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Talos Energy Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 3 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 4 raised, 2 lowered, 4 new, 4 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Production exceeded third-quarter guidance: Oil output was 68.5 MBo/d and total output 91.5 MBoe/d. Management credited base business performance, no storm downtime and assets acquired on September 22. Source
  • GAAP net loss versus adjusted income: Net loss attributable to Talos was $81.2 million, or $0.49 per diluted share. Adjusted net income was $99.3 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, excluding derivative fair value loss and a $37.4 million loss on debt extinguishment. Source
  • Adjusted free cash flow of $186.3 million: Adjusted free cash flow before working capital changes was $186.3 million. Net cash provided by operating activities was $325.8 million, including settlement of asset retirement obligations. Source
  • Monument first oil pushed to 2027: First oil at Monument is now expected in Q1 2027. The operator moved the rig off Monument before returning to spud the second well in early September; completions wait for that well to reach target depth. Source
  • Shell deepwater acquisition closed September 22: Talos completed the acquisition of deepwater assets from Shell for a final net cash price of $420 million. Management described the assets as high-quality and oil-weighted. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA with and without hedges: Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Talos was $406.1 million, or $435.9 million excluding hedges. The second quarter was $402.2 million, or $476.3 million excluding hedges. Source

“The third quarter demonstrated the strength of the business we are building,”

Paul Goodfellow, President and Chief Executive Officer of Talos

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Full-year production (MBoe/d) SourceFY 202692.5 to 94.5 MBoe/dRaised from 87 to 91 MBoe/d
Full-year oil production (MBo/d) SourceFY 202668 to 70 MBo/dRaised from 64 to 68 MBo/d
Hurricane Isaias production impact SourceFourth quarter 2026about 7 MBoe/d reductionNew
Capital expenditures (excludes acquisitions) SourceFY 2026$475 to $525 millionLowered from $500 to $550 million
P&A and decommissioning SourceFY 2026$135 to $145 millionRaised from $100 to $130 million
Cash operating expenses and workovers SourceFY 2026$580 to $600 millionRaised from $560 to $590 million
G&A SourceFY 2026$135 to $145 millionKept
Interest expense SourceFY 2026$155 to $165 millionKept
Monument gross production SourceAfter first oil20 - 30 MBoe/dKept
Monument first oil timing SourceFirst quarter 2027first quarter of 2027Lowered from by year-end 2026
Share repurchases SourceAnnual capital allocation frameworkup to 50% of annual free cash flowKept
Brutus first oil SourceSecond quarter to fourth quarter 2027phased from second quarter through fourth quarter 2027New
Daenerys exploration well SourceLate 2027 or early 2028late 2027 or early 2028New
Block 29 final investment decision Source2027FID in 2027New

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 production guidance raised to 92.5 to 94.5 MBoe/d and 68 to 70 MBo/d, from 87 to 91 MBoe/d and 64 to 68 MBo/d. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year capital expenditure guidance lowered to $475 to $525 million, from $500 to $550 million. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year plugging and abandonment and decommissioning guidance raised to $135 to $145 million, from $100 to $130 million. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year cash operating expenses and workovers guidance raised to $580 to $600 million, from $560 to $590 million. Source
  • New guidance: Hurricane Isaias is expected to reduce fourth-quarter 2026 production by about 7 MBoe/d. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Monument first oil moved to the first quarter of 2027, from year-end 2026. Source
  • New: Completed the acquisition of Shell deepwater assets on September 22, 2026, for a final net cash price of $420 million. Source
  • New: Borrowing base increased to $850 million in conjunction with the completed acquisition; the facility remained undrawn. Source
  • New: Daenerys appraisal activity expected to continue in 2027, including a sidetrack. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Production exceeded third-quarter guidance: Oil output was 68.5 MBo/d and total output 91.5 MBoe/d. Management credited base business performance, no storm downtime and assets acquired on September 22. Source
  • GAAP net loss versus adjusted income: Net loss attributable to Talos was $81.2 million, or $0.49 per diluted share. Adjusted net income was $99.3 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, excluding derivative fair value loss and a $37.4 million loss on debt extinguishment. Source
  • Adjusted free cash flow of $186.3 million: Adjusted free cash flow before working capital changes was $186.3 million. Net cash provided by operating activities was $325.8 million, including settlement of asset retirement obligations. Source

Operations and project progress

  • Monument first oil pushed to 2027: First oil at Monument is now expected in Q1 2027. The operator moved the rig off Monument before returning to spud the second well in early September; completions wait for that well to reach target depth. Source
  • CPN first oil in September: CPN achieved first oil in September, with the well performing in line with expectations. Talos is operator with a 65% working interest; Walter Oil & Gas holds 25%. Source
  • Brutus drilling started on platform rig: The Brutus development program commenced in the third quarter using the platform-based rig. The plan now uses batch drilling and completions to improve execution efficiency. Source
  • Daenerys appraisal met objectives: The Daenerys appraisal well reached target depth in late August and met its appraisal objectives. Further appraisal in 2027, including a sidetrack, is expected. Source

“With the completion of our Gulf of America bolt-on acquisition, we have added high-quality, oil-weighted assets that increase free cash flow, improve margins and create additional infrastructure-led growth opportunities.”

Paul Goodfellow, President and Chief Executive Officer of Talos

Assets and regions

  • Shell deepwater acquisition closed September 22: Talos completed the acquisition of deepwater assets from Shell for a final net cash price of $420 million. Management described the assets as high-quality and oil-weighted. Source
  • Shelf divestment and production mix: The non-core shelf divestment closed July 15. Shelf and Gulf Coast output was 4.6 MBoe/d in the third quarter, 92% operated by Talos, against 8.1 MBoe/d in the second quarter. Source
  • Block 29 farm-in with Repsol: On closing, Talos will hold a 50% working interest alongside Repsol in Block 29, a pre-FID development. The Polok and Chinwol discoveries are estimated above 200 MMBoe of gross recoverable resource. Source
  • Honduras seismic began in October: Talos closed on a 45% working interest and assumed operatorship of the Honduras block. The remaining 35% depends on Secretaría de Energía approval. The 3D seismic campaign began in October. Source

Costs, margins and realized prices

  • Lease operating cost per Boe fell: Lease operating expense, including workovers, maintenance and insurance, was $140.9 million, or $16.74 per Boe. The second quarter was $18.25 per Boe, including about $1.75 of one-time well intervention work. Source
  • Adjusted G&A per Boe rose: Adjusted general and administrative expense was $37.8 million, or $4.50 per Boe, excluding one-time transaction costs and non-cash equity compensation. The second quarter was $4.32 per Boe. Source
  • Oil realization above WTI supported margins: Premium oil realizations were about $1.60 above WTI, which management said supported Adjusted EBITDA margins of about $52 per BOE. Source
  • Realized prices by product: Realized prices excluding hedges were $87.19 per barrel of oil, $3.73 per Mcf of gas and $20.94 per barrel of NGL, or $70.82 per Boe. WTI averaged $85.57 per barrel. Source

“Our teams delivered another quarter of consistent operational execution, disciplined cost management and strong financial outcomes.”

Paul Goodfellow, President and Chief Executive Officer of Talos

Hedging and adjusted EBITDA

  • Hedge book runs through 2027: As of October 31, 2026, Q1 2027 WTI swaps cover 8,000 barrels a day at $75.31, and collars cover 27,000 barrels a day with a $62.32 floor and $77.88 ceiling. Source
  • Derivative loss excluded from adjusted results: Derivative fair value loss was $120.6 million in the quarter. Net cash received on settled derivatives was $29.8 million. Both items are excluded from the adjusted measures. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA with and without hedges: Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Talos was $406.1 million, or $435.9 million excluding hedges. The second quarter was $402.2 million, or $476.3 million excluding hedges. Source

Capital, liquidity and leverage

  • Capital expenditures of $127.9 million: Capital expenditures excluding plugging were $127.9 million: U.S. drilling and completions $96.6 million, asset management $9.1 million, and seismic, G&G, land and other $22.2 million. Source
  • Plugging and abandonment spend $49.9 million: Plugging and abandonment and settled decommissioning obligations totaled $49.9 million, reported apart from capital expenditures. The settlements relate to divestiture counterparties unable to perform abandonment. Source
  • Cash and liquidity at quarter end: Cash was $410.2 million and liquidity was about $1,076.3 million at September 30, 2026, after about $183.8 million of outstanding letters of credit. Source
  • Total debt and leverage ratio: Total debt was $1,425.0 million and net debt $1,014.8 million, or 0.6x LTM Adjusted EBITDA; the release says 0.7x if the finance lease is included. Source

Shareholder returns

  • Third-quarter share repurchases: Talos repurchased 1.4 million shares for $23.6 million in the third quarter. The company returned $61.8 million to shareholders through the first three quarters of 2026. Source
  • Cumulative repurchases since Q2 2025: Since the current return of capital framework was announced, Talos has returned about $160 million through repurchases, reducing shares outstanding by about 8%. Source
  • Remaining repurchase authorization: About $176 million of repurchase authorization remained at September 30, 2026. Repurchases depend on market conditions, share price and legal requirements. Source

Strategy and deal pipeline

  • Deepwater integration is the focus: Management said it is focused on fully integrating the new deepwater assets and advancing development and exploration across the portfolio. Source
  • BBG3 lease awards in August: Talos was awarded both leases it bid on at the August 2026 BBG3 lease sale, according to the release. Source
  • Borrowing base raised to $850 million: The borrowing base rose to $850 million with the Gulf of America acquisition; the facility remained undrawn at September 30, 2026. Source

Coming up, as management said on 3 November 2026

  • Monument first oil in Q1 2027: First oil is expected in the first quarter of 2027, with gross production of 20 - 30 MBoe/d; completions follow the second well reaching target depth. Source
  • Brutus first oil phased through 2027: Brutus first oil is expected in phases from the second quarter through the fourth quarter of 2027, using batch drilling and completions. Source
  • Daenerys sidetrack and exploration well: Further Daenerys appraisal, including a sidetrack, is expected in 2027; an exploration well on a nearby prospect is expected in late 2027 or early 2028. Source
  • Block 29 path to FID: The partners expect to progress Block 29 toward a final investment decision in 2027. Source
  • Honduras SEN approval pending: Acquisition of the remaining 35% working interest in the Honduras block is subject to approval by the Secretaría de Energía. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Oil production (MBo/d) Source68.5
Total production (MBoe/d) Source91.5
Natural gas production (MMcf/d) Source93.8
NGL production (MBbl/d) Source7.3
Realized oil price ($/Bbl) Source87.19
Realized natural gas price ($/Mcf) Source3.73
Realized NGL price ($/Bbl) Source20.94
Realized price ($/Boe) Source70.82
WTI NYMEX price ($/Bbl) Source85.57
Oil realization premium to WTI ($/Bbl) Source~1.60
Lease operating expense ($/Boe) Source16.74
Adjusted G&A ($/Boe) Source4.50
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Talos ($/Boe) Source48.26
Capital expenditures ($ millions) Source127.9
Plugging and abandonment spend ($ millions) Source49.9
Shares repurchased (millions) Source1.4
Share repurchases in quarter ($ millions) Source23.6
Cumulative shareholder returns since Q2 2025 ($ millions) Source160
Remaining repurchase authorization ($ millions) Source176

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Monument first oil timing depends on an operator-run rig, which was moved to an asset in which Talos holds no working interest. Source
  • External: Hurricane Isaias in early October is expected to reduce fourth-quarter 2026 production by about 7 MBoe/d. Source
  • Regulatory: The remaining 35% Honduras working interest depends on approval from the Secretaría de Energía. Source
  • Operational: Management said it is focused on fully integrating the newly acquired deepwater assets. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: The Shell deepwater acquisition closed September 22, within the third quarter as previously expected.
  • Ahead: Management said the $100 million Optimal Performance Plan 2026 target was delivered above 100% ahead of schedule.
  • Delayed: Monument first production was previously expected by year-end 2026; first oil is now expected in the first quarter of 2027.
  • Met: The Daenerys appraisal well reached target depth and met appraisal objectives; the prior release had expected results by year-end 2026.
  • Met: The seismic campaign began in October, within the second half of 2026 as previously planned.
  • Not stated: The prior release expected approval within about 90 days; the third-quarter release gives no new date.
  • Ahead: Third-quarter guidance was 61 to 65 MBo/d; actual oil output was 68.5 MBo/d, which management said exceeded guidance.
  • Met: Full-year 2026 guidance was revised in the third-quarter release after the Gulf of America acquisition closed.

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.