greeksoup/ stock research

Vaalco Energy Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 7 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 raised, 8 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net loss widened on derivative losses: Net loss was $93.8 million, or $0.90 per diluted share, against a $58.6 million loss in Q4 2025 and $7.7 million of income in Q1 2025. Expenses were driven mainly by the derivative loss and exploration expense. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDAX fell on lower volumes: Adjusted EBITDAX was $11.6 million, against $42.9 million in Q4 2025 and $57.0 million in Q1 2025. The decrease was primarily due to lower sales volumes. Source
  • Etame 14H added high-rate production: The Etame 14H well was placed on production in April 2026 at an initial rate of about 4,850 gross BOPD, or 2,850 net. Etame 15H was placed on production in February at 2,000 gross BOPD. Source
  • Baobab FPSO back on location: The Baobab FPSO returned to Côte d’Ivoire in early April after its dry dock refurbishment. Reconnection is under way, with four of seven risers and umbilicals connected. No Côte d’Ivoire sales were recorded in Q1. Source
  • Exploration expense rose on well and seismic: Exploration expense was $22.4 million, mainly seismic data for the Niosi and Guduma licences and the unsuccessful West Etame exploration well. Source
  • Derivative losses cut realized price: Realized price including realized commodity derivatives was $43.84 per BOE, against $57.21 before derivatives. Realized derivative losses were $14.6 million on matured contracts. Source
  • Net debt rose to $104.0 million: Net debt was $103.96 million at March 31, 2026, against $1.1 million at December 31, 2025, after $92.0 million of borrowings and lower cash. Cash was $48.0 million. Source
  • Organic production growth target by 2030: Management said Vaalco remains well positioned to deliver its forecast 225% organic production growth by 2030, with capital guidance unchanged. Source

“We believe that the first quarter was an inflection point.”

George Maxwell, Vaalco’s Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Production, NRI SourceFY 202617400 - 19450 BOEPDRaised
Sales volume, NRI SourceFY 202616800 - 19950 BOEPDRaised
Production, WI SourceFY 202622050 - 24500 BOEPD
Sales volume, WI SourceFY 202621350 - 25000 BOEPD
Production expense SourceFY 2026$150.50 - $178.00 million
Production expense per BOE, NRI SourceFY 2026$22.00 - $29.00
Exploration expense SourceFY 2026$26 - $31 million
Offshore workovers SourceFY 2026$0 - $10 million
Cash G&A SourceFY 2026$31.0 - $37.0 million
Capital expenditure excluding acquisitions SourceFY 2026$290 - $360 millionKept
DD&A per BOE, NRI SourceFY 2026$16.00 - $20.00
Production, NRI SourceQ2 202616800 - 18700 BOEPDNew
Sales volume, NRI SourceQ2 202616800 - 18300 BOEPDNew
Production expense SourceQ2 2026$40.5 - $48.5 millionNew
Production expense per BOE, NRI SourceQ2 2026$26.00 - $31.00New
Exploration expense SourceQ2 2026$2 - $3 millionNew
Cash G&A SourceQ2 2026$7.0 - $9.0 millionNew
Capital expenditure excluding acquisitions SourceQ2 2026$110 - $130 millionNew
DD&A per BOE, NRI SourceQ2 2026$17.00 - $20.00New

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full year 2026 production and sales NRI volume guidance was increased at the midpoint, by 8% and 12% respectively. Source
  • Guidance kept: Full year 2026 capital budget guidance was maintained unchanged, including the added Egypt drilling. Source
  • New guidance: Operational and financial guidance was provided for the second quarter and full year 2026. Source
  • Ended: All Canadian producing properties were divested, with a closing date of February 19, 2026. Source
  • New: Vaalco was confirmed as operator with a 60% working interest in the Kossipo field on the CI-40 Block. Source
  • New: Egypt drilling was extended, with a rig contracted and drilling begun in early May targeting six additional wells. Source
  • New: Commitments under the 2025 RBL Facility were increased from $255.0 million to $300.0 million on April 28, 2026. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net loss widened on derivative losses: Net loss was $93.8 million, or $0.90 per diluted share, against a $58.6 million loss in Q4 2025 and $7.7 million of income in Q1 2025. Expenses were driven mainly by the derivative loss and exploration expense. Source
  • Adjusted loss excluded unrealized derivative loss: Adjusted Net Loss was $47.2 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, excluding mainly the $55.9 million unrealized portion of the derivative loss. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDAX fell on lower volumes: Adjusted EBITDAX was $11.6 million, against $42.9 million in Q4 2025 and $57.0 million in Q1 2025. The decrease was primarily due to lower sales volumes. Source
  • Gabon lifting reduced quarterly sales: Management said sales were lower because of a Gabon government lifting in Q1 2026 used to settle foreign tax expense. It expects this to be the only government lifting in 2026. Source
  • NRI production fell 15% year on year: Net revenue interest production was 15,110 BOEPD, down 15% from Q1 2025 and 6% from Q4 2025. Working interest production was 19,884 BOEPD. Source

Segments and regions

  • Etame 14H added high-rate production: The Etame 14H well was placed on production in April 2026 at an initial rate of about 4,850 gross BOPD, or 2,850 net. Etame 15H was placed on production in February at 2,000 gross BOPD. Source
  • Baobab FPSO back on location: The Baobab FPSO returned to Côte d’Ivoire in early April after its dry dock refurbishment. Reconnection is under way, with four of seven risers and umbilicals connected. No Côte d’Ivoire sales were recorded in Q1. Source
  • Egypt output lifted by workovers: A workover campaign to reactivate shut-in wells added production over the 2025 exit rate. Improved uptime supported higher average daily rates in Egypt during Q1. Source
  • Canadian assets sold for $25.5 million: The sale of all producing Canadian properties was agreed on February 5 and closed February 19, 2026. The assets were producing about 1,850 BOEPD at the time. Source
  • Venus development concept under evaluation: In Equatorial Guinea, the initial front end engineering and design study confirmed the viability of the Venus development concept. Alternative technical solutions are being evaluated. Source

“Financially, the first quarter was difficult, driven by several factors including realized and unrealized hedging losses”

George Maxwell, Vaalco’s Chief Executive Officer

Sales volumes and realized prices

  • NRI sales volumes down 36% on Q4: Net revenue interest sales were 1,094 MBOE, 36% below Q4 2025, mainly from the timing of Gabon liftings and the Canadian sale. Net revenue fell $28.4 million, or 31%, from Q4 2025. Source
  • Realized price rose from Q4 2025: Average realized price was $57.21 per BOE, up from $52.54 in Q4 2025 and below $64.27 in Q1 2025. Source
  • Brent averaged $80.72, up 27%: Average Brent price was $80.72 in Q1 2026, up 27% from $63.65 in Q4 2025. Average oil price received on a working interest basis was $65.33 per barrel. Source

Costs and expenses

  • Production expense fell on inventory adjustments: Production expense excluding workovers and stock compensation was $28.3 million, down 34% from Q4 2025 and 37% from Q1 2025, mainly from lower Gabon expenses on oil inventory adjustments. Source
  • Exploration expense rose on well and seismic: Exploration expense was $22.4 million, mainly seismic data for the Niosi and Guduma licences and the unsuccessful West Etame exploration well. Source
  • G&A rose on higher salaries: General and administrative expense excluding stock compensation was $6.9 million, up from $5.2 million in Q4 2025 on higher salaries and wages. Cash G&A was slightly below the guidance range low end. Source
  • DD&A per barrel fell: Depreciation, depletion and amortization was $18.2 million, 41% below Q4 2025, mainly from a 36% decrease in sales volumes. DD&A per barrel was $16.65. Source
  • Income tax included Profit Oil adjustment: Income tax expense was $4.3 million, including a $2.9 million unfavorable oil price adjustment on Gabon's Profit Oil allocation. Source

“Vaalco remains well positioned to deliver on our forecasted 225% organic production growth by 2030.”

George Maxwell, Vaalco’s Chief Executive Officer

Hedging, margins and pricing

  • Derivative losses cut realized price: Realized price including realized commodity derivatives was $43.84 per BOE, against $57.21 before derivatives. Realized derivative losses were $14.6 million on matured contracts. Source
  • Hedges cover crude through June 2027: The derivative instruments currently cover part of crude oil production through June 2027. Management said the hedging program was put in place in early 2025 to protect cash flow. Source
  • Hedging program protects cash flow: Management described the hedging program as protecting cash flow while significant capital is invested in 2026 to grow production. Source
  • Unhedged sales at higher prices: Management said the company is benefiting from unhedged sales at much higher prices, following recent price increases that caused derivative losses. Source

Capital, liquidity and returns

  • Net debt rose to $104.0 million: Net debt was $103.96 million at March 31, 2026, against $1.1 million at December 31, 2025, after $92.0 million of borrowings and lower cash. Cash was $48.0 million. Source
  • $92.0 million drawn under RBL: The company borrowed $92.0 million under the 2025 RBL Facility, at Term SOFR plus 6.5%, mainly to fund the Baobab FPSO refurbishment. The borrowing is due within one month, with rollover options. Source
  • Working capital deficit widened: The working capital deficit was $110.1 million at March 31, 2026, against $59.0 million at December 31, 2025. Adjusted working capital deficit was $91.0 million. Source
  • Credit commitments raised to $300.0 million: Lender commitments under the 2025 RBL Facility rose from $190.0 million to $255.0 million in January and to $300.0 million on April 28. Commitments reduce semi-annually from March 31, 2027. Source
  • Free cash flow negative after dividends: Free cash flow was negative $4.2 million, after $6.7 million of dividends paid. Net cash used in operating activities was $39.2 million. Source
  • Capex $78.1 million, below guidance: Net capital expenditures were $78.1 million on a cash basis and $73.5 million on an accrual basis, mainly for the Gabon Phase Three drilling and the Baobab FPSO refurbishment. Source
  • Quarterly dividend held at $0.0625: The quarterly cash dividend of $0.0625 per share was declared for payment on June 26, 2026. The Q1 dividend was paid on March 27, 2026. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Kossipo operatorship with 60% stake: Vaalco was confirmed as operator of the Kossipo field with a 60% working interest. The field is 8 kilometres from Baobab, and recently acquired seismic data is informing the evaluation. Source
  • Organic production growth target by 2030: Management said Vaalco remains well positioned to deliver its forecast 225% organic production growth by 2030, with capital guidance unchanged. Source
  • Guduma exploration decision after seismic: The 3D seismic across the Niosi and Guduma blocks was completed in January 2026. It meets the minimum Niosi commitments and informs the decision on the Guduma second exploration period. Source
  • Six more Egypt wells contracted: Following the recent drilling campaign, the company decided to drill additional Egyptian wells in 2026 without increasing the total capital guidance range. Source

Coming up, as management said on 7 May 2026

  • Two Gabon liftings in Q2: Management expects two partner liftings in Gabon in Q2 2026 and Côte d’Ivoire sales to be included in Q3 2026. Source
  • Côte d’Ivoire drilling rig from late Q3: A rig has been secured for the Côte d’Ivoire development drilling programme, which is expected to begin at the end of the third quarter of 2026. Source
  • Kossipo field development plan in H2: The Kossipo field development plan is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026. Source
  • Phase Five Baobab drilling later this year: Management plans to start the Phase Five Drilling Program at Baobab later this year, with material potential production uplift in 2027. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Production, NRI (BOEPD), Q1 2026 Source15,110
Production, WI (BOEPD), Q1 2026 Source19,884
Sales, NRI (MBOE), Q1 2026 Source1,094
Realized price, NRI ($/BOE) Source$57.21
Realized price incl. derivatives, NRI ($/BOE) Source$43.84
Average Brent price ($/bbl) Source$80.72
Production expense excl. workovers ($/BOE) Source$25.89
DD&A ($/BOE) Source$16.65
Capital expenditure, cash basis ($ thousands) Source78,074
Dividends paid ($ thousands) Source6,688

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Sales volumes were affected by the timing of Gabon liftings and the Canadian asset sale in Q1 2026. Source
  • Operational: The West Etame exploration well was determined to be unsuccessful, with the target zone found to be water-bearing. Source
  • Operational: Reconnection of the Baobab FPSO risers and umbilicals was still in progress at the time of the release. Source
  • Financial: Hedging contracts generated cash and non-cash derivative losses as prices rose, while the company reported lower realized prices after derivatives. Source
  • Financial: The RBL borrowing is due within one month of drawdown, subject to conditions for rollover, and carries Term SOFR plus a 6.5% margin. Source
  • Regulatory: A Gabon government lifting reduced sales in Q1 2026 to settle foreign tax expense. Source
  • External: Realized price received in Q1 2026 was below the Q1 2025 level. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Management reported Q1 sales volumes against the midpoint of the company's sales guidance. Source
  • Not stated: Cash G&A for Q1 was slightly below the low end of the guidance range of $7 million to $9 million. 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.