Quarterly / Earnings Reports | Third Quarter (3Q) Update | Financial Results | Hedging | Capital Markets | Capital Expenditure

Battalion Oil Corp. Third Quarter 2021 Results

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Battalion Oil Corp. announced results of operations for the third quarter 2021 and provided an update on 2021 guidance for capital expenditures.

Highlights:

• Reported average daily production of 17,728 Boepd during third quarter 2021, a 14% increase over second quarter 2021, due largely to facility upgrades at Monument Draw and reduced well downtime
• Adjusted EBITDA of $23.0 million, a 63% increase over second quarter 2021
• Strong organic deleveraging, reducing net debt by >$10 million during the quarter
• Increasing 2021 guidance for total capital expenditures; anticipate spudding first well of 2022 capital program in December 2021

Richard Little, the Company's CEO, commented, "The third quarter of 2021 was an exceptional quarter for Battalion as we reported quarter-over-quarter production growth despite the completion of our 2021 capital program in the first half of the year. Our team put a significant amount of effort into facility upgrades in the first half of 2021, and it's that improved flow assurance and reduced downtime that allowed us to maintain robust production through the quarter. Those strong operational results allowed us to take advantage of an improving commodity price environment as we generated substantial free cash flow and meaningfully paid down debt."

Mr. Little continued, "As we enter the last quarter of 2021, our focus is clear: continue to optimize our operations as we prepare to accelerate activity in 2022 and beyond. On the production front, our field team remains diligent in their efforts to improve flow assurance and manage operating expenses despite a rising service cost environment. On the development side, as we work to finalize our 2022 capital program, we are taking important steps to mitigate cost increases by advance purchasing materials and protecting our cash flows through increased hedging activity. Additionally, we recently secured a rig contract as we aim to accelerate our 2022 capital program by spudding in December. As such, we have increased our 2021 capex guidance by $5 million."

Mr. Little continued, "We are proud of our recent results, and our goal is to build on this momentum as we move forward."

Results of Operations

Average daily net production and total operating revenue during the third quarter 2021 were 17,728 barrels of oil equivalent per day ("Boepd") (53% oil) and $80.8 million, respectively, as compared to production and revenue of 17,076 Boepd (56% oil) and $39.8 million, respectively, during the third quarter 2020. The increase in revenues in the third quarter of 2021 as compared to the third quarter 2020 is primarily attributable to an approximate $24.25 per Boe increase in average realized prices (excluding the impact of hedges).

Excluding the impact of hedges, Battalion realized 98% of the average NYMEX oil price during the third quarter of 2021. Realized hedge losses totaled approximately $22.4 million during the third quarter 2021.

Lease operating and workover expense was $7.95 per Boe in the third quarter of 2021 and $7.00 per Boe in the third quarter of 2020. Adjusted G&A was $2.11 per Boe in the third quarter of 2021 compared to $2.09 per Boe in the third quarter of 2020 (see Selected Operating Data table for additional information).

The Company reported net income to common stockholders for the third quarter of 2021 of $13.1 million and net income per basic and diluted share of $0.80 and $0.79, respectively. After adjusting for selected items, the Company reported net income to common stockholders for the third quarter of 2021 of $9.7 million, or $0.60 per basic share and $0.59 per diluted share (see Selected Item Review and Reconciliation for additional information). Adjusted EBITDA during the quarter ended September 30, 2021, was $23.0 million as compared to $14.6 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2020 (see Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation table for additional information).

Liquidity and Balance Sheet

As of September 30, 2021, Battalion had $155.0 million of borrowings and $2.0 million of outstanding letters of credit issued under the Senior Revolving Credit Facility resulting in unused borrowing capacity of $18.0 million based on a borrowing base of $175.0 million. Total liquidity at September 30, 2021, inclusive of $1.9 million of cash and cash equivalents, was $19.9 million.

In September 2021, the Company entered into the Fifth Amendment to its Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement which, among other things, modified the limits on swap agreements. Additionally, redeterminations of the borrowing base occur semi-annually on May 1 and November 1, with the lenders and the Company each having the right to one interim unscheduled redetermination between any two consecutive semi-annual redeterminations. The lenders have agreed to postpone the fall redetermination until December 2021.

Paycheck Protection Program Loan

Effective August 13, 2021, the principal amount of the Company's Paycheck Protection Program Loan was reduced to approximately $0.2 million by the Small Business Administration and the Company recorded a gain on the extinguishment of the forgiven portion of the PPP Loan and related accrued interest of $2.1 million. The gain is presented in "Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt" in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021.

2021 Guidance

Total capital expenditures guidance has been increased to $45.0 to $55.0 million as Battalion anticipates spudding the first well of its 2022 capital program in December 2021.

Hedging Update

As of November 8, 2021, Battalion had 7,837 barrels per day (Bbl/d) of oil hedged for the fourth quarter of 2021 at an average price of $43.96 per barrel. Battalion also had basis and roll swaps in place for 7,837 Bbl/d in the fourth quarter of 2021 at ($0.25) per barrel and ($0.39) per barrel, respectively.

As of November 8, 2021, Battalion had 11,391 million British thermal units per day (MMBtu/d) of natural gas hedged for the fourth quarter of 2021 at an average price of $2.71 per MMBtu. The Company also had WAHA basis differential swaps in place for 11,391 MMBtu/d for the fourth quarter of 2021 at an average swap price of ($0.24) per MMBtu/d.

The Company has also entered into a significant amount of crude oil and natural gas hedges for 2022 2025 during the fourth quarter 2021, details of which may be found in our recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.