組織和運營性質 - Ring Energy是一家總部位於德克薩斯州伍德蘭茲的以成長為導向的獨立探險和生產公司,從事於石油和天然氣的開發、生產、收購和勘探活動,目前主要集中在德克薩斯州的Permian盆地。我們的鑽探活動主要針對德克薩斯州Permian盆地的西北架和中央盆地平臺上的石油和液體豐富生產層。
NOTE 11 — EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
Share-based compensation expense for share-based awards during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was as follows. These amounts are included in General and administrative expense in the Condensed Statements of Operations.
In 2011, the Board of Directors (the "Board") of the Company approved and adopted a long-term incentive plan (the “2011 Plan”), which was subsequently approved and amended by the shareholders. There were 541,755 shares eligible for grant, either as stock options or as restricted stock, as of September 30, 2024.
In 2021, the Board and Company shareholders approved and adopted the Ring Energy, Inc. 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”). The 2021 Plan provides that the Company may grant options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units, performance-based awards, other share-based awards, other cash-based awards, or any combination of the foregoing. At the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the shareholders approved an amendment to the 2021 Plan to increase the number of shares available under the 2021 Plan by 6.0 million. There were 5,107,795 shares available for grant as of September 30, 2024 under the 2021 Plan.
A summary of the status of the stock options as of September 30, 2024 and 2023 and changes during the respective nine month periods then ended are as follows:
期權
加權平均的期限: 平均價格 行使價格
加權平均剩餘合約期限
總內在價值
優秀,2022年12月31日
265,500
$
4.21
已授予股份
—
—
已棄權股份
—
—
行使
—
—
傑出,2023年3月31日
265,500
$
4.21
1.39 年
$
—
可行使,2023年3月31日
265,500
$
4.21
1.39 年
已授予股份
—
—
已棄權股份
—
—
行使
—
—
傑出,2023年6月30日
265,500
$
4.21
1.14 年
$
—
可行使,2023年6月30日
265,500
$
4.21
1.14 年
已授予股份
—
—
已棄權股份
—
—
行使
—
—
截至2023年9月30日為止優異期權
265,500
$
4.21
0.89 年
$
—
至2023年9月30日止可行使期權
265,500
$
4.21
0.89 年
截至2023年12月31日的傑出表現。
70,500
$
10.33
已授予股份
—
—
已棄權股份
—
—
已過期
(5,000)
5.50
行使
—
—
截至2024年3月31日的傑出表現。
65,500
$
10.70
2.31 年
$
—
截至2024年3月31日可行使的股票。
65,500
$
10.70
2.31 年
已授予股份
—
—
已棄權股份
—
—
已過期
—
—
行使
—
—
2024年6月30日待行使股份
65,500
$
10.70
2.06 年
$
—
截至2024年6月30日已行使的
65,500
$
10.70
2.06 年
已授予股份
—
$
—
已棄權股份
—
$
—
已過期
—
$
—
行使
—
$
—
優秀,2024年9月30日
65,500
$
10.70
1.81 年
$
—
可行使,2024年9月30日
65,500
$
10.70
1.81 年
The intrinsic values were calculated using the closing price on September 30, 2024 of $1.60 and the closing price on September 30, 2023 of $1.95. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $0 of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options.
Item 2: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our accompanying condensed financial statements and the notes to those condensed financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. The following discussion includes forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs and our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors,” "Forward Looking Statements" and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.
Overview
Ring Energy, Inc. (the "Company," "Ring," "we," "us," "our" and similar terms) is a growth oriented independent exploration and production company based in The Woodlands, Texas engaged in oil and natural gas development, production, acquisition, and exploration activities currently focused in the Permian Basin of Texas. Our primary drilling operations target the oil and liquids rich producing formations in the Northwest Shelf and the Central Basin Platform, both of which are part of the Permian Basin.
Business Description and Plan of Operation
The Company is focused on balancing reduction of long-term debt and further developing our oil and gas properties to maintain or grow our annual production. We intend to achieve both through proper allocation of cash flow generated by our operations and potentially through the sale of non-core assets. We intend to continue evaluating potential transactions to acquire strategic producing assets with attractive acreage positions that can provide competitive returns for our shareholders.
•Growing production and reserves by developing our oil-rich resource base through conventional vertical and horizontal drilling. In an effort to maximize its value and resources potential, Ring intends to drill and develop its acreage base in both its Northwest Shelf and Central Basin Platform assets, allowing Ring to execute on its plan of operating within its generated cash flow.
•Reduction of long-term debt and deleveraging of asset. Ring intends to reduce its long-term debt primarily through the use of excess cash flow and potentially through the sale of non-core assets. The Company believes that with its attractive field level margins, it is well positioned to maximize the value of its assets and deleverage its balance sheet. The Company also believes through potential accretive acquisitions and strategic asset dispositions, it can accelerate the strengthening of its balance sheet. During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company made net paydowns of $15 million on its revolving line of credit, resulting in the outstanding long-term debt balance of $392 million.
•Employ industry leading drilling and completion techniques. Ring’s executive team utilizes new and innovative technological advancements for completion optimization, comprehensive geological evaluation, and reservoir engineering analysis to generate value and to build future development opportunities. These technological advancements have led to a low-cost structure that helps maximize returns generated by our drilling programs.
•Pursue strategic acquisitions with attractive upside potential. Ring has a history of acquiring leasehold positions that it believes to have additional resource potential that meet its targeted returns on invested capital and are comparable to its existing inventory of drilling locations. We pursue an acquisition strategy designed to increase reserves at attractive finding costs and complement our existing core properties. Management intends to continue to pursue strategic acquisitions and structure them financially, to improve balance sheet metrics and be accretive to income metrics. Our executive team, with its extensive experience in the Permian Basin, has many relationships with operators and service providers in the region. Ring believes that leveraging the relationships of its management and board of directors is a competitive advantage in identifying potential acquisition targets.
Oil, Natural Gas, and Natural Gas Liquids Revenues for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
For the Three Months Ended
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
Change
% Change
Net sales:
Oil
$
90,416,363
$
90,392,004
$
24,359
—
%
Natural gas
(3,859,603)
562,374
(4,421,977)
(786)
%
Natural gas liquids
2,687,623
2,727,420
(39,797)
(1)
%
Total sales
$
89,244,383
$
93,681,798
$
(4,437,415)
(5)
%
Net production:
Oil (Bbls)
1,214,788
1,106,531
108,257
10
%
Natural gas (Mcf)
1,705,027
1,567,104
137,923
9
%
Natural gas liquids (Bbls)
350,975
243,142
107,833
44
%
Total production (Boe)(1)
1,849,934
1,610,857
239,077
15
%
Average sales price:
Oil (per Bbl)
$
74.43
$
81.69
$
(7.26)
(9)
%
Natural gas (per Mcf)
(2.26)
0.36
(2.62)
(728)
%
Natural gas liquids (Bbl)
7.66
11.22
(3.56)
(32)
%
Total per Boe
$
48.24
$
58.16
$
(9.92)
(17)
%
(1) Boe is calculated using six Mcf of natural gas as the equivalent of one barrel of oil.
Oil sales. Oil sales increased approximately $0.02 million from $90.4 million to $90.4 million due to a increase in sales volume from 1,106,531 barrels of oil to 1,214,788 barrels of oil, partially offset by a decrease in the average realized price per barrel from $81.69 to $74.43. Of the increase in volume of 108,257 barrels of oil, 94,512 barrels were from wells acquired and new wells drilled in the acreage acquired in the Founders Acquisition (which closed in August of 2023), as well as drilling activity in other areas, offset by natural declines from our legacy assets. The decreased average realized price per barrel was primarily a result of weakermarket conditions.
Natural gas sales.Natural gas sales decreased approximately $4.4 million from $0.6 million to a negative $3.9 million. While our natural gas sales volume marginally increased from 1,567,104 Mcf to 1,705,027 Mcf, the average realized price per Mcf decreased from $0.36 to $(2.26). Of the increase in volume of 137,923 Mcf, an increase of 95,557 Mcf was from the Founders Acquisition and 42,366 Mcf was attributable to legacy assets. The price decrease was driven by a significant reduction in realized revenue pricing due to low demand as a result of current pipeline capacity constraints. The realized revenue pricing included the impact of gas plant processing fees that were netted from revenue. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, gross revenues were $(0.50) per Mcf and fees were $(1.76) per Mcf, compared to gross revenues of $2.16 per Mcf and fees of $(1.80) per Mcf for the three months ended September 30, 2023. This resulted in a net realized price of $(2.26) per Mcf for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $0.36 per Mcf for the three months ended September 30, 2023.
Natural gas liquids sales.NGL sales decreased approximately $0.04 million from $2.7 million to $2.7 million. NGL sales volumes for the three months ended September 30, 2024 were 350,975 barrels of NGLs compared to 243,142 barrels of NGLs for the comparable period in 2023. Of the increase in volume of 107,833 barrels, 28,066 barrels were attributable to wells acquired and new wells drilled in the acreage acquired in the Founders Acquisition, with the remaining 79,767 barrels attributable to our legacy assets due to increased NGL yields. The average realized price per barrel of NGLs was $7.66 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $11.22 for the three months ended September 30, 2023, due to weaker market conditions.
Oil, Natural Gas, and Natural Gas Liquids Revenues for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
Change
% Change
Net sales:
Oil
$
282,000,446
$
252,020,403
$
29,980,043
12
%
Natural gas
(7,650,645)
526,161
(8,176,806)
NM (2)
Natural gas liquids
8,537,067
8,566,719
(29,652)
0
%
Total sales
$
282,886,868
$
261,113,283
$
21,773,585
8
%
Net production:
Oil (Bbls)
3,673,356
3,325,323
348,033
10
%
Natural gas (Mcf)
4,739,881
4,726,056
13,825
—
%
Natural gas liquids (Bbls)
919,225
715,832
203,393
28
%
Total production (Boe)(1)
5,382,561
4,828,831
553,730
11
%
Average sales price:
Oil (per Bbl)
$
76.77
$
75.79
$
0.98
1
%
Natural gas (per Mcf)
(1.61)
0.11
(1.72)
NM (2)
Natural gas liquids (Bbl)
9.29
11.97
(2.68)
(22)
%
Total per Boe
$
52.56
$
54.07
$
(1.51)
(3)
%
(1) Boe is calculated using six Mcf of natural gas as the equivalent of one barrel of oil.
(2) Not meaningful.
Oil sales. Oil sales increased approximately $30.0 million from $252.0 million to $282.0 million due to an increase in sales volume from 3,325,323 barrels of oil to 3,673,356 barrels of oil, further supported by a increase in the average realized price per barrel from $75.79 to $76.77. Of the increase in volume of 348,033 barrels, 431,512 barrels were from wells acquired and new wells drilled in the acreage acquired in the Founders Acquisition, as well as drilling activity in other areas, offset by natural declines from our legacy assets and sale of non-core assets. The increased average realized price per barrel was primarily the result of stronger market conditions.
Natural gas sales.Natural gas sales decreased approximately $8.2 million from $0.5 million to a negative $7.7 million. While the natural gas sales volume increased from 4,726,056 Mcf to 4,739,881 Mcf, the average realized price per Mcf decreased from $0.11 to $(1.61). Of the increase in volume of 13,825 Mcf, 341,102 Mcf was from wells acquired and new wells drilled in the acreage acquired in the Founders Acquisition, and the offsetting decrease of (327,277) Mcf was attributable to natural declines in our legacy assets. The price decrease was driven by lower market conditions. The realized revenue pricing includes the impact of gas plant processing fees that were netted from revenue. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, gross revenues were $0.09 per Mcf and fees were $(1.70) per Mcf, compared to gross revenues of $1.73 per Mcf and fees of $(1.62) per Mcf for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. This resulted in a net realized price of $(1.61) for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $0.11 per Mcf for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Natural gas liquids sales.NGL sales slightly decreased by $0.03 million from $8.6 million to $8.5 million. NGL sales volumes for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 were 919,225 barrels of NGLs compared to 715,832 barrels of NGLs for the comparable period in 2023. Of the increase in volume of 203,393 barrels, 95,515 barrels were attributable to the wells acquired and new wells drilled in the acreage acquired in the Founders Acquisition, and 107,878 barrels were from our legacy assets. The average realized price per barrel of NGLs was $9.29 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $11.97 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, attributable to weaker market conditions.
Production Costs for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
For the Three Months Ended
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
Change
% Change
Lease operating expenses ("LOE")
$
20,315,282
$
18,015,348
$
2,299,934
13
%
Average LOE per Boe
$
10.98
$
11.18
$
(0.20)
(2)
%
Gathering, transportation and processing costs ("GTP")
$
102,420
$
(4,530)
$
106,950
NM (1)
Average GTP per Boe
$
0.06
$
0.00
$
0.06
100
%
Ad valorem taxes
$
2,164,562
$
1,779,163
$
385,399
22
%
Average Ad valorem taxes per Boe
$
1.17
$
1.10
$
0.07
6
%
Oil and natural gas production taxes
$
4,203,851
$
4,753,289
$
(549,438)
(12)
%
Average Production taxes per Boe
$
2.27
$
2.95
$
(0.68)
(23)
%
Production taxes as a percentage of total sales
4.71
%
5.07
%
(0.36)
%
(7)
%
(1) Not meaningful.
Lease operating expenses. Our total lease operating expenses (“LOE”) increased from $18.0 million to $20.3 million and decreased on a per Boe basis from $11.18 to $10.98. These per Boe amounts are calculated by dividing our total lease operating expenses by our total volume sold, in Boe. Total LOE increased primarily due to a 15% increase in production of 239,077 Boe as a result of the new wells acquired in the Founders Acquisition as well as new wells drilled and completed from our development program. Specific cost categories with significant increases included electricity and chemical.
Gathering, transportation and processing costs. Our total gathering, transportation and processing costs (“GTP”) increased from negative $4,530 to $102,420 and increased on a per Boe basis from $0.00 to $0.06. Beginning May 1, 2022, due to a natural gas processing entity taking control of transportation at the wellhead, GTP costs were re-classified as a reduction to oil and natural gas sales revenues. However, GTP costs increased on the period shown due to one remaining contract with a natural gas processing entity in place where point of control of gas dictates requiring the fees be recorded as an expense.
Ad valorem taxes. Our total ad valorem taxes increased from $1.8 million to $2.2 million and increased on a per Boe basis from $1.10 to $1.17. Of the $0.4 million increase in ad valorem taxes, $0.4 million was for Yoakum County properties, and $0.2 million for Ector County properties, offset by a reduction in $0.3 million related to Crane County tax estimates.
Oil and natural gas production taxes.Oil and natural gas production taxes as a percentage of oil and natural gas sales were 5.07% for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and decreased to 4.71% for the three months ended September 30, 2024. The change in average tax percentage is due to the divestiture of the New Mexico assets in the third quarter of 2023, which had higher tax rates on both oil and gas than the remaining Texas assets.
Production Costs for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
Change
% Change
Lease operating expenses ("LOE")
$
57,984,733
$
51,426,145
$
6,558,588
13
%
Average LOE per Boe
$
10.77
$
10.65
$
0.12
1
%
Gathering, transportation and processing costs ("GTP")
$
376,103
$
(6,985)
$
383,088
NM (1)
Average GTP per Boe
$
0.07
$
0.00
$
0.07
100
%
Ad valorem taxes
$
5,647,469
$
5,120,119
$
527,350
10
%
Average Ad valorem taxes per Boe
$
1.05
$
1.06
$
(0.01)
(1)
%
Oil and natural gas production taxes
$
12,259,418
$
13,173,568
$
(914,150)
(7)
%
Average Production taxes per Boe
$
2.28
$
2.73
$
(0.45)
(16)
%
Production taxes as a percentage of total sales
4.33
%
5.05
%
(0.72)
%
(14)
%
(1) Not meaningful.
Lease operating expenses. Our total LOE increased from $51.4 million to $58.0 million and LOE per Boe increased from $10.65 to $10.77. Total LOE increased primarily due to an 11% increase in production of 553,730 Boe as a result of the new wells acquired in the Founders Acquisition as well as new wells drilled and completed from our development program. Specific cost categories with significant increases included chemical, electricity, salaries, and other employee expenses.
Gathering, transportation and processing costs. Our total GTP increased from negative $6,985 to $376,103 and increased on a per Boe basis from $0.00 to $0.07. Beginning May 1, 2022, due to a natural gas processing entity taking control of transportation at the wellhead, GTP costs were re-classified as a reduction to oil and natural gas sales revenues. However, GTP costs increased on the period shown due to one remaining contract with a natural gas processing entity in place where point of control of gas dictates requiring the fees be recorded as an expense.
Ad valorem taxes. Our total ad valorem taxes increased from $5.1 million to $5.6 million and decreased on a per Boe basis from $1.06 to $1.05. Of the approximate $0.5 million increase in ad valorem taxes, $0.9 million was from the addition of Ector County properties acquired in the Founders Acquisition, offset by a net reduction in estimates for other jurisdictions of $0.4 million.
Oil and natural gas production taxes.Oil and natural gas production taxes as a percentage of oil and natural gas sales were 5.05% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and decreased to 4.33% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The overall average percentage of production taxes to oil and gas sales in 2024 is 4.7% which is in line with historical rates. However, in May 2024, an accrual of $(0.9) million was made for estimated severance tax refunds expected, which lowered the average for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
Other Costs and Operating Expenses for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
For the Three Months Ended
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
Change
% Change
Depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A):
Depletion
$
25,302,058
$
21,711,123
$
3,590,935
17
%
Depreciation
102,043
80,690
21,353
26
%
Amortization of financing lease assets
258,022
197,221
60,801
31
%
Total depreciation, depletion and amortization
$
25,662,123
$
21,989,034
$
3,673,089
17
%
Depletion per Boe
$
13.68
$
13.48
$
0.20
1
%
Depreciation, depletion and amortization per Boe
$
13.87
$
13.65
$
0.22
2
%
Asset retirement obligation ("ARO") accretion
$
354,195
$
354,175
$
20
0
%
Operating lease expense
$
175,091
$
138,220
$
36,871
27
%
General and administrative expense ("G&A"):
General and administrative expense (excluding Share-based compensation)
$
6,389,480
$
4,912,839
$
1,476,641
30
%
Share-based compensation
32,087
2,170,735
(2,138,648)
(99)
%
Total general and administrative expense
$
6,421,567
$
7,083,574
$
(662,007)
(9)
%
G&A per Boe
$
3.47
$
4.40
$
(0.93)
(21)
%
G&A excluding Share-based compensation, per Boe
$
3.45
$
3.05
$
0.40
13
%
Depreciation, depletion and amortization.Our depreciation, depletion and amortization increased from $22.0 million to $25.7 million due to a higher depletion rate as well as an increase of 239,077 in Boe produced. Additional trucks were leased for field operations, resulting in higher finance lease amortization costs. Our average depreciation, depletion and amortization per Boe increased from $13.65 per Boe to $13.87 per Boe, due to the higher percentage reduction in the Boe amortization base compared to the reduction in the total estimated costs of property.
Asset retirement obligation accretion. Our asset retirement obligation (“ARO”) accretion increased slightly from $354,175 to $354,195 due to additional ARO accretion associated with properties acquired in the Founders Acquisition as well as new drilled and completed wells, offset by wells plugged and abandoned and sold.
Operating lease expense. Our operating lease expense increased from $138,220 to $175,091 due to additional office space leased in The Woodlands office expansion beginning in October 2023.
General and administrative expense.General and administrative ("G&A") expense decreased from $7.1 million to $6.4 million. Of the $0.7 million cost decrease, there was adecrease of $2.1 million in share-based compensation costs, offset by $0.7 million of an increase in salaries and wages, $0.5 million in bonus compensation, $0.2 million in transaction costs, and $0.1 million in other professional fees.
Other Costs and Operating Expenses for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
Change
% Change
Depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A):
Depletion
$
73,056,856
$
63,203,473
$
9,853,383
16
%
Depreciation
306,752
277,420
29,332
11
%
Amortization of financing lease assets
790,386
572,744
217,642
38
%
Total depreciation, depletion and amortization
$
74,153,994
$
64,053,637
$
10,100,357
16
%
Depletion per Boe
$
13.57
$
13.09
$
0.48
4
%
Depreciation, depletion and amortization per Boe
$
13.78
$
13.26
$
0.52
4
%
Asset retirement obligation ("ARO") accretion
$
1,057,213
$
1,073,900
$
(16,687)
(2)
%
Operating lease expense
$
525,272
$
366,711
$
158,561
43
%
General and administrative expense ("G&A"):
General and administrative expense (excluding Share-based compensation)
$
17,770,626
$
14,649,213
$
3,121,413
21
%
Share-based compensation
3,833,697
6,374,743
(2,541,046)
(40)
%
Total general and administrative expense
$
21,604,323
$
21,023,956
$
580,367
3
%
G&A per Boe
$
4.01
$
4.35
$
(0.34)
(8)
%
G&A excluding Share-based compensation, per Boe
$
3.30
$
3.03
$
0.27
9
%
Depreciation, depletion and amortization.Our depreciation, depletion and amortization increased from $64.1 million to $74.2 million due to a higher depletion rate as well as an increase of 553,730 in Boe produced. Our average depreciation, depletion and amortization per Boe increased from $13.26 per Boe to $13.78 per Boe, due to the increase in the total estimated costs of property, as well as the reduction in the Boe amortization base.
Asset retirement obligation accretion. Our ARO accretion decreased from $1,073,900 to $1,057,213 primarily as a result of wells plugged and abandoned and sold, offset by the additional ARO accretion associated with the properties acquired in the Founders Acquisition.
Operating lease expense. Our operating lease expense increased from $366,711 to $525,272 due to the additional office space leased in The Woodlands office.
General and administrative expense.G&A expense increased from $21.0 million to $21.6 million, with the $0.6 million cost increase due to an increase of $1.6 million in salaries and wages, $0.6 million for an employee retention tax credit that was received in 2023, $0.4 million in bonus compensation, $0.3 million in other professional fees, and $0.3 million in legal fees. This was offset by a decrease of $2.5 million in share-based compensation costs and $0.3 million in lower transaction costs.
Other Income (Expense) for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
For the Three Months Ended
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
Change
% Change
Interest income
$
143,704
$
80,426
$
63,278
79
%
Interest expense:
Interest on revolving line of credit
$
9,209,180
$
9,711,871
$
(502,691)
(5)
%
Fees associated with revolving line of credit
266,291
239,218
27,073
11
%
Amortization of deferred financing costs
1,226,881
1,258,466
(31,585)
(3)
%
Interest on financing lease liabilities
27,224
23,416
3,808
16
%
Interest paid for notes payable
24,115
22,286
1,829
8
%
Deferred cash payment accretion
—
126,497
(126,497)
(100)
%
Other interest
552
—
552
100
%
Total interest expense
$
10,754,243
$
11,381,754
$
(627,511)
(6)
%
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts:
Realized gain (loss):
Crude oil
$
(3,109,660)
$
(5,825,427)
$
2,715,767
(47)
%
Natural gas
1,226,895
474,629
752,266
158
%
Total realized gain (loss)
$
(1,882,765)
$
(5,350,798)
$
3,468,033
(65)
%
Unrealized gain (loss):
Crude oil
$
27,238,245
$
(34,077,473)
$
61,315,718
(180)
%
Natural gas
(623,855)
205,516
(829,371)
(404)
%
Total unrealized gain (loss)
$
26,614,390
$
(33,871,957)
$
60,486,347
(179)
%
Total gain (loss) on derivative contracts:
$
24,731,625
$
(39,222,755)
$
63,954,380
(163)
%
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets
$
—
$
—
$
—
—
%
Other income
$
—
$
—
$
—
—
%
Interest income. During the three months ended September 30, 2024, interest income of $143,704 was earned from excess cash balances in bank sweep accounts. During the three months ended September 30, 2023, interest income of $78,679 was earned from depositing excess cash balances in bank sweep accounts and $1,747 was from interest on an escrow account.
Interest expense. Interest expense decreased from $11.4 million to $10.8 million primarily due to lower amounts outstanding on our Credit Facility, with a weighted average daily debt of approximately $406.5 million during the third quarter of 2024 compared to approximately $422.6 million during the third quarter of 2023. Offsetting this change was an increase in interest rates, with a weighted average annual interest rate of 9.3% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to 9.2% in the third quarter of 2023.
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts.We recorded a gain on derivative contracts of $24.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to a loss on derivative contracts of $39.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. For the derivative contract settlements, we recorded a realized loss of $1.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and a realized loss of $5.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The reduction of $3.5 million in the realized loss was a result of more favorable settlements of crude oil derivative contracts during the current year. For the marked-to-market contracts, we recorded an unrealized gain of $26.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and an unrealized loss of $33.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The change in position was primarily due to the changes in crude oil futures prices.
Other Income (Expense) for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
Change
% Change
Interest income
$
367,181
$
160,171
$
207,010
129
%
Interest expense:
Interest on revolving line of credit
$
28,497,006
$
27,478,591
$
1,018,415
4
%
Fees associated with revolving line of credit
751,216
717,468
33,748
5
%
Amortization of deferred financing costs
3,670,096
3,699,235
(29,139)
(1)
%
Interest on financing lease liabilities
89,963
73,115
16,848
23
%
Interest paid for notes payable
40,481
35,211
5,270
15
%
Deferred cash payment accretion
—
319,220
(319,220)
(100)
%
Other interest
150,552
—
150,552
100
%
Total interest expense
$
33,199,314
$
32,322,840
$
876,474
3
%
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts:
Realized gain (loss):
Crude oil
$
(9,921,757)
$
(7,323,030)
$
(2,598,727)
35
%
Natural gas
3,982,980
1,493,302
2,489,678
167
%
Total realized gain (loss)
$
(5,938,777)
$
(5,829,728)
$
(109,049)
2
%
Unrealized gain (loss):
Crude oil
$
12,552,517
$
(21,425,316)
$
33,977,833
(159)
%
Natural gas
(2,725,209)
771,854
(3,497,063)
(453)
%
Total unrealized gain (loss)
$
9,827,308
$
(20,653,462)
$
30,480,770
(148)
%
Total gain (loss) on derivative contracts:
$
3,888,531
$
(26,483,190)
$
30,371,721
(115)
%
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets
$
89,693
$
(132,109)
$
221,802
(168)
%
Other income
$
25,686
$
126,210
$
(100,524)
(80)
%
Interest income. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, interest income of $367,181 was earned from excess cash balances in bank sweep accounts. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, interest income of $129,382 was depositing excess cash balances in bank sweep accounts beginning May 2023, $29,042 was earned from the employee retention tax credit, and $1,747 was from interest on an escrow account.
Interest expense. Interest expense increased from $32.3 million to $33.2 million primarily due to the result of higher interest rates, with a weighted average annual interest rate of 9.3% during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 8.7% during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. This change was offset by lower amounts outstanding on our Credit Facility, with a weighted average daily debt of approximately $418.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to approximately $420.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts.We recorded a gain on derivative contracts of $3.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and a loss on derivative contracts of $26.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. For the derivative contract settlements, we recorded a realized loss of $5.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and a realized loss of $5.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase of $0.1 million in the realized loss was a result of slightly less favorable settlements of crude oil derivative contracts during the current year. For the marked-to-market contracts, we recorded an unrealized gain of $9.8 million for the nine months ended September 30,
2024 and an unrealized loss of $20.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. This change in unrealized derivatives primarily was due to the changes in crude oil futures prices on derivative contracts in the Company's portfolio.
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 the Company recognized a gain of $89,693 on disposal from selling multiple Company owned vehicles. Also, during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recognized a loss of $132,109 on disposal from selling multiple Company owned vehicles.
Other income. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded other income of $25,686 from an additional bank rebate related to the use of a vendor payment program. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded $126,210 of other income, primarily from the termination of the Woodlands office operating lease as of May 31, 2023.
Benefit from (Provision for) Income Taxes for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
For the Three Months Ended
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
Change
% Change
Benefit from (Provision for) Income Taxes:
Deferred federal income tax benefit (provision)
$
(9,637,849)
$
3,381,104
$
(13,018,953)
(385)
%
Current state income tax benefit (provision)
(74,899)
(165,780)
90,881
(55)
%
Deferred state income tax benefit (provision)
(375,206)
196,012
(571,218)
(291)
%
Benefit from (Provision for) Income Taxes
$
(10,087,954)
$
3,411,336
$
(13,499,290)
(396)
%
Benefit from (Provision for) income taxes.The benefit from (provision for) income taxes changed from a benefit of $3.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 to a provision of $10.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024. The benefit from (provision for) income taxes was calculated using the annual effective tax rate method based on our estimated earnings and estimated state and federal income taxes due for 2024, taking into account all applicable tax rates and laws.
Benefit from (Provision for) Income Taxes for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2023
Change
% Change
Benefit from (Provision for) Income Taxes:
Deferred federal income tax benefit (provision)
$
(17,617,436)
$
8,492,595
$
(26,110,031)
(307)
%
Current state income tax benefit (provision)
(329,917)
(264,261)
(65,656)
25
%
Deferred state income tax benefit (provision)
(689,972)
(490,646)
(199,326)
41
%
Benefit from (Provision for) Income Taxes
$
(18,637,325)
$
7,737,688
$
(26,375,013)
(341)
%
Benefit from (Provision for) income taxes.The benefit from (provision for) income taxes changed from a benefit of $7.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to a provision of $18.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The benefit from (provision for) income taxes was calculated using the annual effective tax rate method based on our estimated earnings and estimated state and federal income taxes due for 2024, taking into account all applicable tax rates and laws.
As of September 30, 2024, we had cash on hand of $0.0 million, compared to $0.3 million as of December 31, 2023. We strive to keep our cash balance as low as possible to minimize our outstanding debt and associated interest. At certain times we reflect a zero book balance while utilizing the float on outstanding checks. We had net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 of $147.1 million, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $142.4 million for the same period in 2023, which was primarily due to higher year to date revenues, which resulted in more cash received from purchasers. We had net cash used in investing activities of $113.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to net cash used in investing activities of $170.9 million for the same period in 2023, driven by the deferred cash payment made for the Stronghold Acquisition in the first quarter of 2023 as well as the payment for the Founders Acquisition in the third quarter of 2023, with no comparable payments made to date in 2024. Net cash used in financing activities was $34.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 during which time $33 million was the net paydown of principal on our Credit Facility.
We will continue to focus on maximizing cash flow in 2024 through a combination of cost monitoring and prudent capital allocation, which includes prioritizing our capital to projects we believe will provide high rates of return in the current commodity price environment. We will continue our pursuit of acquisitions and business combinations, seeking opportunities that we believe will provide high margin properties with attractive returns at current commodity prices.
During the remainder of 2024, we will remain focused on maximizing cash flow, reducing our debt level, and maximizing our liquidity.
Availability of Capital Resources under Credit Facility
As of September 30, 2024, $392 million was outstanding on our Credit Facility and we were in compliance with all of the covenants under the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility matures in August 2026. The borrowing base under our Credit Facility is $600 million. The borrowing base is redetermined semi-annually on each May and November. See "NOTE 8 — REVOLVING LINE OF CREDIT" in the Notes to the condensed financial statements for more information on our Credit Facility.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The following table reflects the contracts outstanding as of September 30, 2024 (quantities are in barrels (Bbl) for the oil derivative contracts and in million British thermal units (MMBtu) for the natural gas derivative contracts):
(1) The oil basis swap hedges are calculated as the fixed price (weighted average spread price above) less the difference between WTI Midland and WTI Cushing, in the issue of Argus Americas Crude.
Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value and included as either assets or liabilities in the accompanying Condensed Balance Sheets. Any gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value of outstanding derivative financial instruments and from the settlement of derivative financial instruments are recognized in earnings and included as a component of Other Income (Expense) in the accompanying Condensed Statements of Operations.
The use of derivative transactions involves the risk that the counterparties, which generally are financial institutions, will be unable to meet the financial terms of such transactions. At September 30, 2024, 100% of our derivative instruments are with lenders under our Credit Facility.
Effects of Inflation and Pricing
The oil and natural gas industry is cyclical and the demand for goods and services of oil field companies, suppliers and others associated with the industry puts significant pressure on the economic stability and pricing structure within the industry. Typically, as prices for oil and natural gas increase, so do associated costs. Material changes in prices impact our current revenue stream, estimates of future reserves, borrowing base calculations of bank loans and the value of properties in purchase and sale transactions. Material changes in prices can impact the value of oil and natural gas companies and their ability to raise capital, borrow money, and retain personnel. We anticipate business costs will vary in accordance with commodity prices for oil and natural gas, and the associated increase or decrease in demand for services related to production and exploration.
Off-Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements
As of September 30, 2024, we had no off-balance sheet financing arrangements.
Capital Resources for Future Acquisition and Development Opportunities
We continuously evaluate potential acquisitions and development opportunities. To the extent possible, we intend to acquire producing properties with lower-risk undeveloped drilling opportunities rather than properties with higher-risk exploratory opportunities. We do not intend to limit our evaluation to any one state, but we presently have no intention to acquire offshore properties or properties located outside of the United States.
The pursuit of and the acquisition of accretive oil and gas properties is highly competitive and may require substantially greater capital than we currently have available and obtaining additional capital may require that we obtain either short-
term or long-term debt or sell our equity or both. Further, it may be necessary for us to retain outside consultants and others in our endeavors to locate desirable oil and gas properties.
The process of acquiring one or more additional oil and gas properties would impact our financial position, reduce our cash position and likely increase our debt levels. The types of costs that we may incur include the costs to retain consultants and investment bankers specializing in the purchase of oil and gas properties, obtaining petroleum engineering reports relative to the oil and gas properties that we are investigating, legal fees associated with any such acquisitions including title reports, SEC reporting expenses, and negotiating definitive agreements. Additionally, accounting fees may be incurred relative to obtaining and evaluating historical and pro forma information regarding oil and gas properties. Even though we may incur these costs, there is no assurance that we will ultimately be able to consummate additional acquisitions of oil and gas producing properties.
Item 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Commodity Price Risk
Our major market risk exposure is in the pricing applicable to our oil and natural gas production. Market risk refers to the risk of loss from decreases in oil and natural gas prices. Realized pricing is primarily driven by the prevailing domestic price for crude oil and spot prices in the Permian Basin. Historically, prices received for oil and natural gas production have been volatile and unpredictable. We expect pricing volatility to continue.
The prices we receive depend on many factors outside of our control. A significant decrease in the prices of oil or natural gas would likely have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In order to reduce commodity price uncertainty and increase cash flow predictability relating to the marketing of our crude oil and natural gas, we enter into crude oil and natural gas price hedging arrangements with respect to a portion of our expected production.
Customer Credit Risk
Our principal exposure to credit risk is through receivables from the sale of our oil and natural gas production (approximately $32.5 million as of September 30, 2024). We are subject to credit risk due to the concentration of our oil and natural gas receivables with our most significant customers, or purchasers. We do not require our purchasers to post collateral, and the inability of our significant purchasers to meet their obligations to us or their insolvency or liquidation may adversely affect our financial results. Refer to the following table for detail on the top three purchasers of our oil, natural gas, and NGL revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. We believe that the loss of any of these purchasers would not materially impact our business because we could readily find other purchasers for our oil and natural gas.
For the Nine Months Ended
As of
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2024
Percentage of Oil, Natural Gas, and Natural Gas Liquids Revenues
Percentage of accounts receivables from the sale of our oil and natural gas production
Purchaser:
Phillips 66 Company ("Phillips")
61%
69%
Concord Energy LLC ("Concord")
14%
11%
LPC Crude III, LLC ("LPC Crude")
13%
13%
Interest Rate Risk
We are subject to market risk exposure related to changes in interest rates on our indebtedness under our Credit Facility, which bears variable interest based upon a prime rate and is therefore susceptible to interest rate fluctuations. Changes in interest rates affect the interest earned on the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and the interest rate paid on borrowings under the Credit Facility.
As of September 30, 2024, we had $392 million outstanding on our Credit Facility with a weighted average annual interest rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 of 9.3%. A 1% change in the interest rate on our Credit Facility would result in an estimated $3.9 million change in our annual interest expense. See "NOTE 8 — REVOLVING LINE OF CREDIT" in the Notes to the condensed financial statements for more information on the Company’s interest rates of our Credit Facility.
Currently, we do not use interest rate derivative instruments to manage exposure to interest rate changes.
Foreign sales accounted for none of the Company's sales; the Company accepts payment for its commodity sales only in U.S. dollars. Ring is therefore not exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk on these sales.
Please also see Item 1A “Risk Factors” for a discussion of other risks and uncertainties we face in our business.
Item 4: Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.
Our management, with the participation of Paul D. McKinney, our principal executive officer, and Travis T. Thomas, our principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and that management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.
Based on management’s evaluation, Messrs. McKinney and Thomas concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act (i) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
We will continue to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal controls over financial reporting on an ongoing basis and are committed to taking further action and implementing additional enhancements or improvements, as necessary and as funds allow.