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SM Energy (SM)

SM Q4 2024: Prod rebound, 112K bpd goal & buybacks tied to 1x leverage

Reported on May 12, 2025
Pre-Earnings PriceN/ADate unavailable
Post-Earnings PriceN/ADate unavailable
Price ChangeN/A
  • Production Rebound: Despite a Q1 slowdown due to a temporary crew gap, the management expects production to grow steadily through the year into Q3, suggesting that the production dip was a timing issue rather than a structural problem.
  • Proactive Operational Management: The swift restart of the South Texas frac crew in January underscores management’s proactive approach to address short-term issues, positioning the company for a robust production ramp-up later in the year.
  • Strategic Inventory Growth: The significant contribution from the Utah acquisition to inventory growth supports potential future production increases and operational flexibility.
  1. Capital Allocation
    Q: How will repurchases proceed with free cash flow?
    A: Management emphasized a clear path to reach 1x leverage by prioritizing free cash flow, with repurchases resuming once the balance sheet is strong.

  2. Production Guidance
    Q: How will production reach 112K barrels/day?
    A: They aim for the 112,000 barrels/day target by adjusting the oil percentage mix and expecting growth in Q2 and Q3, with timing being key.

  3. Reserves Outlook
    Q: What’s driving reserve changes and PUD declines?
    A: The decline in Midland reserves reflects PUDs falling outside the five‑year window, while Uinta assets continue to be optimized and add value.

  4. Drill/Comp Efficiency
    Q: Why 105 nets drilled vs. 150 completions planned?
    A: Management clarified that the higher completion count results from capital efficiency and acquired asset pace; DUCs are an outcome rather than a managed metric.

  5. Q1 Production Dip
    Q: Why was first quarter production lower?
    A: A delay from a South Texas frac crew created a three‑month gap, which has since been addressed as operations resume.

  6. Rail Delays
    Q: Are rail delays a one-off issue?
    A: The delays, related to refinery downtime and rail constraints, are being managed with added flexibility in storage and railcar capacity.

  7. Non‑Op Spend
    Q: What non‑operated spending is anticipated?
    A: There’s potential for increased non‑op drilling in the Permian, possibly exceeding the prior $19M spend, though final decisions depend on economic conditions.

  8. Uinta Integration
    Q: Why are Uinta production/loss estimates off-target?
    A: Early integration challenges and timing issues in a noisy quarter led to production and LOE variances, with expectations for stabilization as operations fully integrate.

  9. Uinta Productivity
    Q: How productive are Uinta wells initially?
    A: Early results show that lower cube wells, while slower to peak, maintain shallower declines, indicating promising longer‑term value creation.

  10. Gas Asset Focus
    Q: Why not pursue South Texas gas assets now?
    A: Management is holding off on further gas development due to high volatility and instead focuses on oil assets with steadier returns.

  11. Permian Returns
    Q: Are new Permian opportunities competitive?
    A: Early results in Klondike and Woodford‑Barnett are strong—one well produced 150+ MBOE and another 250 MBOE—though final comparisons to legacy assets await further data.

Research analysts covering SM Energy.