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Viper Energy, Inc.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 23 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 raised, 2 lowered, 3 new, 2 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Production rose to 134,000 boe/d: Q4 2025 average production was 66,413 bo/d, or 134,000 boe/d, compared with 56,109 boe/d a year earlier. Full year 2025 averaged 95,126 boe/d. Source
  • Net loss driven by impairment: Consolidated net loss was $246 million, including a $408 million non-cash impairment on 2025 Drop Down properties recorded at Diamondback's historical carrying value. Source
  • Divestiture proceeds repaid bank debt: Net proceeds of about $617 million, subject to post-closing adjustments, fully repaid the $500 million term loan and the revolving credit balance on February 9, 2026. Source
  • Proved reserves up 107%: Proved reserves at year-end 2025 were 406,035 Mboe, of which 193,206 Mbo, up 107% from year-end 2024. Proved developed reserves rose 93% to 316,702 Mboe. Source
  • Net debt $2.2 billion at year-end: At December 31, 2025, cash was $13 million and total debt was $2.2 billion, so net debt was $2.2 billion, up from $1.1 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Return of capital equaled 90% of CAFD: Q4 2025 return of capital to Class A holders was $131 million, or $0.77 per share, which is 90% of cash available for distribution of $145 million. Source
  • Acquisitions integrated into portfolio: Management said the integration of the 2025 Drop Down and Sitio assets enhanced the scale, duration and quality of the portfolio and supports per-share growth. Source

“The fourth quarter capped a significant year for Viper. In addition to our continued organic growth, we leveraged our leading position in the minerals and royalty sector to advance our differentiated acquisition strategy.”

Kaes Van’t Hof, Chief Executive Officer of Viper

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net production, oil and total (Q1 2026) SourceQ1 202662,500 to 64,500 bo/d (124,000 to 128,000 boe/d)New
Net production, oil and total (full year) SourceFull year 202661,000 to 67,000 bo/d (120,000 to 132,000 boe/d)New
Depletion per boe SourceFull year 2026$17.50 - $19.50Raised from $16.75 - $17.25
Cash general and administrative expense per boe SourceFull year 2026$0.70 - $0.90Lowered from $0.80 - $1.00
Non-cash share-based compensation per boe SourceFull year 2026$0.10 - $0.20Kept
Net interest expense per boe SourceFull year 2026$1.90 - $2.40Lowered from $2.50 - $3.00
Production and ad valorem taxes SourceFull year 2026~7% of revenueKept
Cash tax rate on pre-tax income attributable to the company SourceFull year 202627% - 30%Raised from 21% - 23%
Cash taxes attributable to the company SourceQ1 2026$17 - $23 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Average daily production guidance was initiated for Q1 2026 and full year 2026, replacing the Q4 2025 and full year 2025 ranges given in the prior release. Source
  • Guidance raised: Depletion guidance per boe is higher for full year 2026 ($17.50 to $19.50) than the full year 2025 range in the prior release ($16.75 to $17.25). Source
  • Guidance raised: Cash tax rate guidance rose to 27% to 30% from the 21% to 23% range in the prior release. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Cash G&A guidance per boe is $0.70 to $0.90 for full year 2026, below the $0.80 to $1.00 range in the prior release. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Net interest expense guidance per boe is $1.90 to $2.40, below the $2.50 to $3.00 range in the prior release. Source
  • New: Base cash dividend increased 15% to $1.52 per Class A share annually. Management said this is about 50% of cash available for distribution at $50 WTI. Source
  • New: Share repurchase authorization increased by $1.0 billion. About $1.2 billion remains under the repurchase program, including the increase. Source
  • Ended: Non-Permian assets were divested, closing February 9, 2026, with net proceeds of about $617 million. The prior release had stated a $670 million sale price. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Production rose to 134,000 boe/d: Q4 2025 average production was 66,413 bo/d, or 134,000 boe/d, compared with 56,109 boe/d a year earlier. Full year 2025 averaged 95,126 boe/d. Source
  • Net loss driven by impairment: Consolidated net loss was $246 million, including a $408 million non-cash impairment on 2025 Drop Down properties recorded at Diamondback's historical carrying value. Source
  • Attributable loss and adjusted income: Net loss attributable to Viper was $103 million, or $0.61 per Class A share. Consolidated adjusted net income was $121 million, or $0.72 per Class A share. Source
  • Full-year adjusted EBITDA reached $1.3 billion: Consolidated adjusted EBITDA for full year 2025 was $1.3 billion. Viper's attributable share was $621 million, per the reconciliation table. Source

Permian assets and divestiture

  • Divestiture proceeds repaid bank debt: Net proceeds of about $617 million, subject to post-closing adjustments, fully repaid the $500 million term loan and the revolving credit balance on February 9, 2026. Source
  • Footprint about 86,599 net acres: Permian Basin mineral and royalty footprint was about 86,599 net royalty acres at December 31, 2025. The prior release gave 95,846 acres at September 30, 2025. Source
  • Guidance already reflects the divestiture: The 2026 and Q1 2026 production and unit-cost guidance includes the effect of the non-Permian divestiture, which closed on February 9, 2026. Source

“We also remained disciplined in our capital allocation, opportunistically repurchasing shares amid market dislocation while continuing to pay an above market dividend.”

Kaes Van’t Hof, Chief Executive Officer of Viper

Production mix and realized prices

  • Volumes split across oil, gas, NGL: Q4 2025 volumes were 6,110 MBbl of oil, 19,668 MMcf of natural gas and 2,940 MBbl of natural gas liquids, totalling 12,328 Mboe. Source
  • Unhedged realized prices fell from Q3: Unhedged oil price was $58.43 per barrel and combined price $34.23 per boe in Q4 2025. The prior release showed $64.34 oil and $39.24 per boe for Q3 2025. Source
  • Hedged oil and gas realized prices: Hedged oil price was $57.28 per barrel and hedged gas price was $1.53 per Mcf in Q4 2025. Hedged combined price was $34.80 per boe. Source
  • Hedge book runs through 2027: Outstanding contracts cover Q1 2026 through Q4 2026 and FY 2027, including WTI deferred premium puts, Henry Hub costless collars and Waha basis swaps. Source

Unit costs and tax rate

  • Cash operating expense $3.16 per boe: Total cash operating expense was $3.16 per boe in Q4 2025, against $3.85 in Q4 2024, with production and ad valorem taxes at $2.35 per boe. Source
  • Depletion per boe rose year over year: Depletion was $18.98 per boe in Q4 2025, against $12.51 in Q4 2024. Full year 2025 depletion was $17.48 per boe. Source
  • Effective cash tax rate 31.8%: Effective cash tax rate attributable to Viper was 31.8% for Q4 2025, excluding the non-cash full cost ceiling impairment. Income taxes payable were $21 million. Source

“Following the closing of our non-Permian divestiture, we enter 2026 with a fortress balance sheet very near our long-term net debt target of $1.5 billion”

Kaes Van’t Hof, Chief Executive Officer of Viper

Development activity and wells

  • 739 gross wells turned to production: In Q4 2025, 739 gross horizontal wells, or 13.0 net 100% royalty wells, were turned to production, with an average lateral length of 11,283 feet. Source
  • 1,388 gross wells in active development: About 1,388 gross wells were in active development at year-end, expected to turn to production within six to eight months. Viper expects an average 2.8% net royalty interest. Source
  • 98 gross rigs operating on acreage: There were 98 gross rigs operating on Viper's acreage at year-end, eight of which are operated by Diamondback. Source
  • 1,370 line-of-sight wells identified: About 1,370 gross line-of-sight wells, or 32.0 net 100% royalty wells, are not in active development. Viper expects them within 15 to 18 months. Source

Reserves and acquired properties

  • Proved reserves up 107%: Proved reserves at year-end 2025 were 406,035 Mboe, of which 193,206 Mbo, up 107% from year-end 2024. Proved developed reserves rose 93% to 316,702 Mboe. Source
  • Replacement ratio 705%, organic 126%: Reserve replacement ratio was 705% including purchases and 126% organic, with extensions and discoveries of 62,170 Mboe from 1,497 new wells. Source
  • PV-10 about $7.4 billion: Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows was $6.6 billion, and PV-10 was about $7.4 billion, using $65.34 oil and $3.39 gas reference prices. Source
  • Purchased reserves drove most additions: Purchases of reserves in place added 201,291 Mboe, mainly from the Sitio Acquisition, the 2025 Drop Down and the Morita Ranches Acquisition. Source

Balance sheet and debt

  • Net debt $2.2 billion at year-end: At December 31, 2025, cash was $13 million and total debt was $2.2 billion, so net debt was $2.2 billion, up from $1.1 billion a year earlier. Source
  • Senior notes form most of debt: Long-term debt included $500 million of 4.900% Senior Notes due 2030 and $1.1 billion of 5.700% Senior Notes due 2035, plus a $500 million term loan and $105 million on the revolver. Source
  • About $1.4 billion liquidity available: Approximately $1.4 billion remained available for future borrowings, which the company reported as total liquidity of about $1.4 billion at year-end. Source

Cash returns to shareholders

  • Return of capital equaled 90% of CAFD: Q4 2025 return of capital to Class A holders was $131 million, or $0.77 per share, which is 90% of cash available for distribution of $145 million. Source
  • Base and variable dividends declared: Declared base dividend of $0.38 and variable dividend of $0.14 per Class A share, totalling $0.52, implying a 4.6% annualized yield at the February 20, 2026 closing price. Source
  • Q4 buybacks of 2.4 million shares: In Q4 2025 Viper repurchased 2.4 million shares, including Class B shares paired with OpCo units, for about $94 million at an average $38.69 per share. Source
  • Cumulative buybacks since 2020: Through February 20, 2026, the program had repurchased about 18.9 million shares for about $525 million, at an average $27.80 per share, since November 9, 2020. Source

Strategy and operator mix

  • Acquisitions integrated into portfolio: Management said the integration of the 2025 Drop Down and Sitio assets enhanced the scale, duration and quality of the portfolio and supports per-share growth. Source
  • Variable dividend floor is 75%: Dividend policy requires at least 75% of cash available for distribution, less base dividends and buybacks, to be paid as variable dividends each quarter. Source
  • Diamondback operated 107 of Q4 wells: Of the 739 gross wells turned to production in Q4 2025, Diamondback operated 107 at an average 5.0% royalty interest. Third parties operated the remaining 632. Source

Coming up, as management said on 23 February 2026

  • Dividend payment March 12, 2026: Base and variable Q4 2025 dividends are payable March 12, 2026 to Class A holders of record at the close of business on March 5, 2026. Source
  • Divestiture proceeds subject to adjustments: Net divestiture proceeds of about $617 million remain subject to customary post-closing adjustments, as stated in the release. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Production volumes Source66,413 bo/d (134,000 boe/d), Q4 2025; 48,973 bo/d full year 2025
Realized oil price, unhedged Source$58.43 per barrel, Q4 2025; $63.27 full year 2025
Proved reserves Source406,035 Mboe at December 31, 2025 (78% PDP, 48% oil)
Acquisition costs and exploration and development costs Source$8,944 million acquisition costs in 2025; no exploration and development costs
Total cash operating expense per boe Source$3.16 per boe, Q4 2025
Return of capital to Class A stockholders Source$131 million, $0.77 per share, Q4 2025; 90% of cash available for distribution
Dividends declared per Class A share Source$2.20, full year 2025

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: A non-cash impairment of $408 million on 2025 Drop Down properties, recorded at Diamondback's historical carrying value, drove the Q4 consolidated net loss. Source
  • External: Year-end reserves include downward revisions of 18,570 Mboe, with the largest part tied to lower commodity prices, plus PUD downgrades and performance revisions. Source
  • Operational: Timing of line-of-sight wells depends on third-party operator permits and Diamondback's completion schedule. Permits do not guarantee a well will be turned to production. Source
  • Financial: Future base and variable dividends and buybacks are at the Board's discretion and depend on several factors described in Viper's SEC reports. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management believes Viper is well positioned to raise return of capital above 100% of cash available for distribution while growing per-share metrics. Source
  • Not stated: Management said the company enters 2026 very near its long-term net debt target of $1.5 billion following the divestiture closing. Source
  • Not stated: Management said it continues to pay an above-market dividend while repurchasing shares during the period. 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.