Crescent Energy Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Financial and Operating Results, Year-End Reserves and 2023 Guidance

Continues to Build Scale Accretively Through Acquire and Exploit Investment Strategy
Reports Strong Year-Over-Year Growth in Production, Cash Flow and Reserves
Declares Cash Dividend of $0.17 per Share

HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Crescent Energy Company (NYSE: CRGY), (“Crescent” or the “Company”), today announced its financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and full year 2022 as well as a quarterly cash dividend of $0.17 per share for the period. Crescent has provided a supplemental slide deck on its results, which can be found at www.crescentenergyco.com. The Company plans to host a conference call and webcast to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2022 results, as well as its 2023 outlook, at 10 a.m. CT, Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Details can be found in this release.

Full Year 2022 Highlights
– Completed the year within guidance on production, cash flow and capital expenditures when adjusted for commodity prices and divestitures
– Reported $481 million of net income and $582 million of Adjusted Net Income(1)
– Generated $1.2 billion of Adjusted EBITDAX(1), $1.0 billion of Operating Cash Flow and $484 million of Levered Free Cash Flow(1)
– Produced 138 MBoe/d; oil and liquids comprised 44% and 58% of volumes, respectively
– Operated two rigs and successfully integrated newly acquired assets
– Continued focus on strong return of capital to shareholders through quarterly dividends and opportunistic share buybacks, which represented $143 million or a 7% yield(2) on a full year basis
– Reduced Net LTM Leverage(1) to 1.0x, in-line with the Company’s long-term target
– Paid down approximately $300 million of net debt subsequent to closing the Uinta basin acquisition in Q1 2022, extended debt maturities and divested approximately $100 million of assets
– Increased public float by 15% and reduced shares outstanding by 2%
– Disclosed year-end proved reserves of 573 MMBoe, up 8% over prior year, with a SEC PV-10 value of $9.6 billion(1)(3). Approximately 80% were proved developed and 56% were liquids
– Announced 2023 outlook: maintenance program with planned capital investments of $575 – $650 million, excluding acquisitions, slightly lower than 2022 levels at the midpoint

Crescent CEO David Rockecharlie said, “Our team executed extremely well in 2022. Consistent with our priorities, we generated significant cash flow, returned capital to investors and further strengthened the balance sheet. We closed and integrated accretive acquisitions, accessed the capital markets on multiple occasions and unlocked significant value by investing in high-return oil development. We closed out our first year as a public company and entered 2023 with a disciplined investment plan designed to maintain flexibility and create value for our shareholders by executing our proven acquire and exploit strategy in what we see as an attractive market backdrop.”

Fourth Quarter 2022 Results

Crescent reported $49 million of net income and $114 million of Adjusted Net Income(1) in the fourth quarter. The Company generated $290 million of Adjusted EBITDAX(1), $215 million of Operating Cash Flow and $113 million of Levered Free Cash Flow(1) for the period.

Fourth quarter production was in-line with expectations and averaged 139 MBoe/d (45% oil and 58% liquids). The decrease quarter-over-quarter was primarily related to the sale of Permian assets, fewer planned completions and winter weather impacts in late 2022. Average realized price for the fourth quarter, including and excluding the effect of commodity derivatives, totaled $42.74 and $52.50 per Boe, respectively. Operating expense and operating expense excluding production and other taxes, stated on a per Boe basis, were $19.92 and $15.63 for the quarter, respectively. G&A expense and Adjusted Recurring Cash G&A(1) (includes manager compensation and excludes non-cash equity-based compensation) totaled $1.99 and $1.73 per Boe, respectively.

Crescent operated one rig in the Uinta and one rig in the Eagle Ford during the fourth quarter and incurred capital investments of $156 million. The Company drilled 5 and 10 gross operated wells and brought online 7 and 5 gross operated wells in the Uinta and Eagle Ford, respectively, during the quarter.

Full Year 2022 Results

Crescent reported $481 million of net income and $582 million of Adjusted Net Income(1) for the year. The Company generated $1.2 billion of Adjusted EBITDAX(1), $1.0 billion of Operating Cash Flow and $484 million of Levered Free Cash Flow(1) in 2022. Full year production averaged 138 MBoe/d (44% oil and 58% liquids). Full year results were in-line with beginning of the year guidance when adjusted for divestitures and commodity prices.

Average realized price for the full year 2022, including and excluding the effect of commodity derivatives, totaled $44.16 and $59.62 per Boe, respectively. Operating expense and operating expense excluding production and other taxes, stated on a per Boe basis, were $20.11 and $15.38 for the year, respectively, reflecting commodity-linked costs, inflationary impacts and opportunistic workover activities. G&A expense and Adjusted Recurring Cash G&A(1) (includes manager compensation and excludes non-cash equity-based compensation) totaled $1.69 and $1.55 per Boe, respectively.

Full year 2022 capital investments, excluding acquisitions, were $625 million, below the mid-point of guidance. Crescent continued to find safe and innovative ways to offset certain industry wide inflationary pressures with operational improvements and capital efficiencies. The Company drilled 22 and 29 gross operated wells and brought online 26 and 24 gross operated wells the Uinta and Eagle Ford, respectively, during the year.

Financial Position

Crescent maintains a strong balance sheet and a low leverage profile. In December, Crescent closed its previously announced sale of Permian assets for $80 million in cash. Proceeds were used to reduce outstanding borrowings on the Company’s revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). In February 2023, the Company issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 9.250% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2028 (the “Notes Offering”) and used net proceeds to repay amounts outstanding on its Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2022, on a pro forma basis for the Notes Offering, the Company had total long-term debt of $1.3 billion, a Net LTM Leverage(1) ratio of 1.0x, in-line with its stated long-term target and $1.1 billion of liquidity.

Return of Capital

The Company maintained a consistent cash return strategy during 2022 through a mix of quarterly dividends and opportunistic share buybacks. Crescent returned $143 million to shareholders in 2022, or a 7% yield(2) on a full year basis, through its dividend and share repurchases. The Company intends to continue returning capital to shareholders through cash dividends and opportunistic repurchases of Class B common stock and OpCo Units concurrent with future secondary equity offerings or in other privately negotiated transactions. Any such actions are subject to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) approval and other factors.

On March 7, 2023, the Board approved a fourth quarter cash dividend of $0.17 per share, payable on March 31, 2023, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 20, 2023.

Stewardship

Crescent strives to be good stewards of others’ assets: our investors’ capital, the environment and the communities in which we operate. In 2022, Crescent joined the Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 Initiative to enhance reporting of methane emissions (submission was rated the highest level, “Gold Standard”) and released its 2021 ESG report that included benchmarks and targets for measuring future performance, notably to reduce absolute Scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2027, relative to 2021 asset levels.

2023 Outlook

Crescent’s 2023 outlook is in-line with the Company’s historical focus on generating significant free cash flow, exercising prudent risk management and delivering attractive returns on investment, and assumes pricing of $70/Bbl WTI and $3.50/MMBtu Henry Hub. Crescent’s capital program is allocated approximately 85% to its operated assets in the Eagle Ford and Uinta. Non-operated activity and other capital expenditures are expected to comprise approximately 15% of total investment predominately focused on non-operated assets in the Eagle Ford, Permian and DJ basins. Approximately $25 million of capex is carried over from the fourth quarter of 2022.

Note: All amounts are approximations based on currently available information and estimates and are subject to change based on events and circumstances after the date hereof. Please see “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information.”

Risk Management

Crescent utilizes hedges to manage commodity price risks, protect the balance sheet and ensure returns on invested capital. Crescent is approximately 45% hedged in 2023 at the midpoint of its production guidance. Roughly half of the Company’s current hedge book was entered into in connection with prior acquisitions. As certain acquisition hedges roll off, the Company will more fully participate at market pricing. Complete details on the Company’s derivative positions can be found in its investor presentation located at https://ir.crescentenergyco.com/events-presentations/.

2022 Year-End Reserves

Crescent’s year-end 2022 proved reserves totaled 573 MMBoe, of which 80% were proved developed and 56% were liquids. The first year decline rate of Crescent’s proved developed producing reserves, based on production decline curves used in the Company’s reserve report, is 22%.

Crescent’s proved reserves and associated PV-0 and PV-10 estimates as of December 31, 2022 were prepared by Ryder Scott in accordance with applicable rules and guidelines of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). At year-end, the Company’s standardized measure of discounted future cash flows of proved reserves was $9.1 billion and PV-10(1)(3), utilizing SEC pricing, was $9.6 billion. Complete details on the Company’s year-end 2022 reserves can be found in its investor presentation located at https://ir.crescentenergyco.com/events-presentations/.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Conference Call Information

Crescent plans to host a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2022 financial and operating results at 10 a.m. CT on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Complete details are below. A webcast replay will be available on the website following the call. Crescent has provided an investor presentation on its fourth quarter and full year 2022 results on its website, www.crescentenergyco.com.

Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Time: 10 a.m. CT (11 a.m. ET)
Conference Dial-In: 877-407-0989 / 201-389-0921 (Domestic / International)
Webcast Link: https://ir.crescentenergyco.com/events-presentations/

About Crescent Energy Company

Crescent is a well-capitalized, U.S. independent energy company with a portfolio of low-decline assets in proven regions across the lower 48 states that generate substantial cash flow supported by a predictable base of production. Crescent’s core leadership team is a group of experienced investment, financial and industry professionals who continue to execute on the strategy management has employed since 2011. The Company’s mission is to invest in energy assets and deliver better returns through strong operations and stewardship. For additional information, please visit www.crescentenergyco.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains 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, as amended. These statements are based on current expectations, including with respect to the Uinta Acquisition. The words and phrases “should”, “could”, “may”, “will”, “believe”, “plan”, “intend”, “expect”, “potential”, “possible”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “view”, “efforts”, “goal” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements and express the Company’s expectations about future events. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this communication that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, weather, political, economic and market conditions, including a decline in the price and market demand for natural gas, natural gas liquids and crude oil, uncertainties inherent in estimating natural gas and oil reserves and in projecting futures rates of production, our hedging strategy and results, federal and state regulations and laws, the impact of pandemics such as COVID-19, actions by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) and non-OPEC oil producing countries, the impact of armed conflict, including in Ukraine, the timing and success of business development efforts, including acquisition and disposition opportunities, our reliance on our external manager, sustained cost inflation and central bank policy changes associated therewith, and other uncertainties. Consequently, actual future results could differ materially from expectations. The Company assumes no duty to update or revise its respective forward-looking statements based on new information, future events or otherwise.

Financial Presentation

On December 7, 2021, Crescent was formed through the merger of Independence Energy (“Independence”), and Contango Oil and Gas (“Contango”) and the related restructuring of Crescent (the “Merger Transactions”). Referenced results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2022, as well as the three months ended September 30, 2022, reflect the combined Company. Referenced results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021, reflect legacy Independence, Crescent’s predecessor for financial reporting purposes from January 1 through December 6, 2021 and 25 days of Crescent results beginning December 7, 2021.

While OpCo Units and corresponding shares of Class B common stock are outstanding in our “Up-C” structure, and in accordance with the terms of our Management Agreement under which Class A shareholders bear only their proportionate share of Manager Compensation, portions of Manager Compensation, income tax provision (benefit) amounts and dividends paid corresponding to such ownership are required to be classified as distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests rather than G&A expense, income tax provision (benefit), and dividends paid to Class A Common Stock, respectively. We define those redeemable noncontrolling interest (“RNCI”) distributions made by OpCo related to (i) Manager Compensation as “Manager Compensation RNCI Distributions,” (ii) income tax provision (benefit) as “Income Tax RNCI Distributions,” and (iii) dividends paid as “Dividend RNCI Distributions.”

To facilitate comparison of our G&A expense, dividends paid to Class A Common Stock, and income tax provision (benefit) to peer companies with varying corporate and management structures, Adjusted EBITDAX and Levered Free Cash Flow, for both (i) historical periods since the Merger Transaction and (ii) periods for which we provide guidance, are presented assuming the full redemption of all outstanding OpCo Units for shares of our Class A common stock and a corresponding cancellation of all shares of our Class B Common Stock. Management believes this presentation is most useful to investors, as the full amounts of Manager Compensation as G&A expense, dividends paid to Class A Common Stock and income tax provision (benefit) are thereby reflected as such.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

This release includes financial measures that have not been calculated in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures include Adjusted EBITDAX, Levered Free Cash Flow, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Recurring Cash G&A, Adjusted Current Income Tax, Adjusted Dividends Paid and Net LTM Leverage. These supplemental non-GAAP performance measures are used by Crescent’s management and external users of its financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies. These non-GAAP measures should be read in conjunction with the information contained in Crescent’s audited combined and consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Adjusted EBITDAX and Levered Free Cash Flow

We define Adjusted EBITDAX as net income (loss) before interest expense, realized (gain) loss on interest rate derivatives, income tax expense, depreciation, depletion and amortization, exploration expense, non-cash gain (loss) on derivative contracts, impairment expense, non-cash equity-based compensation, (gain) loss on sale of assets, other (income) expense, certain redeemable noncontrolling interest distributions made by OpCo related to Manager Compensation, transaction and nonrecurring expenses and early settlement of derivative contracts. We believe Adjusted EBITDAX is a useful performance measure because it allows for an effective evaluation of our operating performance when compared against our peers, without regard to our financing methods, corporate form or capital structure. We exclude the items listed above from net income (loss) in arriving at Adjusted EBITDAX because these amounts can vary substantially within our industry depending upon accounting methods and book values of assets, capital structures and the method by which the assets were acquired. Adjusted EBITDAX should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income (loss) as determined in accordance with GAAP, of which such measure is the most comparable GAAP measure. Certain items excluded from Adjusted EBITDAX are significant components in understanding and assessing a company’s financial performance, such as a company’s cost of capital and tax burden, as well as the historic costs of depreciable assets, none of which are reflected in Adjusted EBITDAX. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDAX should not be construed as an inference that our results will be unaffected by unusual or nonrecurring items. Our computations of Adjusted EBITDAX may not be identical to other similarly titled measures of other companies. In addition, the Revolving Credit Facility and Senior Notes include a calculation of Adjusted EBITDAX for purposes of covenant compliance.

We define Levered Free Cash Flow as Adjusted EBITDAX less interest expense, excluding non-cash deferred financing cost amortization, realized gain (loss) on interest rate derivatives, current income tax benefit (expense), tax-related redeemable noncontrolling interest distributions made by OpCo and development of oil and natural gas properties. Levered Free Cash Flow does not take into account amounts incurred on acquisitions or proceeds received from asset sales. Levered Free Cash Flow is not a measure of performance as determined by GAAP. Levered Free Cash Flow is a supplemental non-GAAP performance measure that is used by our management and external users of our financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies. We believe Levered Free Cash Flow is a useful performance measure because it allows for an effective evaluation of our operating and financial performance and the ability of our operations to generate cash flow that is available to reduce leverage or distribute to our equity holders. Levered Free Cash Flow should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income (loss) as determined in accordance with GAAP, of which such measure is the most comparable GAAP measure, or as an indicator of actual operating performance or investing activities. Our computations of Levered Free Cash Flow may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

The following table reconciles Adjusted EBITDAX (non-GAAP) and Levered Free Cash Flow (non-GAAP) to net income (loss), the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP:

Reconciliation of Operating Cash Flow to Levered Free Cash Flow (non-GAAP)

The table below reconciles net cash provided by operating activities to Levered Free Cash Flow:

Adjusted Net Income

Crescent defines Adjusted Net Income as net income (loss), adjusted for certain items. Management believes that Adjusted Net Income is useful to investors in evaluating operational trends of the Company and its performance relative to other oil and gas companies. Adjusted Net Income is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income as an indicator of financial performance. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to Adjusted Net Income is net income (loss).

The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income (non-GAAP) to net income (loss), the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP:

Adjusted Recurring Cash G&A

Crescent defines Adjusted Recurring Cash G&A as general and administrative expense, excluding non-cash equity-based compensation and transaction and nonrecurring expenses, and including Manager Compensation RNCI Distributions(7). Management believes Adjusted Recurring Cash G&A is a useful performance measure because it excludes transaction and nonrecurring expenses and non-cash equity-based compensation and includes the portion of Manager compensation that is not reflected as G&A expense, facilitating the ability for investors to compare Crescent’s cash G&A expense against peer companies. As discussed elsewhere, these adjustments are made to Adjusted EBITDAX and Levered Free Cash Flow for historical periods and periods for which we present guidance.

Adjusted Current Income Tax

Crescent defines Adjusted Current Income Tax as current income tax provision (benefit) plus Income Tax RNCI Distributions. Management believes Adjusted Current Income Tax is a useful performance measure because it reflects as tax provision (benefit) the amount of cash distributed for taxes that is otherwise classified as redeemable noncontrolling interest distributions, facilitating the ability for investors to compare Crescent’s tax provision (benefit) against peer companies, and is included in the Company’s Levered Free Cash Flow calculation for historical periods and for periods for which guidance is provided.

Adjusted Dividends Paid

Crescent defines Adjusted Dividends Paid as Dividend to Class A common stock plus Dividend RNCI Distributions. Management believes Adjusted Dividends Paid is a useful performance measure because it reflects the full amount of cash distributed for dividends that is otherwise classified as distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests, facilitating the ability for investors to compare Crescent’s dividends paid against peer companies.

Net LTM Leverage

Crescent defines Net LTM Leverage as the ratio of consolidated total debt to consolidated Adjusted EBITDAX as calculated under the credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) governing Crescent’s Revolving Credit Facility. Management believes Net LTM Leverage is a useful measurement because it takes into account the impact of acquisitions. For purposes of the Credit Agreement, (i) consolidated total debt is calculated as total principal amount of Senior Notes, plus borrowings on our Revolving Credit Facility and unreimbursed drawings under letters of credit, less cash and cash equivalents and (ii) consolidated Adjusted EBITDAX includes certain adjustments to account for EBITDAX contributions associated with acquisitions the Company has closed within the last twelve months. Adjusted EBITDAX is a non-GAAP financial measure.

PV-10

Present value (discounted at PV-10) is not a financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP because it does not include the effects of income taxes on future net revenues. We believe that the presentation of PV-10 is relevant and useful to our investors as supplemental disclosure to the standardized measure of future net cash flows, or after tax amount, because it presents the discounted future net cash flows attributable to reserves prior to taking into account future income taxes and the Company’s current tax structure. We and others in our industry use PV-10 as a measure to compare the relative size and value of proved reserves held by companies without regard to the specific tax characteristics of such entities. Investors should be cautioned that PV-10 does not represent an estimate of the fair market value of our proved reserves. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows.

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Emily Newport
IR@crescentenergyco.com

Source: Crescent Energy