Press Release

MIDLAND, Texas, May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diamondback Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: FANG) (“Diamondback” or the “Company”) today announced financial and operating results for the first quarter March 31, 2022.

FIRST QUARTER 2022 HIGHLIGHTS

• Average production of 222.8 MBO/d (381.4 MBOE/d)
• Cash flow from operating activities of $1,252 million; Operating Cash Flow Before Working Capital Changes (as defined and reconciled below) of $1,411 million
• Cash capital expenditures of $437 million; Q1 2022 activity-based capital expenditures incurred of approximately $444 million
• Free Cash Flow (as defined and reconciled below) of $974 million
• Increasing annual base dividend by 17% to $2.80 per share; declared Q1 2022 base cash dividend of $0.70 per share payable on May 23, 2022; implies a 2.2% annualized yield based on the April 29, 2022 closing share price of $126.23
• Announcing a variable cash dividend of $2.35 per share payable on May 23, 2022; total base-plus-variable dividend of $3.05 implies a 9.7% annualized yield based on April 29, 2022 closing share price of $126.23
• Repurchased 57,300 shares of common stock in Q1 2022 for ~$6.7 million (at a weighted average price of approximately $117.34/share)
• Total return of capital of $555 million; represents 57% of Q1 2022 Free Cash Flow (as defined and reconciled below) and 50% of Adjusted Free Cash Flow (as defined and reconciled below) from stock repurchases and the declared Q1 2022 base-plus-variable dividend
• As previously announced, Diamondback fully redeemed the $1,000 million outstanding 2.875% Senior Notes due 2024 and the $500 million outstanding 4.750% Senior Notes due 2025 with cash on hand and the net proceeds from the issuance of its new 4.25% Senior Notes due 2052 in the aggregate principal amount of $750 million
• Closed the acquisition of approximately 6,200 net acres in Ward County, Texas for a gross purchase price of $230 million

“In February, Russia launched an unprovoked invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine. We strongly condemn Russia’s actions and in March announced a $10 million commitment to support various non-profit entities that have risen to meet the humanitarian needs of the millions of men, women, and children affected by this unjust war. We hope and pray for a peaceful resolution to this conflict,” stated Travis Stice, Chief Executive Officer of Diamondback.

Mr. Stice continued, “Russia’s actions have increased the volatility in our sector, creating significant swings in commodity prices as a result of uncertainty around global oil supply. At Diamondback, we are proud to have grown our production from just under 3,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day (“BOE/d”) exactly a decade ago, to over 380,000 BOE/d this quarter. This production growth, along with material growth from many of our peers across the United States and in the Permian Basin, has significantly lowered our Country’s relative cost of energy and contributed to our energy security, the strength of our currency and our Country's geopolitical position on the world stage.

Today, Diamondback is committed to maintaining our current production levels, providing a significant supply of energy to our Country and the world. While we believe that efficiently growing our production base is achievable over the long-term, we do not feel that today is the appropriate time to begin spending dollars that would not equate to additional barrels until multiple quarters from today given the uncertainty and volatility currently in the market.

Like many other industries, we are operating in a challenging environment. We are seeing inflationary pressure across all facets of our business, with labor and materials shortages now present across the supply-chain. We are fortunate to have secured the necessary equipment, personnel and materials to run our capital program, but increasing activity today would result in capital efficiency degradation and would not meaningfully contribute to the global supply and demand imbalance in the oil market today.

Therefore, we are focused on maintaining our operational excellence and producing one of the lowest cost and environmentally friendly barrels in the world. By doing so, we expect to continue generating differentiated returns, hitting our production and capital targets and returning at least 50% of our Free Cash Flow to our stockholders.”

OPERATIONS UPDATE

The tables below provide a summary of operating activity for the first quarter of 2022.

During the first quarter of 2022, Diamondback drilled 47 gross horizontal wells in the Midland Basin and 14 gross horizontal wells in the Delaware Basin. The Company turned 54 operated horizontal wells to production in the Midland Basin and 15 operated horizontal wells to production in the Delaware Basin. The average lateral length for the wells completed during the first quarter was 9,658 feet. Operated completions during the first quarter consisted of 19 Lower Spraberry wells, 15 Wolfcamp A wells, 11 Jo Mill wells, 10 Middle Spraberry wells, six Wolfcamp B wells, six Second Bone Spring wells, one Third Bone Spring well and one Barnett well.

DELAWARE BASIN ACQUISITION

In January 2022, the Company acquired approximately 6,200 net acres from an undisclosed seller in Ward County, Texas for a gross purchase price of $230 million. During the first quarter of 2022, the average daily production was 1.3 MBO/d (2.3 MBOE/d) and the amount of production that contributed to Diamondback's first quarter of 2022 was approximately 1.0 MBO/d (1.9 MBOE/d). The acquisition includes 58 estimated gross (43 net) horizontal locations with an average lateral length of over 10,300 feet. The acreage is 100% operated with an average 74% working interest and 66% net revenue interest (85% effective net revenue interest). The acquisition was funded with cash on hand. Kirkland & Ellis served as legal advisor to Diamondback.

ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE

Diamondback's 2021 Scope 1 GHG intensity and methane intensity decreased by 15% and 21%, respectively, from 2020. Diamondback uses the American Exploration and Production Council's ESG Metrics Framework to calculate GHG and methane intensity.

Diamondback's 2021 gross operated BOE production increased by approximately 24% from 2020, while absolute Scope 1 GHG emissions increased 5% from 2020, to approximately 1.26 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents. Absolute methane emissions in 2021 decreased to approximately five thousand tons of methane, or 2% lower than 2020. During the first quarter of 2022, Diamondback flared approximately 1.5% of gross natural gas production. As promised in our Net Zero Now pledge announced in early 2021, Diamondback will retire approximately 1.26 million carbon offsets for its 2021 Scope 1 emissions.

As of April 30, 2022 Diamondback has installed Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems that cover approximately 70% of our operated oil production and monitor methane emissions, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in real time. Diamondback is committed to increasing this monitoring effort to cover over 90% of operated oil production by the end of 2023.

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Diamondback's first quarter 2022 net income was $779 million, or $4.36 per diluted share. Adjusted net income (a non-GAAP financial measure as defined and reconciled below) was $929 million, or $5.20 per diluted share.

First quarter 2022 Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (as defined and reconciled below) was $1,600 million. Adjusted EBITDA net of non-controlling interest was $1,551 million.

First quarter 2022 average unhedged realized prices were $97.03 per barrel of oil, $3.61 per Mcf of natural gas and $40.36 per barrel of natural gas liquids ("NGLs"), resulting in a total equivalent unhedged realized price of $69.60 per BOE.

Diamondback's cash operating costs for the first quarter of 2022 were $11.36 per BOE, including lease operating expenses ("LOE") of $4.34 per BOE, cash general and administrative ("G&A") expenses of $0.61 per BOE, production and ad valorem taxes of $4.69 per BOE and gathering and transportation expenses of $1.72 per BOE.

As of March 31, 2022, Diamondback had $103 million in standalone cash and no borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit facility, with approximately $1.6 billion available for future borrowing under the facility and approximately $1.7 billion of total liquidity.

During the first quarter of 2022, Diamondback spent $374 million on operated drilling and completion and non-operated properties, $44 million on infrastructure and $19 million on midstream, for total cash capital expenditures of $437 million.

DIVIDEND DECLARATIONS

Diamondback announced today that the Company's Board of Directors declared a base cash dividend of $0.70 per common share for the first quarter of 2022 payable on May 23, 2022, to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 12, 2022.

The Company's Board of Directors also declared a variable cash dividend of $2.35 per common share for the first quarter of 2022 payable on May 23, 2022, to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 12, 2022.

Future base and variable dividends remain subject to review and approval at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors.

COMMON STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

On September 15, 2021 the Board of Directors of Diamondback authorized the Company to acquire up to $2.0 billion of common stock. During the first quarter of 2022, Diamondback repurchased 57,300 shares of common stock at an average share price of $117.34 for a total cost of approximately $6.7 million. Diamondback intends to purchase common stock under the common stock repurchase program opportunistically with cash on hand, free cash flow from operations and proceeds from potential liquidity events such as the sale of assets. This repurchase program has no time limit and may be suspended from time to time, modified, extended or discontinued by the Board at any time. Purchases under the repurchase program may be made from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and will be subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors. Any common stock purchased as part of this program will be retired.

FULL YEAR 2022 GUIDANCE

Below is Diamondback's guidance for the full year 2022, which includes second quarter production and capital guidance. As a result of the increase in commodity prices, Diamondback is increasing its expected cash tax rate to 10% - 15% of pre-tax income from 6% - 11% previously.

(a)   Includes production taxes of 4.6% for crude oil and 7.5% for natural gas and NGLs and ad valorem taxes.

CONFERENCE CALL

Diamondback will host a conference call and webcast for investors and analysts to discuss its results for the first quarter of 2022 on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. CT. Participants should call (877) 440-7573 (United States/Canada) or (253) 237-1144 (International) and use the confirmation code 1682936. A telephonic replay will be available from 11:00 a.m. CT on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, through Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. CT. To access the replay, call (855) 859-2056 (United States/Canada) or (404) 537-3406 (International) and enter confirmation code 1682936. A live broadcast of the earnings conference call will also be available via the internet at www.diamondbackenergy.com under the “Investor Relations” section of the site. A replay will also be available on the website following the call.

About Diamondback Energy, Inc.

Diamondback is an independent oil and natural gas company headquartered in Midland, Texas focused on the acquisition, development, exploration and exploitation of unconventional, onshore oil and natural gas reserves primarily in the Permian Basin in West Texas. For more information, please visit www.diamondbackenergy.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, which involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding Diamondback’s: future performance; business strategy; future operations (including drilling plans and capital plans); estimates and projections of revenues, losses, costs, expenses, returns, cash flow, and financial position; reserve estimates and its ability to replace or increase reserves; anticipated benefits of strategic transactions (including acquisitions and divestitures); and plans and objectives of management (including plans for future cash flow from operations and for executing environmental strategies) are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, the words “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “future,” “guidance,” “intend,” “may,” “model,” “outlook,” “plan,” “positioned,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions (including the negative of such terms) as they relate to Diamondback are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. Although Diamondback believes that the expectations and assumptions reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, they involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and, in many cases, beyond Diamondback’s control. Accordingly, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and Diamondback’s actual outcomes could differ materially from what Diamondback has expressed in its forward-looking statements.

Factors that could cause the outcomes to differ materially include (but are not limited to) the following: changes in supply and demand levels for oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids, and the resulting impact on the price for those commodities; the impact of public health crises, including epidemic or pandemic diseases such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and any related company or government policies or actions; actions taken by the members of OPEC and Russia affecting the production and pricing of oil, as well as other domestic and global political, economic, or diplomatic developments, including any impact of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict on the global energy markets and geopolitical stability; regional supply and demand factors, including delays, curtailment delays or interruptions of production, or governmental orders, rules or regulations that impose production limits; federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing, including the effect of existing and future laws and governmental regulations; and the risks and other factors disclosed in Diamondback’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, which can be obtained free of charge on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s web site at http://www.sec.gov.

In light of these factors, the events anticipated by Diamondback’s forward-looking statements may not occur at the time anticipated or at all. Moreover, Diamondback operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment and new risks emerge from time to time. Diamondback cannot predict all risks, nor can it assess the impact of all factors on its business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by any forward-looking statements it may make. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made in this news release. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release or, if earlier, as of the date they were made. Diamondback does not intend to, and disclaims any obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements unless required by applicable law.

(1)   Bbl equivalents are calculated using a conversion rate of six Mcf per one Bbl.
(2)  Hedged prices reflect the effect of our commodity derivative transactions on our average sales prices. Our calculation of such effects includes realized gains and losses on cash settlements for matured commodity derivatives, which we do not designate for hedge accounting.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

ADJUSTED EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure that is used by management and external users of our financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) attributable to Diamondback Energy, Inc., plus net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest ("net income (loss)") before non-cash (gain) loss on derivative instruments, net, interest expense, net, depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion, depreciation and interest expense related to equity method investments, impairment and abandonments related to equity method investments, (gain) loss on extinguishment of debt, non-cash equity-based compensation expense, capitalized equity-based compensation expense, merger and integration expense, other non-cash transactions and provision for (benefit from) income taxes, if any. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of net income as determined by United States’ generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Management believes Adjusted EBITDA is useful because the measure allows it to more effectively evaluate the Company’s operating performance and compare the results of its operations from period to period without regard to its financing methods or capital structure. The Company adds the items listed above to net income (loss) to determine Adjusted EBITDA because these amounts can vary substantially from company to company within its industry depending upon accounting methods and book values of assets, capital structures and the method by which the assets were acquired. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income as determined in accordance with GAAP or as an indicator of the Company’s operating performance or liquidity. Certain items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing a company’s financial performance, such as a company’s cost of capital and tax structure, as well as the historic costs of depreciable assets. The Company’s computation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies or to such measure in our credit facility or any of our other contracts.

The following tables present a reconciliation of the GAAP financial measure of net income (loss) attributable to Diamondback Energy, Inc. to the non-GAAP financial measure of Adjusted EBITDA:

ADJUSTED NET INCOME

Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP financial measure equal to net income (loss) attributable to Diamondback Energy, Inc. plus net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest ("net income (loss)") adjusted for non-cash (gain) loss on derivative instruments, net, (gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment, (gain) loss on extinguishment of debt, other non-cash transactions and related income tax adjustments, if any. The Company’s computation of adjusted net income may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies or to such measure in our credit facility or any of our other contracts. Management believes Adjusted Net Income helps investors in the oil and natural gas industry to measure and compare the Company's performance to other oil and natural gas companies by excluding from the calculation items that can vary significantly from company to company depending upon accounting methods, the book value of assets and other non-operational factors.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the GAAP financial measure of net income (loss) attributable to Diamondback Energy, Inc. to the non-GAAP measure of adjusted net income:

OPERATING CASH FLOW BEFORE WORKING CAPITAL CHANGES, FREE CASH FLOW AND ADJUSTED FREE CASH FLOW

Operating cash flow before working capital changes, which is a non-GAAP financial measure representing net cash provided by operating activities as determined under GAAP without regard to changes in operating assets and liabilities. The Company believes operating cash flow before working capital changes is a useful measure of an oil and natural gas company’s ability to generate cash used to fund exploration, development and acquisition activities and service debt or pay dividends. The Company also uses this measure because adjusted operating cash flow relates to the timing of cash receipts and disbursements that the Company may not control and may not relate to the period in which the operating activities occurred. This allows the Company to compare its operating performance with that of other companies without regard to financing methods and capital structure.

Free Cash Flow, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, is cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital in excess of cash capital expenditures. Adjusted Free Cash Flow, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, is Free Cash Flow adjusted for early settlements of commodity derivative contracts. The Company believes that Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Free Cash Flow are useful to investors as they provide measures to compare both cash flow from operating activities and additions to oil and natural gas properties across periods on a consistent basis as adjusted for non-recurring early settlements of commodity derivative contracts. These measures should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net cash provided by operating activities as an indicator of operating performance. The Company's computation of operating cash flow before working capital changes, Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Free Cash Flow may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. The Company uses Free Cash Flow to reduce debt, as well as return capital to stockholders above the base dividend as determined by the Board of Directors.

The following tables present a reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to operating cash flow before working capital changes and to Free Cash Flow:

VARIABLE DIVIDEND CALCULATION

As previously announced, Diamondback has committed to returning at least 50% of its Adjusted Free Cash Flow to stockholders in the form of base dividends, share repurchases or a variable dividend. Calculation of the variable dividend for the first quarter of 2022 is shown below.

NET DEBT

The Company defines net debt as total debt less cash and cash equivalents. Net debt should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, total debt, the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Management uses net debt to determine the Company's outstanding debt obligations that would not be readily satisfied by its cash and cash equivalents on hand. The Company believes this metric is useful to analysts and investors in determining the Company's leverage position because the Company has the ability to, and may decide to, use a portion of its cash and cash equivalents to reduce debt.

(a)  Excludes debt issuance costs, discounts, premiums and fair value hedges.

DERIVATIVES

As of April 29, 2022, the Company had the following outstanding consolidated derivative contracts, including derivative contracts at Viper Energy Partners LP. The Company’s derivative contracts are based upon reported settlement prices on commodity exchanges, with crude oil derivative settlements based on New York Mercantile Exchange West Texas Intermediate pricing and Crude Oil Brent pricing and with natural gas derivative settlements based on the New York Mercantile Exchange Henry Hub pricing. When aggregating multiple contracts, the weighted average contract price is disclosed.

Investor Contact:
Adam Lawlis
+1 432.221.7467
alawlis@diamondbackenergy.com

Source: Diamondback Energy, Inc.