Aris Water Solutions, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results and Provides 2024 Outlook

HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aris Water Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: ARIS) (“Aris,” “Aris Water” or the “Company”) today announced financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023.

FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2023 HIGHLIGHTS

• Increased total water volumes 4% quarter-over-quarter and 16% annually
• Grew recycled produced water volumes 8% for the year of 2023, including record volumes in the fourth quarter
• Achieved fourth quarter and full year 2023 net income of $13.0 million and $43.4 million, respectively
• Diluted Net Income per Share of $0.59 for the full year of 2023; Diluted Adjusted Net Income per Share¹ of $0.88 for the year, up 14% versus 2022
• Generated Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $49.3 million for the fourth quarter and $175.0 million for the full year, up 17% from 2022
• Improved Adjusted Operating Margin per Barrel² by 11% versus the fourth quarter of 2022, reflecting the successful impact of cost saving initiatives
• $114 million year-over-year increase in Cash Provided by Operating Activities driven by volume growth, operational efficiencies and significant improvements in working capital
• Full year Capital Expenditures³ of $156.4 million
• Maintained a strong balance sheet with 2023 year-end leverage of 2.4x⁴ and $329.0 million of available liquidity

2024 OUTLOOK: FOCUSED ON CASH GENERATION

• Significant positive free cash flow expected due to greater asset efficiency, improved cost structure and lower capital reinvestment
• Full year produced water volumes are forecasted to grow approximately 2 – 5%, excluding the impact of a 2023 asset divestiture
• Full year water solutions volumes are expected to be between 430 to 470 thousand barrels per day, approximately flat with 2023
• Full-year Adjusted EBITDA¹ forecasted between $180 – $200 million, up approximately 9% at the midpoint versus 2023
• Adjusted Operating Margin per Barrel² is anticipated to increase 8% – 13% year-over-year to $0.42 – $0.44/bbl
• We project Capital Expenditures³ of $85 – $105 million, down approximately 40% versus 2023, a range which reflects $12 – $16 million of capital investment needed to maintain our system and potential capital for new business development

“2023 was an exceptional year for Aris. Our team delivered significantly increased profitability, with strong momentum carrying us into 2024. A year ago, we stated that our primary objectives for 2023 were to improve asset efficiency, address our cost structure, and improve margins. Our electrification and other cost reduction efforts allowed us to recognize over $7.5 million in sustainable, annualized savings while volumes also increased throughout the year. We structurally reduced our operating costs while growing substantially, supporting our long-term contracted customers. I am very pleased with our results and the efforts of the Aris team,” said Amanda Brock, Chief Executive Officer of Aris.

“In addition, Aris’s water recycling infrastructure facilitated over 118 million barrels of recycled produced water in 2023, growing 8% year over year. In December, we achieved a major milestone by recycling over 550,000 barrels in a single day. We take pride in having helped our customers dramatically reduce their groundwater withdrawals by more than 270 million barrels in the past 3 years. We have significantly enhanced water sustainability in the areas in which we operate and are delivering long term benefits to all our stakeholders.

“We remain committed to continuous improvement, optimizing our existing assets, and increasing our rates of return on invested capital and are extremely optimistic about what we can achieve in 2024 and beyond.”

OPERATIONS UPDATE

		Three Months Ended						Three Months Ended
		December 31,		September 30,		% Change		December 31,		% Change
		2023		2023				2022
(thousands of barrels of water per day)
Total Volumes		1,577		1,516		4	%	1,305		21	%
Produced Water Handling Volumes		1,095		1,056		4	%	940		16	%
Water Solutions Volumes
Recycled Produced Water Volumes Sold		401		339		18	%	283		42	%
Groundwater Volumes Sold		81		121		(33)	%	82		(1)	%
Total Water Solutions Volumes		482		460		5	%	365		32	%
Skim oil recoveries (barrels of water per day)		1,362		1,125		21	%	775		76	%
Skim oil recoveries (as a % of produced water volumes)		0.12%		0.11%		9	%	0.08%		50	%

		Year Ended December 31,				% Change
		2023		2022
(thousands of barrels of water per day)
Total Volumes		1,492		1,284		16	%
Produced Water Handling Volumes		1,042		873		19	%
Water Solutions Volumes
Recycled Produced Water Volumes Sold		324		300		8	%
Groundwater Volumes Sold		126		105		20	%
Groundwater Volumes Transferred		—		6		N/M	%
Total Water Solutions Volumes		450		411		9	%
Skim oil recoveries (barrels of water per day)		1,219		792		54	%
Skim oil recoveries (as a % of produced water volumes)		0.12%		0.09%		33	%
N/M Not Meaningful

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Full year Cash Flow from Operating Activities increased approximately 162% to $183.9 million as compared to 2022 and was positively impacted by a $43.8 million improvement in Accounts Receivable and Accounts Receivable from Affiliate balances.

Net income was $13.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 versus net income of $5.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and net income of $12.2 million in the third quarter of 2023. Adjusted Net Income¹ was $15.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 versus $9.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 and $13.9 million in the third quarter of 2023.

Net income was $43.4 million for the full year of 2023, versus net income of $4.8 million for the full year of 2022. Adjusted Net Income¹ was $52.4 million for the full year of 2023 versus $44.1 million for the full year of 2022.

Adjusted EBITDA¹ was $49.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, up approximately 37% from $36.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, and up approximately 10% from $44.9 million in the third quarter of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA¹ was $175.0 million for the full year of 2023 versus $149.0 million for the full year of 2022, an increase of approximately 17%.

Adjusted Operating Margin per Barrel² for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $0.41 per barrel versus $0.37 per barrel in the fourth quarter of 2022. Adjusted Operating Margin per Barrel² for the full year of 2023 was $0.39 per barrel, flat versus the full year of 2022.

Fourth quarter 2023 Capital Expenditures3 totaled approximately $20 million versus $20 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Full year 2023 Capital Expenditures3 totaled approximately $156 million versus approximately $167 million for the full year of 2022.

STRONG BALANCE SHEET AND LIQUIDITY

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had approximately $5 million in cash and $324 million available under its revolving credit facility for total available liquidity of $329 million. The Company’s leverage ratio at year-end 2023 was 2.4X⁴, below the low end of its target leverage range of 2.5X-3.5X.

FIRST QUARTER 2024 DIVIDEND

On February 23, 2024, Aris’s Board of Directors declared a dividend on its Class A common stock for the first quarter of 2024 of $0.09 per share. In conjunction with the dividend payment, a distribution of $0.09 per unit will be paid to unit holders of Solaris Midstream Holdings, LLC. The dividend will be paid on March 21, 2024, to holders of record of the Company’s Class A common stock as of the close of business on March 7, 2024. The distribution to unit holders of Solaris Midstream Holdings, LLC will be subject to the same payment and record dates.

FIRST QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 FINANCIAL OUTLOOK

“Building on our success in 2023, our focus in 2024 is unlocking additional value from our infrastructure by driving increased returns from our existing assets, demonstrating sustainable cash generation capability, and identifying opportunities to leverage our expertise in the treatment of high-volume, complex water streams. We will prioritize safety, operational excellence, cost efficiency, and innovation,” said Amanda Brock.

“We will continue to grow alongside new and existing customers in the Northern Delaware Basin with potential upside in our shorter cycle Water Solutions business. We expect the positive momentum in our operating margins to continue as we benefit from the impact of contractual inflation clauses and additional efficiency initiatives in the field.

“2024 is an inflection year for Aris. The capital investment needed to support our infrastructure is substantially lower this year as the basin matures and operators temper their pace of development. With the Aris system more fully built out, we can better utilize its reach and capabilities, which in turn should increase free cash generation. With moderating volume growth, continued improvements in operating margins, and significantly reduced capital spending, we anticipate 2024 will deliver sustainable free cash flow. Aris is exceptionally well positioned for 2024 following our demonstrated operating improvements in 2023. As the year progresses, we expect cash generation to accelerate which will drive additional returns of capital to our shareholders.”

For the full year of 2024, the Company expects:

• Produced Water Handling volumes between 1,020 and 1,070 thousand barrels of water per day, up approximately 2 – 5% versus 2023 when adjusted for the approximately 35 thousand barrels per day impact of asset divestitures completed in the third quarter of 2023
• Water Solutions volumes between 430 and 470 thousand barrels of water per day, approximately flat versus 2023
• Adjusted Operating Margin per Barrel² between $0.42 and $0.44
• Skim oil recoveries of approximately 1,300 barrels per day at an average WTI price of $76 per barrel
• Adjusted EBITDA¹ between $180 and $200 million
• Capital Expenditures³ between $85 and $105 million

For the first quarter of 2024, the Company expects:

• Produced Water Handling volumes between 1,075 and 1,105 thousand barrels of water per day
• Water Solutions volumes between 325 and 345 thousand barrels of water per day
• Adjusted Operating Margin per Barrel² between $0.42 and $0.44
• Skim oil recoveries of approximately 1,600 barrels per day at an average WTI price of $76 per barrel
• Adjusted EBITDA¹ between $43 and $47 million
• Capital Expenditures³ between $30 and $35 million

CONFERENCE CALL

Aris will host a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2023 results on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. Central Time (9:00 a.m. Eastern Time).

Participants should call (877) 407-5792 and refer to Aris Water Solutions, Inc. when dialing in. Participants are encouraged to log in to the webcast or dial in to the conference call approximately ten minutes prior to the start time. To listen via live webcast, please visit the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, www.ariswater.com.

An audio replay of the conference call will be available shortly after the conclusion of the call and will remain available for approximately fourteen days. The replay can be accessed by dialing (877) 660-6853 within the United States or (201) 612-7415 outside of the United States. The access code is 13743897.

About Aris Water Solutions, Inc.

Aris Water Solutions, Inc. is a leading, growth-oriented environmental infrastructure and solutions company that directly helps its customers reduce their water and carbon footprints. Aris Water delivers full-cycle water handling and recycling solutions that increase the sustainability of energy company operations. Its integrated pipelines and related infrastructure create long-term value by delivering high-capacity, comprehensive produced water management, recycling and supply solutions to operators in the core areas of the Permian Basin.

1 Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EBITDA, and Diluted Adjusted Net Income per Share are non-GAAP financial measures. See the supplementary schedules in this press release for a discussion of how we define and calculate Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EBITDA, and Diluted Adjusted Net Income per Share and a reconciliation thereof to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

2 Adjusted Operating Margin per Barrel is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the supplementary schedules in this press release for a discussion of how we define and calculate Adjusted Operating Margin per Barrel and a reconciliation thereof to gross margin, the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

3 Capital Expenditures is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the supplementary schedules in this press release for a discussion of how we define and calculate Capital Expenditures and a reconciliation thereof to cash paid for property, plant, and equipment, the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

4 Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. Defined as net debt as of December 31, 2023, divided by trailing twelve months Adjusted EBITDA. Net debt is calculated as total debt less cash and cash equivalents. See the supplementary schedules in this press release for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements, information, opinions or beliefs regarding our business strategy, our industry, our future profitability, business and financial performance, including our guidance for 2024, current and potential future long-term contracts, legal and regulatory developments, our ability to identify strategic acquisitions and realize expected benefits therefrom, the development of technologies for the beneficial reuse of produced water and related strategies, plans, objectives and strategic pursuits and other statements that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “anticipate,” “guidance,” “preliminary,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “continue,” “sustain,” “will,” “intend,” “strive,” “plan,” “goal,” “target,” “believe,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “future,” “potential,” “opportunity,” “predict,” “may,” “visibility,” “possible,” “should,” “could” and variations of such words or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, by their nature, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. As a result, our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated or implied by the forward-looking statements including our guidance for 2024. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, energy prices, the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts, macroeconomic conditions (such as inflation) and market uncertainty related thereto, legislative and regulatory developments, customer plans and preferences, technological innovations and developments, and other events discussed or referenced in our filings made from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including such factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and if applicable, our subsequent SEC filings, which are available on our Investor Relations website at https://ir.ariswater.com/sec-filings or on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov/edgar. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this presentation and any oral statements made in connection with this presentation are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Table 1
Aris Water Solutions, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except for share and		Three Months Ended						Year Ended
per share amounts)		December 31,						December 31,
		2023			2022			2023			2022
Revenue
Produced Water Handling		$	51,817		$	41,061		$	195,207		$	151,360
Produced Water Handling—Affiliate			27,965			24,023			102,322			93,107
Water Solutions			17,445			13,928			66,625			60,672
Water Solutions—Affiliate			6,416			3,516			25,611			15,156
Other Revenue			482			342			2,353			706
Total Revenue			104,125			82,870			392,118			321,001
Cost of Revenue
Direct Operating Costs			44,995			38,143			177,973			139,480
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion			19,495			17,800			76,632			67,524
Total Cost of Revenue			64,490			55,943			254,605			207,004
Operating Costs and Expenses
Abandoned Well Costs			89			1,134			1,303			15,771
General and Administrative			12,447			11,890			50,454			45,220
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets			—			—			—			15,597
Research and Development Expense			1,253			161			3,120			691
Other Operating (Income) Expense, Net			866			396			(1,230)			2,212
Total Operating Expenses			14,655			13,581			53,647			79,491
Operating Income			24,980			13,346			83,866			34,506
Other Expense
Interest Expense, Net			9,266			7,322			32,853			29,185
Other			107			—			107			—
Total Other Expense			9,373			7,322			32,960			29,185
Income Before Income Taxes			15,607			6,024			50,906			5,321
Income Tax Expense			2,576			605			7,494			524
Net Income			13,031			5,419			43,412			4,797
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest			7,632			3,590			24,524			3,097
Net Income Attributable to Aris Water Solutions, Inc.		$	5,399		$	1,829		$	18,888		$	1,700
Net Income Per Share of Class A Common Stock
Basic		$	0.17		$	0.06		$	0.59		$	0.04
Diluted		$	0.17		$	0.06		$	0.59		$	0.04
Weighted Average Shares of Class A Common Stock Outstanding
Basic			30,128,424			27,946,505			30,037,681			24,070,934
Diluted			30,128,424			28,051,871			30,037,681			24,146,215

Table 2
Aris Water Solutions, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)		December 31,				December 31,
		2023				2022
Assets
Cash		$	5,063			$	1,122
Accounts Receivable, Net			59,393				81,683
Accounts Receivable from Affiliate			22,963				46,029
Other Receivables			12,767				4,354
Prepaids and Deposits			8,364				5,805
Total Current Assets			108,550				138,993
Fixed Assets
Property, Plant and Equipment			1,041,703				907,784
Accumulated Depreciation			(121,989	)			(88,681	)
Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Net			919,714				819,103
Intangible Assets, Net			232,277				269,845
Goodwill			34,585				34,585
Deferred Income Tax Assets, Net			22,634				30,424
Right-of-Use Assets			16,726				9,135
Other Assets			5,995				1,281
Total Assets		$	1,340,481			$	1,303,366
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Accounts Payable		$	25,925			$	22,982
Payables to Affiliate			894				3,021
Insurance Premium Financing Liability			5,463				—
Accrued and Other Current Liabilities			64,416				65,411
Total Current Liabilities			96,698				91,414
Long-Term Debt, Net of Debt Issuance Costs			421,792				428,921
Asset Retirement Obligations			19,030				17,543
Tax Receivable Agreement Liability			98,274				97,980
Other Long-Term Liabilities			16,794				10,421
Total Liabilities			652,588				646,279
Stockholders’ Equity
Preferred Stock $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 authorized. None issued or outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022			—				—
Class A Common Stock $0.01 par value, 600,000,000 authorized, 30,669,932 issued and 30,251,613 outstanding as of December 31, 2023; 30,115,979 issued and 29,919,217 outstanding as of December 31, 2022			306				300
Class B Common Stock $0.01 par value, 180,000,000 authorized, 27,543,565 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023; 27,575,519 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2022			275				276
Treasury Stock (at Cost), 418,319 shares as of December 31, 2023; 196,762 shares as of December 31, 2022			(5,133	)			(2,891	)
Additional Paid-in-Capital			328,543				319,545
Accumulated Deficit			(87	)			(7,722	)
Total Stockholders’ Equity Attributable to Aris Water Solutions, Inc.			323,904				309,508
Noncontrolling Interest			363,989				347,579
Total Stockholders’ Equity			687,893				657,087
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity		$	1,340,481			$	1,303,366

Table 3
Aris Water Solutions, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
			Three Months Ended							Year Ended
(in thousands)			December 31,							December 31,
			2023				2022			2023				2022
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
Net Income		$	13,031			$	5,419			$	43,412			$	4,797
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Deferred Income Tax Expense			2,526				562				7,299				466
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion			19,495				17,800				76,632				67,524
Stock-Based Compensation			2,624				2,900				11,569				12,034
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets			—				—				—				15,597
Abandoned Well Costs			89				1,134				1,303				15,771
(Gain) Loss on Disposal of Assets, Net			(32	)			(3	)			(2,606	)			478
Abandoned Projects			88				6				216				72
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs, Net			700				580				2,280				2,143
Change in Payables Related to Tax Receivable Agreement Liability			413				—				413				—
Other			566				312				93				623
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities:
Accounts Receivable			(1,878	)			(5,128	)			20,716				(38,811	)
Accounts Receivable from Affiliate			333				(20,257	)			23,104				(25,838	)
Other Receivables			3,711				1,301				(9,648	)			(838	)
Prepaids and Deposits			(6,123	)			(3,977	)			(2,559	)			238
Accounts Payable			4,092				(1,330	)			3,937				1,903
Payables to Affiliate			(283	)			609				(2,127	)			1,522
Accrued Liabilities and Other			(8,004	)			(6,900	)			9,839				12,532
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities			31,348				(6,972	)			183,873				70,213
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
Property, Plant and Equipment Expenditures			(37,862	)			(49,534	)			(169,736	)			(146,525	)
Cash Paid for Asset Acquisitions			—				(1,747	)			—				(5,100	)
Proceeds from the Sale of Property, Plant and Equipment			35				7,259				20,154				14,700
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities			(37,827	)			(44,022	)			(149,582	)			(136,925	)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
Dividends and Distributions Paid			(5,346	)			(5,308	)			(21,429	)			(24,465	)
Repurchase of Shares			(738	)			(2,756	)			(1,363	)			(2,756	)
Repayment of Credit Facility			(67,000	)			—				(118,000	)			—
Proceeds from Credit Facility			59,000				35,000				109,000				35,000
Payment of Debt Issuance Costs Related to Credit Facility			(3,942	)			—				(3,942	)			—
Proceeds from Insurance Premium Financing			6,636				—				6,636				—
Payment of Insurance Premium Financing			(1,252	)			—				(1,252	)			—
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities			(12,642	)			26,936				(30,350	)			7,779
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash			(19,121	)			(24,058	)			3,941				(58,933	)
Cash, Beginning of Period			24,184				25,180				1,122				60,055
Cash, End of Period		$	5,063			$	1,122			$	5,063			$	1,122

Contacts

David Tuerff

Senior Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations

(281) 501-3070

IR@ariswater.com

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