AMPY - Amplify Energy Announces First Quarter 2024 Results and Improved 2024 Guidance | Benzinga

HOUSTON, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amplify Energy Corp. (NYSE:AMPY) ("Amplify," the "Company," "us," or "our") announced today its operating and financial results for the first quarter of 2024.

Key Highlights

• During the first quarter of 2024, the Company:
  
  • Achieved average total production of 20.2 MBoepd, while successfully implementing a limited turnaround at Bairoil and completing Phase 2 of the Beta infrastructure electrification and emissions reduction project
  • Generated net cash provided by operating activities of $7.7 million and a net loss of $9.4 million
  • Delivered Adjusted EBITDA of $24.9 million
  • Generated $2.3 million of free cash flow
• Based on better-than-expected first quarter results and higher forecasted crude oil prices for the remainder of 2024, the Company is increasing its 2024 guidance
• The Bairoil monetization process is progressing as expected
• The Beta development program commenced in March with the drilling of the A45 well
  
  • We experienced equipment issues during drilling operations that caused complications and changes to our completion plans for this well
  • In order to maintain the development schedule for our remaining wells and the compliance timelines associated with our electrification project, we intend to spud our next development well this month and defer completion of the A45 well until the fourth quarter of 2024
• The Company replaced its prior surety bonds and successfully negotiated new sinking fund payments, saving approximately $7 million per year
• Amplify successfully renegotiated its iodine royalty contracts in Oklahoma, which is expected to increase Other Revenue in 2024 by $2 - $3 million
• As of March 31, 2024, net debt was $112 million, consisting of $115 million outstanding under the revolving credit facility and $3 million of cash and cash equivalents
  
  • Net Debt to Last Twelve Months ("LTM") Adjusted EBITDA of 1.3x¹

(1) Net debt as of March 31, 2024, and LTM Adjusted EBITDA as of the first quarter of 2024

Martyn Willsher, Amplify's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Amplify is off to a good start in 2024. Continued strong crude oil prices and better-than-expected first quarter results have enabled us to increase 2024 guidance."

Mr. Willsher continued, "At Bairoil, we successfully completed a limited turnaround, which we expect will reduce downtime later in the year and benefit the ongoing monetization process. At Beta, while we have deferred the completion of the A45 well until the fourth quarter, we are encouraged by the data in the drilling logs, which supports the hydrocarbon potential of the target formation. We expect to spud our second well at Beta this month, with plans to have it online in the second quarter. In East Texas and Oklahoma, we remain focused on lowering costs, reducing production declines, and improving operational efficiencies to maximize cash flow."

Mr. Willsher concluded, "I remain confident that the initiatives Amplify is actively pursuing this year can be transformative for the Company. We believe the Company's potential is still not fully realized and that these initiatives, when successfully achieved, will enhance shareholder value."

Key Financial Results

During the first quarter of 2024, the Company reported a net loss of approximately $9.4 million compared to net income of $43.6 million in the prior quarter. The decrease was primarily attributable to non-cash unrealized losses on commodity derivatives during the period.

Due to stronger crude oil prices and reduced downtime at Beta, Amplify generated $24.9 million of Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter.

As projected, capital investment in the first quarter increased significantly compared to the prior quarter. Despite this increase, Amplify generated net cash provided by operating activities of $7.7 million and $2.3 million of free cash flow in the first quarter of 2024, which exceeded internal projections. Amplify has now generated positive free cash flow in 15 of the last 16 fiscal quarters.

Revolving Credit Facility

On May 2, 2024, Amplify completed its regularly scheduled semi-annual borrowing base redetermination. The borrowing base was reaffirmed at $150 million with elected commitments of $135 million. The next regularly scheduled borrowing base redetermination is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2024.

As of March 31, 2024, Amplify had net debt of $112 million, consisting of $115 million outstanding under its revolving credit facility and $3 million of cash and cash equivalents. Net debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDA was 1.3x (net debt as of March 31, 2024 and 1Q24 LTM Adjusted EBITDA). First quarter net debt increased from the prior quarter due to expected changes in working capital and increased investment activity.

Corporate Production and Pricing

During the first quarter of 2024, average daily production was approximately 20.2 MBoepd. The Company added incremental oil production in the first quarter of 2024 versus the fourth quarter of 2023, despite curtailments associated with the limited turnaround at Bairoil and scheduled shut-ins at Beta related to the electrification project. Although oil production increased versus the prior quarter, natural gas production was lower quarter over quarter primarily due to third-party interruptions and higher shrinks as a result of processing more ethane. The Company's product mix for the quarter was 43% crude oil, 18% NGLs, and 39% natural gas.

Total oil, natural gas and NGL revenues for the first quarter of 2024 were approximately $75.3 million, before the impact of derivatives. The Company realized a gain on commodity derivatives of $4.3 million during the first quarter. Oil, natural gas and NGL revenues, net of realized hedges, increased $4.6 million for the first quarter compared to the prior quarter.

The following table sets forth information regarding average realized sales prices for the periods indicated:

Costs and Expenses

Lease operating expenses in the first quarter of 2024 were approximately $38.3 million, or $20.78 per Boe, a $3.7 million increase compared to the prior quarter's operating expenses, which benefited from a $1.5 million accounting adjustment at Beta. Scheduled maintenance and other routine annual expenses increased overall operating expenses in the first quarter. Consequently, operating expenses in future quarters are expected to be lower. Lease operating expenses also do not reflect $0.6 million of income generated by Magnify Energy Services.

Severance and Ad Valorem taxes in the first quarter were approximately $4.9 million, a decrease of $1.0 million compared to $5.9 million in the prior quarter. Severance and Ad Valorem taxes as a percentage of revenue were approximately 6.5% this quarter compared to 7.6% in the prior quarter.

Amplify incurred $4.8 million, or $2.59 per Boe, of gathering, processing and transportation expenses in the first quarter, compared to $5.1 million, or $2.66 per Boe, in the prior quarter.

First quarter cash G&A expenses were $7.9 million, an increase of $1.7 million from $6.2 million in the prior quarter and in-line with expectations. This increase was primarily due to year-end processes that impact various cost drivers annually in the first quarter and a one-time cost associated with the early termination of our Tulsa office lease. The Company anticipates that quarterly cash G&A expenses will be significantly lower throughout the remainder of the year.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense for the first quarter totaled $8.2 million, or $4.47 per Boe, compared to $7.6 million, or $4.00 per Boe, in the prior quarter.

Net interest expense was $3.5 million for the first quarter, a decrease of $0.3 million from $3.8 million in the prior quarter.

Amplify recorded current income tax expense of $1.4 million for the first quarter.

Capital Investments

Cash capital investment during the first quarter of 2024 was approximately $19.1 million. During the first quarter, the Company's capital allocation was approximately 80% for Beta facility projects, development drilling and workovers and 8% for Bairoil facilities projects, with the remainder distributed across the Company's other assets.

The following table details Amplify's capital invested during the first quarter 2024:

The Company's capital investments for the remainder of 2024 will be allocated to development and continued facility enhancements at Beta, high-return workovers across our assets, and non-operated projects. In the Eagle Ford, the Company is expecting to participate in 13 gross (0.7 net) new development wells and 2 gross (0.4 net) recompletion projects, while in East Texas the Company is evaluating participation in 3 gross (0.8 net) wells, all of which are non-operated development projects and will provide additional volumes and cash flow in early 2025.

Beta Development and Facility Upgrade

In the first quarter, we completed the second phase of the electrification and emissions reduction infrastructure project, which involved successfully replacing our diesel-driven injection pumps with electric pumps on the Elly platform. We are now proceeding with the third and final phase of the project, which involves installing selective catalytic reducers on our rig engines on the Ellen platform. Amplify remains on target to meet the compliance deadline in the fourth quarter of 2024, as prescribed by district air quality regulations.

With respect to the development program, the Company spud the A45 well from the Ellen platform in March and successfully reached the objective formation. Amplify's formation logs reinforce the Company's views that the target interval has a high oil saturation and is expected to deliver positive results. During drilling operations, Amplify experienced equipment issues, which led to drilling complications. As a result, we have altered the completion design for the well. Due to equipment availability for the revised completion and because commencement of the third phase of the electrification project is critical to achieve the project deadline, we are deferring the completion of the A45 well until the fourth quarter of 2024. We expect to spud our second development well this month, with its completion anticipated in the second quarter, and we plan to spud two additional development wells in the third quarter.

Beta Sinking Fund

In the first quarter, Amplify successfully replaced its prior surety bonds with new surety bonds from a different group of providers. As a result, the Company was able to successfully restructure its sinking fund obligations which will lower annual payments by approximately $7 million per year.

Iodine Royalty Agreements

In Oklahoma, Amplify provides produced water to a third-party for iodine extraction from the brine stream. The third-party processor has historically paid royalties to Amplify on the iodine delivered which is reflected in Other Revenue. Recently, the Company renegotiated the terms of its iodine agreements to increase future royalty payments. Amplify expects to report the impact of the increased royalty payments starting in the second quarter of 2024 and effective as of January 1, 2024.

Updated Full-Year 2024 Guidance

Based on better-than-expected first quarter results and continued strength in crude oil prices, the Company is providing updated guidance for 2024. The following guidance is subject to the cautionary statements and limitations described under the "Forward-Looking Statements" caption at the end of this press release. Amplify's updated 2024 guidance is based on its current expectations regarding capital investment and flat commodity prices for crude oil of $78/Bbl (WTI) and natural gas of $2.25/MMBtu (Henry Hub), and on the assumption that market demand and prices for oil and natural gas will continue at levels that allow for economic production of these products. Additionally, the Company expects to invest 85% to 95% of its capital in the first three quarters of the year primarily in connection with the Beta development program.

A summary of the guidance is presented below:

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