MN
MACH NATURAL RESOURCES LP (MNR)·Q4 2024 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q4 2024 revenue was $235M, net income $37M, and Adjusted EBITDA $162M; production averaged 86.7 Mboe/d with LOE at $6.17/Boe . Distributions of $0.50/unit for Q4 were declared for payment on March 13, 2025 .
- Management reaffirmed the operational 2025 outlook and lowered the interest expense midpoint by $22M, improving 2025 free cash flow; pro forma net debt/Adjusted EBITDA moved to 0.8x after equity proceeds and refinancing .
- Q4 saw continued integration of two bolt-on acquisitions and entry into a new $750M revolving credit facility, with term loan repayment and RBL draws repositioning the capital structure for flexibility .
- Sequentially, revenue declined vs Q3 and per-unit distribution fell, largely due to principal amortization and sharing with new equity purchasers; interest expense decreased to $24M as refinancing benefits began to accrue .
- Consensus (S&P Global) estimates data was unavailable; therefore, vs-estimates comparisons are not provided.
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Cost discipline and operational execution: LOE of $6.17/Boe and G&P of $3.36/Boe; production 86.7 Mboe/d with 11 gross wells spud and 10 brought online in Q4 .
- Capital structure enhancement and FCF uplift: New $750M RBL, term loan repayment, and $230M equity offering reduced pro forma net debt/EBITDA to 0.8x and lowered the 2025 interest expense midpoint by $22M .
- Strategic clarity around distributions and reinvestment: “We maintain a reinvestment rate of less than 50% of our operating cash flow... We target peer-leading variable distributions,” and midstream assets contributed $78M of EBITDA in 2024, underscoring integrated returns .
What Went Wrong
- Sequential revenue and per-unit distribution compression: Revenue fell to $235M from $256M in Q3; Q4 distribution was $0.50/unit vs $0.60 in Q3, driven by principal amortization and sharing with new equity purchasers .
- LOE up vs Q3: LOE per Boe rose to $6.17/Boe from $5.85/Boe, with CEO indicating BOE expense should be “basically flat” in 2025 .
- Natural gas price sensitivity remains: Despite stronger Q4 realized natural gas pricing ($2.31/Mcf), management highlighted prior-year lows and continued macro exposure; leaving more liquids in gas stream is elective but keeps mix gas-heavy when economics favor it .
Financial Results
Notes: EBITDA and net income margins are calculated using reported revenues and Adjusted EBITDA/net income figures.
Segment/Commodity Revenue Mix
Key KPIs
Guidance Changes
Drivers: Interest expense reduction stems from refinancing (new RBL) and term loan repayment, enhancing 2025 FCF and distribution capacity .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We maintain a reinvestment rate of less than 50% of our operating cash flow... We target peer-leading variable distributions.”
- “We purchased [midstream] facilities for $65 million, and these assets contributed $78 million of EBITDA in 2024 alone.”
- “We hedge 50% of our oil and natural gas on a rolling 1-year basis and 25% during the second year.”
- “We anticipate spending between $225 million to $240 million on drilling and completion plus workovers in 2025... holding our production basically flat.”
- “Post year-end, we closed a bolt-on acquisition... improved our cost of borrowing by refinancing our term loan with a new revolving credit facility... lowering our pro forma net-debt-to-Adjusted-EBITDA ratio from 1.0x... to 0.8x.”
Q&A Highlights
- Third rig timing and focus: Short Oswego program followed by deep Mississippian in Custer County; driven by reinvestment rate and rising operating cash flow .
- Distribution mechanics and Q4 reduction: Principal amortization reduced cash available; per-unit distribution shared with new equity purchasers .
- Midstream monetization: Assets considered critical; producing more EBITDA than purchase price annually; no sale planned .
- Gas vs oil acquisitions: Preference to lean into crude if accretive; bullish long-term gas demand; potential $5 summer strip .
- BOE expense outlook: Expect “basically flat” in 2025 despite 2024 uptick tied to asset mix and decline dynamics .
Estimates Context
- Attempts to retrieve S&P Global consensus estimates for EPS and revenue (Q4/Q3 and FY) were unsuccessful due to provider daily request limits. As a result, vs-consensus comparisons are unavailable for this recap.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Distribution capacity in 2025 should benefit from a $22M reduction at the interest expense midpoint and lower leverage post-refinancing, supporting the variable distribution model .
- Cost control remains robust; LOE/G&P per Boe are within guided ranges, and operational efficiency in Oswego/Woodford continues to drive attractive well economics .
- Strategic optionality is intact: integrated midstream, hedging discipline, and a sizable inventory allow pivoting between acquisitions and drilling while maintaining ≤50% reinvestment .
- Gas macro is turning supportive; management can elect to leave liquids in the gas stream and ramp deep gas/condensate activity, potentially enhancing EBITDA and FCF if strip improves .
- Near-term trading: Watch for term loan/RBL actions and any sizable accretive M&A (management expects at least one in 2025) as catalysts; distributions will flex with commodity prices and capital decisions .
- Medium-term thesis: Emphasis on cash returns, bolt-on acquisitions at <PV-10, and integrated midstream monetization of owned molecules underpins resilient FCF across cycles .
- Risk checks: Commodity price volatility, LOE trajectory, and competition in Mid-Con assets; management’s reinvestment discipline and hedging help mitigate downside .