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California Resources Corporation Reports Strong Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results, Announces 10% Increase in Quarterly Dividend and Meaningfully Advances its Carbon Management Business

01.11.2023  |  Business Wire

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

"CRC's strong third-quarter performance demonstrates the hard work of our team and the flexibility of the Company's business strategy to create value for shareholders across various fronts. Foundational to this success has been CRC's ability to generate significant free cash flow, meaningfully advance the Company's carbon management business and demonstrate our California advantage," said Francisco Leon, CRC President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are raising our dividend for the third year in a row and have bought back $604 million of stock since the inception of our share repurchase program, and have repurchased $35 million of senior notes year to date. We see a number of new and exciting developments for CRC as we continue to build a different kind of energy company."

Primary Highlights

Quarterly Financial Highlights

Quarterly Operational Highlights

Total Year 2023 Guidance and Capital Program4

CRC is narrowing its guidance range for average daily total net production from 85 to 91 Mboe/d4 to 85 and 87 MBoe/d4 (~60 % oil) for the full year 2023 to reflect the previously announced and anticipated 5% to 7% entry to exit decline in production.

The Company is lowering its guidance range for the 2023 capital program from $200 to $245 million to $185 to $210 million due to the timing of projects and the availability of permits. The program includes $180 to $200 million of adjusted E&P, corporate and other adjusted capital5 and $5 to $10 million of adjusted CMB capital5 for carbon management projects. On average for 2023, CRC plans to execute a 1 to 1.5 rig development program. Activity will focus on drilling new locations where CRC has permits and high return workovers. The capital plan also includes procuring critical components for planned maintenance of power and gas processing facilities in 2024 as well as incremental spending to advance CRC's carbon management business.

CRC increased its guidance for natural gas marketing margin for the full year 2023 from $135 to $150 million to $155 to $185 million range to reflect the Company's performance through the first three quarters of the year. The Company also narrowed its 2023 guidance for net electricity margin to $80 to $110 million and narrowed the range for taxes other than on income to $170 to $180 million. CRC's transportation expense guidance increased $10 million to a range of $60 to $80 million. Similarly, CRC's 2023 commodity realizations guidance were adjusted to reflect the Company's expected results.

CRC anticipates additional investment for subsurface land easements during the fourth quarter of 2023 to expand its carbon management business and has increased its guidance for CMB adjusted free cash flow1 for the full year 2023 from ($60) to ($80) million to ($70) to ($90) million. Additionally, CRC's E&P, Corporate and Other free cash flow1 guidance was narrowed from $460 to $520 million to $470 to $510 million. As a result, CRC narrowed its total 2023 free cash flow1 guidance from $380 to $460 million to $380 to $440 million. See Attachment 2 for further information on CRC's total year 2023 guidance.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Guidance and Capital Program4

CRC expects its fourth quarter 2023 total capital to range between $70 to $76 million under current operating conditions. This includes $5 to $10 million of adjusted CMB capital5 as well as procuring critical components for planned maintenance at a power plant and a gas processing facility at Elk Hills in 2024.

At this level of spending, CRC expects average net total production between 82 and 85 net MBoe/d4 (~60% oil) in the fourth quarter of 2023, running a 1 drilling rig program in the Los Angeles basin. See Attachment 2 for further information on CRC's 4Q23 guidance.

During the fourth quarter of 2023, CRC expects to invest approximately $10 to $20 million for additional land easements to expand its carbon management business.

Third Quarter Financial Results

Selected Production, Price Information and Results of Operations

3rd Quarter

2nd Quarter

($ in millions)

2023

2023

Average net oil production per day (MBbl/d)

85

86

Realized oil price with derivative settlements ($ per Bbl)

$

66.12

$

63.66

Average net NGL production per day (MBbl/d)

11

11

Realized NGL price ($ per Bbl)

$

44.95

$

42.48

Average net natural gas production per day (Mmcf/d)

138

135

Realized natural gas price with derivative settlements ($ per Mcf)

$

4.83

$

3.46

Average net total production per day (MBoe/d)

85

86

Margin from marketing purchased natural gas ($ millions)

$

47

$

45

Margin from electricity sales ($ millions)

$

44

$

21

Net (loss) gain from commodity derivatives ($ millions)

$

(204

)

$

31

Selected Financial Statement Data and non-GAAP measures:

3rd Quarter

2nd Quarter

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

2023

2023

Statements of Operations:

Revenues

Total operating revenues

$

460

$

591

Selected Expenses

Operating costs

$

196

$

186

General and administrative expenses1

$

65

$

71

Adjusted general and administrative expenses1

$

51

$

57

Taxes other than on income

$

48

$

42

Transportation costs

$

16

$

16

Exploration expense

$

-

$

1

Operating (loss) Income

$

(15

)

$

147

Interest and debt expense

$

(15

)

$

(14

)

Income tax (benefit) provision

$

8

$

(38

)

Deferred income tax (benefit) provision

$

(40

)

$

9

Net (loss) Income

$

(22

)

$

97

Adjusted net income1

$

74

$

38

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted

68.7

71.9

Net (loss) income per share - diluted

$

(0.32

)

$

1.35

Adjusted net income1 per share - diluted

$

1.02

$

0.53

Adjusted EBITDAX1

$

187

$

138

Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities, net1

$

129

$

98

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

104

$

108

Capital investments

$

33

$

39

Free cash flow1

$

71

$

69

Cash and cash equivalents

$

479

$

448

Balance Sheet and Liquidity Update

The aggregate commitment under CRC's Revolving Credit Facility was $627 million as of September 30, 2023. On October 30, 2023, the borrowing base for the Revolving Credit Facility was reaffirmed at $1.2 billion as part of CRC's semi-annual redetermination and the aggregate commitment amount increased to $630 million.

As of September 30, 2023, CRC had liquidity of $958 million, which consisted of $479 million in cash and cash equivalents plus $479 million of available borrowing capacity under its Revolving Credit Facility (which is net of $148 million of issued letters of credit).

Reorganization

In August 2023, CRC implemented organizational changes that resulted in a headcount reduction of 75 employees. These actions were taken to better align CRC's resources to its strategic priorities and improve its operational efficiency. As a result, CRC recognized a charge of $7 million in other operating expenses, net for the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily related to severance benefits. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, CRC recognized a severance charge of $10 million. CRC expects these actions, along with other initiatives taken to streamline its operations, to result in at least $55 million of savings in operating and overhead costs on an annualized basis.

Shareholder Return and Deleveraging 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, share repurchases and debt repurchases.

On November 1, 2023, CRC's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.31 per share of common stock. The dividend is payable to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 1, 2023 and is expected to be paid on December 15, 2023.

During the third quarter of 2023, CRC repurchased 0.4 million shares for approximately $20 million at an average price of $54.75 per share. Since the inception of the Share Repurchase Program in May 2021 through September 30, 2023, 14,863,915 shares have been repurchased for $604 million at an average price of $40.53 per share, including commissions and excise taxes. These total repurchases represent ~18% of CRC's shares outstanding since December 31, 2020.

CRC repurchased $5 million in face value of its senior notes at par in the third quarter and an additional $30 million of its senior notes at an average price of 100.50% of par in October 2023. After these repurchases, the remaining principal amount of CRC's senior notes is $565 million due February 1, 2026.

CRC has returned $739 million of cash to its stakeholders, including $604 million in share repurchases, $5 million in debt repurchases and $132 million of dividends since December 31st, 2020, through September 30, 2023. These figures exclude $30 million of senior notes repurchased subsequent to quarter end and $21 million of dividends expected to be paid on December 15, 2023.

Upcoming Investor Conference Participation

CRC's executives will be participating in the following events:

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 November 2, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, please dial (877) 315-5411 (International calls please dial +1 (412) 902-6739) 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/10182061/fa45058ce0. 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 3 for the non-GAAP financial measures of operating costs per BOE (excluding effects of PSCs), adjusted net income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted, net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities, net, free cash flow, adjusted 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 3Q23 estimates of the non-GAAP measure of free cash flow, adjusted free cash flow, adjusted G&A and adjusted capital, including reconciliations to their most directly comparable GAAP measure, see Attachment 3.
2 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.
3 Calculated as $479 million of available cash plus $627 million of capacity on CRC's Revolving Credit Facility less $148 million in outstanding letters of credit.
4 Current guidance assumes a 2023 Brent price of $84.16 per barrel of oil, NGL realizations as a percentage of Brent consistent with prior years and a NYMEX gas price of $2.77 per mcf and a 4Q23 Brent price of $90.46 per barrel of oil, NGL realizations as a percentage of Brent consistent with prior years and a NYMEX gas price of $3.00 per mcf. CRC's share of production under PSC contracts decreases when commodity prices rise and increases when prices fall.
5 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 4Q23 estimates of the non-GAAP measure of free cash flow, including reconciliations to their most directly comparable GAAP measure, see Attachment 2.
6 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

3rd Quarter

2nd Quarter

3rd Quarter

Nine Months

Nine Months

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

2023

2023

2022

2023

2022

Statements of Operations:

Revenues

Oil, natural gas and NGL sales

$

510

$

447

$

680

$

1,672

$

2,026

Net (loss) gain from commodity derivatives

(204

)

31

243

(131

)

(419

)

Marketing of purchased natural gas

78

72

113

334

220

Electricity sales

67

34

88

169

171

Other revenue

9

7

1

31

27

Total operating revenues

460

591

1,125

2,075

2,025

Operating Expenses

Operating costs

196

186

214

636

586

General and administrative expenses

65

71

59

201

163

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

56

56

50

170

149

Asset impairment

-

-

-

3

2

Taxes other than on income

48

42

44

132

120

Exploration expense

-

1

1

2

3

Purchased natural gas marketing expense

31

27

98

182

186

Electricity generation expenses

23

13

42

85

99

Transportation costs

16

16

13

49

37

Accretion expense

12

11

10

35

32

Other operating expenses, net

28

21

5

62

28

Total operating expenses

475

444

536

1,557

1,405

Net gain on asset divestitures

-

-

2

7

60

Operating (Loss) Income

(15

)

147

591

525

680

Non-Operating (Expenses) Income

Interest and debt expense

(15

)

(14

)

(13

)

(43

)

(39

)

Loss from investment in unconsolidated subsidiary

(3

)

(1

)

-

(6

)

-

Other non-operating income, net

3

3

1

5

3

(Loss) Income Before Income Taxes

(30

)

135

579

481

644

Income tax benefit (provision)

8

(38

)

(153

)

(105

)

(203

)

Net (Loss) income

$

(22

)

$

97

$

426

$

376

$

441

Net (loss) income per share - basic

$

(0.32

)

$

1.39

$

5.75

$

5.38

$

5.77

Net (loss) income per share - diluted

$

(0.32

)

$

1.35

$

5.58

$

5.18

$

5.62

Adjusted net income

$

74

$

38

$

111

$

305

$

291

Adjusted net income per share - basic

$

1.08

$

0.55

$

1.50

$

4.36

$

3.81

Adjusted net income per share - diluted

$

1.02

$

0.53

$

1.45

$

4.20

$

3.71

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic

68.7

69.7

74.1

69.9

76.4

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted

68.7

71.9

76.3

72.6

78.5

Adjusted EBITDAX

$

187

$

138

$

234

$

683

$

644

Effective tax rate

27

%

28

%

26

%

22

%

32

%

3rd Quarter

2nd Quarter

3rd Quarter

Nine Months

Nine Months

($ in millions)

2023

2023

2022

2023

2022

Cash Flow Data:

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

104

$

108

$

235

$

522

$

576

Net cash used in investing activities

$

(28

)

$

(44

)

$

(109

)

$

(133

)

$

(238

)

Net cash used in financing activities

$

(45

)

$

(93

)

$

(92

)

$

(217

)

$

(285

)

Sept. 30,

December 31,

($ in millions)

2023

2022

Selected Balance Sheet Data:

Total current assets

$

929

$

864

Property, plant and equipment, net

$

2,722

$

2,786

Deferred tax asset

$

150

$

164

Total current liabilities

$

694

$

894

Long-term debt, net

$

589

$

592

Noncurrent asset retirement obligations

$

388

$

432

Stockholders' Equity

$

2,050

$

1,864

GAINS AND LOSSES FROM COMMODITY DERIVATIVES

3rd Quarter

2nd Quarter

3rd Quarter

Nine Months

Nine Months

($ millions)

2023

2023

2022

2023

2022

Non-cash derivative (loss) gain

$

(109

)

$

94

$

425

$

92

$

185

Net payments on settled commodity derivatives

(95

)

(63

)

(182

)

(223

)

(604

)

Net gain (loss) from commodity derivatives

$

(204

)

$

31

$

243

$

(131

)

$

(419

)

CAPITAL INVESTMENTS

3rd Quarter

2nd Quarter

3rd Quarter

Nine Months

Nine Months

($ millions)

2023

2023

2022

2023

2022

Facilities (1)

$

7

$

11

$

20

$

27

$

52

Drilling

13

13

73

51

194

Workovers

11

11

7

28

22

Total E&P capital

31

35

100

106

268

CMB (1)

-

-

6

1

17

Corporate and other

2

4

1

12

19

Total capital program

$

33

$

39

$

107

$

119

$

304

(1) Facilities capital includes $1 million, $1 million and $4 million in the third and second quarter of 2023 and third 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 Earnings Release. Where adjusted CMB capital is presented, CRC removed the amounts from facilities capital and presented adjusted E&P, Corporate and Other capital.

Attachment 2

2023 Estimated

TOTAL CRC GUIDANCE1

Consolidated

CMB

E&P, Corporate & Other

Net Total Production (MBoe/d)

85 - 87

85 - 87

Net Oil Production (MBbl/d)

51 - 53

51 - 53

Operating Costs ($ millions)

$815 - $850

$815 - $850

CMB Expenses2 ($ millions)

$40 - $50

$40 - $50

Adjusted General and Administrative Expenses1 ($ millions)

$195 - $225

$10 - $15

$185 - $210

Capital ($ millions)

$185 - $210

$1 - $6

$184 - $204

Adjusted Capital3 ($ millions)

$5 - $10

$180 - $200

Free Cash Flow3 ($ millions)

$380 - $440

($66) - ($86)

$466 - $506

Adjusted Free Cash Flow3 ($ millions)

($70) - ($90)

$470 - $510

Natural Gas Marketing Margin ($ millions)

$155 - $185

$155 - $185

Electricity Margin ($ millions)

$80 - $110

$80 - $110

Transportation Expense ($ millions)

$60 - $80

$60 - $80

ARO Settlement Payments ($ millions)

$55 - $60

$55 - $60

Taxes Other Than on Income ($ millions)

$170 - $180

$170 - $180

Interest and Debt Expense ($ millions)

$55 - $60

$5 - $6

$50 - $54

Cash Income Taxes ($ millions)

$100 - $120

$100 - $120

Commodity Realizations:

Oil - % of Brent:

94% - 97%

94% - 97%

NGL - % of Brent:

56% - 60%

56% - 60%

Natural Gas - % of NYMEX*:

275% - 325%

275% - 325%

CRC GUIDANCE3

Total

4Q23E

CMB

4Q23E

E&P, Corp. & Other 4Q23E

Net Total Production (MBoe/d)

82 - 85

82 - 85

Net Oil Production (MBbl/d)

49 - 51

49 - 51

Operating Costs ($ millions)

$185 - $195

$185 - $195

CMB Expenses2 ($ millions)

$10 - $20

$10 - $20

Adjusted General and Administrative Expenses1 ($ millions)

$51 - $58

$1 - $2

$50 - $56

Capital ($ millions)

$65 - $81

$4 - $9

$61 - $72

Adjusted Capital3 ($ millions)

$5 - $10

$60 - $71

Free Cash Flow3 ($ millions)

($5) - $30

($44) - ($54)

$49 - $74

Adjusted Free Cash Flow3 ($ millions)

($45) - ($55)

$50 - $75

Natural Gas Marketing Margin ($ millions)

$20 - $30

$20 - $30

Electricity Margin ($ millions)

$10 - $15

$10 - $15

Transportation Expense ($ millions)

$15 - $19

$15 - $19

Cash Income Taxes ($ millions)

$25 - $35

$25 - $35

Commodity Realizations:

Oil - % of Brent:

96% - 99%

96% - 99%

NGL - % of Brent:

50% - 60%

50% - 60%

Natural Gas - % of NYMEX:

165% - 185%

165% - 185%

See Attachment 3 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 CRC's 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

$

590

$

625

$

(80

)

$

(65

)

$

670

$

690

Capital investments

(210

)

(185

)

(6

)

(1

)

(204

)

(184

)

Estimated free cash flow

$

380

$

440

$

(86

)

$

(66

)

$

466

$

506

Adjustments to capital investments:

Replacement water facilities

(4

)

(4

)

4

4

Adjusted capital investments(3)

$

(10

)

$

(5

)

$

(200

)

$

(180

)

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

$

(80

)

$

(65

)

$

670

$

690

Adjusted capital investments

(10

)

(5

)

(200

)

(180

)

Estimated adjusted free cash flow

$

(90

)

$

(70

)

$

470

$

510

4Q23 Estimated

Consolidated

CMB

E&P, Corporate & Other

($ millions)

Low

High

Low

High

Low

High

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

$

76

$

95

$

(45

)

$

(40

)

$

121

$

135

Capital investments

(81

)

(65

)

(9

)

(4

)

(72

)

(61

)

Estimated free cash flow

$

(5

)

$

30

$

(54

)

$

(44

)

$

49

$

74

Adjustments to capital investments:

Replacement water facilities

(1

)

(1

)

1

1

Adjusted capital investments(3)

$

(10

)

$

(5

)

$

(71

)

$

(60

)

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

$

(45

)

$

(40

)

$

121

$

135

Adjusted capital investments

(10

)

(5

)

(71

)

(60

)

Estimated adjusted free cash flow

$

(55

)

$

(45

)

$

50

$

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

4Q23 Estimated

Consolidated

CMB

E&P, Corporate & Other

($ millions)

Low

High

Low

High

Low

High

General and administrative expenses

$

64

$

72

$

1

$

2

$

63

$

70

Equity-settled stock-based compensation

(8

)

(6

)

(8

)

(6

)

Other

(5

)

(8

)

(5

)

(8

)

Estimated adjusted general and administrative expenses

$

51

$

58

$

1

$

2

$

50

$

56

(1) Current guidance assumes a 2023 Brent price of $84.16 per barrel of oil, NGL realizations as a percentage of Brent consistent with prior years and a NYMEX gas price of $2.77 per mcf and a 4Q23 Brent price of $90.46 per barrel of oil, NGL realizations as a percentage of Brent consistent with prior years and a NYMEX gas price of $3.00 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 CRC's 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.

Attachment 3

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, net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities, net, 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 CRC's 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 CRC's financial performance, such as CRC's cost of capital and tax structure, as well as the effect of acquisition and development costs of CRC's assets. Management believes that the non-GAAP measures presented, when viewed in combination with CRC's 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 earnings 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 CRC's 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.

3rd Quarter

2nd Quarter

3rd Quarter

Nine Months

Nine Months

($ millions, except per share amounts)

2023

2023

2022

2023

2022

Net (loss) income

$

(22

)

$

97

$

426

$

376

$

441

Unusual, infrequent and other items:

Non-cash derivative loss (gain)

109

(94

)

(425

)

(92

)

(185

)

Asset impairment

-

-

-

3

2

Severance and termination costs

7

2

-

10

-

Net gain on asset divestitures

-

-

(2

)

(7

)

(60

)

Other, net

17

10

4

30

7

Total unusual, infrequent and other items

133

(82

)

(423

)

(56

)

(236

)

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

(37

)

23

120

16

67

Income tax (benefit) provision - out of period

-

-

(12

)

(31

)

19

Adjusted net income attributable to common stock

$

74

$

38

$

111

$

305

$

291

Net (loss) income per share - basic

$

(0.32

)

$

1.39

$

5.75

$

5.38

$

5.77

Net (loss) income per share - diluted

$

(0.32

)

$

1.35

$

5.58

$

5.18

$

5.62

Adjusted net income per share - basic

$

1.08

$

0.55

$

1.50

$

4.36

$

3.81

Adjusted net income per share - diluted

$

1.02

$

0.53

$

1.45

$

4.20

$

3.71

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).

3rd Quarter

2nd Quarter

3rd Quarter

Nine Months

Nine Months

($ millions, except per BOE amounts)

2023

2023

2022

2023

2022

Net (loss) income

$

(22

)

$

97

$

426

$

376

$

441

Interest and debt expense

15

14

13

43

39

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

56

56

50

170

149

Income tax (benefit) provision

(8

)

38

153

105

203

Exploration expense

-

1

1

2

3

Interest income

(5

)

(5

)

(1

)

(14

)

(1

)

Unusual, infrequent and other items (1)

133

(82

)

(423

)

(56

)

(236

)

Non-cash items

Accretion expense

12

11

10

35

32

Stock-based compensation

6

8

5

21

13

Post-retirement medical and pension

-

-

-

1

1

Adjusted EBITDAX

$

187

$

138

$

234

$

683

$

644

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

104

$

108

$

235

$

522

$

576

Cash interest payments

23

2

23

48

48

Cash interest received

(5

)

(5

)

(1

)

(14

)

(1

)

Cash income taxes

29

51

-

80

20

Exploration expenditures

-

1

1

2

3

Adjustments to changes in operating assets and liabilities

36

(19

)

(24

)

45

(2

)

Adjusted EBITDAX

$

187

$

138

$

234

$

683

$

644

E&P, Corporate & Other Adjusted EBITDAX

$

199

$

151

$

239

$

717

$

656

CMB Adjusted EBITDAX

$

(12

)

$

(13

)

$

(5

)

$

(34

)

$

(12

)

Adjusted EBITDAX per Boe

$

23.81

$

17.59

$

27.63

$

28.78

$

26.06

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

FREE CASH FLOW AND SUPPLEMENTAL FREE CASH FLOW MEASURES

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 (i) net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities, net, (ii) adjusted free cash flow, and (iii) free cash flow of exploration and production, and corporate and other 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). CRC defines adjusted free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities less adjusted capital investments.

3rd Quarter

2nd Quarter

3rd Quarter

Nine Months

Nine Months

($ millions)

2023

2023

2022

2023

2022

Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities, net

$

129

$

98

$

201

$

543

$

555

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net

(25

)

10

34

(21

)

21

Net cash provided by operating activities

104

108

235

522

576

Capital investments

(33

)

(39

)

(107

)

(119

)

(304

)

Free cash flow

$

71

$

69

$

128

$

403

$

272

E&P, Corporate and Other

$

79

$

78

$

139

$

427

$

301

CMB

$

(8

)

$

(9

)

$

(11

)

$

(24

)

$

(29

)

Adjustments to capital investments:

Replacement water facilities(1)

$

1

$

1

$

4

$

3

$

9

Adjusted capital investments:

E&P, Corporate and Other

$

32

$

38

$

97

$

115

$

278

CMB

$

1

$

1

$

10

$

4

$

26

Adjusted free cash flow:

E&P, Corporate and Other

$

80

$

79

$

143

$

430

$

310

CMB

$

(9

)

$

(10

)

$

(15

)

$

(27

)

$

(38

)

(1) Facilities capital includes $1 million, $1 million and $4 million in the third and second quarter of 2023 and third 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 CRC's 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).

3rd Quarter

2nd Quarter

3rd Quarter

Nine Months

Nine Months

($ millions)

2023

2023

2022

2023

2022

General and administrative expenses

$

65

$

71

$

59

$

201

$

163

Stock-based compensation

(6

)

(8

)

(5

)

(21

)

(13

)

Information technology infrastructure

(6

)

(5

)

(1

)

(13

)

(2

)

Other

(2

)

(1

)

-

(4

)

-

Adjusted G&A expenses

$

51

$

57

$

53

$

163

$

148

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

$

47

$

54

$

48

$

153

$

138

CMB adjusted G&A expenses

$

4

$

3

$

5

$

10

$

10

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.

3rd Quarter

2nd Quarter

3rd Quarter

Nine Months

Nine Months

($ per BOE)

2023

2023

2022

2023

2022

Energy operating costs (1)

$

9.42

$

7.39

$

10.96

$

10.87

$

9.83

Gas processing costs (2)

0.64

0.64

0.49

0.59

0.53

Non-energy operating costs

14.90

15.68

13.82

15.34

13.35

Operating costs

$

24.96

$

23.71

$

25.27

$

26.80

$

23.71

Costs attributable to PSCs

Excess energy operating costs attributable to PSCs

$

(1.09

)

$

(0.91

)

$

(0.97

)

$

(1.01

)

$

(0.98

)

Excess non-energy operating costs attributable to PSCs

(1.30

)

(1.24

)

(1.19

)

(1.25

)

(1.37

)

Excess costs attributable to PSCs

$

(2.39

)

$

(2.15

)

$

(2.16

)

$

(2.26

)

$

(2.35

)

Energy operating costs, excluding effect of PSCs (1)

$

8.33

$

6.48

$

9.99

$

9.86

$

8.85

Gas processing costs, excluding effect of PSCs (2)

0.64

0.64

0.49

0.59

0.53

Non-energy operating costs, excluding effect of PSCs

13.60

14.44

12.63

14.09

11.98

Operating costs, excluding effects of PSCs

$

22.57

$

21.56

$

23.11

$

24.54

$

21.36

(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.

Attachment 4

PRODUCTION STATISTICS

3rd Quarter

2nd Quarter

3rd Quarter

Nine Months

Nine Months

Net Production Per Day

2023

2023

2022

2023

2022

Oil (MBbl/d)

San Joaquin Basin

33

34

36

34

37

Los Angeles Basin

18

19

19

19

18

Total

51

53

55

53

55

NGLs (MBbl/d)

San Joaquin Basin

11

11

12

11

11

Total

11

11

12

11

11

Natural Gas (MMcf/d)

San Joaquin Basin

122

119

131

120

128

Los Angeles Basin

1

1

1

1

1

Sacramento Basin

15

15

17

15

18

Total

138

135

149

136

147

Total Production (MBoe/d)

85

86

92

87

91

Gross Operated and Net Non-Operated

3rd Quarter

2nd Quarter

3rd Quarter

Nine Months

Nine Months

Production Per Day

2023

2023

2022

2023

2022

Oil (MBbl/d)

San Joaquin Basin

36

38

40

38

41

Los Angeles Basin

25

25

26

25

26

Total

61

63

66

63

67

NGLs (MBbl/d)

San Joaquin Basin

13

12

13

12

12

Total

13

12

13

12

12

Natural Gas (MMcf/d)

San Joaquin Basin

135

136

140

135

137

Los Angeles Basin

8

7

7

7

7

Sacramento Basin

18

19

21

20

22

Total

161

162

168

162

166

Total Production (MBoe/d)

101

103

107

102

107

Attachment 5

PRICE STATISTICS

3rd Quarter

2nd Quarter

3rd Quarter

Nine Months

Nine Months

2023

2023

2022

2023

2022

Oil ($ per Bbl)

Realized price with derivative settlements

$

66.12

$

63.66

$

62.45

$

64.25

$

61.96

Realized price without derivative settlements

$

85.36

$

75.77

$

97.96

$

79.90

$

102.01

NGLs ($/Bbl)

$

44.95

$

42.48

$

57.68

$

48.89

$

66.98

Natural gas ($/Mcf)

Realized price with derivative settlements

$

4.83

$

3.46

$

8.58

$

9.85

$

7.21

Realized price without derivative settlements

$

4.83

$

3.46

$

8.80

$

9.85

$

7.33

Index Prices

Brent oil ($/Bbl)

$

85.95

$

78.01

$

97.81

$

82.06

$

102.33

WTI oil ($/Bbl)

$

82.26

$

73.78

$

91.56

$

77.39

$

98.09

NYMEX average monthly settled price ($/MMBtu)

$

2.55

$

2.10

$

8.20

$

2.69

$

6.77

Realized Prices as Percentage of Index Prices

Oil with derivative settlements as a percentage of Brent

77

%

82

%

64

%

78

%

61

%

Oil without derivative settlements as a percentage of Brent

99

%

97

%

100

%

97

%

100

%

Oil with derivative settlements as a percentage of WTI

80

%

86

%

68

%

83

%

63

%

Oil without derivative settlements as a percentage of WTI

104

%

103

%

107

%

103

%

104

%

NGLs as a percentage of Brent

52

%

54

%

59

%

60

%

65

%

NGLs as a percentage of WTI

55

%

58

%

63

%

63

%

68

%

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

189

%

165

%

105

%

366

%

106

%

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

189

%

165

%

107

%

366

%

108

%

Attachment 6

THIRD QUARTER 2023 DRILLING ACTIVITY

San Joaquin

Los Angeles

Ventura

Sacramento

Wells Drilled

Basin

Basin

Basin

Basin

Total

Development Wells

Primary

-

-

-

-

-

Waterflood

-

9

-

-

9

Steamflood

-

-

-

-

-

Total (1)

-

9

-

-

9

NINE MONTHS 2023 DRILLING ACTIVITY

San Joaquin

Los Angeles

Ventura

Sacramento

Wells Drilled

Basin

Basin

Basin

Basin

Total

Development Wells

Primary

2

-

-

-

2

Waterflood

1

21

-

-

22

Steamflood

-

-

-

-

-

Total (1)

3

21

-

-

24

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

Attachment 7

OIL HEDGES AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

Q4 2023

Q1 2024

Q2 2024

Q3 2024

Q4 2024

2025

Sold Calls

Barrels per day

5,747

23,650

30,000

30,000

29,000

19,748

Weighted-average Brent price per barrel

$57.06

$90.00

$90.07

$90.07

$90.07

$85.83

Swaps

Barrels per day

27,094

9,000

7,750

7,750

5,500

3,374

Weighted-average Brent price per barrel

$70.73

$79.37

$79.65

$79.64

$77.45

$72.66

Net Purchased Puts (1)

Barrels per day

5,747

30,584

30,000

30,000

29,000

19,748

Weighted-average Brent price per barrel

$76.25

$67.27

$65.17

$65.17

$65.17

$60.00

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



Contact

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

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