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Chord Energy Corp.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 3 raised, 1 lowered, 14 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Oil volumes above guidance top end: Oil volumes were 165.5 MBopd, above the top end of guidance. Natural gas and NGL volumes were also above the top end. Total volumes were 290.8 MBoepd. Source
  • Four-mile wells turned in line: Chord turned in line 24 additional 4-mile wells across five pads in 3Q26. Total 4-mile wells turned in line reached 47, and 70% of lateral footage was drilled as 4-mile wells. Source
  • Third-party marketing agreements signed: Chord executed numerous third-party marketing agreements year to date for crude oil, natural gas and water across its Williston Basin acreage, expected to save $35MM to $55MM annualized. Source
  • Run-rate savings target raised: Expected annual run-rate savings are now $225MM, driven by base production optimization and further marketing improvements. Source
  • Non-operated Marcellus sale announced: Non-operated Marcellus assets were announced for $550.0MM total gross consideration, including a $55.0MM deposit received in 3Q26. Closing is expected in 4Q26. Source
  • Share repurchases in 3Q26: Chord repurchased 1,510,156 shares for $205.0MM at a weighted average of $135.74 in 3Q26. Shares outstanding were 53.7MM at September 30, 2026. Source

“Third quarter volumes were above the top-end of guidance and Chord raised FY26 oil volume guidance for the second time this year.”

Michael Lou, Chord Energy’s President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Oil volumes SourceFY26162.5 MBopd midpointRaised from 161.0 MBopd midpoint
Oil volumes Source4Q26161.0 MBopd midpoint (range 159.5 - 162.5)New
NGL volumes SourceFY2652.5 - 53.0 MBblpd
NGL volumes Source4Q2653.0 - 55.0 MBblpdNew
Natural gas volumes SourceFY26398.0 - 400.0 MMcfpd
Natural gas volumes Source4Q26351.0 - 359.0 MMcfpdNew
Total volumes SourceFY26280.9 - 282.7 MBoepd
Total volumes Source4Q26271.0 - 277.3 MBoepdNew
CapEx SourceFY26$1.46B midpoint (range $1,435 - $1,485MM)Raised from $1.4B midpoint
CapEx Source4Q26$330MM midpoint (range $305 - $355MM)New
Midstream CapEx SourceFY26$50MMRaised from $30MM (February guidance)
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFY26approximately $3.4B
Derivatives price assumption Source4Q26$90/Bbl WTI and $3.00/MMBtu Henry Hub
Oil premium/(discount) to WTI Source4Q26$0.50 - $1.50 per BblNew
NGL realization (% of WTI) SourceFY2613% - 15%
NGL realization (% of WTI) Source4Q2615% - 25%New
Natural gas realization (% of Henry Hub) SourceFY2641% - 43%
Natural gas realization (% of Henry Hub) Source4Q2630% - 40%New
LOE SourceFY26$10.31 - $10.55 per Boe
LOE Source4Q26$10.50 - $11.50 per BoeNew
Cash GPT SourceFY26$2.70 - $2.80 per BoeLowered
Cash GPT Source4Q26$2.40 - $2.80 per BoeNew
Cash G&A SourceFY26$99 - $103MM
Cash G&A Source4Q26$25 - $29MMNew
Production taxes (% of oil, NGL and gas sales) SourceFY268.1% - 8.2%
Production taxes (% of oil, NGL and gas sales) Source4Q268.0% - 8.4%New
Cash interest SourceFY26$103 - $105MM
Cash interest Source4Q26$25 - $27MMNew
Cash tax (% of Adjusted EBITDA) SourceFY265% - 6%Kept
Cash tax (% of Adjusted EBITDA) Source4Q265% - 11%New
Operated TILs and working interest SourceFY26149 - 155 gross operated wells; ~75% average working interest

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: FY26 oil volume midpoint raised to 162.5 MBopd from 161.0 MBopd. Source
  • Guidance raised: FY26 CapEx midpoint raised to $1.46B from $1.4B. Source
  • Guidance raised: FY26 midstream CapEx raised to $50MM from $30MM in February guidance. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Cash GPT guidance lowered, reflecting marketing optimization and the Marcellus divestiture. Source
  • New guidance: 4Q26 guidance table presented in this release; no 4Q26 figures appear in the preliminary release. Source
  • Guidance kept: FY26 cash tax midpoint as a percent of Adjusted EBITDA is essentially unchanged from August guidance. Source
  • New: Third-party marketing agreements executed year to date across crude oil, natural gas and water; small-scale midstream investments identified. Source
  • New: Michael Lou said he is stepping into the CEO role; the previous release titled him President and Chief Executive Officer. Source
  • Ended: Second frac crew was dropped in July; management plans to reinstate it in late 2026 or early 2027. Source

Results and cash flow

  • Oil volumes above guidance top end: Oil volumes were 165.5 MBopd, above the top end of guidance. Natural gas and NGL volumes were also above the top end. Total volumes were 290.8 MBoepd. Source
  • Net income and diluted EPS: Net income was $181.6MM, or $3.29 per diluted share, compared with $130.1MM, or $2.26 per diluted share, in 3Q25. Source
  • Operating cash flow and free cash flow: Net cash provided by operating activities was $781.4MM and Adjusted EBITDA was $871.3MM. Adjusted Free Cash Flow was $431.5MM, or $442MM excluding reimbursable CapEx items. Source

Operations and drilling

  • Four-mile wells turned in line: Chord turned in line 24 additional 4-mile wells across five pads in 3Q26. Total 4-mile wells turned in line reached 47, and 70% of lateral footage was drilled as 4-mile wells. Source
  • Base production above initial plan: Base production gains from logistics, mechanical optimization, returning shut-in wells and chemical treatments drove volumes above the initial 2026 plan. Source
  • Frac productivity improved: 2026 frac productivity improved over 20% compared with 2025, reaching a mile per day of completed lateral length in 3Q26. Chord had 29 gross (22 net) operated TILs in 3Q26. Source

“Chord continues to drive efficiency through every aspect of the business”

Michael Lou, Chord Energy’s President and Chief Executive Officer

Realizations and pricing

  • Oil differential narrowed: The oil differential to WTI was $0.11 per barrel in 3Q26, against $1.27 in 2Q26 and a $(1.41) differential in 3Q25. Source
  • Oil hedging loss recorded: Oil averaged $85.80 per barrel without realized derivatives and $81.95 with them. Realized derivatives loss was $58.6MM in 3Q26. Source
  • NGL realization rose: NGL averaged $11.92 per barrel before derivatives, against $9.25 in 2Q26. Natural gas and Marcellus gas realizations are reported separately. Source

Costs and unit expenses

  • LOE per Boe rose: LOE was $10.56 per Boe in 3Q26, against $10.28 in 2Q26 and $9.62 in 3Q25. LOE totaled $282.5MM in 3Q26. Source
  • Production taxes at 8.2%: Production taxes were 8.2% of oil, NGL and natural gas sales in 3Q26. Cash GPT was $2.77 per Boe, and GPT on a GAAP basis was $3.05 per Boe. Source
  • Cash G&A increased: Cash G&A was $25.5MM in 3Q26, against $16.5MM in 3Q25. Year-to-date Cash G&A was $73.6MM. Source
  • Cash taxes paid in quarter: Cash taxes paid were $32.0MM in 3Q26, equal to 3.7% of Adjusted EBITDA on the company's cash basis. Source

“As I step into the CEO role, I’m honored to lead Chord through our next chapter.”

Michael Lou, Chord Energy’s President and Chief Executive Officer

Marketing agreements and midstream

  • Third-party marketing agreements signed: Chord executed numerous third-party marketing agreements year to date for crude oil, natural gas and water across its Williston Basin acreage, expected to save $35MM to $55MM annualized. Source
  • Run-rate savings target raised: Expected annual run-rate savings are now $225MM, driven by base production optimization and further marketing improvements. Source
  • Midstream CapEx raised: FY26 midstream CapEx rose to $50MM from $30MM in February guidance, mainly for small-scale water gathering and disposal projects. Source
  • Cash GPT guidance lowered: FY26 Cash GPT guidance was lowered to $2.70 to $2.80 per Boe, reflecting marketing optimization and the Marcellus divestiture. Source

Marcellus divestiture

  • Non-operated Marcellus sale announced: Non-operated Marcellus assets were announced for $550.0MM total gross consideration, including a $55.0MM deposit received in 3Q26. Closing is expected in 4Q26. Source
  • Closing timing built into guidance: Guidance is updated to reflect 3Q26 performance and forecasts, and assumes the Marcellus divestiture closes in mid-4Q26. Source
  • Marcellus gas volumes steady: Marcellus natural gas volumes were 118.6 MMcfpd in 3Q26, against 116.9 MMcfpd in 2Q26 and 117.5 MMcfpd in 3Q25. Source

Capital, cash and returns

  • 3Q26 CapEx by category: 3Q26 total CapEx was $381.8MM, with E&P at $370.6MM. Midstream CapEx was $10.0MM and other CapEx $1.2MM. Year-to-date CapEx was $1,143.4MM. Source
  • Share repurchases in 3Q26: Chord repurchased 1,510,156 shares for $205.0MM at a weighted average of $135.74 in 3Q26. Shares outstanding were 53.7MM at September 30, 2026. Source
  • Base dividend declared: A base dividend of $1.30 per share was declared. Source
  • Liquidity at quarter end: At September 30, 2026, cash was $804.7MM and total debt was $1,500.0MM in senior notes. Liquidity was $2,774.4MM, including the revolving credit facility. Source

Leadership transition

  • Michael Lou steps into CEO role: Michael Lou said he is stepping into the CEO role. The preliminary release had titled him President and Chief Executive Officer. Source

Coming up, as management said on 4 November 2026

  • Marcellus closing expected mid-4Q26: The Marcellus divestiture is assumed in guidance to close in mid-4Q26, with the deposit already received. Source
  • Base dividend payment date: The $1.30 base dividend is payable December 7, 2026 to shareholders of record as of November 19, 2026. Source
  • Second frac crew to be reinstated: Management plans to reinstate the second frac crew in late 2026 or early 2027. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Oil production Source165.5 MBopd
Total production Source290.8 MBoepd
Oil realized price, without derivatives Source$85.80/Bbl
Oil realized price, with derivatives Source$81.95/Bbl
Natural gas realized price, without derivatives Source$1.07/Mcf
NGL realized price, without derivatives Source$11.92/Bbl
Total CapEx Source$381.8MM
LOE per Boe Source$10.56/Boe
Cash GPT per Boe Source$2.77/Boe
Share repurchases Source$205.0MM (1,510,156 shares)
Base dividend per share Source$1.30/share

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Marcellus-related CapEx ran about $6MM above expectations in 3Q26, according to the preliminary results.
  • Operational: 4Q26 volumes and CapEx show a sequential decline in activity from dropping the second frac crew in July. Source
  • Financial: Chord had a loss on realized hedges of $48.7MM in 3Q26, according to the preliminary results.

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Volumes exceeded the high end of the August 3Q26 guidance across oil, natural gas and NGLs. CapEx was in line with guidance in the preliminary results.
  • Ahead: Expected annual run-rate savings are now $225MM, more than double the amount expected in the initial 2025 update. Source
  • On track: Four-mile execution and production results continue to be in line with expectations, supported by multi-well efficiencies. Source
  • Ahead: Base production performance is driving volumes above the initial 2026 plan. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.