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VAALCO ENERGY INC /DE/ (EGY)·Q2 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q2 2025 revenue was $96.89M, diluted EPS $0.08, Adjusted EBITDAX $49.89M; NRI production 16,956 BOEPD and NRI sales 19,393 BOEPD both above the high end of guidance .
- Versus Wall Street consensus (S&P Global), revenue was slightly below ($96.89M actual vs $97.34M estimate*) while Adjusted EBITDA exceeded ($45.86M actual vs $43.82M estimate*); S&P “Primary EPS” actual was $0.02 vs $0.03 estimate*, whereas reported diluted EPS was $0.08 [GetEstimates Q2 2025]*.
- FY25 guidance was reiterated (CAPEX $250–$300M; expense and DD&A ranges unchanged), and Q3 2025 guidance introduced (lower production and sales on planned Gabon maintenance and fewer liftings) .
- Dividend of $0.0625/share declared for Q3 2025 (15th consecutive quarterly dividend); cash $67.9M, debt $60.0M at quarter-end, net cash $7.9M (excluding ~$24M collected in July) .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Above-guidance volumes: “Both our sales and NRI production for the second quarter of 2025 were above the high end of guidance… Adjusted EBITDAX of $49.9 million” — CEO George Maxwell .
- Cost efficiency: Production expense fell 10% q/q to $40.3M and $22.87/BOE (−12% q/q), driven by Côte d’Ivoire segment reduction .
- Egypt execution: Six wells completed in Q2 with strong drilling efficiency (as low as 8 days) and plan to fracture three wells in Q3; eight additional wells planned for 2H to support exit-rate uplift .
What Went Wrong
- Pricing headwind: Realized commodity price per BOE fell to $54.87 (−15% q/q; −17% y/y), compressing revenue and EBITDAX despite higher volumes .
- Year-over-year comparability: Net income down 70% y/y ($8.38M vs $28.15M), largely due to lower realized prices and absence of the prior-year $19.9M bargain purchase gain .
- Côte d’Ivoire offline: Baobab FPSO refurbishment took CI production offline since January 31, 2025 (last lifting in Feb), delaying contribution until 2026; near-term sales and DD&A dynamics impacted .
Financial Results
Quarterly comparatives
Note: Margins computed from cited revenue and net income/Adjusted EBITDAX.
Actual vs Consensus (Q2 2025)
Values with * retrieved from S&P Global.
Segment breakdown — Net Revenue
KPIs and balance sheet
Guidance Changes
Drivers: Q3 guide-down reflects planned Gabon maintenance, natural decline and fewer offshore liftings; FY25 ranges reiterated after a 10% CAPEX reduction announced in Q1 without impacting full-year production/sales .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We continue to consistently deliver successful quarterly results that either meet or exceed our guidance… net income of $0.08 per diluted share and Adjusted EBITDAX of $49.9 million” — CEO George Maxwell .
- “Production costs… $40.4 million… a 10% reduction quarter over quarter and on a per barrel basis $22.87… G&A fell 9% q/q” — CFO Ron Bain .
- “This is a transitional year… Baobab FPSO offline in Q1… drilling program in Gabon won’t begin until late Q3… meaningful production uplift in 2026–27” — CEO .
- “We are moving towards a more programmatic hedging program… added multiple hedges in 2025 and 2026” — CFO .
- “FPSO refurbishment remains ahead of schedule… reconnection March 2026” — CEO .
Q&A Highlights
- Working capital: Q3 expected inflow as Gabon receivable collected in July and EGPC continues to reduce aging; next Gabon state tax lifting expected in 2026, supporting WC normalization .
- Côte d’Ivoire hardware: Turret bearing stored in Dubai; swivel expected Aug 12; installation in September; ramp to stable production ~2–3 weeks after FPSO return; capacity unchanged post-refurbishment .
- Egypt program: Eight wells planned in 2H; strong drilling efficiency lowering costs; one Western Desert commitment well for appraisal .
- Gabon operations: Minimal production disruption from rig moves; downtimes aligned to planned maintenance .
Estimates Context
- Q2 2025 vs consensus (S&P Global): Revenue $96.89M vs $97.34M*, slight miss; Adjusted EBITDA $45.86M vs $43.82M*, beat; S&P “Primary EPS” actual $0.02 vs $0.03*, while reported diluted EPS was $0.08 (different definitions/basis) [GetEstimates Q2 2025]*.
- Forward context: Q3 estimates reflect expected maintenance impact (consensus revenue $62.50M*, EBITDA $22.90M*, S&P “Primary EPS” −$0.10*), consistent with company guidance on lower sales in Q3 [GetEstimates Q3 2025]* .
Values with * retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Near-term volume resilience but price-sensitive: Q2 volumes beat guidance; realized prices were the main headwind; EBITDAX margin held ~51.5% on cost control .
- FY25 plan intact: CAPEX cut remains in place without changing production/sales guidance; Q3 guide-down is timing-related (maintenance, liftings), not strategic setbacks .
- Structural growth catalysts: Gabon multi-well program (late Q3 start) and Baobab drilling in 2026 underpin medium-term production uplift; Equatorial Guinea targeting FID by year-end .
- Balance sheet flexible: $67.9M cash, $60M drawn under new RBL, net cash $7.9M (before $24M July receipts); hedging more programmatic to protect cash flows .
- Egypt execution de-risks trajectory: Continued drilling and receivables improvement support stable cash generation; exit-rate benefits expected from 2H wells .
- Dividend continuity: $0.0625/share declared for Q3; management emphasizes consistent shareholder returns amidst transitional year .
- Trading setup: Narrative likely focuses on Q3 softness vs Q4/Q1 rebound potential and 2026 uplift; watch Brent, Gabon rig arrival, Egypt well cadence, and CI FPSO milestones as catalysts .