Matador Resources Company (NYSE: MTDR) (“Matador” or the “Company”) today reported financial and operating results for the third quarter of 2022. A short slide presentation summarizing the highlights of Matador’s third quarter 2022 earnings release is also included on the Company’s website at www.matadorresources.com on the Events and Presentations page under the Investor Relations tab.

Management Summary Comments

Joseph Wm. Foran, Matador’s Founder, Chairman and CEO, commented, “On both our website and the webcast planned for tomorrow’s earnings conference call is a set of six slides identified as ‘Chairman’s Remarks’ (Slides A through F) to add color and detail to my remarks. We invite you to review these slides in conjunction with my comments below, which are intended to provide context for the third quarter 2022 results compared to Matador’s stated goals for the year.

Third Quarter 2022 Results Above Expectations

“The third quarter of 2022 was another outstanding quarter for Matador highlighted by production and operating results above our expectations (see Slide A). We are on path to achieve our primary aims for the year to increase shareholder value by the following efforts:

• Growing the fixed dividend and returns to shareholders;
• Reducing debt; and
• Increasing production, reserves and midstream assets.

“Notably, Matador’s growing midstream business, including our 51%-owned joint venture San Mateo Midstream and our new acquisition Pronto Midstream, which is now fully integrated, has delivered strong results in the third quarter highlighted by all-time quarterly highs for third-party midstream revenues and water handling volumes (see Slide B). The team’s strong execution continues to help us deliver wells both on time and on budget across approximately 450 miles of pipeline in our midstream business.

Debt Reduced, Credit Ratings Upgraded and Quarterly Dividend Doubled

“In the last two years, Matador has reduced its outstanding debt by $775 million or over half of our then total revolving debt and bond debt outstanding of $1.525 billion. Now, Matador’s reserves-based revolving credit facility has been completely repaid, and Matador has repurchased $300 million of its outstanding bond debt in a series of open market transactions, reducing its outstanding bond debt from $1.05 billion at December 31, 2021 to $750 million at October 25, 2022 (see Slide C). Matador is a stronger company than it was two years ago. Matador’s leverage ratio has declined from 2.9x at year-end 2020 to 0.2x at the end of the third quarter of 2022, marking Matador’s lowest leverage ratio in over ten years as a public company. Matador expects to continue using a portion of its free cash flow to continue opportunistically reducing its bond debt. At September 30, 2022, Matador has over $400 million of cash in the bank and has available the optionality to pursue a number of opportunities and strategic options going forward.

“In September and October, we were also pleased to announce that all three of Matador’s credit rating agencies—Moody’s, S&P and Fitch—upgraded Matador’s corporate credit rating (see Slide D). Matador has now transitioned from being a ‘single B’ company to a ‘double B’ company across the board. These upgrades reflect our commitment to repaying debt, improving capital efficiency, adding to our production profile and increasing Matador’s cash returns to our shareholders. The rating agencies specifically noted the increasing strength of our balance sheet and our strong operational execution in their decisions to upgrade Matador’s credit rating.

“As a result of our confidence in Matador’s growing operational and financial strength and our execution this year, we were very pleased to announce at our Annual Meeting of Shareholders in June the doubling of our fixed cash dividend from $0.20 per share to $0.40 per share on an annualized basis. This higher dividend was first paid in September. Shareholders of record as of November 10, 2022 can expect our next quarterly cash dividend set again at $0.10 per share, or $0.40 per share on an annualized basis, to be paid on December 1, 2022.

Stronger than Expected Production Results in Third Quarter 2022

“During the third quarter of 2022, Matador achieved better than expected average oil and natural gas equivalent production of over 105,000 barrels of oil and natural gas equivalent (“BOE”) per day (see Slide E), which was 4% better than our expectations of approximately 101,000 BOE per day. In addition, Matador’s production has increased by nearly 50% from 73,000 BOE per day in the third quarter of 2020 to over 105,000 BOE per day in the third quarter of 2022.

Seventh Drilling Rig Added in Third Quarter 2022

“During the third quarter of 2022, Matador added a seventh drilling rig, which allowed us to drill the Jim Pat SWD well before the injection permit authorizing the disposal of produced water into this well expired. As a result, Matador was able to boost San Mateo’s salt water disposal capacity and accelerate the timing of the next phase of drilling on its Rodney Robinson leasehold in the western portion of the Antelope Ridge asset area. The next eight high volume Rodney Robinson wells are expected to be turned to sales late in the first quarter or early in the second quarter of 2023. We continue to be very pleased with the well performance and strong economic results across multiple completion intervals throughout the Rodney Robinson leasehold. The arrival of the state-of-the-art seventh rig provides us with additional operational flexibility on drilling deeper wells and longer laterals.

“Matador is pleased with the early performance of the seventh rig, which has enhanced technical specifications highly sought after by the industry. This rig’s increased set-back capabilities, for example, allow for an approximate 10% increase in drill-pipe to be racked in the derrick, while other unique features allow faster walk times on multi-well pads. As Matador continues its push for longer lateral lengths and multi-well pads across its Delaware Basin assets, these advantages should continue to help to minimize drilling days and further improve operational and capital efficiency.

Looking Ahead and Increasing Full Year 2022 Guidance

“Due to the better-than-expected well performance across our Delaware Basin asset areas in the third quarter of 2022, we are increasing the midpoints of our 2022 total oil and natural gas production guidance from 21.7 million barrels to 21.85 million barrels for oil and from 95.5 billion cubic feet to 97.0 billion cubic feet for natural gas (see Slide F).

“The midpoint of our 2022 capital expenditures guidance for drilling, completing and equipping wells remains unchanged at $800 million. Operating efficiencies, which include faster drill times and use of existing facilities, continue to improve and help to mitigate service cost inflationary pressures realized in 2022. Sustainable efficiencies such as improved completion procedures, simultaneous and remote fracturing operations and 100% implementation of dual-fuel fracturing fleets constitute primary drivers against cost inflation by reducing days spent on wells and eliminating the need for certain materials such as diesel fuel.”

Third Quarter 2022 Financial and Operational Highlights

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities and Adjusted Free Cash Flow

• Third quarter 2022 net cash provided by operating activities was $557.0 million (GAAP basis), leading to third quarter 2022 adjusted free cash flow (a non-GAAP financial measure) of $269.1 million.

Net Income, Earnings Per Share and Adjusted EBITDA

• Third quarter 2022 net income (GAAP basis) was $337.6 million, or $2.82 per diluted common share, a 19% sequential decrease from net income of $415.7 million in the second quarter of 2022, but a 66% year-over-year increase from net income of $203.6 million in the third quarter of 2021. The sequential decrease in net income was primarily attributable to the sequential decline in commodity prices in the third quarter of 2022. Matador’s realized oil price was $94.36 per barrel in the third quarter of 2022, a 15% sequential decrease as compared to $111.06 per barrel realized in the second quarter of 2022.
• Third quarter 2022 adjusted net income (a non-GAAP financial measure) was $321.7 million, or adjusted earnings of $2.68 per diluted common share, a 23% sequential decrease from adjusted net income of $415.6 million in the second quarter of 2022, but a 116% year-over-year increase from adjusted net income of $148.6 million in the third quarter of 2021.
• Third quarter 2022 adjusted earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depletion, depreciation and amortization and certain other items (“Adjusted EBITDA,” a non-GAAP financial measure) were $539.7 million, a 19% sequential decrease from $663.8 million in the second quarter of 2022, but an 84% year-over-year increase from $293.8 million in the third quarter of 2021.

Oil, Natural Gas and Total Production Above Expectations

• As summarized in the table below, Matador’s third quarter 2022 average daily oil, natural gas and total production were all above the Company’s expectations. The primary driver behind this outperformance was better-than-expected production from the 15 most recent Stateline and nine most recent Rodney Robinson wells turned to sales this year and increased working interests from several trades completed earlier than anticipated during the third quarter. In addition, several anticipated incremental shut-ins in the Stateline asset area due to offset operator completions were deferred from the third quarter to the fourth quarter of 2022.

Capital Expenditures Below Expectations

• Drilling and completion costs for the 20 gross (18.5 net) operated horizontal wells turned to sales in the third quarter of 2022 averaged $948 per completed lateral foot. Drilling and completion costs year to date averaged $820 per completed lateral foot. Matador continues to expect service cost inflation to continue into the fourth quarter of 2022 but still expects drilling and completion costs to average $890 per completed lateral foot for full-year 2022.

Note: All references to Matador’s net income, adjusted net income, Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted free cash flow reported throughout this earnings release are those values attributable to Matador Resources Company shareholders after giving effect to any net income, adjusted net income, Adjusted EBITDA or adjusted free cash flow, respectively, attributable to third-party non-controlling interests, including in San Mateo Midstream, LLC (“San Mateo”). Matador owns 51% of San Mateo. References to Pronto Midstream refer to Pronto Midstream, LLC, which was acquired by a subsidiary of Matador on June 30, 2022. For a definition of adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per diluted common share, Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted free cash flow and reconciliations of such non-GAAP financial metrics to their comparable GAAP metrics, please see “Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.

Sequential and year-over-year quarterly comparisons of selected financial and operating items are shown in the following table:

Full-Year 2022 Guidance Update

As shown in the table below, effective October 25, 2022, Matador raised the midpoint of its full year 2022 guidance estimates for oil, natural gas and total oil equivalent production, which were originally provided on February 22, 2022 and affirmed or updated on July 26, 2022. In addition, Matador affirmed its estimates for D/C/E and midstream capital expenditures.

Matador now expects to turn to sales 81 gross (64.3 net) operated horizontal wells during 2022, an increase of one gross (0.6 net) wells from the Company’s prior expectations, primarily as a result of completion schedule changes and additional working interests from anticipated acreage trades.

Fourth Quarter 2022 Completions and Production Cadence Update

Fourth Quarter 2022 Estimated Wells Turned to Sales

At October 25, 2022, Matador expects to turn to sales 24 gross (15.2 net) operated horizontal wells in the Delaware Basin during the fourth quarter of 2022, consisting of 12 gross (8.7 net) wells in the Ranger asset area, six gross (3.8 net) wells in the Rustler Breaks asset area, four gross (1.7 net) wells in the Antelope Ridge asset area and two gross (1.0 net) wells in the Arrowhead asset area. The Company expects the average completed lateral length of these wells to be approximately 9,500 feet.

Fourth Quarter 2022 Estimated Oil, Natural Gas and Total Oil Equivalent Production

The table below provides Matador’s estimates, as of October 25, 2022, for the anticipated average daily total oil equivalent, oil and natural gas production for the fourth quarter of 2022.

As noted in the table above, Matador expects its average daily total oil and natural gas equivalent production to increase 1% sequentially from 105,214 BOE per day in the third quarter of 2022 to approximately 106,500 BOE per day in the fourth quarter of 2022. As noted above, Matador expects to turn to sales one additional gross well in its Ranger asset area in 2022, as compared to its previous expectations. Because this additional well was added to the Company’s drill schedule as part of a larger batch, the initial production from several other wells in this batch is expected to be later in the fourth quarter, as compared to Matador’s previous expectations. In addition, several anticipated incremental shut-ins in the Stateline asset area due to offset operator completions were deferred from the third quarter to the fourth quarter of 2022.

Third Quarter Horizontal Wells Completed and Turned to Sales

Note: WC = Wolfcamp; BS = Bone Spring; HSVL = Haynesville. For example, 2-2BS indicates two Second Bone Spring completions and 2-WC A indicates two Wolfcamp A completions.

Realized Commodity Prices

Oil Prices

For the fourth quarter of 2022, Matador’s weighted average oil price differential relative to the WTI benchmark price, inclusive of the monthly roll and transportation costs, is anticipated to be in the range of +$0.50 to +$1.50 per barrel, which is lower than the differential of +$2.93 per barrel of oil realized in the third quarter of 2022. This compression of the oil price differential in the fourth quarter is primarily attributable to a reduction in the contribution of the monthly roll in the fourth quarter, as compared to the third quarter.

At October 25, 2022, Matador had approximately 2.7 million barrels of oil hedged for the fourth quarter of 2022 using costless collars with a weighted average floor price of approximately $65 per barrel and a weighted average ceiling price of approximately $110 per barrel. Please see Slide 18 in the accompanying slide presentation for a more complete summary of Matador’s current oil derivative positions.

Natural Gas Prices

For the fourth quarter of 2022, Matador’s weighted average natural gas price differential relative to the Henry Hub average daily benchmark price is anticipated to be in the range of ($0.50) to +$0.50 per thousand cubic feet, which is lower than the differential of +$1.27 per thousand cubic feet of natural gas realized in the third quarter of 2022. NGL prices declined in the third quarter and are not expected to be as strong in the fourth quarter of 2022, as compared to the third quarter. In addition, the Waha natural gas basis differential began to widen in the third quarter of 2022, and the Company expects it to remain wider in the fourth quarter, as compared to the third quarter. Matador is a two-stream reporter, and the revenues associated with its NGL production are included in the weighted average realized natural gas price. NGL prices do not contribute to or affect Matador’s realized gain or loss on natural gas derivatives.

At October 25, 2022, Matador had approximately 13.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas hedged for the fourth quarter of 2022 using costless collars with a weighted average floor price of approximately $3.68 per MMBtu and a weighted average ceiling price of approximately $7.61 per MMBtu and 2.4 billion cubic feet of natural gas hedged for the first quarter of 2023 using costless collars with a weighted average floor price of approximately $6.00 per MMBtu and a weighted average ceiling price of approximately $14.00 per MMBtu. Please see Slide 18 in the accompanying slide presentation for a more complete summary of Matador’s current natural gas derivative positions.

Operating Expenses

On a unit of production basis:

• Production taxes, transportation and processing expenses decreased 10% sequentially from $8.50 per BOE in the second quarter of 2022 to $7.64 per BOE in the third quarter of 2022. This decrease was primarily attributable to decreased production taxes associated with lower oil and natural gas revenues of $751.4 million reported by Matador in the third quarter. The sequential decrease in oil and natural gas revenues was primarily attributable to the sequential decrease in realized commodity prices, as noted above.
• Lease operating expenses increased 11% sequentially from $3.95 per BOE in the second quarter of 2022 to $4.38 per BOE in the third quarter of 2022. The increase is primarily attributable to the increased number of wells being both operated by Matador and by other operators (where Matador owns a working interest) and to operating cost inflation between the two periods.
• General and administrative expenses increased 18% sequentially from $2.42 per BOE in the second quarter of 2022 to $2.85 per BOE in the third quarter of 2022. This increase is primarily due to the sequential decrease in production as well as the employee stock awards that are based on the value of Matador’s stock but that are settled in cash. General and administrative expenses in the third quarter reflect an increase in stock-based compensation expense associated with these cash-settled stock awards, the values of which are remeasured at each reporting period. These cash-settled stock award amounts increased due to the fact that Matador’s share price increased 5% from $46.59 at June 30, 2022 to $48.92 at September 30, 2022. Matador’s share price as of October 24, 2022 was $66.71.

Midstream Highlights and Update

Operating Highlights and Financial Results

Operating Highlights

San Mateo’s operations in the third quarter of 2022 were highlighted by better-than-expected operating and financial results. These strong results reflect not only better-than-expected volumes delivered by Matador during the third quarter of 2022, but also increased and stronger-than-expected volumes delivered by other San Mateo customers as a result of several new business opportunities recently awarded to San Mateo.

Operationally, water handling volumes achieved in the third quarter of 2022 were all-time highs for San Mateo and are shown in the table below, along with other San Mateo throughput volumes, as compared to the second quarter of 2022 and the third quarter of 2021. The volumes in the table do not include the full quantity of volumes that would have otherwise been delivered by certain San Mateo customers subject to minimum volume commitments (although partial deliveries were made in each period), but for which San Mateo recognized revenues during each period.

Financial Results

During the third quarter of 2022, San Mateo achieved strong financial results as described below.

• Net income (GAAP basis) of $33.6 million, a 20% sequential decrease from $41.8 million in the second quarter of 2022, but a 14% year-over-year increase from $29.5 million in the third quarter of 2021.

• Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP financial measure) of $47.6 million, a 10% sequential decrease from $52.9 million in the second quarter of 2022, but a 17% year-over-year increase from $40.8 million in the third quarter of 2021.

• Net cash provided by San Mateo operating activities (GAAP basis) of $38.3 million, leading to San Mateo adjusted free cash flow (a non-GAAP financial measure) of $16.4 million.

Primarily as a result of San Mateo and Pronto Midstream activity, Matador achieved third-party midstream services revenues of $24.7 million, an all-time quarterly high and a 13% sequential increase from $21.9 million in the second quarter of 2022, and a 21% year-over-year increase from $20.5 million in the third quarter of 2021.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures for Pronto Midstream and Matador’s portion of San Mateo’s capital expenditures were $14.7 million in the third quarter of 2022, 39% below the Company’s estimate of $24 million for the quarter mostly due to the timing of projects underway during the quarter with most of these costs currently expected to be incurred in the fourth quarter of 2022. During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company expects to incur midstream capital expenditures of approximately $22 million associated with Pronto Midstream expansion and with San Mateo’s new midstream business opportunities and with new San Mateo infrastructure to handle anticipated increased volumes from Matador and other customers.

Conference Call Information

The Company will host a live conference call on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time to review its third quarter 2022 operational and financial results. To access the live conference call by phone, you can use the following link https://register.vevent.com/register/BIfe50f2205466458585c54e9b056b55c3 and you will be provided with dial in details. To avoid delays, it is recommended that participants dial into the conference call 15 minutes ahead of the scheduled start time.

The live conference call will also be available through the Company’s website at www.matadorresources.com on the Events and Presentations page under the Investor Relations tab. The replay for the event will be available on the Company’s website at www.matadorresources.com on the Events and Presentations page under the Investor Relations tab for one year.

About Matador Resources Company

Matador is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development, production and acquisition of oil and natural gas resources in the United States, with an emphasis on oil and natural gas shale and other unconventional plays. Its current operations are focused primarily on the oil and liquids-rich portion of the Wolfcamp and Bone Spring plays in the Delaware Basin in Southeast New Mexico and West Texas. Matador also operates in the Eagle Ford shale play in South Texas and the Haynesville shale and Cotton Valley plays in Northwest Louisiana. Additionally, Matador conducts midstream operations in support of its exploration, development and production operations and provides natural gas processing, oil transportation services, natural gas, oil and produced water gathering services and produced water disposal services to third parties.

For more information, visit Matador Resources Company at www.matadorresources.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “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. “Forward-looking statements” are statements related to future, not past, events. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and include any statement that does not directly relate to a current or historical fact. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “could,” “believe,” “would,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “should,” “continue,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “project,” “hypothetical,” “forecasted” and similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about guidance, projected or forecasted financial and operating results, future liquidity, the payment of dividends, results in certain basins, objectives, project timing, expectations and intentions, regulatory and governmental actions and other statements that are not historical facts. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements, and such forward-looking statements may not prove to be accurate. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the following risks related to financial and operational performance: general economic conditions; the Company’s ability to execute its business plan, including whether its drilling program is successful; changes in oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids prices and the demand for oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids; its ability to replace reserves and efficiently develop current reserves; the operating results of the Company’s midstream’s oil, natural gas and water gathering and transportation systems, pipelines and facilities, the acquiring of third-party business and the drilling of any additional salt water disposal wells; costs of operations; delays and other difficulties related to producing oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids; delays and other difficulties related to regulatory and governmental approvals and restrictions; impact on the Company’s operations due to seismic events; availability of sufficient capital to execute its business plan, available borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facilities and otherwise; its ability to make acquisitions on economically acceptable terms; its ability to integrate acquisitions; the operating results of and the availability of any potential distributions from our joint ventures; weather and environmental conditions; the impact of the worldwide spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, or variants thereof, on oil and natural gas demand, oil and natural gas prices and its business; and the other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. For further discussions of risks and uncertainties, you should refer to Matador’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the “Risk Factors” section of Matador’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Matador undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release, except as required by law, including the securities laws of the United States and the rules and regulations of the SEC. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA

This press release includes the non-GAAP financial measure of Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure that is used by management and external users of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies. “GAAP” means Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America. The Company believes Adjusted EBITDA helps it evaluate its operating performance and compare its results of operations from period to period without regard to its financing methods or capital structure. The Company defines, on a consolidated basis and for San Mateo, Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depletion, depreciation and amortization, accretion of asset retirement obligations, property impairments, unrealized derivative gains and losses, certain other non-cash items and non-cash stock-based compensation expense and net gain or loss on asset sales and impairment. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of net income or net cash provided by operating activities as determined by GAAP. All references to Matador’s Adjusted EBITDA are those values attributable to Matador Resources Company shareholders after giving effect to Adjusted EBITDA attributable to third-party non-controlling interests, including in San Mateo.

Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income or net cash provided by operating activities as determined in accordance with GAAP or as an indicator of the Company’s operating performance or liquidity. Certain items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are significant components of understanding and assessing a company’s financial performance, such as a company’s cost of capital and tax structure. Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of another company because all companies may not calculate Adjusted EBITDA in the same manner. The following table presents the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the GAAP financial measures of net income and net cash provided by operating activities, respectively, that are of a historical nature. Where references are pro forma, forward-looking, preliminary or prospective in nature, and not based on historical fact, the table does not provide a reconciliation. The Company could not provide such reconciliation without undue hardship because such Adjusted EBITDA numbers are estimations, approximations and/or ranges. In addition, it would be difficult for the Company to present a detailed reconciliation on account of many unknown variables for the reconciling items, including future income taxes, full-cost ceiling impairments, unrealized gains or losses on derivatives and gains or losses on asset sales and impairment. For the same reasons, the Company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information, which could be material to future results.