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Sandridge Energy Inc.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 March 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 14 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Production rose on Cherokee and oil: Full-year production averaged 18.5 MBoe per day, with oil up 32%, driven by the Cherokee acquisition and the operated development program. Source
  • Fourth-quarter net income rose: Net income was $21.6 million, or $0.59 per basic share, in the fourth quarter, against $16.0 million, or $0.44, in the third quarter. Source
  • Cherokee wells averaged 2,000 Boe per day: Six Cherokee wells turned to sales in 2025, each averaging a peak 30-day initial rate of about 2,000 gross Boe per day, roughly 44% oil. Source
  • Oil price fell from third quarter: Realized oil was $57.56 per barrel in the fourth quarter, against $65.23 in the third quarter and $71.44 a year earlier. Source
  • Out-of-period corrections lowered operating costs: Lease operating expense fell in total and per Boe because of $4.3 million of non-recurring, non-cash accrual corrections, $2.1 million in the second quarter and $2.2 million in the fourth. Source
  • 2025 capital spending was $69.0 million: Capital expenditures on an accrual basis were $69.0 million for 2025, including $64.0 million for drilling, completions and capital workovers, excluding acquisitions. Source
  • Year-end cash of $112.3 million, no debt: Cash and cash equivalents including restricted cash were $112.3 million at year-end, with no term or revolving debt outstanding. Source

“Promising initial results achieved in 2025 informed our decision to continue development activity in the Cherokee, as reflected in our 2026 guidance.”

Grayson Pranin, President, Chief Executive Officer & Director

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Oil production Source20261.2 - 1.7 MMBblsNew
Natural gas liquids production Source20262.2 - 2.5 MMBblsNew
Total liquids production Source20263.4 - 4.2 MMBblsNew
Natural gas production Source202617.8 - 21.0 BcfNew
Total production Source20266.4 - 7.7 MMBoeNew
Drilling and completions capital expenditures Source2026$62 - $80 MillionNew
Capital workovers, production optimization and leasehold capital expenditures Source2026$14 - $17 MillionNew
Total capital expenditures Source2026$76 - $97 MillionNew
Lease operating expenses Source2026$39 - $47 MillionNew
Adjusted general and administrative expenses Source2026$10 - $12 MillionNew
Production and ad valorem taxes Source20266% - 7% of revenueNew
Oil price differential Source202697% - 98% of WTINew
NGL price differential Source202623% - 28% of WTINew
Natural gas price differential Source202650% - 70% of Henry HubNew
Quarterly dividend SourcePayable March 31, 2026$0.12 per shareKept

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: 2026 operational and capital expenditure guidance was provided; the prior release contained no guidance. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Production rose on Cherokee and oil: Full-year production averaged 18.5 MBoe per day, with oil up 32%, driven by the Cherokee acquisition and the operated development program. Source
  • Fourth-quarter net income rose: Net income was $21.6 million, or $0.59 per basic share, in the fourth quarter, against $16.0 million, or $0.44, in the third quarter. Source
  • Adjusted net income eased on quarter: Adjusted net income was $12.5 million, or $0.34 per basic share, against $15.5 million, or $0.42, in the third quarter. Source
  • Full-year adjusted EBITDA reached $101.1 million: Adjusted EBITDA for 2025 was $101.1 million, against $69.5 million for 2024, with $25.5 million in the fourth quarter. Source

Production mix and Cherokee wells

  • Gas share of output rose: Fourth-quarter output was 18% oil, 49% natural gas and 33% NGLs on a Boe basis, against 20% oil in the third quarter. Source
  • Cherokee wells averaged 2,000 Boe per day: Six Cherokee wells turned to sales in 2025, each averaging a peak 30-day initial rate of about 2,000 gross Boe per day, roughly 44% oil. Source
  • Reserve additions from extensions: Proved reserves rose on extensions of 7.3 MMBoe, purchases of 1.7 MMBoe and net positive price revisions of 3.2 MMBoe, partly offset by 6.8 MMBoe of production. Source
  • Standardized measure and PV-10 stated: The standardized measure and PV-10 were $439.6 million at year-end, both measured on SEC-based pricing and discounted at 10% per annum. Source

“2025 was a strong year for SandRidge with the initiation of a new operated development program in the Cherokee”

Grayson Pranin, President, Chief Executive Officer & Director

Realized prices and hedging

  • Oil price fell from third quarter: Realized oil was $57.56 per barrel in the fourth quarter, against $65.23 in the third quarter and $71.44 a year earlier. Source
  • Gas price rose on quarter: Realized natural gas was $2.20 per Mcf, up from $1.71 in the third quarter, while realized NGLs were $14.92 per barrel. Source
  • Full-year Boe price including hedges: Realized price per Boe was $23.10 for 2025 against $20.69 for 2024; including derivatives, the net realized price was $23.87 per Boe. Source
  • Oil and gas hedges as of March 4: Oil fixed swaps cover 395 barrels a day at $69.60 for March to June 2026, and gas swaps cover 16,067 MMBtu a day at $4.17. Source

Costs and margins

  • Fourth-quarter lease operating cost per Boe: Fourth-quarter lease operating expense was $7.8 million, or $4.34 per Boe; full-year LOE was $36.2 million, or $5.35 per Boe. Source
  • Out-of-period corrections lowered operating costs: Lease operating expense fell in total and per Boe because of $4.3 million of non-recurring, non-cash accrual corrections, $2.1 million in the second quarter and $2.2 million in the fourth. Source
  • Lower utility and workover costs: Management cited lower utility costs and reduced workover activity as operating cost improvements in 2025. Source
  • G&A per Boe eased for the year: Adjusted G&A was $10.2 million, or $1.50 per Boe, for 2025, against $9.3 million, or $1.54 per Boe, in 2024. Source
  • Production taxes rose per Boe: Production, ad valorem and other taxes were $1.35 per Boe in the fourth quarter, against $0.70 in the same quarter of 2024. Source

“our team will continue to be diligent about prioritizing full cycle returns, monitoring reasonable reinvestment rates, and, when needed, exercise drill schedule flexibility”

Grayson Pranin, President, Chief Executive Officer & Director

Capital spending in 2025

  • 2025 capital spending was $69.0 million: Capital expenditures on an accrual basis were $69.0 million for 2025, including $64.0 million for drilling, completions and capital workovers, excluding acquisitions. Source
  • Eight wells spud, six completed: The company spud eight new wells and completed six during 2025 under its one-rig Cherokee program. Source
  • Leasehold largely held by production: About 95% of total leasehold, including Cherokee, NW Stack and legacy assets, is held by production, which maintains the development option. Source

Cash, debt and shareholder returns

  • Year-end cash of $112.3 million, no debt: Cash and cash equivalents including restricted cash were $112.3 million at year-end, with no term or revolving debt outstanding. Source
  • Operating cash flow rose for the year: Net cash from operating activities was $100.1 million for 2025, against $73.9 million in 2024, and $31.7 million in the fourth quarter. Source
  • Free cash flow of $43.8 million: Free cash flow was $43.8 million for 2025, against $47.5 million for 2024, and $14.4 million in the fourth quarter. Source
  • Regular dividends paid in 2025: Regular quarterly dividends paid in 2025 totaled $15.9 million, or $0.46 per share, and 0.1 million shares were issued under the DRIP. Source
  • Buyback authorization remaining: The company repurchased 0.6 million shares in 2025 under a 10b5-1 program, leaving $68.3 million of the $75.0 million authorization. Source

Development strategy and investment

  • Four high-return capital priorities: Named priorities are Cherokee one-rig development, production optimization, leasing and evaluation of accretive mergers and acquisitions. Source
  • Artificial lift conversions for efficiency: A production optimization program converts wells to artificial lift systems described as more efficient and cost-effective. Source
  • Leasing to extend Cherokee development: A leasing program is meant to bolster future development and extend Cherokee development, and term acreage is being developed. Source
  • Growth pursued in a safe framework: Management says it remains committed to growing asset value in a safe, responsible and efficient manner while allocating capital prudently. Source

Safety, environment and leadership

  • Four years without recordable incident: The company reports more than four years without a recordable safety incident, which it calls a new Company record. Source
  • Environmental practices reported: The company reports no routine flaring, over 90% of produced water moved by pipeline, and nearly all well sites powered by electricity. Source
  • CEO on safety and development runway: The CEO said the company aims to continue its 2025 safety record and extend the development runway in 2026 and beyond. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 March 2026

  • Drill ten and complete eight wells in 2026: The 2026 plan is to drill ten and complete eight new SandRidge-operated wells during the year. Source
  • Dividend payable March 31: The $0.12 per share dividend is payable March 31, 2026, to holders of record on March 20, 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Daily production, full year 2025 Source18.5 MBoed
Realized oil price, full year 2025 Source$63.64 per barrel
Realized natural gas price, full year 2025 Source$2.10 per Mcf
Realized NGL price, full year 2025 Source$16.64 per barrel
Proved reserves, December 31, 2025 Source69.1 MMBoe
Capital expenditures, accrual basis, 2025 Source$69.0 million
Lease operating expense per Boe, full year 2025 Source$5.35
Dividends paid, 2025 Source$15.9 million
Share repurchases, 2025 Source$6.4 million for 0.6 million shares

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management will monitor commodity prices, project results, costs and tariffs, and adjust the program, including curtailment, if needed. Source
  • Operational: Capital activity and wells may be curtailed if needed, or reactivated in higher commodity price environments. Source
  • Financial: Development decisions will weigh reinvestment rates, maintenance of cash flows and the regular dividend. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management refers to the one-rig Cherokee program as ongoing. Source
  • Not stated: Management says it maintains an ESG commitment to safe, environmentally conscious resource development. 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.