods, purchased electricity and internal costs to
generate electricity used in CRC's operations.
(2) Gas processing costs include costs
associated with compression, maintenance and other activities
needed to run CRC's gas processing facilities at Elk Hills.
Attachment 4
PRODUCTION STATISTICS
1st Quarter
4th Quarter
1st Quarter
Net Production Per Day
2024
2023
2023
Oil (MBbl/d)
San Joaquin Basin
30
32
35
Los Angeles Basin
18
18
20
Total
48
50
55
NGLs (MBbl/d)
San Joaquin Basin
11
11
11
Total
11
11
11
Natural Gas (MMcf/d)
San Joaquin Basin
90
114
119
Los Angeles Basin
1
1
1
Sacramento Basin
14
15
16
Total
105
130
136
Total Production (MBoe/d)
76
83
89
Gross Operated and Net
Non-Operated
1st Quarter
4th Quarter
1st Quarter
Production Per Day
2024
2023
2023
Oil (MBbl/d)
San Joaquin Basin
34
36
39
Los Angeles Basin
24
25
26
Total
58
61
65
NGLs (MBbl/d)
San Joaquin Basin
11
11
12
Total
11
11
12
Natural Gas (MMcf/d)
San Joaquin Basin
128
129
135
Los Angeles Basin
7
8
7
Sacramento Basin
17
18
20
Total
152
155
162
Total Production (MBoe/d)
94
98
103
Attachment 5
PRICE STATISTICS
1st Quarter
4th Quarter
1st Quarter
2024
2023
2023
Oil ($ per Bbl)
Realized price with derivative
settlements
$
77.17
$
71.34
$
63.04
Realized price without derivative
settlements
$
80.16
$
82.00
$
78.68
NGLs ($/Bbl)
$
50.50
$
49.08
$
58.88
Natural gas ($/Mcf)
Realized price with derivative
settlements
$
3.90
$
4.66
$
21.56
Realized price without derivative
settlements
$
3.90
$
4.66
$
21.56
Index Prices
Brent oil ($/Bbl)
$
81.84
$
82.69
$
82.22
WTI oil ($/Bbl)
$
76.96
$
78.32
$
76.13
NYMEX average monthly settled price
($/MMBtu)
$
2.24
$
2.88
$
3.42
Realized Prices as Percentage of Index
Prices
Oil with derivative settlements as a
percentage of Brent
94
%
86
%
77
%
Oil without derivative settlements as a
percentage of Brent
98
%
99
%
96
%
Oil with derivative settlements as a
percentage of WTI
100
%
91
%
83
%
Oil without derivative settlements as a
percentage of WTI
104
%
105
%
103
%
NGLs as a percentage of Brent
62
%
59
%
72
%
NGLs as a percentage of WTI
66
%
63
%
77
%
Natural gas with derivative settlements as
a percentage of NYMEX contract month average
174
%
162
%
630
%
Natural gas without derivative settlements
as a percentage of NYMEX contract month average
174
%
162
%
630
%
Attachment 6
FIRST QUARTER 2024 DRILLING
ACTIVITY
San Joaquin
Los Angeles
Ventura
Sacramento
Wells Drilled
Basin
Basin
Basin
Basin
Total
Development Wells
Primary
2
—
—
—
2
Waterflood
—
—
—
—
—
Steamflood
—
—
—
—
—
Total (1)
2
—
—
—
2
(1) Includes steam injectors and drilled
but uncompleted wells, which are not included in the SEC definition
of wells drilled.
Attachment 7
OIL HEDGES AS OF MARCH 31, 2024
Q2 2024
Q3 2024
Q4 2024
1H 2025
2H 2025
Sold Calls
Barrels per day
30,000
30,000
29,000
28,000
27,500
Weighted-average Brent price per
barrel
$90.07
$90.07
$90.07
$86.88
$86.90
Swaps
Barrels per day
8,875
8,875
5,500
3,500
3,250
Weighted-average Brent price per
barrel
$79.28
$80.10
$77.45
$72.81
$72.50
Purchased Puts
Barrels per day
30,000
30,000
29,000
28,000
27,500
Weighted-average Brent price per
barrel
$65.17
$65.17
$65.17
$61.43
$61.45
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240507257058/en/
Joanna Park (Investor Relations) 818-661-3731
Joanna.Park@crc.com
Richard Venn (Media) 818-661-6014 Richard.Venn@crc.com
Grafico Azioni California Resources (NYSE:CRC)
Storico
Da Gen 2025 a Feb 2025
Grafico Azioni California Resources (NYSE:CRC)
Storico
Da Feb 2024 a Feb 2025