Press Release

MIDLAND, Texas, Feb. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diamondback Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: FANG) (“Diamondback” or the “Company”) today announced financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2021.

FOURTH QUARTER 2021 HIGHLIGHTS

• Average production of 226.3 MBO/d (387.1 MBOE/d)
• Permian Basin production of 224.4 MBO/d (383.5 MBOE/d)
• Cash flow from operating activities of $1,167 million; Operating Cash Flow Before Working Capital Changes (as defined and reconciled below) of $1,206 million
• Cash capital expenditures of $434 million; Q4 2021 activity-based capital expenditures incurred of approximately $427 million
• Free Cash Flow (as defined and reconciled below) of $772 million
• Increasing annual dividend by 20.0% to $2.40 per share; declared Q4 2021 cash dividend of $0.60 per share payable on March 11, 2022; implies a 1.8% annualized yield based on the February 18, 2022 share closing price of $131.47
• Repurchased 3,858,931 shares of common stock (~2.1% of prior quarter shares outstanding) in Q4 2021 for ~$409 million ($105.96 / share)
• Total return of capital of $515 million (67% of Q4 2021 Free Cash Flow) from stock repurchases and the declared Q4 2021 dividend; above commitment to return at least 50% of Free Cash Flow to stockholders
• Flared 1.55% (1.32% excluding QEP Permian) of gross natural gas production in the fourth quarter of 2021
  

FULL YEAR 2021 HIGHLIGHTS

• Full year 2021 average production of 223.3 MBO/d (375.3 MBOE/d)
• Generated full year 2021 cash flow from operating activities of $3,944 million; Operating Cash Flow Before Working Capital Changes (as defined and reconciled below) of $3,908 million
• Full year 2021 cash capital expenditures of $1,487 million; turned 275 horizontal wells to production
• Generated full year 2021 Free Cash Flow (as defined and reconciled below) of $2,421 million
• YE 2021 total debt of $6,756 million and consolidated net debt (as defined and reconciled below) of $6,102 million, down 20% from the end of Q1 2021; redeemed $1,277 million of Senior Notes over the same period
• Proved reserves as of December 31, 2021 of 1,789 MMBOE (928 MMBO, 52% oil), up 36% year over year; proved developed producing ("PDP") reserves of 1,201 MMBOE (620 MMBO, 52% oil, 67% of proved reserves), up 47% year over year
• 2021 consolidated proved developed finding and development (as defined below and referred to as "PD F&D") costs of $7.87/BOE; drill bit finding and development (as defined below and referred to as "Drill bit F&D") costs of $4.53/BOE
• Flared 1.00% (1.45% including QEP Permian) of gross natural gas production for the full year ended 2021, down 49% (26% including QEP Permian) from 2020

2022 GUIDANCE HIGHLIGHTS

• Full year 2022 oil production guidance of 218 - 222 MBO/d (369 - 376 MBOE/d)
• Full year 2022 cash CAPEX guidance of $1.75 - $1.90 billion
• Assuming current strip commodity prices and the midpoint of Diamondback's production and operating cost guidance, the Company expects to generate approximately $5.8 billion of net cash provided by operating activities in 2022
• Assuming the net cash provided by operating activities guidance above and the midpoint of 2022 CAPEX guidance, the Company expects to generate approximately $4.0 billion of Free Cash Flow in 2022
• The Company expects to drill between 270 and 290 gross (248 – 267 net) wells and complete between 260 and 280 gross (240 – 258 net) wells with an average lateral length of approximately 10,200 feet in 2022
• Q1 2022 oil production guidance of 218 - 222 MBO/d (369 - 376 MBOE/d)
• Q1 2022 cash CAPEX guidance of $435 - $475 million
  

“Diamondback's fourth quarter topped off a record year for the Company. In the quarter, Diamondback generated $772 million of Free Cash Flow with production and capital both positively exceeding expectations. As we have stated previously, we are committed to returning at least 50% of this Free Cash Flow to stockholders, and in the fourth quarter we exceeded this target and returned 67% of our Free Cash Flow through opportunistic share repurchases and our growing base dividend,” stated Travis Stice, Chief Executive Officer of Diamondback.

Mr. Stice continued, “Going forward, we will remain committed to capital discipline by maintaining flat Permian oil production. In 2022, at current strip pricing, we expect this maintenance capital plan to generate nearly $4.0 billion of Free Cash Flow, of which at least 50% will be returned to stockholders through a combination of our growing base dividend, our opportunistic share repurchase program and, if needed, a variable dividend. Diamondback's Board believes long-term shareholder value is created in this business through consistent execution at the lowest cost structure. Free Cash Flow generation and the return of that Free Cash Flow to the owners of the Company is the output of that value creation. As mentioned earlier, we expect to return a significant amount of cash back to stockholders this year, at least 50% of Free Cash Flow. The Board also retains discretion on what to do with the other 50% of the Free Cash Flow we generate. If we do not have a use for this capital that creates unreasonable value for our shareholders, then we will return it through the method our Board believes presents the best return to our stockholders at the time.”

Mr. Stice continued, “Our operational achievements in the field in 2021 set a new bar for Diamondback. We will continue to build off of these operational efficiencies by controlling the variable portion of our operating and capital costs, which will help mitigate the inflationary pressures we are seeing across our business. As a result, we are confident we can maintain our best-in-class capital efficiency and cost structure through the cycle.”

OPERATIONS UPDATE

The tables below provide a summary of operating activity for the fourth quarter of 2021.

During the fourth quarter of 2021, Diamondback drilled 40 gross horizontal wells in the Midland Basin and 13 gross horizontal wells in the Delaware Basin. The Company turned 55 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 fourth quarter was 9,711 feet. Operated completions during the fourth quarter consisted of 27 Wolfcamp A wells, 18 Lower Spraberry wells, eight Middle Spraberry wells, eight Wolfcamp B wells, four Third Bone Spring wells, two Jo Mill wells, two Second Bone Spring wells and one Barnett well.

For the full year ended December 31, 2021, Diamondback drilled 175 gross horizontal wells in the Midland Basin and 41 gross horizontal wells in the Delaware Basin. The Company turned 207 operated horizontal wells to production in the Midland Basin, 64 operated horizontal wells in the Delaware Basin and four operated horizontal wells in the Williston Basin. The average lateral length for wells completed during the full year was 10,602 feet, and consisted of 88 Wolfcamp A wells, 68 Lower Spraberry wells, 33 Middle Spraberry wells, 25 Wolfcamp B wells, 23 Jo Mill wells, 13 Third Bone Spring wells, 12 Second Bone Spring wells, seven Dean wells, two Barnett wells, two Bakken wells and two Three Forks wells.

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Diamondback's fourth quarter 2021 net income was $1,002 million, or $5.54 per diluted share. Adjusted net income (a non-GAAP financial measure as defined and reconciled below) was $657 million, or $3.63 per diluted share.

Fourth quarter 2021 Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (as defined and reconciled below) was $1,256 million. Adjusted EBITDA net of non-controlling interest was $1,192 million.

Fourth quarter 2021 average unhedged realized prices were $74.50 per barrel of oil, $4.56 per Mcf of natural gas and $35.02 per barrel of natural gas liquids ("NGLs"), resulting in a total equivalent unhedged realized price of $56.47 per BOE.

Diamondback's cash operating costs for the fourth quarter of 2021 were $10.17 per BOE, including lease operating expenses ("LOE") of $4.21 per BOE, cash general and administrative ("G&A") expenses of $0.93 per BOE, production and ad valorem taxes of $3.40 per BOE and gathering and transportation expenses of $1.63 per BOE.

As of December 31, 2021, Diamondback had $595 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 $2.2 billion of total liquidity.

During the fourth quarter of 2021, Diamondback spent $347 million on operated drilling and completion and non-operated properties, $80 million on infrastructure and $7 million on midstream, for total cash capital expenditures of $434 million. For the year ended December 31, 2021, Diamondback spent $1,298 million on operated drilling and completion, $123 million on infrastructure, $36 million on non-operated properties and $30 million on midstream, for total cash capital expenditures of $1,487 million.

DIVIDEND DECLARATION

Diamondback announced today that the Company's Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.60 per common share for the fourth quarter of 2021 payable on March 11, 2022, to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 4, 2022. Future 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 fourth quarter of 2021, Diamondback repurchased 3,858,931 shares of common stock at an average share price of $105.96 for a total cost of approximately $409 million. For the full year 2021, the Company repurchased 4,127,222 shares of common stock for a total cost of approximately $431 million, or approximately 22% of the Board approved program.

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.

RESERVES

Ryder Scott Company, L.P. prepared estimates of Diamondback's proved reserves as of December 31, 2021. Reference prices of $66.56 per barrel of oil and $3.60 per Mmbtu of natural gas were used in accordance with applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Realized prices with applicable differentials were $64.78 per barrel of oil, $2.61 per Mcf of natural gas and $23.71 per barrel of natural gas liquids.

Proved reserves at year-end 2021 of 1,789 MMBOE represent a 36% increase over year-end 2020 reserves. Proved developed reserves increased by 47% to 1,201 MMBOE (67% of total proved reserves) as of December 31, 2021, reflecting the continued development of the Company's horizontal well inventory. Proved undeveloped reserves ("PUD" or "PUDs") increased to 588 MMBOE, an 18% increase over year-end 2020, and are comprised of 619 locations, of which 65 are in the Delaware Basin. Crude oil represents 52% of Diamondback's total proved reserves.

Net proved reserve additions of 610 MMBOE resulted in a reserve replacement ratio of 445% (defined as the sum of extensions, discoveries, revisions, purchases and divestitures, divided by annual production). The organic reserve replacement ratio was 280% (defined as the sum of extensions, discoveries and revisions, divided by annual production).

Extensions and discoveries of reserves were the primary contributor to the increase in reserves totaling 519 MMBOE followed by net purchases of reserves totaling 225 MMBOE, with downward revisions of 135 MMBOE. PDP extensions accounted for 15% of the total increase in reserves. PDP extensions were the result of 125 wells in which the Company has a working interest, and PUD extensions were the result of 439 new locations in which the Company has a working interest. Net acquisitions of reserves of 225 MMBOE were the net result of acquisitions of 285 MMBOE and divestitures of 60 MMBOE. Downward revisions of 135 MMBOE were primarily the result of PUD downgrades related to changes in the corporate development plan following the QEP and Guidon acquisitions of 256 MMBOE, which were partially offset by positive revisions of 121 MMBOE associated with higher commodity prices and improved well performance.

The SEC PUD guidelines allow a company to book PUD reserves associated with projects that are to occur within the next five years. With its current development plan, the Company expects to continue its strong PUD conversion ratio in 2022 by converting an estimated 25% of its PUDs to a Proved Developed category, and develop approximately 86% of the consolidated 2021 year-end PUD reserves by the end of 2024.

Diamondback's exploration and development costs in 2021 were $1,739 million. PD F&D costs were $7.87/BOE. PD F&D costs are defined as exploration and development costs, excluding midstream, divided by the sum of reserves associated with transfers from proved undeveloped reserves at year-end 2020 including any associated revisions in 2021 and extensions and discoveries placed on production during 2020. Drill bit F&D costs were $4.53/BOE including the effects of all revisions including pricing revisions. Drill bit F&D costs are defined as the exploration and development costs, excluding midstream, divided by the sum of extensions, discoveries and revisions.

FULL YEAR 2022 GUIDANCE

Below is Diamondback's initial guidance for the full year 2022, which includes first quarter production and capital guidance.

(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 fourth quarter of 2021 on Wednesday, February 23, 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 8984419. A telephonic replay will be available from 11:00 a.m. CT on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, through Wednesday, March 2, 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 8984419. 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; 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 sale of equity method investments, (gain) loss on extinguishment of debt, impairment of oil and natural gas properties, 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, merger and integration expense 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 adjusted net income to net income (loss) attributable to Diamondback Energy, Inc.:

OPERATING CASH FLOW BEFORE WORKING CAPITAL CHANGES AND 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. The Company believes that Free Cash Flow is useful to investors as it provides a measure to compare both cash flow from operating activities and additions to oil and natural gas properties across periods on a consistent basis. 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 and 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. This release provides 2022 guidance for Free Cash Flow (non-GAAP measure) and net cash provided by operating activities (the comparable GAAP measure). These guidance amounts are based on assumptions including current strip commodity prices and the midpoint of Diamondback’s production, operating cost and capital expenditure guidance. Working capital changes assumed in the calculation of Free Cash Flow are assumed to be minimal, but the Company is unable to provide a full quantitative reconciliation of these measures because management cannot reliably quantify certain of the individual components of working capital changes. Those components could be significant.

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:

(1)   The year ended December 31, 2021 includes cash paid on commodity contracts terminated prior to their contractual maturity of $16 million.
(2)   The year ended December 31, 2020 includes cash received on commodity contracts terminated prior to their contractual maturity of $17 million.

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.

PV-10

PV-10 is the Company's estimate of the present value of the future net revenues from proved oil and natural gas reserves after deducting estimated production and ad valorem taxes, future capital costs and operating expenses, but before deducting any estimates of future income taxes. The estimated future net revenues are discounted at an annual rate of 10% to determine their "present value." The Company believes PV-10 to be an important measure for evaluating the relative significance of its oil and natural gas properties and that the presentation of the non-GAAP financial measure of PV-10 provides useful information to investors because it is widely used by professional analysts and investors in evaluating oil and natural gas companies. Because there are many unique factors that can impact an individual company when estimating the amount of future income taxes to be paid, the Company believes the use of a pre-tax measure is valuable for evaluating the Company. The Company believes that PV-10 is a financial measure routinely used and calculated similarly by other companies in the oil and natural gas industry. The following table reconciles PV-10 to the Company's standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows, the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. PV-10 should not be considered as an alternative to the standardized measure as computed under GAAP.

DERIVATIVES

As of February 18, 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.

(1) Excludes swaptions of 8,250 BO/d in second half 2022, whereby the counterparty has the right to exercise the hedge at a weighted-average price of $68.62/Bbl.

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

Source: Diamondback Energy, Inc.