RTLR - Rattler Midstream LP a Subsidiary of Diamondback Energy Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2019 Financial and Operating Results

MIDLAND, Texas, Nov. 05, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rattler Midstream LP (NASDAQ: RTLR) (“Rattler” or the “Company”), a subsidiary of Diamondback Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: FANG) (“Diamondback”), today announced financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019.

THIRD QUARTER 2019 HIGHLIGHTS

• Q3 2019 consolidated net income (including non-controlling interest) of $48.1 million, consolidated adjusted EBITDA (as defined and reconciled below) of $67.0 million
• Q3 2019 capital expenditures of $84.6 million
• Q3 2019 average produced water volumes of 846 MBbl/d, up 10% over Q2 2019 and 157% over Q3 2018
• Q3 2019 average fresh water volumes of 384 MBbl/d, down 14% over Q2 2019 and up 37% over Q3 2018
• Q3 2019 average crude oil gathering volumes of 89 MBbl/d, up 14% over Q2 2019 and 62% over Q3 2018
• Q3 2019 average gas gathering volumes of 91 BBtu/d, up 8% over Q2 2019 and 95% over Q3 2018
• Announced $355 million joint acquisition of Reliance Gathering, LLC (“Reliance Gathering”) with Oryx Midstream ("Oryx"); Rattler to own 60% of the joint venture with anticipated close in the fourth quarter of 2019

2020 CAPITAL AND OPERATING PLAN HIGHLIGHTS

• Full year 2020 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $350 - $400 million, up 44% at the midpoint from the midpoint of 2019 guidance, including $40 - $60 million from equity method investments
• Full year 2020 capital expenditures guidance of $200 - $225 million down 15% at the midpoint from 2019 guidance excluding contributions to equity method investments
• Full year 2020 average produced water volumes of 950 - 1,050 MBbl/d, up 27% at the midpoint from the midpoint of 2019 guidance
• Full year 2020 average fresh water volumes of 400 - 425 MBbl/d, up 6% at the midpoint from the midpoint of 2019 guidance
• Full year 2020 average crude oil gathering volumes of 100 - 110 MBbl/d, up 24% at the midpoint from the midpoint of 2019 guidance
• Full year 2020 average gas gathering volumes of 100 - 120 BBtu/d, up 38% at the midpoint from the midpoint of 2019 guidance
• Expected 2020 contributions to equity method investments of ~$100 million, which will complete the majority of expected capital contributions to existing equity method investments

“Rattler continued to execute in its second quarter as a public company with continued volume growth in the oil gathering and salt water disposal segments during the quarter, while fresh water volumes declined due to Diamondback's allocation of frac spreads to legacy Energen acreage positions, where Rattler does not currently own fresh water assets.  Rattler has produced positive discretionary free cash flow through the first three quarters of 2019, excluding contributions to equity investments, a trend expected to continue into 2020.  The initial 2020 plan, released today, shows a company expected to grow adjusted EBITDA by over 44% year over year due to core business growth and the addition of significant contributions from equity investments ramping up in 2020, while base business capex is expected to decline by ~15% year over year.  Over the long term, Rattler expects to grow its free cash flow per unit through a base business that continues to grow with Diamondback’s volumes, while capex required to grow its base business declines.  Two of our pipeline equity investments are scheduled to ramp up in 2020, which, along with our acquisition of Reliance Gathering, are expected to increase our oil exposure and add to the free cash flow per unit growth of the company,” stated Travis Stice, Chief Executive Officer of Rattler’s general partner.

Mr. Stice continued, “Rattler has now made two major equity investments since going public a few months ago, a trend which we do not expect to continue in a meaningful way.  The Company took advantage of going public with no leverage to make the investments in Wink to Webster and Reliance Gathering without having to access the capital markets, which was presented as an investment highlight at the time of IPO.  Both of these investments fit into our strategy of growing oil weighted exposure in projects where Diamondback has a strong presence and line of sight to growth and development.  Rattler has now invested in the three pipelines expected to transport almost all of Diamondback’s anticipated oil production for many years, as well as a gathering system where Diamondback has active development and significant inventory for multi-year growth.”

OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL UPDATE

During the third quarter of 2019, the Company recorded total operating income of $52.6 million and consolidated net income (including non-controlling interest) of $48.1 million.  This represents a decrease in total operating income of 5% over the second quarter of 2019 and an increase of 132% over the third quarter of 2018, and an increase in consolidated net income (including non-controlling interest) of 3% over the second quarter of 2019 and 170% over the third quarter of 2018.

Third quarter 2019 Adjusted EBITDA (as defined and reconciled below) was $67.0 million, up 1% from $66.6 million in Q2 2019 and up 133% from $28.7 million in Q3 2018.

During the third quarter of 2019, average produced water volumes were 846 MBbl/d, up 10% over Q2 2019 and 157% over Q3 2018.  Average fresh water volumes were 384 MBbl/d, down 14% over Q2 2019 and up 37% over Q3 2018.  Average oil gathering volumes were 89 MBbl/d, up 14% over Q2 2019 and 62% over Q3 2018.  Average gas gathering volumes were 91 BBtu/d, up 8% over Q2 2019 and 95% over Q3 2018.

Third quarter capital expenditures totaled $84.6 million, and aggregate contributions to equity method long-haul pipeline joint ventures were $38.7 million.

As of September 30, 2019, the Company had a cash balance of $2.7 million and $497.0 million available under its $600.0 million revolving credit facility.

CASH DISTRIBUTION

On October 31, 2019, the board of directors of the General Partner approved a cash distribution for the third quarter of 2019 of $0.25 per common unit, totaling $0.34 per common unit as prorated for the period from the closing of the IPO through September 30, 2019, payable on November 22, 2019, to unitholders of record at the close of business on November 15, 2019.

RELIANCE GATHERING

On October 3, 2019, Rattler and Oryx Midstream, a portfolio company of Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners, announced that OMOG JV LLC, their newly-formed joint venture entity (the “Joint Venture”), had entered into a definitive purchase and sale agreement with Reliance Midstream, LLC and other third-party sellers to acquire 100% of Reliance Gathering for $355 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments under the purchase and sale agreement.  In accordance with their membership interests in the Joint Venture, Rattler and Oryx will pay 60% and 40% of the purchase price, respectively.

Pursuant to the limited liability company agreement entered into in connection with the formation of the Joint Venture, the Joint Venture will be managed by a board of managers consisting of designees of Rattler and Oryx.  Oryx will be the operator of the gathering system under an operating and management services agreement entered into with the Joint Venture.

The acquisition is anticipated to close in the fourth quarter of 2019, subject to certain closing conditions, including the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.  Rattler intends to fund its portion of the purchase price for the pending acquisition that is due at closing with cash on hand and borrowings under its credit facility.  Rattler will account for the Joint Venture as an equity method investment.

GUIDANCE UPDATE

Below is Rattler's guidance for the full year 2019 and initial guidance for 2020.

CONFERENCE CALL

Rattler will host a conference call and webcast for investors and analysts to discuss its results for the third quarter of 2019 on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. CT.  Participants should call (877) 288-2756 (United States/Canada) or (470) 495-9481 (International) and use the confirmation code 3998143.  A telephonic replay will be available from 1:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 through Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. CT.  To access the replay, call (855) 859-2056 (United States/Canada) or (404) 537-3406 (International) and enter confirmation code 3998143.  A live broadcast of the earnings conference call will also be available via the internet at www.rattlermidstream.com under the “Investors” section of the site.  A replay will also be available on the website following the call.

About Rattler Midstream LP

Rattler Midstream LP is a growth-oriented Delaware limited partnership formed in July 2018 by Diamondback Energy, Inc. to own, operate, develop and acquire midstream infrastructure assets in the Midland and Delaware Basins of the Permian Basin.  Rattler provides crude oil, natural gas and water-related midstream services (including fresh water sourcing and transportation and saltwater gathering and disposal) to Diamondback under long-term, fixed-fee contracts.  For more information, please visit www.rattlermidstream.com.

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 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 the federal securities laws.   All statements, other than historical facts, that address activities that Rattler assumes, plans, expects, believes, intends or anticipates (and other similar expressions) will, should or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements.  The forward-looking statements are based on management’s current beliefs, based on currently available information, as to the outcome and timing of future events, including specifically the statements regarding any pending, completed or future acquisitions discussed above.  These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the results to differ materially from those expected by the management of Rattler.  Information concerning these risks and other factors can be found in Rattler’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including its Final Prospectus, dated May 22, 2019 and filed May 24, 2019, and current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 29, 2019, which can be obtained free of charge on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov.  Rattler undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

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. We believe Adjusted EBITDA is useful because it allows us to more effectively evaluate our operating performance and compare the results of our operations period to period without regard to our financing methods or capital structure.

Rattler defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income before income taxes, interest expense, net of amount capitalized, interest expense related to equity investments, non-cash unit-based compensation expense, and depreciation, amortization and accretion.  Depreciation, amortization and accretion includes depreciation, amortization and accretion on assets and liabilities of Rattler Midstream Operating LLC, in addition to depreciation, amortization and accretion on our equity investments. Interest expense related to equity investments represents our proportional income (loss) from equity investments plus interest on the amount. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to Adjusted EBITDA is net income. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to net income or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA excludes some, but not all, items that affect net income, and these measures may vary from those of other companies. As a result, Adjusted EBITDA as presented below may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, on a historical basis and pro forma basis, as applicable, for each of the periods indicated:

Investor Contact:
Adam Lawlis
+1 432.221.7467
IR@rattlermidstream.com

Source: Rattler Midstream LP; Diamondback Energy, Inc.