Noel Parks

Noel Parks with Tuohy Brothers inquired about Bloom's visibility into input costs for components and any trends towards longer-term contracting or forward purchasing from vendors to leverage cost.

Answer

K.R. Sridhar, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Bloom Energy, explained that Bloom continuously works internally and with supply chain partners to achieve double-digit cost reductions annually through efficiencies, scale, technology, and process improvements. He mentioned being judicious about securing against risk biases and strategically managing inventory. Sridhar highlighted that these cost reductions help neutralize external cost increases (e.g., tariffs, logistics during COVID), ensuring margin accretion over time.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers Investment Research, Inc. inquired about the company's product development roadmap, specifically regarding the next generation of the Bloom Energy Server and its expected benefits.

Answer

KR Sridhar, Founder, Chairman & CEO, described product development as a continuous improvement process rather than distinct generational leaps. He explained that real-time data from the company's vast installed base and digital twins enables ongoing enhancements to performance and cost, with new capabilities like CHP being added as attributes to the core platform.

Noel Parks asked for clarification on competitors, questioning if large combined cycle gas turbines were a realistic alternative. He also asked if the sales cycle differs for data center expansions versus new greenfield projects.

Answer

K.R. Sridhar (Founder, Chairman, and CEO) clarified that the primary competition is clusters of smaller microturbines and reciprocating engines, not large CCGTs. He argued that Bloom is superior on multiple metrics. For data centers, he believes the immense, power-limited demand for AI will force decision cycles for all project types to shrink, regardless of whether they are expansions or greenfield.

Noel Parks noted that AEP framed Bloom as a near-term solution and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as long-term, and asked for Bloom's perspective on the SMR market and its potential role, particularly with its heat solutions.

Answer

CEO KR Sridhar, citing his background in nuclear engineering, expressed his belief that SMRs will not be a meaningful solution for at least 6-8 years. He argued the critical demand for power to support AI must be met in the next 4-6 years, creating a massive opportunity for Bloom's immediately deployable technology. He added that future nuclear power could create opportunities for Bloom's hydrogen solutions.

Noel Parks asked for Bloom's perspective on the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) market, referencing AEP's commentary on it as a long-term solution, and inquired about the outlook for Bloom's heat solutions business.

Answer

CEO KR Sridhar expressed skepticism that SMRs could meaningfully address the massive power demand gap within the next 6-8 years, arguing the immediate need for power in the next 4-6 years creates a critical opportunity for Bloom's solutions. He noted Bloom's core C&I business remains strong and that the company has future pathways, like hydrogen, that can play a role as other technologies mature.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers inquired about the potential for direct partnerships with natural gas pipeline operators as a strategy to serve geographically concentrated AI demand.

Answer

CEO K.R. Sridhar confirmed the logic of co-locating near gas pipelines to bypass electricity transmission bottlenecks for large power users. He stated that while it's a "huge play," conversations with gas companies are in the "early stages" and he would provide updates if a deal materializes.

Noel Parks asked about the impact of 'NIMBY' (Not In My Backyard) issues on data center customer discussions, potential regional advantages for FuelCell Energy due to local project history, and whether customer project discussions are stable or dynamic.

Answer

President and CEO Jason Few explained that FuelCell Energy's platform directly addresses NIMBY concerns through low emissions (no combustion), low noise, efficient space utilization (33 MW/acre), and carbon recovery capabilities, citing examples of successful deployments near residential areas. He noted that while demonstrating local success is a strength, it doesn't drive a primary regional focus. CFO Michael Bishop addressed customer discussions, stating that while development cycles have 'puts and takes,' the company isn't seeing sporadic activity. He emphasized that utilities are thoughtful in their planning and are working with FuelCell Energy to solve power capacity and transmission constraints, referencing PJM's low reserve margin as evidence of the need for distributed generation.

Noel Parks asked about the emergence of NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) issues in data center rollouts, how these are discussed with potential customers, and how utilities plan to insulate residential customers from the costs of ramping up power for data centers. He also inquired about regional advantages in customer pursuit and the stability of customer project discussions.

Answer

President and CEO Jason Few addressed NIMBY concerns by highlighting FuelCell's platform benefits: no combustion (good air quality), low noise, efficient space (33 MW/acre), ability to offset power demand with absorption chilling, and carbon recovery capabilities. He noted existing deployments near communities without complaints serve as strong examples. Mr. Few stated that while demonstrating community acceptance is a strength, it doesn't drive a primary regional focus. CFO Michael Bishop commented on customer discussions, stating that while development cycles have inherent adjustments, they are not seeing sporadic activity. He emphasized that utilities are thoughtful in their planning and are working with FuelCell to address power capacity and transmission constraints, citing PJM's low reserve margin as an example.

Noel Parks from Tuohy Brothers Investment Research Inc inquired about FuelCell Energy's strategic financing approach for Korean repowering projects and US data center opportunities through Dedicated Power Partners. He also asked about the ideal customer profile or arrangement for fuel cell technology in the data center market and the potential for pricing power given favorable market conditions.

Answer

Michael Bishop (EVP, CFO & Treasurer, FuelCell Energy) discussed leveraging existing financing agreements (like the US XM Import Bank for GGE) and attracting capital for multiple US data center projects through Dedicated Power Partners, simplifying FuelCell Energy's model to product sales and long-term service agreements. Jason Few (Director, President & CEO, FuelCell Energy) identified greenfield sites, existing data center expansions, and hyperscalers as sweet spots, highlighting advantages like faster time to power, modularity, absorption chilling (9,000 tons for a 50MW data center), and integration capabilities. Few also noted potential pricing power, emphasizing value delivery beyond just electricity, including time, reliability, thermal energy, and ITC benefits.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers Investment Research Inc. asked to characterize the types of AI and data center customers showing the most urgency and which might be key to reaching the 100 MW production target. He also sought clarity on how potential deals with gas distribution partners would be structured.

Answer

Jason Few, President & CEO, stated that opportunities extend beyond data centers to grid resiliency projects but noted that for data centers, they are in talks with a fragmented market including REITs, hyperscalers, and developers. Michael Bishop, EVP, CFO & Treasurer, explained that the DPP partnership structure involves FuelCell selling products into the venture, which then offers PPAs to end-users. Jason Few added that outside of DPP, the focus is on an 'energy as a service' model with long-term service agreements, shifting away from an on-balance-sheet generation model.

Noel Parks from Tuohy Brothers asked if FuelCell's extensive experience with biogas serves as a key differentiator in discussions with potential data center customers. He also inquired about the level of interest and discussion around using clean hydrogen for energy storage applications.

Answer

President and CEO Jason Few affirmed that the company's ability to use direct, non-upgraded biofuels is a significant advantage for customers seeking net-zero data center solutions. EVP and CCO Mark Feasel added that the company is in active conversations regarding hydrogen for various uses, including energy storage, but noted that its viability is highly dependent on location, incentives, and grid pricing.

Inquired about manufacturing capacity plans, particularly in relation to timing for data center demand, and whether they see deployments happening in a steady, bite-sized manner or as large, one-off projects.

Answer

The company is increasing its production rate in 2025 to fulfill the GGE order and is prepared to scale further with its existing factory capacity (100-200 MW). They see opportunities with both hyperscalers building in large blocks (16-30 MW) and other customers, and feel their demonstrated experience with large-scale projects positions them well to meet data center demand.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers Investment Research, Inc. asked about manufacturing capacity plans in relation to data center demand, questioning if there is a specific inflection point for growth and what the expected deployment pace might be.

Answer

EVP, CFO, and Treasurer Mike Bishop explained that the production rate is increasing in 2025 to fulfill the GGE order. He noted the Torrington factory has 100 MW of installed capacity with a footprint for 200 MW, making it ready for large data center orders of 20 MW and up. President and CEO Jason Few added that the company sees opportunities with hyperscalers building in 16-30 MW blocks and can point to existing large-scale deployments as proven use cases to demonstrate their ability to scale and deliver reliably.

Asked about the pipeline for wastewater projects, progress on the Rotterdam project with Exxon (including joint marketing), and the impact of the potentially improving interest rate environment on financing discussions.

Answer

Wastewater projects are a growing market due to the platform's ability to use biogas directly. The Rotterdam project involves site prep by Esso and module construction by FuelCell, with ongoing joint marketing with Exxon. Regarding interest rates, the company has navigated the environment well, is pursuing commercial financing for Korean projects, and is well-positioned for new financing as the rate environment potentially improves.

Noel Parks asked about customer price sensitivity in contracting decisions, the evolving sentiment towards deepwater in Houston, and whether concerns about future oil prices are impacting customer commitment more strongly in West Africa compared to South America.

Answer

President and CEO Robert Eifler stated that customers remain highly price-sensitive, contrary to any notion of reduced sensitivity. He described a growing sense in Houston of deepwater's strategic criticality, driven by long-term supply needs and a plateauing Permian, noting that current activity levels exceed what macro uncertainty might suggest. Robert Eifler confirmed West Africa has been slower to commit than South America, but sees demand starting to play out there, contributing to late 2026/2027 utilization. He attributed continued planning despite oil price volatility to operators' long-term views and the stability of the Brent forward curve.

Noel Parks asked if Noble is revisiting its maintenance schedule due to market conditions and whether BP's recent discovery in Brazil could accelerate exploration spending across the industry.

Answer

President and CEO Robert Eifler explained that the company is managing costs closely, including adopting a 'six-month readiness' posture for some idle rigs to balance costs and marketability. He expressed strong optimism that major discoveries, like BP's, support the long-term thesis for offshore exploration as customers increasingly focus on reserve replacement, signaling a meaningful shift back to offshore drilling.

Noel Parks requested a recap of the legacy Diamond BOP lease expenses and asked whether potential future tariffs could be passed on from suppliers, impacting costs.

Answer

CFO Richard Barker reiterated that the legacy Diamond BOP leases amount to approximately $26 million in 2025 and are recorded as an operating expense. Regarding tariffs, Barker confirmed that while the current 2025 cost impact is estimated at less than $15 million, future cost increases from suppliers would generally be passed through to Noble, and a material change in the tariff situation could have a larger impact in 2026 and beyond.

Asked for details on lean manufacturing in Europe, the reason for higher CapEx, the structure of the Middle East JV relative to existing resellers, and the composition of variable operating expenses.

Answer

The CEO explained that European manufacturing advances were efficiency-driven, not capital-intensive. The higher CapEx was attributed to foreign exchange effects and the accounting for sponsorship units as fixed assets. He clarified that the Middle East JV is separate from resellers like Silvana, and that sales commissions are the largest variable component of OpEx.

Inquired about the company's manufacturing capacity in Europe and whether the broadened product line will introduce new aspects to the company's resiliency thesis, particularly in light of potential climate-related issues.

Answer

Executive Desmond Wheatley explained that the European facility is five times larger than the US one and could produce about five times as many units, with the main constraint being supply chain. On resiliency, he affirmed it's a core part of the business, citing products that are flood-proof and hurricane-resistant, and highlighting the new BeamWell product designed for disaster relief. He emphasized that resiliency will continue to be a major focus, especially for military and emergency services customers.

Inquired about the company's next strategic priority for resource allocation, the risk of future capital constraints due to growth, and whether California's pro-EV policies could offset potential federal uncertainty.

Answer

The executive stated the immediate focus is on expanding the sales network through commission-based resellers and agents. He does not foresee capital constraints for manufacturing, citing ample room for expansion in existing facilities. He also believes that states like California will continue to push electrification policies, and that federal fleet managers view electrification as a strategic imperative that will continue regardless of the administration.

Noel Parks asked about the company's next strategic priority for maintaining momentum, potential capital constraints related to manufacturing capacity, and whether California's leadership could offset federal policy uncertainty for EVs.

Answer

Desmond Wheatley, President, CEO, and Chairman, identified expanding the sales channel through success-fee-based distributors and agents as the top human resource priority to broaden market reach without increasing overhead. He noted that the company has significant room for manufacturing expansion (4x in the U.S.) and is not currently capital-constrained. Wheatley also expressed confidence that states like California, along with the strategic needs of federal fleets, will continue to drive electrification momentum regardless of shifts in federal administration policy.

Asked about the balance of sales resources against customer-side delays for large orders and inquired about the expected pace of adding new distribution partners like the Jesse Group.

Answer

The company is actively rebalancing its sales resources by adding third-party distributors and resellers to broaden the sales funnel, which is now possible due to mature products and processes. This strategy will increase sales reach without raising SG&A costs. Adding new partners is a top priority, and significant activity is expected in the coming months and quarters.

Noel Parks questioned whether Beam's sales organization is adequately resourced to manage complex sales cycles and asked about the expected pace of adding new distribution partners like the recently signed Jesse Group.

Answer

President, CEO and Chairman Desmond Wheatley acknowledged that sales resources were not in balance, which is precisely why the company is now building a distributor and reseller network. He clarified this strategy is designed to broaden the sales funnel without increasing SG&A overhead. He described the recruitment of new partners as a top priority that will see significant activity in the coming months and quarters, not years, with a focus on finding culturally and linguistically aligned partners in key markets.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers Investment Research Inc. inquired about the market availability for the smaller gas turbines required by the new integrated design. He also asked if this updated strategy aligns with the priorities of Net Power's major industrial partners.

Answer

COO Marc Horstman clarified that while large industrial turbines are sold out for years, Net Power is targeting smaller, more flexible, and possibly aeroderivative turbines that are available for a mid-2028 deployment. President, CEO & Director Danny Rice confirmed the integrated strategy is supported by major shareholders, as it accelerates market entry by meeting immediate power needs while providing a credible, industrially synergistic path to decarbonization.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers asked if power end-users are being realistic about the impending power crunch and what key issues potential financial partners are focusing on during discussions.

Answer

CEO Daniel Rice expressed his view that the market may not fully appreciate the power supply tightness expected through the end of the decade, justifying NET Power's 'healthy pause' to ensure the project is done right. CFO Akash Patel added that strategic partners are focused on the long-term, scalable deployment of multiple NET Power units in the 2030-2035 timeframe, not just the first plant.

The analyst asked about the potential for strategic partnerships with natural gas infrastructure and pipeline companies for supply and development, and whether such partners might contribute capital to projects.

Answer

Executives confirmed that partnerships with gas infrastructure players are highly strategic. They noted that many midstream companies have the skill set for both gas and CO2 transport, creating a symbiotic relationship. NET Power's projects can provide the necessary demand to underwrite new gas and CO2 pipeline infrastructure, making these players collaborative capital partners in building out new energy hubs, not just arm's-length vendors.

Noel Parks from Tuohy Brothers asked about the potential for direct partnerships with gas infrastructure players and whether these partners might provide capital for new infrastructure like twinned gas and CO2 pipelines.

Answer

CEO Danny Rice confirmed that partnerships with gas infrastructure players are a key part of the strategy, noting these companies often have a tangential skill set in CO2 transportation. He and COO Brian Allen described the relationship as strategic and symbiotic, where NET Power's demand for gas and production of CO2 can underwrite new, partner-funded infrastructure investments, rather than being a simple arm's length vendor situation.

Noel Parks from Tuohy Brothers Investment Research Inc sought clarification on the scope of the exclusivity in the new preferred financing agreement and asked for color on the process and timeline of securing the deal with the infrastructure fund.

Answer

Chairman & CEO Robert Piconi clarified that the exclusivity is specific to the AssetVault subsidiary and its project funding. He explained that the process began late last year with Jefferies and that the timing was influenced by the successful execution of initial projects like Cross Trails and Calistoga. Piconi emphasized that positive feedback from existing customers during the partner's due diligence was a critical factor in finalizing the agreement.

Noel Parks from Tuohy Brothers asked about the key differentiators that led to the India battery technology licensing deal and the differences in communicating the company's value proposition to project finance partners versus end customers.

Answer

CEO Robert Piconi cited three main differentiators for the India deal: the growing need for domestic manufacturing in India, the flexibility of Energy Vault's hardware and software architecture, and a proven track record of rapid deployment. Regarding project financing, he explained that using conventional bankable technology, securing long-term offtake agreements, and having a successful execution history makes discussions with lenders more straightforward compared to those with end customers.

Noel Parks asked about the potential impact of battery technology advancements, such as greater energy density or longer life, on project economics. He also inquired about key learnings from the Rudong gravity storage project and how future iterations might improve in efficiency and construction timelines.

Answer

Robert Piconi, Chairman and CEO, explained that Energy Vault is developing innovative, high-density solutions by combining its civil and structural expertise with battery storage to solve customer problems in space-constrained areas. On the Rudong project, he noted that despite local design customizations, it achieved an 82-83% round-trip efficiency, which is a world-leading figure for non-lithium-ion long-duration storage. He emphasized that learnings from Rudong's construction and performance are actively informing the design of new, more optimized gravity systems globally.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers Investment Research Inc. asked for updated thoughts on non-operated M&A opportunities and whether the stabilization of oil prices has improved the bid-ask spread in the market.

Answer

President and CEO Paul Goodfellow responded that Talos continues to evaluate non-operated opportunities where it can add value. He stated that the company's investment decisions are based on a long-term price view due to project cycle times, and that the fundamental approach to evaluating deals within their capital allocation framework has not changed significantly.

Noel Parks asked if the company's typical working interest in projects is considered optimal or if a strategy of taking lower interests in more projects might be considered. He also inquired about the company's interest in expanding internationally.

Answer

President and CEO Paul Goodfellow explained that the risk-return profile dictates the working interest; the company is willing to take higher interests in lower-risk development projects near its infrastructure, while sharing risk with partners on frontier exploration. Regarding international expansion, he confirmed that the go-forward strategy is evaluating global basins where Talos can leverage its capabilities.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers Investment Research Inc. asked if capital discipline and risk-reward thinking is uniform across different customer types (NOCs, majors, independents). He also questioned if BP's recent large discovery in Brazil could accelerate broader industry exploration interest.

Answer

EVP & CCO Samir Ali explained that capital discipline is relatively uniform, with most operators acknowledging that the current deferral of demand is unsustainable. President & CEO Simon Johnson added that 2025 will likely prove to be a low point for exploration, necessitating future activity. Regarding the BP discovery, Mr. Johnson called it a 'good start' that will drive near-term appraisal drilling and demonstrates the remaining potential in legacy basins.

Noel Parks asked if customers are becoming more aggressive in contracting given market dynamics and whether the trend towards more exploration requires higher-specification rigs or a more conservative approach.

Answer

CCO Samir Ali explained that client behavior varies, with some ready to act quickly on rising day rates while others are more cautious. CEO Simon Johnson noted that the increase in exploration is a significant positive trend, supported by regulators like Brazil's, and underpins their long-term optimism for the deepwater market.

Noel Parks asked about the outlook for exploration activity and whether customers' capital discipline is leading to more short-term thinking, such as deprioritizing continuous rig operations.

Answer

President and CEO Simon Johnson noted a shift in investment towards offshore but said exploration remains a low capital priority for customers. EVP and CCO Samir Ali added that while some marginal exploration is occurring, it's not significant. He confirmed that customers are indeed deferring costs, acknowledging that restarting a rig later will be more expensive but treating it as a '2026 problem' to preserve cash in the near term for shareholder returns or portfolio reallocation.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers Investment Research Inc. asked about the ongoing significance of land optimization efforts, such as swaps and trades, for future efficiency gains. He also questioned whether cycle time reductions are being driven more by proprietary innovations or the adoption of vendor technologies.

Answer

President & COO Clay Carrell confirmed that the 'ground game' of land swaps and trades remains an active and important part of the program, citing the Invicta pad as an example of unlocking stranded acreage. He explained that efficiency gains are a mix of both internal innovation, such as new cementing processes, and the adoption of proprietary products and ideas from service provider partners.

Noel Parks asked for the company's general view on oil price volatility and sought clarification on whether the $1.1 billion free cash flow guidance for 2025 is net of the deferred compensation payment for a prior acquisition.

Answer

CEO Chris Doyle stated that the company's first line of defense against volatility is maintaining a peer-leading low-cost structure, which was a key driver of recent organizational changes. CFO Marianella Foschi confirmed that the $1.1 billion free cash flow forecast is a clean operational figure and does not include the deferred acquisition payment, which was settled from the year-end 2024 balance sheet.

Noel Parks asked if diverging operator techniques, like Civitas's success in the Wolfcamp D, make the company pickier or more adventurous in M&A. He also inquired about their outlook for Permian gas basis improvement related to the Matterhorn pipeline.

Answer

CEO M. Doyle responded that having their own established operational track record makes them 'more informed,' not more adventurous, when evaluating deals. CFO Marianella Foschi stated they are 'cautiously optimistic' about gas basis improvement but are 'not seeing it just yet,' which is why they hedged 50% of their Permian gas exposure through 2026.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers Investment Research Inc. asked for a retrospective on the recent market slowdown and questioned the implications of BP's Boomerang discovery on future exploration activity.

Answer

President and CEO Keelan Adamson and EVP & Chief Commercial Officer Roddie Mackenzie characterized the recent slowdown as atypical, driven by operator capital discipline amid market volatility rather than a conventional cyclical downturn. They see it creating pent-up demand. They viewed the BP Boomerang discovery as a significant positive, signaling renewed IOC interest in large-scale exploration, particularly in Brazil, and expect it to spur further appraisal and development activity, contributing to a 25% expected increase in exploration wells in 2026-2027.

Noel Parks asked about potential producer behavior in an upside scenario and whether current dayrates in the low-to-mid $400k range confirm a fundamentally strong cycle, removing fears of a rate rollback.

Answer

EVP & Chief Commercial Officer Roddie Mackenzie affirmed the market's strong fundamentals, citing majors refocusing on oil and gas, a projected 40% increase in deepwater CapEx by 2029, and superior investment economics. He believes the fear of a rate rollback is off the table for long-term contracts, stating it would not make sense to lock in premium assets at below-market rates given the outlook. President & CEO Keelan Adamson added that barriers to entry for new assets support a constructive market, and Transocean believes now is not the time to lock up future years at current rates.

Noel Parks from Tuohy Brothers Investment Research Inc. asked about the potential impact of the completed Chevron-Hess transaction on future activity levels and consolidation in the Bakken. He also inquired about market perception of the Bakken's remaining inventory and the opportunities for greater awareness around ongoing technological efficiencies.

Answer

Chairman & CEO Bob Gerrity expressed optimism regarding the Chevron-Hess deal, citing Chevron's positive performance with the Noble assets in the DJ Basin as a potential indicator of increased activity on the 'fantastic' Hess asset. President Brian Cree addressed the technology question, highlighting that capital efficiency in the Bakken continues to improve with innovations like three- and four-mile laterals and refracs, which enhance the field's productivity.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers Investment Research Inc. asked about the potential impact of the Chevron-Hess transaction on future activity levels and consolidation dynamics in the Bakken. He also inquired about market perception versus reality regarding the Bakken's remaining inventory and ongoing technological efficiency gains.

Answer

Chairman & CEO Bob Gerrity expressed optimism about the Chevron-Hess deal, citing Chevron's positive performance with Noble's assets in the DJ Basin as a potential indicator of increased activity on the 'fantastic' Hess assets. President Brian Cree addressed the technology question, highlighting that capital efficiency in the Bakken continues to improve with advancements like three- and four-mile laterals and refracs, making the field increasingly productive.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers Investment Research Inc. asked about the potential impact of the completed Chevron-Hess transaction on Bakken activity levels and consolidation dynamics. He also inquired about market perception of the Bakken's remaining inventory and the ongoing gains from technological efficiencies.

Answer

Chairman & CEO Bob Gerrity responded that while Chevron's specific plans are unknown, he is encouraged by their performance post-Noble acquisition in the DJ Basin and speculates they may increase activity on the 'fantastic' Hess asset. President Brian Cree addressed the technology question, highlighting that capital efficiency in the Bakken continues to improve with advancements like three- and four-mile laterals and refracs, which make the field increasingly productive.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers Investment Research Inc. asked about the potential impact of the completed Chevron-Hess transaction on future activity levels and consolidation dynamics in the Bakken. He also inquired about the market's perception of remaining inventory and ongoing technological efficiencies in the basin.

Answer

Chairman & CEO Bob Gerrity expressed optimism regarding the Chevron-Hess deal, citing Chevron's positive performance with Noble assets in the DJ Basin as a potential indicator of increased activity on the 'fantastic' Hess assets. President Brian Cree addressed the technology question, highlighting that capital efficiency in the Bakken continues to improve with advancements like three- and four-mile laterals and refracs, which enhance the field's productivity.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers inquired about early signs of changes in operator behavior, specifically regarding the quality and cost of AFEs (authorizations for expenditure). He also asked if Vitesse was considering acquisitions in other basins, given potential financial stress among companies in a lower commodity price environment.

Answer

President Brian Cree responded that AFE quality remains high, with a notable trend toward more 4-mile laterals. He confirmed that AFE costs for 2-mile and 3-mile laterals had declined by approximately 5% and 8%, respectively, from Q4 2024 to Q1 2025. Chairman and CEO Robert Gerrity stated that Vitesse has been receiving inbound inquiries from stressed companies and is actively evaluating opportunities in other basins, preparing to be opportunistic if market disruptions create attractive entry points.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers inquired about the current state of infrastructure in the Bakken basin, focusing on oil and gas takeaway capacity and utilization. He also commented on the surprising level of operator fragmentation shown in a presentation slide and asked whether further consolidation is expected.

Answer

CFO Jimmy Henderson responded that oil takeaway from the Bakken is in 'really good shape,' but the basin could use more gas processing and NGL takeaway capacity. On consolidation, President Brian Cree clarified that significant consolidation has already occurred, with the number of Vitesse's operators dropping from around 40 to 30, and noted that just five operators now account for roughly 75% of their production.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers asked whether the recent North Dakota wildfires impacted production and inquired about any cost trends observed in the Authorization for Expenditure (AFE) proposals Vitesse has been receiving.

Answer

CFO Jimmy Henderson stated that the wildfires had no discernible impact on production volumes, attributing the minor guidance adjustment to the timing of new wells coming online. President Brian Cree noted that AFE costs were consistent between Q2 and Q3 but expects actual drilling costs to decline in the future due to lower fuel prices, though this may take several months to be reflected in operator AFEs.

Noel Parks inquired if post-merger divestitures are becoming a less significant driver of M&A opportunities and asked if Permian gas takeaway concerns are impacting deal flow or pricing, especially relative to opportunities in Appalachia.

Answer

President Adam Dirlam and CEO Nicholas O’Grady confirmed that post-merger divestitures remain a key M&A driver, with large operators using creative structures to sell non-core assets. Regarding gas markets, O'Grady noted that while regional price differentials are factored into deals, long-term catalysts like data center demand have not yet been significant enough to materially alter deal pricing.

Noel Parks asked if the volatile commodity price outlook has increased the availability of non-operated interests for sale, particularly from operators. He also inquired about NOG's view on some gas producers' seemingly aggressive mid-cycle natural gas price assumptions.

Answer

President Adam Dirlam confirmed a significant acceleration in 'ground game' transaction opportunities, noting that deal flow in April alone matched the entire first quarter. He specified that sellers include both operators trimming CapEx and smaller non-ops facing funding issues. CTO Jim Evans added that declining cash flows historically accelerate these smaller deals, creating a significant opportunity for NOG. On gas pricing, Evans stated NOG avoids price prognostication, focusing instead on acquiring resilient, low-cost assets that can perform in any price environment.

Noel Parks asked about hedging patterns amid market volatility and for management's thoughts on Permian gas, including infrastructure and producer sentiment.

Answer

CEO Nicholas O'Grady stated NOG executes its own hedging strategy, using costless collars for gas to maintain upside exposure while protecting the downside. Regarding Permian gas, he noted improving local prices and acknowledged that infrastructure growth has lagged production, with ideas like in-basin data centers being explored.

Noel Parks from Tuohy Brothers Investment Research Inc. inquired about the Horseshoe well program, asking what might cause a deviation from their current drilling plan. He also asked for details on the scale, structure, and timing of the recently announced agreement with NextEra Energy.

Answer

COO Daniel Harrison expressed strong confidence in the Horseshoe well program, noting they have drilled three with 'zero problems' and that the economics are excellent, seeing no reason to deviate from the plan. Regarding the NextEra agreement, Chairman & CEO M. Jay Allison highlighted the strategic fit for developing power generation for data centers near their Western Haynesville assets but declined to share specific commercial details, emphasizing NextEra is an ideal partner.

Noel Parks from Tuohy Brothers Investment Research Inc. inquired about the Horseshoe well program, asking what might alter the current drilling plan, and sought details on the NextEra agreement's potential scale, structure, and timing for data center power generation.

Answer

COO Daniel Harrison expressed strong confidence in the Horseshoe wells, noting they perform like standard long laterals with minimal extra drilling time and no issues to date, giving no reason to alter the plan. Chairman & CEO M. Jay Allison described the NextEra agreement as a collaboration to explore developing gas-fired power generation for potential data centers near their Western Haynesville assets, but declined to provide specific structural or timing details.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers Investment Research Inc. asked what might cause a change in the Horseshoe well drilling program and inquired about the potential scale, structure, and timing of the recently announced agreement with NextEra Energy.

Answer

COO Daniel Harrison expressed high confidence in the Horseshoe program, citing zero operational issues on the three wells drilled to date and performance similar to straight laterals, indicating no current plans to change course. Chairman & CEO M. Jay Allison described the NextEra agreement as a collaboration to explore developing power generation for data centers near their Western Haynesville acreage, but did not offer specific details on the project's structure or timeline.

Noel Parks asked if Comstock's success in deep, high-temperature environments could enable a "second wave" of shale plays previously deemed unworkable. He also requested more detail on the casing design and bottom hole assembly improvements that reduced drilling times.

Answer

CEO Miles Allison agreed that Comstock has made significant inroads in challenging conditions that others might have avoided, and suggested the favorable gas price outlook could encourage others to look deeper. COO Daniel Harrison detailed the operational improvements, explaining that insulated drill pipe cools downhole tools, improving their longevity and reducing trips. He added that they have streamlined casing designs and optimized bottom hole assemblies based on performance data from previously drilled wells. CEO Miles Allison emphasized the success was a result of a long-term exploration strategy.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers asked about the initial assumptions for drilling times in the Western Haynesville and how they compare to the progress made. She also inquired about the rationale behind the $3.50 floor on their hedges and the company's broader gas macro outlook.

Answer

COO Daniel Harrison detailed that their initial drilling time target of 75-80 days was based on extrapolating industry learning curves from the legacy Haynesville, a target they met and have since significantly improved upon. CEO Miles Allison stated the hedging strategy is designed to protect the balance sheet and fund their 2025-2026 drilling program while deleveraging. He expressed a very positive long-term view on natural gas, driven by record LNG demand.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers asked how the company anticipates and manages faulting in the Western Haynesville. He also posed a macro question about whether prolonged low gas prices could lead to a more difficult industry ramp-up and higher price peaks in the future.

Answer

COO Daniel Harrison explained that extensive 3D seismic data allows them to effectively map and plan around faults in the Western Haynesville. On the macro outlook, President and CFO Roland Burns acknowledged the challenge, anticipating a volatile 2025 where low rig counts will tighten supply, but near-term prices remain highly dependent on winter weather outcomes.

Noel Parks asked if the Navajo Nation cleanup initiative required a financial commitment from Energy Fuels. He also inquired about the possibility of securing a larger, comprehensive government funding package for multiple projects versus pursuing separate funding streams.

Answer

CEO Mark Chalmers clarified that no capital investment is required for the Navajo Nation cleanup; the company will initially haul 10,000 tons for free and can recover uranium from it. On funding, he confirmed they are actively proposing both large and small options to multiple U.S. government groups, balancing these slower government processes with commercial financing options.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers Investment Research asked for details on the scope and timeline of the pre-feasibility study for expanding the White Mesa Mill's rare earth oxide capacity.

Answer

President and CEO Mark Chalmers explained that due to the Base Resources acquisition, the company is upgrading its expansion plans to 6,000 tonnes of NdPr capacity. A full feasibility study for this 'Phase 2' is targeted for mid-2025, with permitting to follow, aligning with the expected increase in monazite feedstock around 2027-2028.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers asked about any debt assumed in the Silverback deal, the seller's recent drilling activity, and the timeline and strategic rationale behind pursuing the acquisition in a weak market.

Answer

CFO Philip Riley and CEO Bobby Riley confirmed no debt was assumed and that the seller had not drilled a well in 1.5 years, meaning the asset was not 'pumped up' for sale. They characterized the deal as a strategic opportunity where Riley Permian's infrastructure development provided a unique competitive advantage to unlock a high-quality, constrained asset, a process they worked hard to complete amidst market volatility.

Noel Parks asked whether service cost pressures are a significant concern for 2025 plans and inquired if the current 20% increase in self-generated power usage represents a plateau or if further upside exists.

Answer

CEO Bobby Riley confirmed that service costs are not a major concern, with drilling costs neutral to slightly better and stimulation service costs seeing nice reductions. CFO Philip Riley clarified that overall well costs are modeled slightly higher due to fixed facility costs on new pads. Regarding power, Bobby Riley explained that they are still in a testing phase and continue to transfer more load, indicating there is room for that percentage to grow further.

Noel Parks from Tuohy Brothers inquired about the economic impact of a high natural gas price scenario on the power JV projects. He also asked for more detail on the company's operational efficiency gains and whether the successful techniques could be applied more broadly across the asset base.

Answer

CFO Philip Riley explained that in a high gas price scenario, the baseload project benefits from using gas 'in kind' at a discount, while the merchant project's economics are protected by the strong correlation between gas and power prices. COO John Suter added that efficiency gains are from applying industry best practices like pad drilling and zipper fracs to their high-quality rock, representing continuous improvement rather than a single transformative idea, and these methods are being applied in the New Mexico asset.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers inquired about the current service cost environment in their operating basin and sought reasons for the outperformance of acquired assets, questioning if it was due to conservative modeling or unaddressed opportunities.

Answer

COO John Suter stated that the service market has stabilized, providing good value. CFO Philip Riley added that industry consolidation is reducing overall service demand, creating a favorable environment. Suter attributed asset outperformance primarily to an optimized 'stimulation recipe' rather than previous owner neglect, emphasizing a focus on technical improvements.

Noel Parks asked for insights into operator strategies for managing base decline in the current cycle and questioned if operators might become more inclined to acquire mineral interests to improve their own returns.

Answer

CEO Christopher Conoscenti noted the self-correcting nature of the industry, pointing to mixed operator signals where some are cutting CapEx while maintaining production guidance. He reiterated a long-term bullish view, as Sitio's perpetual assets will benefit from the eventual cycle turn. Regarding operators buying minerals, he acknowledged the strategic logic but believes that in the current environment, operators will prioritize capital discipline and their own drilling programs over deploying capital for mineral acquisitions.

Noel Parks from Tuohy Brothers Investment Banking inquired about the potential impact of a sustained higher commodity price environment on M&A deal-making and the bid-ask spread. He also asked if basin and operator diversification is Sitio's primary strategy to mitigate production volatility from potential operator curtailments.

Answer

CEO Christopher Conoscenti stated that stable or rising price environments are constructive for M&A, with a rapidly declining price environment being the most challenging for closing deals. Regarding production volatility, he explained that with approximately 84% of 2024 revenue derived from oil, Sitio is not significantly exposed to gas-price-driven shut-ins, as the economics of their oily wells remain robust even with lower gas prices.

Noel Parks asked if assets that have been traded multiple times are more likely to see significant operational improvements upon consolidation by a larger operator. He also inquired about the potential for Permian gas infrastructure to become a ceiling for activity in the basin.

Answer

CEO Christopher Conoscenti and Chief Legal Officer A. McDavid responded, confirming that as assets are acquired by larger operators, they often become a higher priority, leading to accelerated and more efficient development. McDavid cited examples in both the Permian and DJ basins. On infrastructure, Conoscenti expressed confidence that operator capital discipline is the primary governor of activity, not infrastructure. He also praised midstream companies for proactively planning new capacity, such as the Blackcomb pipeline, well ahead of critical need.

Noel Parks asked about Sitio's current thinking on valuing gas optionality in potential acquisitions, given weak gas markets, and whether private operators are aggressively ramping production with an eye toward a sale.

Answer

CEO Christopher Conoscenti responded that Sitio remains commodity-agnostic and returns-driven, and is not opposed to acquiring gas assets at the right price. Regarding operator behavior, he noted that the trend of assets moving to larger, more disciplined operators has reduced capital volatility. While some smaller private operators still ramp up for a sale, he stated this is now a very small fraction of Sitio's portfolio.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers asked about the current state of M&A activity and capital flows in the Central Basin Platform and Northwest Shelf, the potential for new resource plays, and the general land situation regarding leasing and assembling new positions.

Answer

Paul McKinney, Chairman and CEO, described a competitive environment with increased interest from large players like Hilcorp, but affirmed Ring's disciplined approach to acquisitions. He noted the Lime Rock deal provides exposure to emerging plays like the Barnett and Woodford. James Parr, EVP and Chief Exploration Officer, added that while shallow rights are often held by production, deeper rights are frequently available, and the company is actively leasing to organically grow its long-term inventory.

Noel Parks asked for details on Ring Energy's drilling inventory quality, the strategic benefits of close bolt-on acquisitions, and the economic potential and development learning curve associated with the Barnett and Devonian plays.

Answer

CEO Paul McKinney and SVP of Operations Shawn Young acknowledged that while their high-return inventory is not 15-20 years deep, their strategy focuses on replenishment through accretive acquisitions and organic growth. Young highlighted a presentation slide showing consistent horizontal well performance with lower costs. McKinney added that plays like the Barnett offer excellent optionality in higher price environments (above $75 oil), but the company would not allocate capital to climb the associated learning curve in the current market, prioritizing balance sheet strength instead.

Noel Parks inquired about the nature of the company's geoscience work, asking if it involves targeting new formations or applying new technology to known zones. He also asked about current rates of return at lower oil prices and the vintage of the recently divested non-core assets.

Answer

CEO Paul McKinney clarified that the work involves applying modern drilling and completion technologies to known stacked pay zones in the Central Basin Platform that were previously uneconomic. He estimated current drilling breakeven costs are around $30-$35/bbl but reiterated that debt paydown would be prioritized over growth if prices fall. He also explained the divested assets were older vintage wells from the company's formation around 2013, which had higher operating costs and were non-strategic.

Noel Parks inquired about the potential direct and indirect effects of tariffs on North American lithium supply chains and whether recent executive orders on critical minerals have shifted local sentiment towards the Carolina Lithium project.

Answer

President and CEO Keith Phillips stated that while tariffs are a factor, at current low lithium prices, they are not significant enough to alter customer decisions for its Quebec production. He noted that long-term, North American projects are strategically positive. Regarding the Carolina project, Phillips explained that while federal support for critical minerals is strong, the immediate focus remains on completing the permitting process. He added that current weak market conditions make it a challenging environment to finance and initiate new projects, regardless of policy support.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers inquired about the potential for regional processing partnerships in Quebec and whether they could become a material part of the business model as Sayona expands.

Answer

President and CEO Keith Phillips acknowledged the strategic benefit of local conversion in Quebec to reduce high transportation costs, especially in the current market. He highlighted that Piedmont's strategy is to partner with larger, technically capable entities for downstream processing, positioning Piedmont as a spodumene supplier. He noted that NAL is the best-located project in Quebec, and a brownfield expansion there is particularly attractive due to existing infrastructure and lower potential CapEx.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers inquired about how quickly funding discussions with strategic partners could resume if lithium prices rebound and asked about the potential impact of the growing energy storage systems (ESS) market on lithium demand.

Answer

Keith Phillips, President and CEO, noted that partner interest remains deep, but Piedmont is not in a hurry to finalize a deal in the current low-price environment, putting a Final Investment Decision at least two years away. He acknowledged the ESS market is a huge growth driver that positively impacts overall lithium demand, reinforcing the strong long-term outlook.

Noel Parks from Tuohy Brothers Investment Banking asked for details on the process for announcing new Carbon TerraVault projects and questioned if a lack of urgency from potential customers was causing delays in securing agreements.

Answer

President and CEO Francisco Leon disagreed with the premise of delays, stating that the business is new and making rapid progress. He identified the primary catalyst for crystallizing emitter commitments as the permitting of physical CO2 pipelines, for which he sees significant legislative momentum in California. The immediate focus is on executing the first CCS project at Elk Hills, with injection expected by year-end.

Noel Parks inquired about the relative momentum between brownfield projects with existing emitters and greenfield projects for new industries like data centers. He also asked if discussions were centered on basic terms or more complex risk-sharing arrangements.

Answer

Francisco Leon (Executive) described the brownfield and greenfield projects as synergistic. He noted brownfield success depends on pipeline connectivity, while greenfield projects at sites like Elk Hills can produce clean fuels (e.g., renewable natural gas, hydrogen) that could then be supplied to brownfield emitters to lower their carbon footprint. He emphasized that while details are being finalized, the overall market opportunity is very strong for CRC as a first-mover.

Noel Parks of Tuohy Brothers Investment Research inquired about the potential for 4-mile laterals to expand the company's economic footprint and whether early production data could support upward reserve re-ratings.

Answer

CEO Daniel Brown and Chief Strategy and Commercial Officer Michael Lou responded that 4-mile laterals will enable a small footprint expansion by making previously marginal acreage economic. Lou noted this is part of a continuous effort that has kept the sub-$60 inventory life stable. Brown added that while initial wells capture existing resources more efficiently, the improved economics will eventually migrate new locations into the proven undeveloped category, positively impacting reserves over time.

Noel Parks inquired if 4-mile laterals, particularly horseshoe-shaped ones, introduce any new frac protection issues. He also asked if the Enerplus acquisition resulted in an inventory reduction due to the 5-year SEC rule and if the high-grading of those assets is now complete.

Answer

CEO Daniel Brown explained that the current 4-mile program focuses on straight laterals, which present no new frac protection issues compared to drilling two separate 2-mile wells. Regarding reserves, he confirmed that the Enerplus assets were brought over under U.S. SEC rules and that Chord maintains a conservative PUD booking practice, not fully booking out to the 5-year limit, which was reflected in the reported reserve figures.

Noel Parks asked how a rebound in natural gas prices would impact Chord's realizations and takeaway infrastructure. He also inquired about the nature of the remaining synergies to be captured from the Enerplus integration.

Answer

CFO Richard Robuck and COO Darrin Henke explained that due to fixed-fee contracts, a gas price recovery would create high operating leverage, leading to a significant upside in realizations. They also noted potential positive tailwinds from the LNG Canada project. CEO Daniel Brown added that while capital synergies are largely in the 3-year plan, further operational synergies will be realized in 2025 by standardizing field practices like completion design and artificial lift to improve uptime and reduce failures.

Noel Parks questioned if the timing of the Olympus acquisition was specifically driven by the anticipation of in-basin power demand. He also asked for EQT's view on future natural gas price volatility and whether the company has an appetite for using puts as part of its hedging strategy as its balance sheet improves.

Answer

CEO Toby Rice stated the Olympus deal was attractive on its own merits, with the data center demand representing pure upside. CFO Jeremy Knop added it was a 'value buy' that enhances EQT's positioning for high-probability projects in the area. On volatility, Knop said it is expected to increase, and EQT is structured to capture this upside, citing the ability to swing production by 2 Bcf/day. CEO Toby Rice concluded that EQT is designed to thrive in a volatile environment.

Noel Parks asked if the increasing volatility in the natural gas market is expected to be reflected in the forward strip, particularly through wider seasonal spreads. She also inquired if EQT's strategy considers potential delays in new LNG capacity start-ups and whether such delays could be favorable for the company.

Answer

CFO Jeremy Knop agreed that market volatility should eventually lead to wider summer-winter spreads to incentivize new storage and will also be expressed in the options market. He noted that a delay in LNG facility start-ups, while bearish near-term, could be 'unbelievably bullish' for 2026 if multiple large facilities come online concurrently, creating a sudden demand shock that producers cannot meet quickly.

Inquired about the details of the Q4 impairment charge, how the new construction residential market is addressing EV charging, and whether Blink is seeing demand for increased charger density at existing sites.

Answer

The impairment was a non-cash goodwill write-down related to the SemaConnect acquisition due to a lower market cap. Blink focuses on the commercial multifamily market, not single-family homes, and leverages building code requirements for 'make-ready' infrastructure. Anecdotally, they are seeing a spike in requests for additional chargers at existing sites.

Noel Parks asked about the difference in the sales cycle length between Blink's owner-operated model and its other charger delivery methods.

Answer

COO and CEO-elect Michael Battaglia explained that the owner-operator model generally has a shorter sales cycle because Blink has full control over the installation and operational timeline once a site host agreement is signed. President and CEO Brendan Jones elaborated that with direct sales, revenue recognition is dependent on the site host's timeline for receiving and installing the chargers. Battaglia concluded by reiterating the company's core strategy to aggressively grow the owner-operator model to become the dominant source of high-margin, recurring revenue.

Asked for grower feedback from the recent harvest, the nature of partnership discussions with large integrated oil companies, and whether building seed inventory would require significant capital investment.

Answer

The company reported very positive grower feedback, particularly on the crop's drought tolerance and excitement for upcoming herbicide-tolerant traits. Discussions with biofuel partners are progressing but are slow due to the partners' learning curve in agriculture, unlike the omega-3 market where partners are moving faster due to an existing supply crisis. Future inventory build-up is expected to be managed through working capital within a value chain that includes pre-arranged offtake agreements, not large capital outlays.