Adjusted EBITDA Growth
Adjusted EBITDA increased 41% year over year to $8.0 million, driven by stronger realized natural gas pricing, realized gains on derivative contracts, and lower lease operating expenses, despite only a 2% increase in revenue.
Profitability Turnaround
Net income was $1.1 million ($0.03 per diluted share) versus a net loss of $1.8 million ($0.06 per share) in the prior-year quarter, reflecting improved margins and cash flow generation.
Production Growth and Portfolio Diversification
Total production rose approximately 6% year over year, aided by mineral and royalty contributions (SCOOPSTACK). Management highlighted a balanced mix of oil and natural gas assets and increased exposure to gas as contributors to resilient performance.
Lower LOE and Unit Cost Improvements
Lease operating expenses declined to $11.5 million, or $16.96 per BOE, versus $20.05 per BOE in the prior-year quarter (≈15% reduction per BOE), aided by mineral/royalty mix and cessation of CO2 purchases at Delhi, plus other cost-control initiatives.
Minerals & Royalty Platform Momentum
SCOOPSTACK minerals activity ramped: three wells turned to sales during the quarter and 16 additional wells in progress. Management anticipates meaningful contributions from newly acquired Haynesville-Bossier minerals (closed late Dec/Jan) with most related cash outlays shifting into fiscal Q3.
Capital Allocation, Liquidity and Shareholder Returns
Total liquidity (cash plus available borrowing capacity) increased to ~$13.5 million from $11.9 million last quarter (~+13%). Cash on hand was $3.8 million and borrowings were $54.5 million. The company paid $4.2 million in dividends during the quarter and the Board declared a $0.12 per share quarterly dividend. Management reiterated a $4–6 million fiscal year CapEx range and a disciplined hedging program to limit downside risk.
Operational Efficiency Gains
Field-level improvements included Chabro pump conversions (ESP to rod pumps) that improved lifting efficiency and stabilized production (~5% above initial expectations) and TexMex optimization/workovers that added incremental production (~14 workovers netting ~80 BOPD) and are expected to reduce per-BOE costs over time.