SANDRIDGE ENERGY INC 10-Q

ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Introduction The following discussion and analysis is intended to help the reader understand our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and capital resources. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included in this Quarterly Report, as well as our audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included in the 2023 Form 10-K. Our discussion and analysis includes the following subjects: • Overview; • Consolidated Results of Operations; • Liquidity and Capital Resources; and • Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates. The financial information with respect to the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, discussed below, is unaudited. In the opinion of management, this information contains all adjustments, which consist only of normal recurring adjustments unless otherwise disclosed, necessary to state fairly the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the full fiscal year. Overview We are an independent oil and natural gas company with a principal focus on acquisition, development and production activities in the U.S. Mid-Continent region (“Mid-Con”). The charts below show production by product and percent revenues for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023: Total MBoe production for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 was comprised of approximately 15.1% oil, 58.2% natural gas and 26.7% NGL compared to 17.4% oil, 54.6% natural gas and 28.0% NGL in the first quarter of 2023 . 16 Tabl e of Contents Recent Events • In January 2024, the Board approved a one-time cash dividend of $1.50 per share of the Company's common stock, which was paid on February 20, 2024 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 5, 2024. The aggregate total payout was approximately $55.6 million. Additionally, in March 2024, the Board increased the on-going quarterly dividend to $0.11 per share which was first paid on March 29, 2024, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 15, 2024. The aggregate total payout was $4.1 million. The $0.11 per share dividend is subject to quarterly approval by the Board. • On May 2, 2024, the Board declared a cash dividend of $0.11 per share of the Company’s common stock, payable on May 31, 2024 to shareholders of record on May 17, 2024. Outlook We will continue to focus on growing the value and cash generation capability of our asset base in a safe, responsible and efficient manner, while exercising prudent capital allocations to projects we believe provide high rates of returns in the current commodity price environment. These projects include (1) artificial lift conversions to more efficient and cost effective systems, (2) high-graded re-fracturing and recompletion and (3) limited opportunistic leasing in proven areas around or adjacent to our area of operations that could further bolster future development. While commodity price futures are not yet at preferred levels to resume drilling or further well reactivations at this time, we retain the development option over a reasonable tenor, since our assets are 99% held by production. We will continue to monitor forward-looking commodity prices, results, costs and other factors that could influence returns on investments, which will continue to shape our disciplined development decisions in 2024 and beyond. We will also continue to maintain optionality to execute on value accretive merger and acquisition opportunities that could bring synergies, leverage our core competencies, compliment our portfolio of assets, further utilize our NOLs or otherwise yield attractive returns for our shareholders. Consolidated Results of Operations Our consolidated revenues and cash flows are generated from the production and sale of oil, natural gas and NGL. Our revenues, profitability and future growth depend substantially on prevailing prices received for our production, the quantity of oil, natural gas and NGL we produce, and our ability to find and economically develop and produce our reserves. Prices for oil, natural gas and NGL fluctuate widely and are difficult to predict. To provide information on the general trend in pricing, the average New York Mercantile Exchange ("NYMEX") prices for oil and natural gas are shown in the tables below: Three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 September 30, 2023 June 30, 2023 March 30, 2023 NYMEX Oil (per Bbl) $ 77.50 $ 78.53 $ 82.25 $ 73.54 $ 75.93 NYMEX Natural gas (per Mcf) $ 2.23 $ 2.84 $ 2.69 $ 2.26 $ 2.74 In order to reduce our exposure to price fluctuations, from time to time we may enter into commodity derivative contracts for a portion of our anticipated future oil, natural gas and NGL production as discussed in “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.” During periods where the strike prices for our commodity derivative contracts are below market prices at the time of settlement, we may not fully benefit from increases in the market price of oil and natural gas. Conversely, during periods of declining oil and natural gas market prices, our commodity derivative contracts may partially offset declining revenues and cash flows to the extent strike prices for our contracts are above market prices at the time of settlement. See “Note 3 — Derivatives” to the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report for additional information regarding our commodity derivatives. 17 Tabl e of Contents Revenues Consolidated revenues for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are presented in the table below (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 2023 Change Oil $ 15,599 $ 19,410 $ (3,811) Natural gas 6,007 13,390 (7,383) NGL 8,677 10,347 (1,670) Total revenues $ 30,283 $ 43,147 $ (12,864) Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Production and Pricing Our production and pricing information for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 is shown in the table below: Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 2023 Change Production data Oil (MBbls) 208 261 (53) Natural gas (MMcf) 4,807 4,912 (105) NGL (MBbls) 367 420 (53) Total volumes (MBoe) 1,376 1,500 (124) Average daily total volumes (MBoe/d) 15.1 16.7 (1.6) Average prices—as reported (1) Oil (per Bbl) $ 75.08 $ 74.26 $ 0.82 Natural gas (per Mcf) $ 1.25 $ 2.73 $ (1.48) NGL (per Bbl) $ 23.65 $ 24.62 $ (0.97) Total (per Boe) $ 22.01 $ 28.76 $ (6.75) Average prices—including impact of derivative contract settlements Oil (per Bbl) $ 75.08 $ 74.26 $ 0.82 Natural gas (per Mcf) $ 1.25 $ 3.92 $ (2.67) NGL (per Bbl) $ 23.65 $ 24.62 $ (0.97) Total (per Boe) $ 22.01 $ 32.67 $ (10.66) __________________ (1) Prices represent actual average sales prices for the periods presented and do not include effects of derivative settlements. 18 Tabl e of Contents Variances in oil, natural gas and NGL revenues attributable to changes in the average prices received for our production and total production volumes sold for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 are shown in the table below (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 Q1 2023 oil, natural gas and NGL revenues $ 43,147 Change due to production volumes (2,729) Change due to average prices (10,135) Q1 2024 oil, natural gas and NGL revenues $ 30,283 Oil, natural gas, and NGL revenues decreased primarily due to lower commodity prices. Production volumes for the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased primarily due to the natural declines of our producing wells, as well as an increase in downtime associated with inclement weather for the period. There were no new wells or completions during the period, as the Company defers higher level of capital investment for higher commodity periods to maximizes returns. See "Item 1A—Risk Factors" included in our 2023 Form 10-K for additional discussion of the potential impact these events may have on our future revenues. Operating Expenses Operating expenses for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 consisted of the following (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 2023 Change Lease operating expenses $ 10,892 $ 11,694 $ (802) Production, ad valorem, and other taxes 1,896 3,751 (1,855) Depreciation and depletion—oil and natural gas 4,076 3,454 622 Depreciation and amortization—other 1,678 1,618 60 Total operating expenses $ 18,542 $ 20,517 $ (1,975) Lease operating expenses ($/Boe) $ 7.92 $ 7.79 $ 0.13 Production, ad valorem, and other taxes ($/Boe) $ 1.38 $ 2.50 $ (1.12) Depreciation and depletion—oil and natural gas ($/Boe) $ 2.96 $ 2.30 $ 0.66 Production, ad valorem, and other taxes (% of oil, natural gas and NGL revenue) 6.3 % 8.7 % (2.4) % The decrease in lease operating expenses for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 was primarily due to decreases in utility costs and expense workovers. Production, ad valorem, and other taxes for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 decreased primarily due to lower commodity prices and related revenues. Production, ad valorem, and other taxes for the three month period ended March 31, 2024 decreased as a percentage of oil, natural gas and NGL revenue primarily due to a decrease in ad valorem taxes as a result of decreased valuation assessments on our oil and gas properties. The increase in depreciation and depletion for oil and natural gas properties was primarily the result a decrease in proved reserves at March 31, 2024, driven by lower SEC prices (as defined below), which increased our depletion rate. 19 Tabl e of Contents Impairment A ceiling limitation calculation is performed at the end of each quarter. If the full cost pool balance exceeds the ceiling limitation, an impairment of the full cost pool is required. Calculation of the full cost ceiling test is based on, among other factors, trailing twelve-month first-day-of-the-month index prices (“SEC prices”) as adjusted for price differentials and other contractual arrangements. The SEC prices utilized in the calculation of proved reserves included in the full cost ceiling test at March 31, 2024 were $77.48 per barrel of oil and $2.45 per MMBtu of natural gas, before price differential adjustments. The ceiling limitation was not exceeded; therefore, no full cost ceiling limitation impairments were recorded during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 or 2023. During certain periods within the past five years, the SEC prices used in the full cost ceiling test have been lower than the SEC prices used for the March 31, 2024 full cost ceiling test and resulted in material ceiling limitation impairments. Full cost pool ceiling limitation impairments have no impact to our cash flow or liquidity. Based on the SEC prices over the trailing ten months ended April 30, 2024, as well as two months of NYMEX strip pricing for May and June of 2024 as of April 30, 2024, we estimate the SEC prices utilized in the June 30, 2024 full cost ceiling test may be $79.60 per barrel of oil and $2.34 per MMBtu of natural gas (the "estimated second quarter prices"). Applying these estimated second quarter prices, and holding all other inputs constant to those used in the calculation of our March 31, 2024 ceiling test, we expect that no full cost ceiling limitation impairment is indicated for the second quarter of 2024. Any actual full cost ceiling limitation impairment recognized in future quarters may fluctuate significantly from projected amounts based on the outcome of numerous other factors such as declines in the actual trailing twelve-month SEC prices, lower NGL pricing, changes in estimated future development costs and operating expenses, and other adjustments to our levels of proved reserves. Other Operating Expenses Other operating expenses for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 consisted of the following (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 2023 Change General and administrative $ 3,332 $ 2,909 $ 423 Restructuring expenses — 39 (39) Employee termination benefits — 19 (19) (Gain) loss on derivative contracts — (1,447) 1,447 Other operating (income) expense, net (9) (94) 85 Total other operating expenses $ 3,323 $ 1,426 $ 1,897 The increase in general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was primarily the result of an increase in service and personnel costs. The following table summarizes derivative activity for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 2023 (Gain) loss on derivative contracts $ — $ (1,447) Settlement gains (losses) on derivative contracts $ — $ 5,876 20 Tabl e of Contents Our derivative contracts were not designated as accounting hedges and, as a result, changes in their fair values were recorded each quarter as a component of operating expenses. Internally, management has historically viewed the settlement of commodity derivative contracts at contractual maturity as adjustments to the price received for oil, natural gas and NGL production to determine “effective prices.” In general, cash is received on settlement of contracts due to lower oil and natural gas prices at the time of settlement, compared to the contract price for our commodity derivative contracts; and, cash is paid on settlement of contracts due to higher oil, natural gas and NGL prices at the time of settlement, compared to the contract price for our commodity derivative contracts. See further discussion of derivative contracts in “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” included in Part I of this Quarterly Report. Other Income (Expense) Our other income (expense) for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are presented in the table below (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 2023 Other income (expense) Interest income (expense), net $ 2,698 $ 2,499 Other income (expense), net 9 55 Total other income $ 2,707 $ 2,554 Interest income, net during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 is primarily comprised of interest income on cash deposits. Liquidity and Capital Resources As of March 31, 2024, our cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash was $208.5 million. We expect our cash on hand and cash from operations to be adequate to meet our short and long-term liquidity needs. We had no outstanding term or revolving debt obligations as of March 31, 2024. Working Capital and Sources and Uses of Cash Our principal sources of liquidity for the next year include cash flows from operations and cash on hand. Dividend payments to shareholders of $59.7 million were the primary drivers in the reduction of working capital to $184.5 million at March 31, 2024 compared to $228.5 million at December 31, 2023. This activity was partially offset by cash flows from operations. In January 2024, the Board approved a one-time cash dividend of $1.50 per share of the Company's common stock, which was paid on February 20, 2024 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 5, 2024. The aggregate total payout was approximately $55.6 million. Additionally, in March 2024, the Board increased the on-going quarterly dividend to $0.11 per share which was first paid on March 29, 2024, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 15, 2024. The aggregate total payout was $4.1 million. The $0.11 per share dividend is subject to quarterly approval by the Board. Dividend payments for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 totaled $59.7 million, which included $0.1 million in dividends on vested stock awards. See Note 8 for further discussion of the Company’s dividends. Cash Flows Our cash flows from operations are substantially dependent on current and future prices for oil, natural gas and NGL, which historically have been, and may continue to be, volatile. Cash flows from operations are also affected by timing of cash receipts and disbursements and changes in other working capital assets and liabilities. 21 Tabl e of Contents Our cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are presented in the following table and discussed below (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 2023 Cash flows provided by operating activities $ 15,681 $ 39,847 Cash flows used in investing activities (1,104) (9,408) Cash flows used in financing activities (60,028) (343) Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash $ (45,451) $ 30,096 Cash Flows from Operating Activities The $24.2 million decrease in cash flows from operations for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 is primarily due to a decrease in revenues from lower commodity prices. Cash Flows from Investing Activities Our cash flows used in investing activities during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 reflect capital expenditures of $1.1 million and $9.4 million, respectively, primarily related to capital expenditures made for capital workovers, well reactivation and drilling in 2023. Given the decline in natural gas prices, we have prudently elected to defer our drilling option for higher commodity price environments to maximize returns. Capital expenditures for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are summarized below (in thousands): Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 2023 Capital Expenditures Drilling, completion, and capital workovers $ 745 $ 12,079 Leasehold and geophysical 84 141 Capital expenditures (on an accrual basis) 829 12,220 Changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses 314 (2,753) Inventory material transfers to oil and natural gas properties (19) (75) Total cash paid for capital expenditures $ 1,124 $ 9,392 Cash Flows from Financing Activities Cash used in financing activities for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 consisted primarily of $59.7 million in cash dividends, $0.1 million of cash used for tax withholdings paid in exchange for shares withheld on employee vested stock awards that were settled by net exercise, and finance lease payments of $0.2 million. Cash used in financing activities for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 consisted primarily of $0.2 million of cash used for tax withholdings paid in exchange for shares withheld on employee vested stock awards that were settled by net exercise and finance lease payments of $0.1 million. Net exercises of stock awards allows the holder of a stock award to tender back to us a number of shares at fair value upon the vesting of such stock award, that equals the employee payroll tax obligation due. We then remit a cash payment to the relevant taxing authority on behalf of the employee for their payroll tax obligations resulting from the vesting of their stock award. Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements At March 31, 2024, our contractual obligations included asset retirement obligations, leases and other individually insignificant obligations. Additionally, we have certain financial instruments representing potential commitments that were incurred in the normal course of business to support our operations, including surety bonds. The underlying liabilities insured by these instruments are reflected in our balance sheets, where applicable. Therefore, no additional liability is reflected for the surety bonds or other instruments. There were no other significant changes in total contractual obligations and off-balance sheet arrangements from those reported in the 2023 Form 10-K. 22 Tabl e of Contents Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates For a description of our critical accounting policies and estimates, refer to Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in the 2023 Form 10-K . For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements, newly adopted and recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted, see “Note 1—Basis of Presentation” to the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report. We did not have any material changes in critical accounting policies, estimates, judgments and assumptions during the first three months of 2024. 23 Tabl e of Contents