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BATTALION OIL CORP (BATL)·Q4 2024 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q4 2024 delivered higher revenue year over year and sequentially as production rose and AGI-driven treating savings flowed through, but GAAP results were pressured by a $18.5M impairment, debt extinguishment costs, and elevated G&A tied to the terminated Fury merger, resulting in a net loss of $30.9M and diluted EPS of $(1.88) .
- Adjusted EBITDA improved to $18.0M, up from $10.0M in Q4 2023, reflecting stronger volumes, lower gathering/treating expense from AGI, and pad performance ahead of type curves .
- Liquidity strengthened post quarter via a refinancing and $63.0M incremental term loan in January 2025, extending maturity to December 26, 2028 and adding $61.3M net liquidity; scheduled amortization totals $16.9M in 2025 and $22.5M in 2026 .
- Operational narrative remains constructive: capex per lateral foot under $950, Monument Draw wells ahead of plan, and AGI processed 1.8 Bcf in Q4, returning ~16 MMcf/d of sweet gas for sale, supporting cost reductions .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- AGI impact: Gathering and other expense fell to $10.45/Boe in Q4 2024 from $13.31/Boe YoY as AGI treated ~20 MMcf/d and returned ~16 MMcf/d of sweet gas, improving netbacks (“AGI facility treated 1.8 Bcf… returned approximately 16 MMcf/d of sweet gas”) .
- Well performance and capital efficiency: “Final well capital remains under $950 per lateral foot” and newest pad averaging >811 Boe/d over initial 120 days, with pads producing ahead of type curve, under budget and ahead of plan .
- Adjusted EBITDA growth: Adjusted EBITDA was $18.0M in Q4 2024 vs. $10.0M in Q4 2023, showing strengthening cash earnings despite macro and non-recurring items .
What Went Wrong
- Non-GAAP and one-time headwinds: Q4 recognized a $18.5M impairment of a contract asset and $7.5M loss on extinguishment of debt tied to refinancing, pressuring GAAP EPS and net income .
- Merger-related costs: G&A increased to $6.04/Boe (as reported) due to audit, legal and transaction costs from the now-terminated Fury merger; adjusted G&A would have been $3.22/Boe .
- Gas price environment: Realized natural gas price was $0.24/Mcf in Q4 2024 versus $1.16/Mcf YoY, partially offset by AGI returns; overall net income margin was negative due to the above items .
Financial Results
KPIs and operating metrics:
Note: Segment breakdown not provided; the company reports consolidated results .
Guidance Changes
No formal quantitative guidance for revenue, EPS, margins, or production was provided in the Q4 2024 materials .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
No Q4 2024 earnings call transcript was available in the document set; themes below reflect management commentary from press releases.
Management Commentary
- “Final well capital remains under $950 per lateral foot. The completed pad wells are producing ahead of type curve…” .
- “During the fourth quarter 2024, the acid gas injection (‘AGI’) facility treated approximately 20 MMcf/d average and returned approximately 16 MMcf/d of sweet gas…” .
- On refinancing: initial $162.0M term loan Dec 26, 2024 and $63.0M incremental Jan 9, 2025; maturity Dec 26, 2028; proceeds used to repay ~$152.1M of prior debt .
Q&A Highlights
No Q4 2024 earnings call transcript was found; therefore, Q&A themes and any guidance clarifications are unavailable in the provided documents set.
Estimates Context
- Wall Street consensus (S&P Global) for Q4 2024 EPS and # of estimates was unavailable; no EPS or count returned. Revenue consensus and counts were unavailable; thus, no formal beat/miss versus consensus can be determined. Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Cost structure improving: AGI materially reduces treating costs, with gathering/treating down to $10.45/Boe and LOE at $9.45/Boe; continued ramp should support margins even in weak gas pricing environments .
- Execution credibility: Pads ahead of type curve and capital under $950/ft indicate disciplined development and potential uplift in capital efficiency-driven returns .
- Non-recurring headwinds masked underlying improvement: Adjusted EBITDA rose to $18.0M despite impairment and debt extinguishment costs; monitoring normalization post-refi should be central to near-term thesis .
- Balance sheet extended and liquidity up: New term loan maturity to 2028 and $61.3M net liquidity addition reduce near-term refinancing risk; plan for scheduled amortization ($16.9M in 2025, $22.5M in 2026) is clear .
- Strategic reset post-merger termination: Removing Fury overhang may refocus investor attention on organic execution and AGI monetization pathway .
- Near-term trading: Watch updates on AGI throughput/cost savings and Monument Draw well performance; strong operational prints could drive sentiment even absent formal guidance .
- Medium-term thesis: If capex/ft and pad productivity sustain alongside AGI-driven opex reductions, adjusted cash metrics should trend positively; track any movement toward formal production or FCF guidance in upcoming quarters .
Sources: Battalion Oil Corporation Q4 2024 8-K and press releases ; Q3/Q2 2024 8-Ks and press releases ; Merger termination press release .