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California Resources Corporation Reports Record First Quarter Financial Results

02.05.2023  |  Business Wire

Provides an Update on the Progress of Business Repositioning and Further Expands Its Carbon Management Business

California Resources Corporation (NYSE: CRC), an independent energy and carbon management company committed to energy transition, today reported first quarter 2023 operational and financial results.

"We're off to a great start this year with strong quarterly free cash flow driven by operational execution and natural gas markets in California, which underscores the quality of our asset portfolio and commodity diversification strategy," said Francisco Leon, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We made good progress in advancing the plan to reposition our business, reduce our costs by $25 to $50 million on an annual run-rate basis and expand our carbon management business. Our focus remains on driving cash flow generation, increasing our financial flexibility and delivering meaningful value to our shareholders while providing the energy that California needs."

Primary Highlights

Financial Highlights

Operational Highlights

Total Year 2023 Guidance and Capital Program3

CRC is reaffirming its total year 2023 capital program to a range between $200 and $245 million. The program includes $15 to $25 million of adjusted capital for carbon management projects4 and $185 to $220 million of E&P, Corporate and other adjusted capital, including procuring long-lead time items for planned maintenance at CRC's Elk Hills power plant in 2024. CRC's 2023 capital program related to oil and natural gas development to be focused primarily on executing projects using permits outside of Kern County.

CRC estimates average production between 85,000 and 91,000 Boe/d3 (~60% oil) for 2023. CRC expects to run a development program averaging 1.5 rigs for drilling locations where CRC has permits and plans to focus on workover and maintenance activity.

As a result of higher-than-expected natural gas market prices in the first quarter of 2023, CRC is raising its free cash flow1 and lowering its operating costs guidance by 8% (to a range of $360 to $470 million) and 3% (to a range of $815 to $865 million) at the midpoint, respectively.

CRC GUIDANCE3

Total

2023E

CMB

2023E

E&P, Corp. & Other 2023E

Net Total Production (MBoe/d)

85 - 91

85 - 91

Net Oil Production (MBbl/d)

51 - 55

51 - 55

Operating Costs ($ millions)

$815 - $865

$815 - $865

CMB Expenses5 ($ millions)

$25 - $35

$25 - $35

Adjusted General and Administrative Expenses1 ($ millions)

$195 - $225

$10 - $15

$185 - $210

Adjusted Total Capital1,4 ($ millions)

$200 - $245

$15 - $25

$185 - $220

Drilling & Completions

$67 - $77

$66 - $76

Workovers

$44 - $54

$44 - $54

Adjusted Facilities

$44 - $54

$44 - $54

Corporate & Other

$30 - $35

$30 - $35

Adjusted CMB

$15 - $25

$15 - $25

Free Cash Flow1 ($ millions)

$360 - $470

Adjusted Free Cash Flow1 ($ millions)

($60) - ($80)

$440 - $530

Marketing & Trading, Net ($ millions)

$80 - $110

$80 - $110

Net Electricity ($ millions)

$70 - $110

$70 - $110

Transportation Expense ($ millions)

$50 - $70

$50 - $70

ARO Settlement Payments* ($ millions)

$55 - $60

$55 - $60

Taxes Other Than on Income* ($ millions)

$175 - $185

$175 - $185

Interest and Debt Expense* ($ millions)

$55 - $60

$55 - $60

Cash Income Taxes* ($ millions)

$100 - $120

$100 - $120

Commodity Realizations:

Oil - % of Brent:

97% - 99%

97% - 99%

NGL - % of Brent:

58% - 64%

58% - 64%

Natural Gas - % of NYMEX:

150% - 250%

150% - 250%

*Notes:

  • 2023E ARO Settlement Payments: ~25% of estimated annual amount is paid every quarter
  • 2023E Taxes Other Than on Income: ~30% of estimated annual amount is paid in 1Q, 2Q and 4Q, respectively
  • 2023E Interest Expense: ~46% of estimated annual amount is paid in cash in 1Q and 3Q, respectively
  • Cash Income Taxes aren't paid evenly throughout 2023

Second Quarter 2023 Guidance and Capital Program3

CRC expects its second quarter 2023 total capital program to range between $46 and $62 million under current operating conditions. This includes $1 to $2 million of adjusted capital1 for carbon management projects.

At this level of spending, CRC expects to produce on average between 86,000 and 88,000 Boe/d3 (~61% oil) in the second quarter of 2023 and plans to run 1 drilling rig in the Los Angeles basin, where CRC plans to develop drilling locations for which it already has permits.

CRC GUIDANCE3

Total

2Q23E

CMB

2Q23E

E&P, Corp. & Other 2Q23E

Net Total Production (MBoe/d)

86 - 88

86 - 88

Net Oil Production (MBbl/d)

54 - 52

54 - 52

Operating Costs ($ millions)

$175 - $195

$175 - $195

CMB Expenses5 ($ millions)

$5 - $10

$5 - $10

Adjusted General and Administrative Expenses1 ($ millions)

$52 - $60

$2 - $5

$50 - $55

Adjusted Total Capital1,4 ($ millions)

$46 - $62

$1 - $2

$45 - $60

Free Cash Flow1 ($ millions)

$45 - $ 65

Adjusted Free Cash Flow1 ($ millions)

($10) - ($15)

$60 - $75

Marketing & Trading, Net ($ millions)

$17 - $22

$17 - $22

Net Electricity ($ millions)

$12 - $17

$12 - $17

Transportation Expense ($ millions)

$10 - $15

$10 - $15

Cash Income Taxes ($ millions)

$50 - $60

$50 - $60

Commodity Realizations:

Oil - % of Brent:

94% - 98%

94% - 98%

NGL - % of Brent:

55% - 60%

55% - 60%

Natural Gas - % of NYMEX:

150% - 160%

150% - 160%

First Quarter 2023 E&P Operational Results

Total daily net production for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2022 decreased by approximately 2 MBoe/d, or 2% largely due to higher amounts of rain and colder seasonal temperatures than normal in California, resulting in increased downtime in CRC's operations. Production-sharing contracts (PSCs) did not have an impact on production for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended December 31, 2022.

During the first quarter of 2023, CRC operated an average of ~1.5 drilling rigs in the Los Angeles basin, drilled 9 wells and brought online 10 wells. See Attachment 3 for further information on CRC's production results by basin and Attachment 5 for further information on CRC's drilling activity.

First Quarter Financial Results

1st Quarter

4th Quarter

($ and shares in millions, except per share amounts)

2023

2022

Statements of Operations:

Revenues

Total operating revenues

$

1,024

$

682

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses

638

549

Gain on asset divestitures

7

(1

)

Operating Income

$

393

$

132

Net Income Attributable to Common Stock

$

301

$

83

Net income attributable to common stock per share - basic

$

4.22

$

1.14

Net income attributable to common stock per share - diluted

$

4.09

$

1.11

Adjusted net income1

$

193

$

93

Adjusted net income1 per share - diluted

$

2.63

$

1.24

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic

71.3

72.7

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted

73.5

75.0

Adjusted EBITDAX1

$

358

$

208

Review of First Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Realized oil prices, excluding the effects of cash settlements on CRC's commodity derivative contracts, decreased by $8.47 per barrel from $87.15 per barrel in the fourth quarter of 2022 to $78.68 per barrel in the first quarter of 2023. The decrease was primarily due to recession concerns across Western economies and disappointment at the pace and scale of the post-COVID-19 reopening in China.

Realized oil prices, including the effects of cash settlements on CRC's commodity derivative contracts, increased by $1.71 from $61.33 in the fourth quarter of 2022 to $63.04 in the first quarter of 2023.

Adjusted EBITDAX1 for the first quarter of 2023 was $358 million. See table below for the Company's net cash provided by operating activities, capital investments and free cash flow1 during the same periods.

FREE CASH FLOW

Management uses free cash flow, which is defined by CRC as net cash provided by operating activities less capital investments, as a measure of liquidity. The following table presents a reconciliation of CRC's net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow. CRC supplemented its non-GAAP measure of free cash flow with free cash flow of CRC's exploration and production and corporate items (Free Cash Flow for E&P, Corporate & Other) which it believes is a useful measure for investors to understand the results of its core oil and gas business. CRC defines Free Cash Flow for E&P, Corporate & Other as consolidated free cash flow less results attributable to its carbon management business (CMB).

1st Quarter

4th Quarter

($ millions)

2023

2022

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

310

$

114

Capital investments

(47

)

(75

)

Free cash flow1

263

39

E&P, corporate & other free cash flow1

$

270

$

61

CMB free cash flow1

$

(7

)

$

(22

)

The following table presents key operating data for CRC's oil and gas operations, on a per BOE basis, for the periods presented below. Energy operating costs consist of purchased natural gas used to generate electricity for CRC's operations and steam for its steamfloods, purchased electricity and internal costs to generate electricity used in CRC's operations. Gas processing costs include costs associated with compression, maintenance and other activities needed to run CRC's gas processing facilities at Elk Hills. Non-energy operating costs equal total operating costs less energy operating costs and gas processing costs.

OPERATING COSTS PER BOE

The reporting of PSCs creates a difference between reported operating costs, which are for the full field, and reported volumes, which are only CRC's net share, inflating the per barrel operating costs. The following table presents operating costs after adjusting for the excess costs attributable to PSCs.

1st Quarter

4th Quarter

($ per Boe)

2023

2022

Energy operating costs

$

15.56

$

9.56

Gas processing costs

0.62

0.48

Non-energy operating costs

15.43

13.82

Operating costs

$

31.61

$

23.86

Excess costs attributable to PSCs

$

(2.23

)

$

(1.90

)

Operating costs, excluding effects of PSCs (1)

$

29.38

$

21.96

Energy operating costs for the first quarter of 2023 were $125 million, or $15.56 per Boe, an increase of $45 million or 56% from $80 million, or $9.56 per Boe, for the fourth quarter of 2022. This increase includes $38 million for purchased electricity and purchased natural gas, which CRC uses to generate electricity for its operations, and $7 million for purchased natural gas used to generate steam for its steamfloods. Natural gas used in CRC's operations is purchased at first-of-the-month prices, which were higher than average daily prices during the period due to significant volatility in the natural gas market during the first quarter of 2023.

Non-energy operating costs for the first quarter of 2023 were $124 million, or $15.43 per Boe, which was an increase of $8 million or 7% from $116 million, or $13.82 per Boe, for the fourth quarter of 2022. This increase was primarily a result of increased downhole maintenance activity from the prior quarter.

Carbon Management Business Update

In April 2023, CRC applied for a Class VI permit for 34 MMT of permanent CO2 storage for a new CTV VI in the Sacramento basin, which, subject to approval, brings CTV's total potential permitted storage to 174 MMT.

Additionally, in April 2023, Carbon TerraVault Holdings, LLC (CTV), a subsidiary of CRC, reached new storage-only CDMAs for 40,000 and 100,000 MTPA of CO2 injection, at CTV carbon storage vaults from two new facilities to be constructed in Northern and Central California. See CTV's 1Q23 press release for further information on these CDMA's.

The CDMA frames the contractual terms between parties by outlining the material economics and terms of the project and includes conditions precedent to close. The CDMA provides a path for the parties to reach final definitive documents and FID.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity Update

On April 26, 2023, CRC amended its existing Revolving Credit Facility. The amended Revolving Credit Facility provides for an initial aggregate commitment of $592 million and a borrowing base of $1.2 billion. CRC's borrowing base for the Revolving Credit Facility was also reaffirmed at $1.2 billion on April 26, 2023. The amendments included, among other things:

CRC also amended the interest rates and fees it pays under its Revolving Credit Facility. At CRC's election, borrowings under the amended Revolving Credit Facility may be alternate base rate (ABR) loans or term SOFR loans, plus an applicable margin. ABR loans bear interest at a rate equal to the highest of (i) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the administrative agent prime rate and (iii) the one-month SOFR rate plus 1%. Term SOFR loans bear interest at term SOFR, plus an additional 10 basis points per annum credit spread adjustment. The applicable margin is adjusted based on the commitment utilization percentage and will vary from (i) in the case of ABR loans, 1.50% to 2.50% and (ii) in the case of term SOFR loans, 2.50% to 3.50%. CRC also pays customary fees and expenses. Interest is payable quarterly for ABR loans and at the end of the applicable interest period for term SOFR loans, but not less than quarterly. We also pay a commitment fee on unused capacity ranging from 37.5 to 50 basis points per annum, depending on the percentage of the commitment utilized.

As of March 31, 2023, CRC had liquidity of $931 million, which consisted of $477 million in unrestricted cash and $454 million of available borrowing capacity under its Revolving Credit Facility which is net of $148 million of letters of credit.

Leadership Changes

On February 24, 2023, CRC announced that Francisco J. Leon, its current Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will succeed Mark A. (Mac) McFarland as its President and Chief Executive Officer, and joined CRC's Board of Directors. Mr. McFarland will continue to serve as a non-executive member of CRC's Board of Directors and Chair of the Board of its Carbon TerraVault subsidiary. Manuela (Nelly) Molina has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective May 8, 2023.

Shareholder Return Strategy

CRC continues to prioritize shareholder returns and therefore dedicates a significant portion of its free cash flow to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases.

During the first quarter of 2023, CRC repurchased 1.4 million shares for $59 million or an average price of $41.25 per share. Since the inception of the Share Repurchase Program in May 2021 through March 31, 2023, 12,880,024 shares have been repurchased for $519 million at an average price of $40.31 per share. These total repurchases represent 15% of CRC's shares outstanding at its bankruptcy emergence in October 2020.

On April 28, 2023, CRC's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.2825 per share of common stock. The dividend is payable to shareholders of record on June 1, 2023 and will be paid on June 16, 2023.

Through March 31, 2023, CRC has returned $612 million of cash to its shareholders, including $519 million in share repurchases and $93 million of dividends. These figures exclude share repurchases made after March 31, 2023 as well as the $20 million second quarter dividend declared and payable in June 2023.

Upcoming Investor Conference Participation

CRC's executives will be participating in the following events in May through July of 2023:

CRC's presentation materials will be available the day of the events on the Events and Presentations page in the Investor Relations section on www.crc.com.

Conference Call Details

To participate in the conference call scheduled for May 2, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, please dial (877) 328-5505 (International calls please dial +1 (412) 317-5421) or access via webcast at www.crc.com 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to register. Participants may also pre-register for the conference call at https://dpregister.com/sreg/10177066/f8cf780338. A digital replay of the conference call will be archived for approximately 90 days and supplemental slides for the conference call will be available online in the Investor Relations section of www.crc.com.

(1) See Attachment 2 for the non-GAAP financial measures of adjusted EBITDAX, operating costs per BOE (excluding effects of PSCs), adjusted net income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted, free cash flow, adjusted G&A and adjusted capital, including reconciliations to their most directly comparable GAAP measure, where applicable. For the full year 2023 and 2Q23 estimates of the non-GAAP measure of free cash flow, adjusted G&A and adjusted capital, including reconciliations to their most directly comparable GAAP measure, see Attachment 7.

(2) Calculated as $477 million of available cash plus $602 million of capacity on CRC's Revolving Credit Facility less $148 million in outstanding letters of credit.

(3) Current guidance assumes a 2023 Brent price of $79.54 per barrel of oil, NGL realizations as a percentage of Brent consistent with prior years and a NYMEX gas price of $2.92 per mcf and a 2Q23 Brent price of $79.69 per barrel of oil, NGL realizations as a percentage of Brent consistent with prior years and a NYMEX gas price of $2.22 per mcf. CRC's share of production under PSC contracts decreases when commodity prices rise and increases when prices fall.

(4) Adjusted E&P Capital and Adjusted CMB Capital are Non-GAAP measures. These measures reflect the reclassification of certain E&P, Corporate & Other Capital to CMB Capital related to the investment in facilities to advance carbon sequestration activities. For the full year 2023 and 2Q23 estimates of the non-GAAP measure of free cash flow, including reconciliations to their most directly comparable GAAP measure, see Attachment 7.

(5) CMB Expenses includes lease cost for sequestration easements, advocacy, and other startup related costs.

About Carbon TerraVault

Carbon TerraVault Holdings, LLC (CTV), a subsidiary of CRC, provides services that include the capture, transport and storage of carbon dioxide for its customers. CTV is engaged in a series of CCS projects that inject CO2 captured from industrial sources into depleted underground reservoirs and permanently store CO2 deep underground. For more information about CTV, please visit www.carbonterravault.com.

About California Resources Corporation

California Resources Corporation (CRC) is an independent energy and carbon management company committed to energy transition. CRC produces some of the lowest carbon intensity oil in the US and is focused on maximizing the value of its land, mineral and technical resources for decarbonization efforts. For more information about CRC, please visit www.crc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains statements that CRC believes to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than historical facts are forward-looking statements, and include statements regarding CRC's future financial position, business strategy, projected revenues, earnings, costs, capital expenditures and plans and objectives of management for the future. Words such as "expect," "could," "may," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "ability," "believe," "seek," "see," "will," "would," "estimate," "forecast," "target," "guidance," "outlook," "opportunity" or "strategy" or similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such statements.

Although CRC believes the expectations and forecasts reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, they are inherently subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond CRC's control. No assurance can be given that such forward-looking statements will be correct or achieved or that the assumptions are accurate or will not change over time. Particular uncertainties that could cause CRC's actual results to be materially different than those expressed in its forward-looking statements include:

CRC cautions you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this document, which speak only as of the filing date, and CRC undertakes no obligation to update this information. This document may also contain information from third party sources. This data may involve a number of assumptions and limitations, and CRC has not independently verified them and do not warrant the accuracy or completeness of such third-party information.

Attachment 1

SUMMARY OF RESULTS

1st Quarter

4th Quarter

1st Quarter

($ and shares in millions, except per share amounts)

2023

2022

2022

Statements of Operations:

Revenues

Oil, natural gas and NGL sales

$

715

$

617

$

628

Net gain (loss) from commodity derivatives

42

(132

)

(562

)

Sales of purchased natural gas

184

94

32

Electricity sales

68

90

34

Other revenue

15

13

21

Total operating revenues

1,024

682

153

Operating Expenses

Operating costs

254

199

182

General and administrative expenses

65

59

48

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

58

49

49

Asset impairment

3

-

-

Taxes other than on income

42

42

34

Exploration expense

1

1

1

Purchased natural gas expense

124

87

21

Electricity generation expenses

49

68

24

Transportation costs

17

13

12

Accretion expense

12

11

11

Other operating expenses, net

13

20

14

Total operating expenses

638

549

396

Net gain on asset divestitures

7

(1

)

54

Operating Income (Loss)

393

132

(189

)

Non-Operating (Expenses) Income

Interest and debt expense

(14

)

(14

)

(13

)

Loss from investment in unconsolidated subsidiary

(2

)

(1

)

-

Other non-operating (expenses) income, net

(1

)

-

1

Net Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

376

117

(201

)

Income tax (provision) benefit

(75

)

(34

)

26

Net income (Loss)

$

301

$

83

$

(175

)

Net income (loss) attributable to common stock per share - basic

$

4.22

$

1.14

$

(2.23

)

Net income (loss) attributable to common stock per share - diluted

$

4.09

$

1.11

$

(2.23

)

Adjusted net income

$

193

$

93

$

91

Adjusted net income per share - basic

$

2.71

$

1.28

$

1.16

Adjusted net income per share - diluted

$

2.63

$

1.24

$

1.13

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic

71.3

72.7

78.5

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted

73.5

75.0

78.5

Adjusted EBITDAX

$

358

$

208

$

206

Effective tax rate

20

%

29

%

13

%

1st Quarter

4th Quarter

1st Quarter

($ in millions)

2023

2022

2022

Cash Flow Data:

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

310

$

114

$

160

Net cash used in investing activities

$

(61

)

$

(79

)

$

(53

)

Net cash used in financing activities

$

(79

)

$

(86

)

$

(84

)

March 31,

December 31,

($ in millions)

2023

2022

Selected Balance Sheet Data:

Total current assets

$

972

$

864

Property, plant and equipment, net

$

2,764

$

2,786

Deferred tax asset

$

117

$

164

Total current liabilities

$

717

$

894

Long-term debt, net

$

592

$

592

Noncurrent asset retirement obligations

$

424

$

432

Stockholders' Equity

$

2,092

$

1,864

GAINS AND LOSSES FROM COMMODITY DERIVATIVES

1st Quarter

4th Quarter

1st Quarter

($ millions)

2023

2022

2022

Non-cash derivative gain (loss)

$

107

$

2

$

(381

)

Net payments on settled commodity contracts

(65

)

(134

)

(181

)

Net gain (loss) from commodity derivatives

$

42

$

(132

)

$

(562

)

CAPITAL INVESTMENTS

1st Quarter

4th Quarter

1st Quarter

($ millions)

2023

2022

2022

Facilities (1)

$

9

$

19

$

32

Drilling

25

48

59

Workovers

6

14

6

Total E&P capital

40

81

97

CMB (1)(2)

1

(13

)

1

Corporate and other

6

7

1

Total capital program

$

47

$

75

$

99

(1) Facilities capital includes $1 million, $3 million and $2 million in the first quarter of 2023, fourth quarter of 2022 and first quarter of 2022, respectively, to build replacement water injection facilities which will allow CRC to divert produced water away from a depleted oil and natural gas reservoir held by the Carbon TerraVault JV. Construction of these facilities supports the advancement of CRC's carbon management business and CRC reported these amounts as part of adjusted CMB capital in this press release. Where adjusted CMB capital is presented, CRC removed the amounts from facilities capital and presented adjusted E&P, Corporate and Other capital.

(2) In the fourth quarter of 2022, $14 million of capital investments was reclassified from PP&E to other noncurrent assets.

Attachment 2

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES AND RECONCILIATIONS

To supplement the presentation of its financial results prepared in accordance with U.S generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), management uses certain non-GAAP measures to assess its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The non-GAAP measures include adjusted net income (loss), adjusted EBITDAX, E&P, Corporate & Other adjusted EBITDAX, CMB adjusted EBITDAX, free cash flow, E&P, Corporate & Other free cash flow, CMB free cash flow, adjusted general and administrative expenses, operating costs per BOE, and adjusted total capital among others. These measures are also widely used by the industry, the investment community and our lenders. Although these are non-GAAP measures, the amounts included in the calculations were computed in accordance with GAAP. Certain items excluded from these non-GAAP measures are significant components in understanding and assessing our financial performance, such as our cost of capital and tax structure, as well as the effect of acquisition and development costs of our assets. Management believes that the non-GAAP measures presented, when viewed in combination with its financial and operating results prepared in accordance with GAAP, provide a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting the Company's performance. The non-GAAP measures presented herein may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Below are additional disclosures regarding each of the non-GAAP measures reported in this press release, including reconciliations to their most directly comparable GAAP measure where applicable.

ADJUSTED NET INCOME (LOSS)

Adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) per share are non-GAAP measures. CRC defines adjusted net income as net income excluding the effects of significant transactions and events that affect earnings but vary widely and unpredictably in nature, timing and amount. These events may recur, even across successive reporting periods. Management believes these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to the industry and the investment community interested in comparing our financial performance between periods. Reported earnings are considered representative of management's performance over the long term. Adjusted net income (loss) is not considered to be an alternative to net income (loss) reported in accordance with GAAP. The following table presents a reconciliation of the GAAP financial measure of net income and net income attributable to common stock per share to the non-GAAP financial measure of adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share.

1st Quarter

4th Quarter

1st Quarter

($ millions, except per share amounts)

2023

2022

2022

Net income (loss)

$

301

$

83

$

(175

)

Unusual, infrequent and other items:

Non-cash derivative (gain) loss

(107

)

(2

)

381

Asset impairment

3

-

-

Severance and termination costs

1

-

-

Net (gain) loss on asset divestitures

(7

)

1

(54

)

Rig termination expenses

1

2

-

Other, net

2

13

1

Total unusual, infrequent and other items

(107

)

14

328

Income tax provision (benefit) of adjustments at effective tax rate

30

(4

)

(93

)

Income tax (benefit) provision - out of period

(31

)

-

31

Adjusted net income attributable to common stock

$

193

$

93

$

91

Net income (loss) attributable to common stock per share - basic

$

4.22

$

1.14

$

(2.23

)

Net income (loss) attributable to common stock per share - diluted

$

4.09

$

1.11

$

(2.23

)

Adjusted net income per share - basic

$

2.71

$

1.28

$

1.16

Adjusted net income per share - diluted

$

2.63

$

1.24

$

1.13

ADJUSTED EBITDAX

CRC defines Adjusted EBITDAX as earnings before interest expense; income taxes; depreciation, depletion and amortization; exploration expense; other unusual, infrequent and out-of-period items; and other non-cash items. CRC believes this measure provides useful information in assessing its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and is widely used by the industry, the investment community and its lenders. Although this is a non-GAAP measure, the amounts included in the calculation were computed in accordance with GAAP. Certain items excluded from this non-GAAP measure are significant components in understanding and assessing CRC's financial performance, such as its cost of capital and tax structure, as well as depreciation, depletion and amortization of CRC's assets. This measure should be read in conjunction with the information contained in CRC's financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. A version of Adjusted EBITDAX is a material component of certain of its financial covenants under CRC's Revolving Credit Facility and is provided in addition to, and not as an alternative for, income and liquidity measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

The following table represents a reconciliation of the GAAP financial measures of net income and net cash provided by operating activities to the non-GAAP financial measure of adjusted EBITDAX. CRC has supplemented its non-GAAP measures of consolidated adjusted EBITDAX with adjusted EBITDAX for its exploration and production and corporate items (Adjusted EBITDAX for E&P, Corporate & Other) which management believes is a useful measure for investors to understand the results of the core oil and gas business. CRC defines adjusted EBITDAX for E&P, Corporate & Other as consolidated adjusted EBITDAX less results attributable to its carbon management business (CMB).

1st Quarter

4th Quarter

1st Quarter

($ millions, except per BOE amounts)

2023

2022

2022

Net income (loss)

$

301

$

83

$

(175

)

Interest and debt expense

14

14

13

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

58

49

49

Income tax provision (benefit)

75

34

(26

)

Exploration expense

1

1

1

Interest income

(4

)

(3

)

-

Unusual, infrequent and other items (1)

(107

)

14

328

Non-cash items

Accretion expense

12

11

11

Stock-based compensation

7

4

4

Post-retirement medical and pension

1

1

1

Adjusted EBITDAX

$

358

$

208

$

206

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

310

$

114

$

160

Cash interest payments

23

2

23

Cash interest received

(4

)

(3

)

-

Exploration expenditures

1

1

1

Working capital changes

28

94

22

Adjusted EBITDAX

$

358

$

208

$

206

E&P, Corporate & Other Adjusted EBITDAX

$

367

$

223

$

208

CMB Adjusted EBITDAX

$

(9

)

$

(15

)

$

(2

)

Adjusted EBITDAX per Boe

$

44.55

$

24.94

$

25.89

(1) See Adjusted Net Income (Loss) reconciliation.

FREE CASH FLOW

Management uses free cash flow, which is defined by CRC as net cash provided by operating activities less capital investments, as a measure of liquidity. The following table presents a reconciliation of CRC's net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow. CRC supplemented its non-GAAP measure of free cash flow with free cash flow of its exploration and production and corporate items (Free Cash Flow for E&P, Corporate & Other), which it believes is a useful measure for investors to understand the results of CRC's core oil and gas business. CRC defines Free Cash Flow for E&P, Corporate & Other as consolidated free cash flow less results attributable to its carbon management business (CMB).

1st Quarter

4th Quarter

1st Quarter

($ millions)

2023

2022

2022

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

310

$

114

$

160

Capital investments

(47

)

(75

)

(99

)

Free cash flow

$

263

$

39

$

61

E&P, Corporate and Other

$

270

$

61

$

64

CMB

$

(7

)

$

(22

)

$

(3

)

Adjustments to capital investments:

Replacement water facilities(2)

$

1

$

3

$

2

Adjusted capital investments:

E&P, Corporate and Other

$

45

$

85

$

96

CMB

$

2

$

(10

)

$

3

Adjusted free cash flow(1):

E&P, Corporate and Other

$

271

$

64

$

66

CMB

$

(8

)

$

(25

)

$

(5

)

(1)Adjusted free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less adjusted capital investments.

(2) Facilities capital includes $1 million, $3 million and $2 million in the first quarter of 2023, fourth quarter of 2022 and first quarter of 2022, respectively, to build replacement water injection facilities which will allow CRC to divert produced water away from a depleted oil and natural gas reservoir held by the Carbon TerraVault JV. Construction of these facilities supports the advancement of CRC's carbon management business and CRC reported these amounts as part of adjusted CMB capital in this press release. Where adjusted CMB capital is presented, CRC removed the amounts from facilities capital and presented adjusted E&P, Corporate and Other capital.

ADJUSTED GENERAL & ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

Management uses a measure called adjusted general and administrative (G&A) expenses to provide useful information to investors interested in comparing our costs between periods and performance to our peers. CRC supplemented its non-GAAP measure of adjusted general and administrative expenses with adjusted general and administrative expenses of its exploration and production and corporate items (adjusted general & administrative expenses for E&P, Corporate & Other) which it believes is a useful measure for investors to understand the results or CRC's core oil and gas business. CRC defines adjusted general & administrative Expenses for E&P, Corporate & Other as consolidated adjusted general and administrative expenses less results attributable to its carbon management business (CMB).

1st Quarter

4th Quarter

1st Quarter

($ millions)

2023

2022

2022

General and administrative expenses

$

65

$

59

$

48

Stock-based compensation

(7

)

(4

)

(4

)

Other

(3

)

(2

)

-

Adjusted G&A expenses

$

55

$

53

$

44

E&P, Corporate and Other adjusted G&A expenses

$

52

$

51

$

43

CMB adjusted G&A expenses

$

3

$

2

$

1

OPERATING COSTS PER BOE

The reporting of PSC-type contracts creates a difference between reported operating costs, which are for the full field, and reported volumes, which are only CRC's net share, inflating the per barrel operating costs. The following table presents operating costs after adjusting for the excess costs attributable to PSCs.

1st Quarter

4th Quarter

1st Quarter

($ per BOE)

2023

2022

2022

Energy operating costs (1)

$

15.56

$

9.56

$

9.16

Gas processing costs (2)

0.62

0.48

0.56

Non-energy operating costs (3)

15.43

13.82

13.15

Operating costs

$

31.61

$

23.86

$

22.87

Costs attributable to PSCs

Excess energy operating costs attributable to PSCs

$

(1.19

)

$

(0.76

)

$

(0.90

)

Excess non-energy operating costs attributable to PSCs

(1.04

)

(1.14

)

(1.40

)

Excess costs attributable to PSCs

$

(2.23

)

$

(1.90

)

$

(2.30

)

Energy operating costs, excluding effect of PSCs (1)

$

14.37

$

8.80

$

8.26

Gas processing costs, excluding effect of PSCs (2)

0.62

0.48

0.56

Non-energy operating costs, excluding effect of PSCs (3)

14.39

12.68

11.75

Operating costs, excluding effects of PSCs

$

29.38

$

21.96

$

20.57

(1) Energy operating costs consist of purchased natural gas used to generate electricity for operations and steamfloods, purchased electricity and internal costs to generate electricity used in CRC's operations.

(2) Gas processing costs include costs associated with compression, maintenance and other activities needed to run CRC's gas processing facilities at Elk Hills.

(3) Non-energy operating costs equal total operating costs less energy operating costs and gas processing costs. Purchased natural gas used to generate steam in CRC's steamfloods was reclassified from non-energy operating costs to energy operating costs beginning in the third quarter of 2022. All prior periods have been updated to conform to this presentation.

Attachment 3

PRODUCTION STATISTICS

1st Quarter

4th Quarter

1st Quarter

Net Production Per Day

2023

2022

2022

Oil (MBbl/d)

San Joaquin Basin

35

36

38

Los Angeles Basin

20

19

18

Total

55

55

56

NGLs (MBbl/d)

San Joaquin Basin

11

11

9

Total

11

11

9

Natural Gas (MMcf/d)

San Joaquin Basin

119

129

121

Los Angeles Basin

1

1

1

Sacramento Basin

16

17

19

Total

136

147

141

Total Production (MBoe/d)

89

91

88

Gross Operated and Net Non-Operated

1st Quarter

4th Quarter

1st Quarter

Production Per Day

2023

2022

2022

Oil (MBbl/d)

San Joaquin Basin

39

40

43

Los Angeles Basin

26

25

26

Total

65

65

69

NGLs (MBbl/d)

San Joaquin Basin

12

12

9

Total

12

12

9

Natural Gas (MMcf/d)

San Joaquin Basin

135

136

129

Los Angeles Basin

7

8

8

Sacramento Basin

20

21

23

Total

162

165

160

Total Production (MBoe/d)

103

105

105

Note: MBbl/d refers to thousands of barrels per day; MMcf/d refers to millions of cubic feet per day; MBoe/d refers to thousands of barrels of oil equivalent (Boe) per day. Natural gas volumes have been converted to Boe based on the equivalence of energy content of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil. Barrels of oil equivalence does not necessarily result in price equivalence.

Attachment 4

PRICE STATISTICS

1st Quarter

4th Quarter

1st Quarter

2023

2022

2022

Oil ($ per Bbl)

Realized price with derivative settlements

$

63.04

$

61.33

$

60.30

Realized price without derivative settlements

$

78.68

$

87.15

$

96.13

NGLs ($/Bbl)

$

58.88

$

56.55

$

78.63

Natural gas ($/Mcf)

Realized price with derivative settlements

$

21.56

$

8.51

$

6.28

Realized price without derivative settlements

$

21.56

$

8.73

$

6.28

Index Prices

Brent oil ($/Bbl)

$

82.22

$

88.60

$

97.38

WTI oil ($/Bbl)

$

76.13

$

82.64

$

94.29

NYMEX average monthly settled price ($/MMBtu)

$

3.42

$

6.26

$

4.95

Realized Prices as Percentage of Index Prices

Oil with derivative settlements as a percentage of Brent

77

%

69

%

62

%

Oil without derivative settlements as a percentage of Brent

96

%

98

%

99

%

Oil with derivative settlements as a percentage of WTI

83

%

74

%

64

%

Oil without derivative settlements as a percentage of WTI

103

%

105

%

102

%

NGLs as a percentage of Brent

72

%

64

%

81

%

NGLs as a percentage of WTI

77

%

68

%

83

%

Natural gas with derivative settlements as a percentage of NYMEX contract month average

630

%

136

%

127

%

Natural gas without derivative settlements as a percentage of NYMEX contract month average

630

%

139

%

127

%

Attachment 5

FIRST QUARTER 2023 DRILLING ACTIVITY

San Joaquin

Los Angeles

Ventura

Sacramento

Wells Drilled

Basin

Basin

Basin

Basin

Total

Development Wells

Primary

2

-

-

-

2

Waterflood

1

6

-

-

7

Steamflood

-

-

-

-

-

Total (1)

3

6

-

-

9

(1) Includes steam injectors and drilled but uncompleted wells, which are not included in the SEC definition of wells drilled.

Attachment 6

OIL HEDGES AS OF MARCH 31, 2023

Q2 2023

Q3 2023

Q4 2023

1H 2024

2H 2024

Sold Calls

Barrels per day

17,837

17,363

5,747

2,000

4,000

Weighted-average Brent price per barrel

$60.00

$57.06

$57.06

$90.53

$90.53

Swaps

Barrels per day

16,475

17,697

27,094

3,500

1,000

Weighted-average Brent price per barrel

$70.48

$69.27

$70.73

$78.79

$77.20

Net Purchased Puts (1)

Barrels per day

17,837

17,363

5,747

5,467

4,000

Weighted-average Brent price per barrel

$76.25

$76.25

$76.25

$71.80

$66.25

(1) Purchased puts and sold puts with the same strike price have been presented on a net basis.

Attachment 7

2023 Estimated

TOTAL CRC GUIDANCE1

Consolidated

CMB

E&P, Corporate & Other

Net Total Production (MBoe/d)

85 - 91

85 - 91

Net Oil Production (MBbl/d)

51 - 55

51 - 55

Operating Costs ($ millions)

$815 - $865

$815 - $865

CMB Expenses2 ($ millions)

$25 - $35

$25 - $35

Adjusted General and Administrative Expenses ($ millions)

$195 - $225

$10 - $15

$185 - $210

Adjusted Total Capital3 ($ millions)

$200 - $245

$15 - $25

$185 - $220

Free Cash Flow ($ millions)

$360 - $470

Adjusted Free Cash Flow ($ millions)

($60) - ($80)

$440 - $530

Marketing & Trading, Net ($ millions)

$80 - $110

$80 - $110

Net Electricity ($ millions)

$70 - $110

$70 - $110

Transportation Expense ($ millions)

$50 - $70

$50 - $70

ARO Settlement Payments* ($ millions)

$55 - $60

$55 - $60

Taxes Other Than on Income* ($ millions)

$175 - $185

$175 - $185

Interest and Debt Expense* ($ millions)

$55 - $60

$55 - $60

Cash Income Taxes* ($ millions)

$100 - $120

$100 - $120

Commodity Realizations:

Oil - % of Brent:

97% - 99%

97% - 99%

NGL - % of Brent:

58% - 64%

58% - 64%

Natural Gas - % of NYMEX*:

150% - 250%

150% - 250%

*Notes:

  • 2023E ARO Settlement Payments: ~25% of estimated annual amount is paid every quarter
  • 2023E Taxes Other Than on Income: ~30% of estimated annual amount is paid in 1Q, 2Q and 4Q, respectively
  • 2023E Interest Expense: ~46% of estimated annual amount is paid in cash in 1Q and 3Q, respectively
  • Cash Income Taxes aren't paid evenly throughout 2023

CRC GUIDANCE3

Total

2Q23E

CMB

2Q23E

E&P, Corp. & Other 2Q23E

Net Total Production (MBoe/d)

86 - 88

86 - 88

Net Oil Production (MBbl/d)

54 - 52

54 - 52

Operating Costs ($ millions)

$175 - $195

$175 - $195

CMB Expenses2 ($ millions)

$5 - $10

$5 - $10

Adjusted General and Administrative Expenses1 ($ millions)

$52 - $60

$2 - $5

$50 - $55

Adjusted Total Capital3 ($ millions)

$46 - $62

$1 - $2

$45 - $60

Free Cash Flow1 ($ millions)

$45 - $ 65

Adjusted Free Cash Flow ($ millions)

($10) - ($15)

$60 - $75

Marketing & Trading, Net ($ millions)

$17 - $22

$17 - $22

Net Electricity ($ millions)

$12 - $17

$12 - $17

Transportation Expense ($ millions)

$10 - $15

$10 - $15

Cash Income Taxes ($ millions)

$50 - $60

$50 - $60

Commodity Realizations:

Oil - % of Brent:

94% - 98%

94% - 98%

NGL - % of Brent:

55% - 60%

55% - 60%

Natural Gas - % of NYMEX:

150% - 160%

150% - 160%

See Attachment 2 for management's disclosure of its use of these non-GAAP measures and how these measures provide useful information to investors about CRC's results of operations and financial condition. CRC has supplemented its non-GAAP measures of consolidated free cash flow with free cash flow from our exploration and production and corporate items (free cash flow from E&P, Corporate & Other) which CRC believes is a useful measure for investors to understand the results of its core oil and gas business. CRC defines free cash flow from E&P, Corporate & Other as consolidated free cash flow less free cash flow attributable to CMB.

ESTIMATED FREE CASH FLOW RECONCILIATION

2023 Estimated

Consolidated

CMB

E&P, Corporate & Other

($ millions)

Low

High

Low

High

Low

High

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

$

605

$

670

$

(55

)

$

(45

)

$

660

$

715

Capital investments

(245

)

(200

)

(15

)

(5

)

(230

)

(195

)

Estimated free cash flow

$

360

$

470

$

(70

)

$

(50

)

$

430

$

520

Adjustments to capital investments:

Replacement water facilities

(10

)

(10

)

10

10

Adjusted capital investments(3)

$

(25

)

$

(15

)

$

(230

)

$

(195

)

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

$

(55

)

$

(45

)

$

660

$

715

Adjusted capital investments

(25

)

(15

)

(220

)

(185

)

Estimated adjusted free cash flow

$

(80

)

$

(60

)

$

440

$

530

2Q23 Estimated

Consolidated

CMB

E&P, Corporate & Other

($ millions)

Low

High

Low

High

Low

High

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

$

107

$

111

$

(13

)

$

(9

)

$

120

$

120

Capital investments

(62

)

(46

)

(1

)

-

(61

)

(46

)

Estimated free cash flow

$

45

$

65

$

(14

)

$

(9

)

$

59

$

74

Adjustments to capital investments:

Replacement water facilities

(1

)

(1

)

1

1

Adjusted capital investments(3)

$

(2

)

$

(1

)

$

(60

)

$

(45

)

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

$

(13

)

$

(9

)

$

120

$

120

Adjusted capital investments

(2

)

(1

)

(60

)

(45

)

Estimated adjusted free cash flow

$

(15

)

$

(10

)

$

60

$

75

ESTIMATED ADJUSTED GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES RECONCILIATION

2023 Estimated

Consolidated

CMB

E&P, Corporate & Other

($ millions)

Low

High

Low

High

Low

High

General and administrative expenses

$

235

$

250

$

10

$

15

$

225

$

235

Equity-settled stock-based compensation

(25

)

(15

)

(25

)

(15

)

Other

(15

)

(10

)

(15

)

(10

)

Estimated adjusted general and administrative expenses

$

195

$

225

$

10

$

15

$

185

$

210

2Q23 Estimated

Consolidated

CMB

E&P, Corporate & Other

($ millions)

Low

High

Low

High

Low

High

General and administrative expenses

$

67

$

72

$

2

$

5

$

65

$

67

Equity-settled stock-based compensation

(8

)

(6

)

(8

)

(6

)

Other

(7

)

(6

)

(7

)

(6

)

Estimated adjusted general and administrative expenses

$

52

$

60

$

2

$

5

$

50

$

55

(1) Current guidance assumes a 2023 Brent price of $79.54 per barrel of oil, NGL realizations as a percentage of Brent consistent with prior years and a NYMEX gas price of $2.92 per mcf and a 2Q23 Brent price of $79.69 per barrel of oil, NGL realizations as a percentage of Brent consistent with prior years and a NYMEX gas price of $2.22 per mcf. CRC's share of production under PSC contracts decreases when commodity prices rise and increases when prices fall.

(2) CMB Expenses includes lease cost for sequestration easements, advocacy, and other startup related costs.

(3) Adjusted E&P capital investments and Adjusted CMB capital investments are non-GAAP measures. These measures reflect E&P facilities capital for replacement water injection facilities (which will allow our oil and gas operations to divert produced water away from a depleted oil and natural gas reservoir held by the Carbon TerraVault JV) as Adjusted CMB capital investment. Construction of these facilities supports the advancement of CRC's carbon management business (CMB). CRC has supplemented its non-GAAP financial measure of free cash flow with adjusted free cash flow calculated using adjusted capital investments for its E&P, Corporate & Other. Management believes this is a useful measure for investors to understand the results of the core oil and gas business. CRC defines adjusted free cash flow for E&P, Corporate & Other as consolidated free cash flow less results attributable to its carbon management business.





Contact

Joanna Park (Investor Relations)
818-661-3731
Joanna.Park@crc.com

Richard Venn (Media)
818-661-6014
Richard.Venn@crc.com