California Resources Reports First Quarter 2024 Financial and Operating Results
CRC Committed to Shareholder Return Strategy; Returned Nearly $95 million Year to Date to Shareholders via Dividends and Share Repurchases
LONG BEACH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–California Resources Corporation (NYSE: CRC) today reported financial and operating results for the first quarter 2024. The Company plans to host a conference call and webcast on Wednesday, May 8th at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (10:00 a.m. Pacific Time). Participation details can be found within this release. In addition, supplemental slides are posted to CRC’s website at www.crc.com.
First Quarter 2024 Highlights:
- Returned $79 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends
- Reported $87 million of net cash from operating activities
- Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities, net1 of $92 million includes $25 million of costs related to the Aera transaction and incremental energy costs due to scheduled power plant major maintenance
- Reported net loss of $10 million, or $0.14 per diluted share. When adjusted for items analysts typically exclude from estimates (including mark-to-market adjustments of $59 million, one-time costs for Aera Merger of $13 million and increased power and fuel costs due to power plant shutdown of $21 million all of which is before taxes), the Company’s adjusted net income1 was $54 million, or $0.75 per diluted share
- Generated an adjusted EBITDAX1 of $149 million and $33 million of free cash flow1
- Flat entry to exit gross production of 94 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (MBoe/d) after investing drilling and workover capital of $22 million
- Delivered average quarterly net production of 76 MBoe/d and net oil production of 48 thousand barrels of oil per day (MBo/d)
- The Carbon TerraVault JV achieved the milestone for the second installment related to “CTV I – 26R” reservoir pore space contribution in the amount of $46 million. See CTV’s First Quarter 2024 Update press release for additional information
- Announced the expiration of the required waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 with respect to the pending combination upon the completion of which Aera Energy, LLC (Aera) and its operating affiliate Aera Energy Services Company will be indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of CRC (Aera Merger)
- Received “Grade A” certification through MiQ’s Methane Emissions Performance Standard for CRC’s operating assets in Los Angeles and Orange Counties
“Our solid first quarter performance adds to CRC’s historical track record of unwavering commitment to shareholder returns and effective cost management,” said Francisco Leon, CRC’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “CRC’s improved cost structure demonstrates the fundamental improvements we’ve made to our business, reflecting our readiness to combine with Aera while driving a higher level of efficiency and effectiveness throughout the organization. I want to thank all of our employees as the foundation of CRC’s continued success comes from their ongoing diligent efforts and hard work”
“With company’s operations successfully scaled to generate free cash flow, our advantaged balance sheet position has allowed us to accelerate the return of capital to shareholders and return more than double of our quarterly free cash flow1 back to investors,” continued Leon. “Looking ahead to the remainder of the year, we remain focused on closing the Aera Merger, further expanding our carbon management business and continuing to provide innovative energy solutions to meet California’s energy needs.”
First Quarter 2024 Financial and Operating Summary
Net loss for the period was $10 million, or $0.14 per diluted share of common stock, and adjusted net income1 was $54 million, or $0.75 per diluted share. The Company reported first quarter net cash from operating activities of $87 million. Adjusted EBITDAX1 was $149 million. Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities, net1, of $92 million includes Aera Merger expenses of $13 million and incremental energy costs due to the scheduled Elk Hills power plant major maintenance of $12 million. CRC generated $33 million of free cash flow1 during the quarter.
CRC’s gross production in the first quarter averaged 94 MBoe/d. Net production averaged 76 MBoe/d, including net oil production of 48 MBo/d. A longer than expected Elk Hills power plant major maintenance, challenging weather conditions and PSC effects adversely affected net production in the first quarter of 2024 by 1.5 MBoe/d from previously issued guidance. Average realized oil prices during the quarter were 98% of Brent.
Operating costs in the first quarter of 2024 were $176 million compared to $186 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 primarily due to lower electricity and natural gas prices.
Capital in the first quarter of 2024 was lower than previously issued guidance due to anticipated facility and workover spend, and totaled $54 million. CRC ran a one-rig program in the San Joaquin basin during the period.
First Quarter 2024 Financial Results
Certain prior period balances related to NGL marketing activities have been reclassified to conform to CRC’s 2024 presentation. For the three months ended December 31, 2023, CRC reclassified $4 million related to NGL storage activities from other revenue to revenue from marketing of purchased commodities on the condensed consolidated statement of operations. CRC also reclassified $3 million of NGL processing fees from other operating expenses, net to costs related to marketing of purchased commodities.
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Selected Production, Price Information and Results of Operations |
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1st Quarter |
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4th Quarter |
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($ in millions) |
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2024 |
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2023 |
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Average net oil production per day (MBbl/d) |
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48 |
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50 |
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Realized oil price with derivative settlements ($ per Bbl) |
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$ |
77.17 |
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$ |
71.34 |
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Average net NGL production per day (MBbl/d) |
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11 |
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11 |
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Realized NGL price ($ per Bbl) |
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$ |
50.50 |
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$ |
49.08 |
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Average net natural gas production per day (Mmcf/d) |
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|
105 |
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|
130 |
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Realized natural gas price with derivative settlements ($ per Mcf) |
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$ |
3.90 |
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$ |
4.66 |
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Average net total production per day (MBoe/d) |
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76 |
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83 |
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Margin from marketing of purchased commodities ($ millions) |
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$ |
20 |
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$ |
29 |
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Margin from electricity sales ($ millions) |
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$ |
7 |
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$ |
24 |
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Net gain (loss) from oil commodity derivatives ($ millions) |
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$ |
(71 |
) |
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$ |
119 |
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Selected Financial Statement Data and non-GAAP measures: |
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1st Quarter |
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4th Quarter |
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($ and shares in millions, except per share amounts) |
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2024 |
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2023 |
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Statements of Operations: |
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Revenues |
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Total operating revenues |
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$ |
454 |
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$ |
726 |
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Selected Expenses |
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Operating costs |
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$ |
176 |
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$ |
186 |
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General and administrative expenses |
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$ |
57 |
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$ |
66 |
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Adjusted general and administrative expenses1 |
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$ |
49 |
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$ |
55 |
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Taxes other than on income |
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$ |
38 |
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$ |
33 |
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Transportation costs |
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$ |
20 |
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$ |
18 |
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Operating Income (loss) |
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$ |
(4 |
) |
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$ |
283 |
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Interest and debt expense |
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$ |
(13 |
) |
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$ |
(13 |
) |
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Income tax benefit (provision) |
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$ |
9 |
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$ |
(79 |
) |
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Net (loss) Income |
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$ |
(10 |
) |
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$ |
188 |
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EPS, Non-GAAP Measures and Select Balance Sheet Data |
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Adjusted net income1 |
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$ |
54 |
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$ |
67 |
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Weighted-average common shares outstanding – diluted |
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69.0 |
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72.3 |
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Net loss (income) per share – diluted |
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$ |
(0.14 |
) |
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$ |
2.60 |
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Adjusted net income1 per share – diluted |
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$ |
0.75 |
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$ |
0.93 |
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Adjusted EBITDAX1 |
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$ |
149 |
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$ |
179 |
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Net cash provided by operating activities |
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$ |
87 |
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$ |
131 |
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Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities, net1 |
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$ |
92 |
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$ |
104 |
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Capital investments |
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$ |
54 |
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|
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$ |
66 |
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Free cash flow1 |
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$ |
33 |
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$ |
65 |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
403 |
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$ |
496 |
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Pending Aera Merger
On February 7, 2024, CRC entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger (Merger Agreement) to combine with Aera in an all-stock transaction with an effective date of January 1, 2024. Aera is a leading operator of mature fields in California, primarily in the San Joaquin and Ventura basins, with high oil-weighted production. At closing, Aera’s owners will receive 21.2 million shares of CRC’s common stock plus an additional number of shares determined by reference to the dividends declared by CRC having a record date between the effective date and closing. CRC also agreed to assume Aera’s outstanding long-term indebtedness of $950 million. CRC expects to repay a significant portion of this indebtedness with cash on hand and borrowings under its revolving credit facility. CRC expects to refinance the balance through one or more debt capital markets transactions and, only to the extent necessary, borrowings under a bridge loan facility.
On March 26, 2024, CRC announced the expiration of the required waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 with respect to the pending Aera Merger.
On May 7, 2024, CRC filed the definitive proxy statement for the Aera Merger with the SEC. Closing of the Aera Merger is subject to certain closing conditions, including among others, regulatory approvals and CRC shareholder approval, and is expected to close around mid-year 2024.
For more information about this transaction please visit: https://www.crc.com/news/news-details/2024/California-Resources-Corporation-to-Combine-with-Aera-Energy/default.aspx
2024 Capital Outlook, Second Quarter 2024 Guidance and Capital Program2
CRC’s 2024 guidance estimates exclude the pending Aera Merger. The Company intends to update guidance after the transaction closes.
Following the March 2024 Court of Appeals decision in the Kern County Environmental Impact Report matter, CRC expects its 2024 capital program to range between $200 million and $240 million under current permitting conditions. Of this amount, $165 million to $185 million is related to oil and natural gas development (including $20 million to $25 million for maintenance at CRC’s Elk Hills gas processing plant), $20 million to $25 million is for carbon management projects and $15 million to $30 million is for corporate and other (including $10 million to $15 million related to maintenance at CRC’s Elk Hills power plant). In 2024, CRC expects to run a one rig program while executing projects using existing permits.
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2024 PRELIMINARY OUTLOOK2 |
TOTAL 2024E |
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Net Production (MBoe/d) |
75 – 79 |
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Oil Production (%) |
~61% |
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Capital ($ millions) |
$200 – $240 |
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Drilling & completions, workover ($ millions) |
$100 – $110 |
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Facilities ($ millions) |
$45 – $50 |
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Maintenance of gas processing and power plants at Elk Hills ($ millions) |
$30 – $40 |
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Carbon management business ($ millions) |
$20- $25 |
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Corporate & other ($ millions) |
$5 – $15 |
CRC expects its second quarter capital program to range between $50 million to $57 million. The program includes capital of $45 million to $49 million related to oil and natural gas development (including $4 million to $8 million related to maintenance at CRC’s Elk Hills gas processing plant), $3 million to $5 million related to carbon management projects and $2 million to $3 million related to corporate and other activities.
CRC expects to produce 74 to 78 MBoe/d (~61% oil) in the second quarter of 2024. The table below provides highlights of the Company’s second quarter 2024 guidance. See Attachment 2 for complete information on CRC’s second quarter 2024 guidance.
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CRC GUIDANCE2 |
Total 2Q24E |
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CMB 2Q24E |
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E&P, Corp. & Other 2Q24E |
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Net Production (MBoe/d) |
74 – 78 |
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74 – 78 |
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CMB Expenses and Operating Costs ($ millions) |
$170 – $183 |
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$10 – $13 |
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$160 – $170 |
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General and Administrative Expenses ($ millions) |
$56 – $64 |
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$1 – $3 |
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$55 – $61 |
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Adjusted General and Administrative Expenses1 ($ millions) |
$49 – $57 |
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$1 – $3 |
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$48 – $54 |
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Capital ($ millions) |
$50 – $57 |
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$3 – $5 |
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$47 – $52 |
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Margin from Marketing of Purchased Commodities ($ millions) 3 |
$5 – $15 |
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$5 – $15 |
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Electricity Margin ($ millions)4 |
$34 – $42 |
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$34 – $42 |
Shareholder Return
CRC is committed to returning significant cash to shareholders through dividends and repurchases of its common stock.
During the first quarter of 2024, CRC repurchased 1.1 million shares for $58 million or an average price of $53.26 per share. Post quarter end and through May 3, 2024, CRC repurchased an additional 0.3 million shares for $15 million or an average price of $54.80. Since the inception of the Share Repurchase Program in May 2021 through May 3, 2024, 16.2 million shares have been repurchased for $675 million at an average price of $41.61 per share. These total repurchases represent 19% of CRC’s shares outstanding at its bankruptcy emergence in October 2020.
In February 2024, CRC’s Board of Directors approved a $250 million increase of the Share Repurchase Program, bringing the aggregate program to $1.35 billion, and extended the program through December 31, 2025. Adjusting for this increase, CRC has approximately $675 million of capacity remaining under the repurchase program as of May 7, 2024.
On May 7, 2024, CRC’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.31 per share of common stock. The dividend is payable to shareholders of record on May 31, 2024 and will be paid on June 14, 2024. Post closing of the Aera Merger, and subject to Board approval, CRC expects to increase its quarterly dividend.
From October 2020 through May 7, 2024, CRC has returned $905 million of cash to its stakeholders, including $675 million in share repurchases, $175 million of dividends and $55 million in principal of its Senior Notes repurchases.
Balance Sheet and Liquidity Update
In connection with the Merger Agreement, on February 9, 2024, CRC entered into a second amendment to its Revolving Credit Facility to permit CRC to incur debt under a bridge loan facility that may be used in connection with closing the Aera Merger.
In March 2024, CRC entered into a third amendment to its Revolving Credit Facility. The amendment facilitated certain matters with respect to the Aera Merger, including the postponement of the regular spring borrowing base redetermination until the fall of 2024 and certain other amendments.
Additionally, CRC obtained commitments from its existing lenders and certain new lenders to amend CRC’s Revolving Credit Facility upon closing of the Aera Merger. These commitments include increasing its borrowing base from $1.2 billion to $1.5 billion, increasing the aggregate commitment amount from $630 million to $1.1 billion, and other matters.
As of March 31, 2024, CRC had liquidity of $880 million, which consisted of $403 million in cash and cash equivalents plus $477 million of available borrowing capacity under its Revolving Credit Facility (which is after $153 million of outstanding letters of credit).
Acquisitions and Divestitures
In March 2024, CRC sold its 0.9-acre Fort Apache real estate property in Huntington Beach, California for a purchase price of $10 million and recognized a $6 million gain.
Sustainability
In April, 2024, CRC received a “Grade A” certification through MiQ’s Methane Emissions Performance Standard for CRC’s operating assets in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. MiQ is an independent not-for-profit established to facilitate a rapid reduction in methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. This certification is the first “Grade A” independently certified gas (ICG) designation that MiQ has presented to oil and natural gas operating assets in California and the Rocky Mountain region. The achievement further demonstrates CRC’s dedication to its ESG goals and sustainability platform. CRC plans to continue to work with MiQ to expand its ICG certifications to operations in the San Joaquin and Sacramento basins.
Board Changes
On May 3, 2024, CRC’s shareholders elected one new Board member, Christian S. Kendall.
Mr. Kendall is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Denbury. Prior to joining Denbury in 2015, Mr. Kendall worked at Noble Energy, Inc., where he served as a member of Noble’s executive management and operations leadership team as Senior Vice President, Global Operations Services. Prior to that, Mr. Kendall served in several other executive and management roles of increasing responsibility with Noble beginning in 2001. Mr. Kendall’s career in the oil and natural gas industry began in 1989 at Mobil Oil Corporation. Mr. Kendall has served as the Chairman of the Board of the Dallas Division of the American Heart Association and is a member of National Petroleum Council. Mr. Kendall holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering with a Civil Specialty from the Colorado School of Mines and has also completed the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School. Please see www.crc.com for more details.
As previously disclosed, Julio M. Quintana, who has served as a member of CRC’s Board of Directors since October 2020, did not seek reelection as a Director at the 2024 Annual Meeting. CRC thanks Mr. Quintana for his outstanding leadership, knowledge, and contributions to the Company throughout his tenure on the Board of Directors and wish him all the best.
Upcoming Investor Conference Participation
CRC’s executives will be participating in the following events in May through July 2024:
- Goldman Sachs Ninth Annual Leveraged Finance and Credit Conference on May 13 and 14 in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
- 2024 Citi Energy & Climate Technology Conference on May 14 to 15 in Boston, MA
- TD Cowen’s 2nd Annual Sustainability Week on May 21 held virtually
- Stifel 2024 Cross Sector Insights Conference on June 3 in Boston, MA
- RBC Capital Markets Global Energy, Power & Infrastructure Conference on June 5 in New York, NY
- BofA Securities Energy Credit Conference on June 6 in New York, NY
- 2024 JP Morgan Energy, Power & Renewables Conference on June 17 to 18 in New York, NY
- 2024 TD Calgary Energy Conference on July 9 to 10 in Calgary, AB, Canada
CRC’s presentation materials will be available the day of the events on the Events and Presentations page in the Investor Relations section on www.crc.com.
Conference Call Details
A conference call is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (10:00 a.m. Pacific Time). To participate in the call, please dial (877) 328-5505 (International calls please dial +1 (412) 317-5421) or access via webcast at www.crc.com 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to register. Participants may also pre-register for the conference call at https://dpregister.com/sreg/10187009/fbc013eb9d. A digital replay of the conference call will be archived for approximately 90 days and supplemental slides for the conference call will be available online in the Investor Relations section of www.crc.com.
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1 See Attachment 3 for the non-GAAP financial measures of operating costs per BOE (excluding effects of PSCs), adjusted net income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) per share – basic and diluted, net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities, net, adjusted EBITDAX, free cash flow and adjusted G&A, including reconciliations to their most directly comparable GAAP measure, where applicable. For the 2Q24 estimates of the non-GAAP measure of adjusted general and administrative expenses, including reconciliations to its most directly comparable GAAP measure, see Attachment 2. |
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2 2Q24 guidance assumes Brent price of $86.17 per barrel of oil, NGL realizations as a percentage of Brent consistent with prior years and a NYMEX gas price of $1.78 per mcf. CRC’s share of production under PSC contracts decreases when commodity prices rise and increases when prices fall. |
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3 Margin from Marketing of Purchased Commodities is calculated as the difference between Revenue from Marketing of Purchased Commodities and Costs Related to Marketing of Purchased Commodities |
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4 Electricity Margin is calculated as the difference between Electricity Sales and Electricity Generation Expenses |
About California Resources Corporation
California Resources Corporation (CRC) is an independent energy and carbon management company committed to energy transition. CRC produces some of the lowest carbon intensity production in the US and is focused on maximizing the value of its land, mineral and technical resources for decarbonization by developing CCS and other emissions reducing projects. For more information about CRC, please visit www.crc.com.
About Carbon TerraVault
Carbon TerraVault Holdings, LLC (CTV), a subsidiary of CRC, provides services that include the capture, transport and storage of carbon dioxide for its customers. CTV is engaged in a series of carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects that inject CO2 captured from industrial sources into depleted underground reservoirs and permanently store CO2 deep underground. For more information about CTV, please visit www.carbonterravault.com.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
This communication may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement pursuant to which California Resources Corporation (“CRC”) has agreed to combine with Aera Energy, LLC (“Aera”) (the “Merger Agreement”), including the proposed issuance of CRC’s common stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement. In connection with the transaction, CRC filed a proxy statement on Schedule 14A with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), as well as other relevant materials. Following the filing of the definitive proxy statement, CRC mailed the definitive proxy statement and a proxy card to its stockholders. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF CRC ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT CRC, AERA, THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain copies of the proxy statement (when available) as well as other filings containing information about CRC, Aera and the transaction, without charge, at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by CRC will be available, without charge, at CRC’s website, www.crc.com.
Participants in Solicitation
CRC and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of CRC is set forth in the proxy statement for CRC’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 21, 2024. Investors may obtain additional information regarding the interest of such participants by reading the proxy statement regarding the transaction when it becomes available.
Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains statements that CRC believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than historical facts are forward-looking statements, and include statements regarding its future financial position, business strategy, projected revenues, earnings, costs, capital expenditures and plans and objectives of management for the future. Words such as “expect,” “could,” “may,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “ability,” “believe,” “seek,” “see,” “will,” “would,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “target,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “opportunity” or “strategy” or similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such statements.
Contacts
Joanna Park (Investor Relations)
818-661-3731
Joanna.Park@crc.com
Richard Venn (Media)
818-661-6014
Richard.Venn@crc.com
