Antero Resources Announces Fourth Quarter 2023 Results, Year End Reserves and 2024 Guidance

DENVER, Feb. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Antero Resources Corporation (NYSE: AR) (“Antero Resources,” “Antero,” or the “Company”) today announced its fourth quarter 2023 financial and operating results, year end 2023 estimated proved reserves and 2024 guidance. The relevant consolidated financial statements are included in Antero Resources’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. 

Fourth Quarter 2023 Highlights:

Net production averaged 3.4 Bcfe/d, an increase of 6% from the year ago period
Realized a pre-hedge natural gas equivalent price of $3.52 per Mcfe, a $0.64 per Mcfe premium to NYMEX pricing
Net income was $95 million, Adjusted Net Income was $71 million (Non-GAAP)
Adjusted EBITDAX was $322 million (Non-GAAP); net cash provided by operating activities was $312 million
Free Cash Flow was $90 million (Non-GAAP), before Changes in Working Capital
Lateral lengths drilled averaged a quarterly Company record of more than 17,000 feet per well

Full Year 2023 Highlights:

Net Production averaged 3.4 Bcfe/d, an increase of 6% from the prior year

Liquids production averaged 193 MBbl/d, an increase of 14% from the prior year
Natural gas production averaged 2.2 Bcf/d, up 2% from the prior year

Completion stages per day averaged 11 stages per day, a 39% increase from the prior year
Estimated proved reserves increased to 18.1 Tcfe at year end 2023 and proved developed reserves were 13.8 Tcfe (76% proved developed), a 2% increase from the prior year
Estimated future development cost for 4.3 Tcfe of proved undeveloped reserves is $0.42 per Mcfe

2024 Guidance Highlights:

Net production is expected to average 3.3 to 3.4 Bcfe/d, including 192 to 204 MBbl/d of liquids

Natural gas production is expected to decline 3% from the prior year
Liquids production is expected to increase 2% from the prior year

Drilling and Completion capital budget is $650 to $700 million, a decrease of 26% from 2023
Land capital budget is $75 to $100 million, a decrease of 41% from 2023
Currently operating two drilling rigs and one completion crew 

Released one drilling rig in December 2023
Released one completion crew in February 2024

Completed lateral lengths are expected to average 15,500 feet, or 2,000 feet longer than in 2023

Paul Rady, Chairman, CEO and President of Antero Resources commented, “2023 was highlighted by significant capital efficiency improvements throughout the year. Our drilling and completions teams maintained a remarkable pace, setting numerous Company records in 2023. This impressive performance led to faster cycle times across our development program and allowed us to release one drilling rig at the end of 2023 and release one completion crew earlier this month. In addition, as we enter year four of targeted maintenance capital, our corporate decline rate is substantially lower. A reduced decline rate and faster cycle times directly leads to a significant reduction in our maintenance capital in 2024.”

Mr. Rady continued, “2024 is expected to be a transformational year for our sector as we enter the second wave of LNG export facility buildouts. By the end of 2025, total exports, including LNG and Mexico pipeline flows, are expected to increase by nearly 8 Bcf/d, far outpacing supply growth during that time. Antero is uniquely positioned to benefit from this demand surge through our extensive firm transportation portfolio, which delivers 100% of our natural gas out of basin, including 75% that is delivered to the LNG Fairway. With more than 20 years of premium core locations remaining, we are ready, willing and able to supply this substantial natural gas demand growth.”

Michael Kennedy, CFO of Antero Resources said, “Due to our capital efficiency gains and a lower base decline rate, our total maintenance capital budget is down nearly 30% in 2024 compared to the prior year. Our significant leverage to NGL prices, which today are up over 15%, or $5 per barrel from the fourth quarter of 2023, also boosts our 2024 outlook. This reduced maintenance capital combined with sharply higher NGL prices is expected to generate Free Cash Flow in 2024 despite today’s challenging natural gas strip.”

For a discussion of the non-GAAP financial measures including Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EBITDAX, Free Cash Flow and Net Debt please see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

2024 Guidance

Antero’s 2024 drilling and completion capital budget is $650 to $700 million. Net production is expected to average between 3.3 and 3.4 Bcfe/d during 2024. Efficiency gains, a lower base decline rate and an average lateral length increase of 2,000 feet per well allows for a maintenance capital program with 26% lower capital than the prior year.

Land capital guidance is $75 million to $100 million, down 41% from the prior year. Antero continues to focus on its organic leasing program that extends the Company’s premium drilling locations in the Marcellus liquids-rich fairway. Within the 2024 land budget, approximately $50 million is required for maintenance capital purposes, with the remaining capital targeted for incremental drilling locations and for mineral acquisitions to increase its net revenue interest in future drilling locations. The Company believes this organic leasing program is the most cost efficient approach to lengthening its core inventory position.

The following is a summary of Antero Resources’ 2024 capital budget.  

Capital Budget ($ in Millions)

Low

High

Drilling & Completion

$650

$700

Land

$75

$100

    Total E&P Capital

$725

$800

 

# of Wells

Net

 Wells

Average Lateral
Length (Feet)

Drilled Wells

40 to 45

14,700

Completed Wells

45 to 50

15,500

Note: Number of drilled gross wells total 50 to 55 and completed gross wells total 55 to 60.

The following is a summary of Antero Resources’ 2024 production, pricing and cash expense guidance: 

Production Guidance 

Low

High

Net Daily Natural Gas Equivalent Production (Bcfe/d)

3.3

3.4

   Net Daily Natural Gas Production (Bcf/d)

2.16

2.17

   Total Net Daily Liquids Production (MBbl/d): 

192

204

      Net Daily C3+ NGL Production (MBbl/d) 

112

117

      Net Daily Ethane Production (MBbl/d)

70

75

      Net Daily Oil Production (MBbl/d)

10

12

Realized Pricing Guidance (Before Hedges) 

Low

High

Natural Gas Realized Price Premium vs. NYMEX Henry Hub ($/Mcf)

$0.00

$0.10

C3+ NGL Realized Price Differential vs. Mont Belvieu ($/Bbl)

($1.00)

$1.00

Ethane Realized Price Differential vs. Mont Belvieu ($/Bbl)

($1.00)

$1.00

Oil Realized Price Differential vs. WTI Oil ($/Bbl)

($10.00)

($14.00)

Cash Expense Guidance 

Low

High

Cash Production Expense ($/Mcfe)(1)

$2.45

$2.55

Marketing Expense, Net of Marketing Revenue ($/Mcfe)

$0.04

$0.06

G&A Expense ($/Mcfe)(2)

$0.12

$0.14

(1)

Includes lease operating expenses and gathering, compression, processing and transportation expenses (“GP&T”) and production and ad valorem taxes.

(2)

Excludes equity-based compensation.

Free Cash Flow

During the fourth quarter of 2023, Free Cash Flow before Changes in Working Capital was $90 million.

Three Months Ended

December 31,

2022

2023

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

475,285

312,175

Less: Net cash used in investing activities

(225,249)

(226,630)

Less: Proceeds from sale of assets, net

(1,600)

Less: Distributions to non-controlling interests in Martica

(60,022)

(24,578)

Free Cash Flow

$

188,414

60,967

Changes in Working Capital (1)

83,156

29,203

Free Cash Flow before Changes in Working Capital

$

271,570

90,170

(1)

Working capital adjustments for the three months ended December 31, 2022 include $97.6 million in net decreases in current assets and liabilities and $14.4 million in increases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities for additions to property and equipment. Working capital adjustments for the three months ended December 31, 2023 include $9.3 million in net increases in current assets and liabilities and $38.5 million in decreases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities for additions to property and equipment. See the cash flow statement in this release for details.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Net daily natural gas equivalent production in the fourth quarter averaged 3.4 Bcfe/d, including 190 MBbl/d of liquids.

Antero’s average realized natural gas price before hedging was $2.72 per Mcf, a $0.16 per Mcf discount to the average first-of-month (“FOM”) NYMEX Henry Hub price. The wider discount to NYMEX was due to higher volumes being sold into the Columbia Gas Appalachia Hub as a result of pipeline maintenance on the Tennessee 500 Leg Pipeline. During the quarter, Antero sold approximately 15% of its volume into the Columbia Gas Appalachia Hub, 5% above levels prior to this pipeline maintenance.

The following table details average net production and average realized prices for the three months ended December 31, 2023: 

Three Months Ended December 31, 2023

Natural

Natural
Gas

Oil

C3+ NGLs

Ethane

Gas
Equivalent

(MMcf/d)

(Bbl/d)

(Bbl/d)

(Bbl/d)

(MMcfe/d)

Average Net Production

2,280

12,543

118,674

58,761

3,420

Three Months Ended December 31, 2023

Natural

Natural
Gas

Oil

(C3+ NGLs

Ethane

Gas
Equivalent

Average Realized Prices

($/Mcf)

($/Bbl)

($/Bbl)

($/Bbl)

($/Mcfe)

Average realized prices before settled derivatives

$

2.72

64.77

37.72

9.13

3.52

NYMEX average price (1)

$

2.88

78.32

2.88

Premium / (Discount) to NYMEX

$

(0.16)

(13.55)

0.64

Settled commodity derivatives (2)

$

(0.04)

(0.19)

(0.04)

(0.03)

Average realized prices after settled derivatives

$

2.68

64.58

37.68

9.13

3.49

Premium / (Discount) to NYMEX

$

(0.20)

(13.74)

0.61

(1)

The average index prices for natural gas and oil represent the New York Mercantile Exchange average first-of-month price and the Energy Information Administration (EIA) calendar month average West Texas Intermediate future price, respectively.

(2)

These commodity derivative instruments include contracts attributable to Martica Holdings LLC (“Martica”), Antero’s consolidated variable interest entity. All gains or losses from Martica’s derivative instruments are fully attributable to the noncontrolling interests in Martica, which includes portions of the natural gas and all oil and C3+ NGL derivative instruments during the three months ended December 31, 2023.

Antero’s average realized C3+ NGL price was $37.72 per barrel. Antero shipped 35% of its total C3+ NGL net production on Mariner East 2 (“ME2”) for export and realized a $0.08 per gallon premium to Mont Belvieu pricing on these volumes at Marcus Hook, PA. Antero sold the remaining 65% of C3+ NGL net production at a $0.01 per gallon discount to Mont Belvieu pricing at Hopedale, OH. The resulting blended price on 119 MBbl/d of net C3+ NGL production was a $0.02 per gallon premium to Mont Belvieu pricing. 

Three Months Ended December 31, 2023

Pricing Point

Net C3+ NGL

Production
(Bbl/d)

% by
Destination

Premium

(Discount)

To Mont Belvieu
($/Gal)

Propane / Butane on ME2 – Exported

Marcus Hook, PA

41,382

35 %

$0.08

Remaining C3+ NGL Volume – Sold Domestically

Hopedale, OH

77,292

65 %

($0.01)

Total C3+ NGLs / Blended Premium  

118,674

100 %

$0.02

All-in cash expense, which includes lease operating, gathering, compression, processing and transportation, production and ad valorem taxes was $2.32 per Mcfe in the fourth quarter, a 6% decrease compared to $2.47 per Mcfe average during the fourth quarter of 2022. The decrease was due to lower production tax and transportation expense due to lower fuel costs as a result of lower commodity prices. Net marketing expense was $0.05 per Mcfe in the fourth quarter, a decrease from $0.12 per Mcfe during the fourth quarter of 2022. The decrease in net marketing expense was due to an increase in production and a decrease in firm transportation commitments compared to the year ago period.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Operating Results

Antero placed 14 Marcellus wells and 7 Utica wells to sales during the fourth quarter with an average lateral length of 15,500 feet.

Marcellus highlights include: 

Marcellus wells placed to sales during the fourth quarter that have been on line for at least 60 days had an average lateral length of 16,000 feet. The average 60-day rate per well was 28 MMcfe/d with approximately 1,580 Bbl/d of liquids per well assuming 25% ethane recovery.
The remaining wells were completed in late December and had an average lateral length of approximately 17,500 feet.

Utica highlights include: 

The Utica wells placed to sales during the fourth quarter that have been on line for at least 60 days had an average lateral length of 14,600 feet. The average 60-day rate per well was 25 MMcfe/d with approximately 1,340 Bbl/d of liquids per well assuming no ethane recovery.
Set two Company single day records averaging 15 completion stages in a day at two separate pads during the quarter

Fourth Quarter 2023 Capital Investment

Antero’s drilling and completion capital expenditures for the three months ended December 31, 2023, were $164 million.

In addition to capital invested in drilling and completion activities, the Company invested $14 million in land during the fourth quarter. During the quarter, Antero added approximately 5,000 net acres, representing 19 incremental drilling locations. In 2023, Antero added approximately 31,000 net acres representing 111 incremental drilling locations at an average cost of under $1 million per location.

Year End Proved Reserves

At December 31, 2023, Antero’s estimated proved reserves were 18.1 Tcfe, an increase of 2% from the prior year. Estimated proved reserves were comprised of 59% natural gas, 40% NGLs and 1% oil. 

Estimated proved developed reserves were 13.8 Tcfe, a 3% increase over the prior year. The percentage of estimated proved reserves classified as proved developed increased to 76% at year end 2023. At year end 2023, Antero’s five year development plan included 248 PUD locations.  Antero’s proved undeveloped locations have an average estimated BTU of 1269, with an average lateral length just under 14,000 feet.

Antero’s 4.3 Tcfe of estimated proved undeveloped reserves will require an estimated $1.84 billion of future development capital over the next five years, resulting in an estimated average future development cost for proved undeveloped reserves of $0.42 per Mcfe.

The following table presents a summary of changes in estimated proved reserves (in Tcfe).

Proved reserves, December 31, 2022 (1)

17.8

Extensions, discoveries and other additions

0.4

Revisions of previous estimates

0.8

Revisions to five-year development plan

0.4

Price revisions

(0.1)

Production

(1.2)

Proved reserves, December 31, 2023 (1)

18.1

(1)

Proved reserves are reported consolidated with Martica Holdings, LLC. Martica Holdings, LLC had 92 Bcfe and 75 Bcfe of proved reserves as of December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively. 

Commodity Derivative Positions

Antero did not enter into any new natural gas, NGL or oil hedges during the fourth quarter of 2023.

Please see Antero’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, for more information on all commodity derivative positions.  For detail on current commodity positions, please see the Hedge Profile presentations at www.anteroresources.com.

Conference Call

A conference call is scheduled on Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 9:00 am MT to discuss the financial and operational results. A brief Q&A session for security analysts will immediately follow the discussion of the results. To participate in the call, dial in at 877-407-9079 (U.S.), or 201-493-6746 (International) and reference “Antero Resources.” A telephone replay of the call will be available until Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 9:00 am MT at 877-660-6853 (U.S.) or 201-612-7415 (International) using the conference ID: 13743571. To access the live webcast and view the related earnings conference call presentation, visit Antero’s website at www.anteroresources.com. The webcast will be archived for replay until Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 9:00 am MT.

Presentation

An updated presentation will be posted to the Company’s website before the conference call. The presentation can be found at www.anteroresources.com on the homepage. Information on the Company’s website does not constitute a portion of, and is not incorporated by reference into this press release.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted Net Income

Adjusted Net Income as set forth in this release represents net income, adjusted for certain items. Antero believes that Adjusted Net Income is useful to investors in evaluating operational trends of the Company and its performance relative to other oil and gas producing companies. Adjusted Net Income is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income as an indicator of financial performance. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to Adjusted Net Income is net income. The following table reconciles net income to Adjusted Net Income (in thousands):

Three Months Ended December 31,

2022

2023

Net income and comprehensive income attributable to Antero Resources Corporation

$

730,296

94,764

Net income and comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

63,832

21,169

Unrealized commodity derivative gains

(618,134)

(37,272)

Amortization of deferred revenue, VPP

(9,478)

(7,700)

Gain on sale of assets

(1,600)

Impairment of property and equipment

69,982

6,556

Equity-based compensation

12,221

14,531

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

652

Loss on convertible note inducement

288

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate

(17,464)

(23,966)

Contract termination and loss contingency

5,000

4,956

Tax effect of reconciling items (1)

120,101

9,271

355,408

82,597

Martica adjustments (2)

(27,063)

(11,473)

Adjusted Net Income

$

328,345

71,124

Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

316,356

311,956

(1)

Deferred taxes were approximately 21% and 22% for 2022 and 2023, respectively.

(2)

Adjustments reflect noncontrolling interest in Martica not otherwise adjusted in amounts above.

Net Debt

Net Debt is calculated as total long-term debt less cash and cash equivalents. Management uses Net Debt to evaluate the Company’s financial position, including its ability to service its debt obligations.

The following table reconciles consolidated total long-term debt to Net Debt as used in this release (in thousands):

December 31,

2022

2023

Credit Facility

$

34,800

417,200

8.375% senior notes due 2026

96,870

96,870

7.625% senior notes due 2029

407,115

407,115

5.375% senior notes due 2030

600,000

600,000

4.250% convertible senior notes due 2026

56,932

26,386

Unamortized debt issuance costs

(12,241)

(9,975)

Total long-term debt

$

1,183,476

1,537,596

Less: Cash and cash equivalents

Net Debt

$

1,183,476

1,537,596

Free Cash Flow

Free Cash Flow is a measure of financial performance not calculated under GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for cash flow from operating, investing, or financing activities, as an indicator of cash flow or as a measure of liquidity. The Company defines Free Cash Flow as net cash provided by operating activities, less net cash used in investing activities, which includes drilling and completion capital and leasehold capital, plus payments for early contract termination or derivative monetization, less proceeds from asset sales or derivative monetization and less distributions to non-controlling interests in Martica.

The Company has not provided projected net cash provided by operating activities or a reconciliation of Free Cash Flow to projected net cash provided by operating activities, the most comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Company is unable to project net cash provided by operating activities for any future period because this metric includes the impact of changes in operating assets and liabilities related to the timing of cash receipts and disbursements that may not relate to the period in which the operating activities occurred. The Company is unable to project these timing differences with any reasonable degree of accuracy without unreasonable efforts.

Free Cash Flow is a useful indicator of the Company’s ability to internally fund its activities, service or incur additional debt and estimate our ability to return capital to shareholders. There are significant limitations to using Free Cash Flow as a measure of performance, including the inability to analyze the effect of certain recurring and non-recurring items that materially affect the Company’s net income, the lack of comparability of results of operations of different companies and the different methods of calculating Free Cash Flow reported by different companies. Free Cash Flow does not represent funds available for discretionary use because those funds may be required for debt service, land acquisitions and lease renewals, other capital expenditures, working capital, income taxes, exploration expenses, and other commitments and obligations.

Adjusted EBITDAX

Adjusted EBITDAX is a non-GAAP financial measure that we define as net income (loss), adjusted for certain items detailed below. 

Adjusted EBITDAX as used and defined by us, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies and is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDAX should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income or loss, net income or loss, cash flows provided by operating, investing, and financing activities, or other income or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDAX provides no information regarding our capital structure, borrowings, interest costs, capital expenditures, working capital movement, or tax position. Adjusted EBITDAX does not represent funds available for discretionary use because those funds may be required for debt service, capital expenditures, working capital, income taxes, exploration expenses, and other commitments and obligations. However, our management team believes Adjusted EBITDAX is useful to an investor in evaluating our financial performance because this measure:

is widely used by investors in the oil and natural gas industry to measure operating performance without regard to items excluded from the calculation of such term, which may vary substantially from company to company depending upon accounting methods and the book value of assets, capital structure and the method by which assets were acquired, among other factors;
helps investors to more meaningfully evaluate and compare the results of our operations from period to period by removing the effect of our capital and legal structure from our operating structure;
is used by our management team for various purposes, including as a measure of our operating performance, in presentations to our Board of Directors, and as a basis for strategic planning and forecasting: and
is used by our Board of Directors as a performance measure in determining executive compensation.

There are significant limitations to using Adjusted EBITDAX as a measure of performance, including the inability to analyze the effects of certain recurring and non-recurring items that materially affect our net income or loss, the lack of comparability of results of operations of different companies, and the different methods of calculating Adjusted EBITDAX reported by different companies.

The GAAP measures most directly comparable to Adjusted EBITDAX are net income (loss) and net cash provided by operating activities.  The following table represents a reconciliation of Antero’s net income (loss), including noncontrolling interest, to Adjusted EBITDAX and a reconciliation of Antero’s Adjusted EBITDAX to net cash provided by operating activities per our consolidated statements of cash flows, in each case, for the three months and years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023. Adjusted EBITDAX also excludes the noncontrolling interests in Martica, and these adjustments are disclosed in the table below as Martica related adjustments.

Three Months Ended

Year Ended

 December 31,

 December 31,

2022

2023

2022

2023

Reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDAX:

Net income and comprehensive income attributable to Antero Resources Corporation

$

730,296

94,764

1,898,771

242,919

Net income and comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

63,832

21,169

127,201

98,925

Unrealized commodity derivative gains

(618,134)

(37,272)

(295,229)

(394,046)

Payments for derivative monetizations

202,339

Amortization of deferred revenue, VPP

(9,478)

(7,700)

(37,603)

(30,552)

(Gain) loss on sale of assets

(1,600)

471

(447)

Interest expense, net

25,120

32,608

125,372

117,870

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

652

46,027

Loss on convertible note inducements

288

169

374

Income tax expense

140,390

29,981

448,692

75,994

Depletion, depreciation, amortization and accretion

169,959

174,992

685,227

693,210

Impairment of property and equipment

69,982

6,556

149,731

51,302

Exploration expense

628

603

3,651

2,691

Equity-based compensation expense

12,221

14,531

35,443

59,519

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate

(17,464)

(23,966)

(72,327)

(82,952)

Dividends from unconsolidated affiliate

31,284

31,284

125,138

125,138

Contract termination, loss contingency, transaction expense and other

5,031

4,981

25,288

55,491

602,719

342,819

3,266,022

1,217,775

Martica related adjustments (1)

(38,012)

(20,373)

(163,081)

(97,257)

Adjusted EBITDAX

$

564,707

322,446

3,102,941

1,120,518

Reconciliation of our Adjusted EBITDAX to net cash provided by operating activities:

Adjusted EBITDAX

$

564,707

322,446

3,102,941

1,120,518

Martica related adjustments (1)

38,012

20,373

163,081

97,257

Interest expense, net

(25,120)

(32,608)

(125,372)

(117,870)

Amortization of debt issuance costs, debt discount and other

878

(337)

4,336

2,264

Exploration expense

(628)

(603)

(3,651)

(2,691)

Changes in current assets and liabilities

(97,558)

9,259

(62,808)

143,278

Contract termination, loss contingency, transaction expense and other

(5,031)

(4,782)

(25,288)

(43,391)

Payments for derivative monetizations

(202,339)

Other items

25

(1,573)

(1,897)

(2,305)

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

475,285

312,175

3,051,342

994,721

(1)

Adjustments reflect noncontrolling interests in Martica not otherwise adjusted in amounts above. 

Drilling and Completion Capital Expenditures

For a reconciliation between cash paid for drilling and completion capital expenditures and drilling and completion accrued capital expenditures during the period, please see the capital expenditures section below (in thousands):

Three Months Ended December 31,

2022

2023

Drilling and completion costs (cash basis)

$

191,556

204,494

Change in accrued capital costs

11,058

(40,265)

Adjusted drilling and completion costs (accrual basis)

$

202,614

164,229

Notwithstanding their use for comparative purposes, the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies.

Antero Resources is an independent natural gas and natural gas liquids company engaged in the acquisition, development and production of unconventional properties located in the Appalachian Basin in West Virginia and Ohio. In conjunction with its affiliate, Antero Midstream (NYSE: AM), Antero is one of the most integrated natural gas producers in the U.S.  The Company’s website is located at www.anteroresources.com.

This  release includes “forward-looking statements.” Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are not under Antero Resources’ control. All statements, except for statements of historical fact, made in this release regarding activities, events or developments Antero Resources expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, such as those regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management,  return of capital, expected results, future commodity prices, future production targets, realizing potential future fee rebates or reductions, including those related to certain levels of production, future earnings, leverage targets and debt repayment, future capital spending plans, improved and/or increasing capital efficiency, estimated realized natural gas, NGL and oil prices, impacts of geopolitical and world health events, expected drilling and development plans, projected well costs and cost savings initiatives, future financial position, the participation level of our drilling partner and the financial and production results to be achieved as a result of that drilling partnership, the other key assumptions underlying our projections, and future marketing opportunities, are 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 forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. Although Antero Resources believes that the plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there is no assurance that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. Therefore, actual outcomes and results could materially differ from what is expressed, implied or forecast in such statements. Except as required by law, Antero Resources expressly disclaims any obligation to and does not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Antero Resources cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties, incident to the exploration for and development, production, gathering and sale of natural gas, NGLs and oil, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Antero Resources’ control. These risks include, but are not limited to, commodity price volatility, inflation, supply chain or other disruption, lack of availability and cost of drilling, completion and production equipment and services and cost of drilling, completion and production equipment and services, environmental risks, drilling and completion and other operating risks, marketing and transportation risks, regulatory changes or changes in law, the uncertainty inherent in estimating natural gas, NGLs and oil reserves and in projecting future rates of production, cash flows and access to capital, the timing of development expenditures, conflicts of interest among our stockholders, impacts of geopolitical and world health events, cybersecurity risks, our ability to achieve our greenhouse gas reduction targets and the costs associated therewith, the state of markets for, and availability of, verified quality carbon offsets and the other risks described under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Antero Resources’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

ANTERO RESOURCES CORPORATION

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

December 31,

2022

2023

Assets

Current assets:

Accounts receivable

$

35,488

42,619

Accrued revenue

707,685

400,805

Derivative instruments

1,900

5,175

Prepaid expenses

10,580

12,901

Other current assets

31,872

14,192

Total current assets

787,525

475,692

Property and equipment:

Oil and gas properties, at cost (successful efforts method):

Unproved properties

997,715

974,642

Proved properties

13,234,777

13,908,804

Gathering systems and facilities

5,802

5,802

Other property and equipment

83,909

98,668

14,322,203

14,987,916

Less accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization

(4,683,399)

(5,063,274)

Property and equipment, net

9,638,804

9,924,642

Operating leases right-of-use assets

3,444,331

2,965,880

Derivative instruments

9,844

5,570

Investment in unconsolidated affiliate

220,429

222,255

Other assets

17,106

25,375

Total assets

$

14,118,039

13,619,414

Liabilities and Equity

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

77,543

38,993

Accounts payable, related parties

80,708

86,284

Accrued liabilities

461,788

381,340

Revenue distributions payable

468,210

361,782

Derivative instruments

97,765

15,236

Short-term lease liabilities

556,636

540,060

Deferred revenue, VPP

30,552

27,101

Other current liabilities

1,707

1,295

Total current liabilities

1,774,909

1,452,091

Long-term liabilities:

Long-term debt

1,183,476

1,537,596

Deferred income tax liability, net

759,861

834,268

Derivative instruments

345,280

32,764

Long-term lease liabilities

2,889,854

2,428,450

Deferred revenue, VPP

87,813

60,712

Other liabilities

59,692

59,431

Total liabilities

7,100,885

6,405,312

Commitments and contingencies

Equity:

Stockholders’ equity:

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized – 50,000 shares; none issued

Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized – 1,000,000 shares; 297,393 shares issued and 297,359 shares
outstanding as of December 31, 2022, and 303,544 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023

2,974

3,035

Additional paid-in capital

5,838,848

5,846,541

Retained earnings

913,896

1,131,828

Treasury stock, at cost; 34 shares and zero shares as of December 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively

(1,160)

Total stockholders’ equity

6,754,558

6,981,404

Noncontrolling interests

262,596

232,698

Total equity

7,017,154

7,214,102

Total liabilities and equity

$

14,118,039

13,619,414

ANTERO RESOURCES CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

December 31,

Year Ended

December 31,

2022

2023

2022

2023

Revenue and other:

Natural gas sales

$

1,229,594

570,690

5,520,419

2,192,349

Natural gas liquids sales

515,148

461,212

2,498,657

1,836,950

Oil sales

56,169

74,744

275,673

247,146

Commodity derivative fair value gains (losses)

191,729

28,400

(1,615,836)

166,324

Marketing

81,585

50,732

416,758

206,122

Amortization of deferred revenue, VPP

9,478

7,700

37,603

30,552

Other revenue and income

1,584

665

5,162

2,529

Total revenue

2,085,287

1,194,143

7,138,436

4,681,972

Operating expenses:

Lease operating

29,109

26,888

99,595

118,441

Gathering, compression, processing and transportation

642,502

661,325

2,605,380

2,642,358

Production and ad valorem taxes

59,758

41,163

287,406

158,855

Marketing

115,733

67,887

531,304

284,965

Exploration and mine expenses

2,142

603

7,409

2,700

General and administrative (including equity-based compensation expense)

49,876

54,929

172,909

224,516

Depletion, depreciation and amortization

169,210

174,719

680,600

689,966

Impairment of property and equipment

69,982

6,556

149,731

51,302

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

749

273

4,627

3,244

Contract termination and loss contingency

5,000

4,956

25,099

52,606

Gain (loss) on sale of assets

(1,600)

471

(447)

Other operating expense

336

Total operating expenses

1,142,461

1,039,299

4,564,531

4,228,842

Operating income

942,826

154,844

2,573,905

453,130

Other income (expense):

Interest expense, net

(25,120)

(32,608)

(125,372)

(117,870)

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate

17,464

23,966

72,327

82,952

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

(652)

(46,027)

Loss on convertible note inducements

(288)

(169)

(374)

Total other expense

(8,308)

(8,930)

(99,241)

(35,292)

Income before income taxes

934,518

145,914

2,474,664

417,838

Income tax expense

(140,390)

(29,981)

(448,692)

(75,994)

Net income and comprehensive income including noncontrolling interests

794,128

115,933

2,025,972

341,844

Less: net income and comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

63,832

21,169

127,201

98,925

Net income and comprehensive income attributable to Antero Resources Corporation

$

730,296

94,764

1,898,771

242,919

Net income per common share—basic

$

2.44

0.31

6.18

0.81

Net income per common share—diluted

$

2.31

0.30

5.78

0.78

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

Basic

299,035

301,825

307,202

299,793

Diluted

316,356

311,956

329,223

311,597

ANTERO RESOURCES CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

Year Ended December 31,

2021

2022

2023

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:

Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interests

$

(154,109)

2,025,972

341,844

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depletion, depreciation, amortization and accretion

745,829

685,227

693,210

Impairments

90,523

149,731

51,302

Commodity derivative fair value losses (gains)

1,936,509

1,615,836

(166,324)

Losses on settled commodity derivatives

(1,183,400)

(1,911,065)

(25,383)

Payments for derivative monetizations

(4,569)

(202,339)

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

(74,293)

447,845

74,407

Equity-based compensation expense

20,437

35,443

59,519

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate

(77,085)

(72,327)

(82,952)

Dividends of earnings from unconsolidated affiliate

136,609

125,138

125,138

Amortization of deferred revenue

(45,236)

(37,603)

(30,552)

Amortization of debt issuance costs, debt discount and other

12,492

4,336

2,264

Settlement of asset retirement obligations

(1,050)

(718)

Contract termination and loss contingency

12,100

Loss (gain) on sale of assets

(2,232)

471

(447)

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

93,191

46,027

Loss on convertible note inducements and equitizations

50,777

169

374

Changes in current assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

(55,567)

43,510

7,550

Accrued revenue

(166,128)

(116,243)

306,880

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

316

(27,530)

14,890

Accounts payable including related parties

(1,184)

32,374

(16,837)

Accrued liabilities

77,584

(5,620)

(62,419)

Revenue distributions payable

246,757

23,337

(106,429)

Other current liabilities

12,895

(12,636)

(357)

Net cash provided by operating activities

1,660,116

3,051,342

994,721

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:

Additions to unproved properties

(79,138)

(149,009)

(151,135)

Drilling and completion costs

(601,175)

(780,649)

(964,346)

Additions to other property and equipment

(35,623)

(14,313)

(16,382)

Proceeds from asset sales

3,192

2,747

447

Change in other assets

2,632

(2,388)

(9,351)

Change in other liabilities

(672)

Net cash used in investing activities

(710,784)

(943,612)

(1,140,767)

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:

Repurchases of common stock

(873,744)

(75,355)

Issuance of senior notes

1,800,000

Repayment of senior notes

(1,554,657)

(1,027,559)

Borrowings on Credit Facility

5,006,000

6,308,900

4,501,400

Repayments on Credit Facility

(6,023,000)

(6,274,100)

(4,119,000)

Payment of debt issuance costs

(31,474)

(814)

(605)

Sale of noncontrolling interest

51,000

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

(97,424)

(173,537)

(128,823)

Employee tax withholding for settlement of equity compensation awards

(13,270)

(66,132)

(30,367)

Convertible note inducements and equitizations

(85,648)

(169)

(374)

Other

(859)

(575)

(830)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

(949,332)

(2,107,730)

146,046

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

Cash paid during the period for interest

$

141,930

155,006

113,910

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities for additions to property and equipment

$

37,049

38,035

(60,762)

The following table sets forth selected financial data for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2023:

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Amount of

December 31,

Increase

Percent

2022

2023

(Decrease)

Change

Production data (1) (2):

Natural gas (Bcf)

196

210

14

7

%

C2 Ethane (MBbl)

5,778

5,406

(372)

(6)

%

C3+ NGLs (MBbl)

10,170

10,918

748

7

%

Oil (MBbl)

790

1,154

364

46

%

Combined (Bcfe)

297

315

18

6

%

Daily combined production (MMcfe/d)

3,224

3,420

196

6

%

Average prices before effects of derivative settlements (3):

Natural gas (per Mcf)

$

6.27

2.72

(3.55)

(57)

%

C2 Ethane (per Bbl) (4)

$

18.96

9.13

(9.83)

(52)

%

C3+ NGLs (per Bbl)

$

39.88

37.72

(2.16)

(5)

%

Oil (per Bbl)

$

71.08

64.77

(6.31)

(9)

%

Weighted Average Combined (per Mcfe)

$

6.07

3.52

(2.55)

(42)

%

Average realized prices after effects of derivative settlements (3):

Natural gas (per Mcf)

$

4.11

2.68

(1.43)

(35)

%

C2 Ethane (per Bbl) (4)

$

18.96

9.13

(9.83)

(52)

%

C3+ NGLs (per Bbl)

$

39.68

37.68

(2.00)

(5)

%

Oil (per Bbl)

$

70.60

64.58

(6.02)

(9)

%

Weighted Average Combined (per Mcfe)

$

4.63

3.49

(1.14)

(25)

%

Average costs (per Mcfe):

Lease operating

$

0.10

0.09

(0.01)

(10)

%

Gathering and compression

$

0.77

0.69

(0.08)

(10)

%

Processing

$

0.74

0.79

0.05

7

%

Transportation

$

0.66

0.62

(0.04)

(6)

%

Production and ad valorem taxes

$

0.20

0.13

(0.07)

(35)

%

Marketing expense, net

$

0.12

0.05

(0.07)

(58)

%

General and administrative (excluding equity-based compensation)

$

0.13

0.13

%

Depletion, depreciation, amortization and accretion

$

0.57

0.56

(0.01)

(2)

%

(1)

Production volumes exclude volumes related to VPP transaction.

(2)

Oil and NGLs production was converted at 6 Mcf per Bbl to calculate total Bcfe production and per Mcfe amounts.  This ratio is an estimate of the equivalent energy content of the products and may not reflect their relative economic value.

(3)

Average sales prices shown in the table reflect both the before and after effects of the Company’s settled commodity derivatives.  The calculation of such after effects includes gains on settlements of commodity derivatives, which do not qualify for hedge accounting because the Company does not designate or document them as hedges for accounting purposes.  Oil and NGLs production was converted at 6 Mcf per Bbl to calculate total Bcfe production and per Mcfe amounts. This ratio is an estimate of the equivalent energy content of the products and does not necessarily reflect their relative economic value.

(4)

The average realized price for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2023 includes $10 million and $2 million, respectively, of proceeds related to a take-or-pay contract.  Excluding the effect of these proceeds, the average realized price for ethane before the effects of derivatives for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2023 would have been $17.22 per Bbl and $8.78 per Bbl, respectively.

SOURCE Antero Resources Corporation

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