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WaterBridge Infrastructure LLC: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 raised, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Volumes fell on seasonal activity: Produced water handling volumes were 2.5 million barrels per day, down 4% from fourth quarter 2025. Lower early-year seasonal activity drove the decline. Source
  • Revenue fell 4% sequentially: Revenue was $201.0 million, down from $208.9 million in fourth quarter 2025. Source
  • Net income positive, Adjusted EBITDA flat: Net income was $9.5 million, against a $13.6 million net loss in fourth quarter 2025. Adjusted EBITDA was $102.9 million, against $103.8 million; Adjusted EBITDA Margin was 51%. Source
  • Adjusted Operating Margin per barrel rose: Adjusted Operating Margin was $111.3 million, or $0.45 per barrel, against $108.9 million and $0.41 per barrel in fourth quarter 2025. Source
  • Phase II open season led to talks: Open season demand from new and existing customers led the company to progress commercial discussions with high-quality counterparties. Source
  • Guidance raised on demand visibility: Management cited increased confidence in commercial demand and a strengthening macroeconomic backdrop as the basis for raising 2026 guidance. Source
  • Kraken ramp on schedule: Management described the Kraken MVC ramp as on schedule, with the Phase II open season closing with demand above its expectations. Source

“We delivered a strong first quarter that validates our platform and keeps our key second-half milestones on track.”

Jason Long, Chief Executive Officer of WaterBridge

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Produced water handling volumes Sourcefull-year 20262,525 MBbl/d to 2,725 MBbl/dRaised from 2,500 to 2,700 MBbl/d
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcefull-year 2026$425 million to $465 millionRaised from $420 million to $460 million
Capital expenditures Sourcefull-year 2026$430 million to $490 millionKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 produced water handling volume and Adjusted EBITDA ranges were raised. Source
  • Guidance kept: Capital expenditures guidance range of $430 million to $490 million was reaffirmed. Source
  • Ended: The Speedway Phase II open season ran from February 23 to April 20, 2026, and has closed. Source

Quarterly results and growth drivers

  • Volumes fell on seasonal activity: Produced water handling volumes were 2.5 million barrels per day, down 4% from fourth quarter 2025. Lower early-year seasonal activity drove the decline. Source
  • Revenue fell 4% sequentially: Revenue was $201.0 million, down from $208.9 million in fourth quarter 2025. Source
  • Net income positive, Adjusted EBITDA flat: Net income was $9.5 million, against a $13.6 million net loss in fourth quarter 2025. Adjusted EBITDA was $102.9 million, against $103.8 million; Adjusted EBITDA Margin was 51%. Source

Volumes, revenue lines and assets

  • Kraken ramp partly offset seasonal decline: Volumes from the continued ramp of the Kraken project partly offset lower seasonal produced water volumes. Source
  • Seasonal activity drove revenue decrease: Management attributed the sequential revenue decline mainly to seasonal decreases in produced water handling and water solutions volumes. Source
  • Operations centered in Delaware Basin: Operations are predominantly in the Delaware Basin, with additional assets in the Eagle Ford and Arkoma Basins. Source

“Our first quarter results highlight strong execution as we continue to scale our platform.”

Scott McNeely, Chief Financial Officer of WaterBridge

Costs, margins and unit economics

  • Gross margin per barrel rose: Gross margin was $48.2 million, or $0.20 per barrel, up from $46.8 million and $0.18 per barrel in fourth quarter 2025. Source
  • Adjusted Operating Margin per barrel rose: Adjusted Operating Margin was $111.3 million, or $0.45 per barrel, against $108.9 million and $0.41 per barrel in fourth quarter 2025. Source
  • Direct costs fell with volumes: Direct operating costs were $70.0 million, down from $79.0 million; management describes these costs as largely variable with throughput. Source
  • Transaction and G&A costs declined: Transaction-related expenses in Adjusted EBITDA were $0.2 million, down from $9.1 million. General and administrative expense was $16.8 million, down from $24.1 million. Source

Demand and commercial pipeline

  • Phase II open season led to talks: Open season demand from new and existing customers led the company to progress commercial discussions with high-quality counterparties. Source
  • Guidance raised on demand visibility: Management cited increased confidence in commercial demand and a strengthening macroeconomic backdrop as the basis for raising 2026 guidance. Source
  • Demand for produced water accelerating: The CFO said produced water handling demand continues to accelerate in the Delaware Basin. Source

“That operational visibility, combined with a more supportive macroeconomic backdrop for E&P activity, gives us the conviction to raise our full-year produced water handling volume guidance”

Jason Long, Chief Executive Officer of WaterBridge

Capital spending and projects

  • Capex driven by Speedway Phase I: First quarter capital expenditures were $110.9 million, mainly construction costs for the first phase of the Speedway Pipeline. Source
  • Stateline investment continued alongside Speedway: Quarterly capital spending also included continued investment in Stateline produced water infrastructure. Source
  • Kraken ramp on schedule: Management described the Kraken MVC ramp as on schedule, with the Phase II open season closing with demand above its expectations. Source

Liquidity, debt and dividend

  • Liquidity of $500.7 million: Total liquidity was $500.7 million, including about $450.0 million of revolver availability and $50.7 million of cash. Source
  • Borrowings rose to $1.486 billion: Borrowings were $1.486 billion at March 31, 2026, up from $1.465 billion at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Quarterly dividend of $0.05 declared: A $0.05 per share dividend on Class A shares was declared, with a corresponding required distribution to WBI Operating LLC unitholders. Source

Coming up, as management said on 6 May 2026

  • Prior-year comparisons from Q3 2026: Prior-year period comparisons are expected to begin with third quarter 2026 results. Source
  • Speedway Phase I mid-year start: Speedway Phase I is expected to start in mid-2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Produced water handling volumes Source2.5 million barrels per day
Capital expenditures Source$110.9 million
Gross margin per barrel Source$0.20
Adjusted Operating Margin per barrel Source$0.45
Dividend per share Source$0.05

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Volume decline reflected lower seasonal activity at the start of the year. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: The CEO said the key second-half milestones remain on track. 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.