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Vital Energy Ramps Up Output with Lean Frac Strategy

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   |    Wednesday,June 25,2025

Operational Activity – FY 2025

Rig and Frac Crew Deployment

Vital Energy is running:

  • 5.2 rigs total:

    • 3.4 rigs in the Delaware Basin

    • 1.8 rigs in the Midland Basin

  • 1.3 frac crews:

    • 0.9 in the Delaware Basin

    • 0.4 in the Midland Basin

This highlights a capital-efficient deployment, particularly in the Delaware Basin, where the company is using ~1 frac crew per 3.7 rigs—a ratio that indicates optimization and potential reliance on simul-frac or zipper-frac operations.


Well Results and Development Program

Gross Well Activity for FY 2025

  • Spuds: 82 gross (65.8 net)

  • Completions: 79 gross (61.8 net)

  • Turn-in-Lines (TILs): 79 gross (61.5 net)

Notable well pads and projects:

  • Delaware Basin: Mosaic State (6 wells), Duiker Lynx (6 wells), Navy South (8 wells), Army South (6 wells)

  • Midland Basin: 8 Mile (12 wells), Cox (8 wells), Getlo and Lil EL (2 each)


Production Forecasts – FY 2025

Total Production

  • FY 2025 Total Production: 135.3 – 139.8 MBOE/d

  • Crude Oil Production: 63.0 – 66.0 MBO/d

  • Production Mix:

    • 47% oil

    • Balance: NGL and natural gas

This is supported by a sequential ramp-up throughout the year, from ~133–139 MBOE/d in 2Q25 to 140–146 MBOE/d by 4Q25.


Lateral Lengths and Well Productivity

Midland Basin

  • Lateral length: ~13,400 ft

  • Average breakeven: ~$52 WTI

  • FY-25 efficiency gains:

    • Capital efficiency improved from $820 to $715 per 1-yr BOE

    • DC&E capital cost reduced from $63 to $53 per ft

Delaware Basin

  • Lateral length: ~11,600 ft

  • Average breakeven: ~$55 WTI

  • FY-25 improvements:

    • Capital efficiency improved from $67 to $47 per 1-yr BOE

    • DC&E cost decreased from $1,000 to $890 per ft

    • Volume per well increased ~48% YoY

Vital recently began developing J-Hook and Horseshoe wells, enabling longer laterals and reducing breakeven by ~$5/bbl. Horseshoe designs now account for 14% of inventory.


Inventory and Capital Outlook

  • Total Net Acres: ~273,000 (Permian)

  • Total Inventory Locations: ~925 (excludes upside)

  • 11+ years of high-quality inventory at current pace

  • FY-25 Capital Program: $835M–$915M

  • WTI Breakeven: ~$50/bbl (down from $57/bbl in 1H25 to $46/bbl in 2H25)


Cash Flow, Hedging & Balance Sheet Strategy

  • Adjusted FCF expected: ~$265M

  • ~90% of 2H25 oil production hedged at ~$71/bbl

  • Targeted debt reduction: ~$300M in FY25

  • Net Debt as of 1Q25: ~$2.3B


Summary Takeaways

MetricFY 2024FY 2025 (Guided)YoY Change / Trend
Total Production (MBOE/d) ~125–130 est. 135.3 – 139.8 ↑ Higher output, more efficient wells
Crude Oil Production (MBO/d) ~60–63 est. 63.0 – 66.0 ↑ Slightly up
Lateral Length (Midland) 12,100 ft 13,400 ft ↑ Longer laterals
Frac Crews 1–2 est. 1.3 ↔ Flat, disciplined deployment
Breakeven (WTI) ~$57 (1H25 start) ~$50 avg (full year) ↓ Cost optimization


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