Ring Energy Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Results Including Year-End 2020 Proved Reserves and Affirms 2021 Guidance

--- Generates Free Cash Flow for Fifth Consecutive Quarter ---


THE WOODLANDS, Texas, March 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ring Energy, Inc. (NYSE American: REI) (“Ring” or the “Company”) today reported operational and financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2020 including Ring’s year-end 2020 reserves and affirmed 2021 guidance.

Highlights and Recent Key Items

  • Exceeded high end of guidance and sold 9,307 barrels of oil equivalent per day (“Boe/d”), or 856,271 barrels of oil equivalent (“Boe”) (86% oil), in the fourth quarter of 2020, despite no new wells coming online during the quarter;
  • Reported a net loss for full year 2020 of $253.4 million, or $3.48 per diluted share, and a net loss of $160.3 million, or $1.83 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2020;
    • Reported Adjusted Net Income1 of $20.7 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, for full year 2020 and Adjusted Net Income of $6.5 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2020;
  • Generated Adjusted EBITDA1 of $86.1 million for full year 2020 and $24.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2020;
  • Produced significant Free Cash Flow1 of $39.7 million for full year 2020, including $12.7 million in the fourth quarter;
    • Remained cash flow positive for the fifth consecutive quarter even with the recent resumption of development drilling in Q4 2020;
  • Utilized Free Cash Flow and cash on hand to pay down $75 million of debt from the maximum amount drawn during full year 2020, including $47 million in the fourth quarter;   
  • Performed eight conversions from electrical submersible pumps to rod pumps (“CTR”) in Q4 2020, and 29 CTR conversions in 2020, reducing future overall operating costs and diminishing costly workovers;
  • Decreased lifting cost2 by 8% to $10.52 per Boe for full year 2020 compared to $11.42 per Boe for full year 2019;
  • Reported year-end 2020 proved reserves3 of 76.5 million barrels of oil equivalent (“MMBoe”), compared with 81.1 MMBoe at year-end 2019;
    • Additions, improved well performance and technical revisions led to net upward revisions of 1.3 MMBoe in 2020;
    • Reduced SEC pricing led to downward revisions of 2.7 MMBoe and production for 2020 was 3.2 MMBoe;
  • Completed public and registered direct offerings aggregating $20.8 million of gross proceeds with net proceeds of $19.4 million that provided the necessary liquidity to resume drilling operations;  
  • In early December 2020, initiated a targeted Northwest Shelf drilling program of eight to ten wells that focuses on the Company’s most attractive drilling inventory in Yoakum County, Texas, in response to a rising oil price environment;
  • Appointed Paul D. McKinney as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and welcomed new executive team and three new Board members during the fourth quarter of 2020; and
  • Affirmed full year 2021 sales volumes, operating expense and capital spending guidance.

Mr. Paul D. McKinney, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We ended 2020 with strong fourth quarter operational and financial results, including sales volumes of 9,307 Boe/d that exceeded our guidance. The continued execution of our targeted CTR program and other high rate of return workover projects significantly contributed to our performance during the period. These projects reduce our operating costs and help stabilize our production levels. As a result of these actions and other strategic initiatives to enhance our operational performance and control costs, we generated $12.7 million of free cash flow, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of free cash flow. We used this free cash flow to help pay down $47 million on our revolving credit facility.

“Looking back at full year 2020, I am pleased with our overall results given the unprecedented challenges Ring and our industry faced due to the pandemic and its impact on the global oil demand and supply environment. I want to thank all our employees for their hard work and tireless efforts. Our focus and dedication to executing our updated strategic vision has developed renewed enthusiasm within the Company. We are building a culture focused on operational excellence, sustainability and profitability with a clear mandate that every employee has a responsibility to ensure we operate safely and with the highest regards toward the environment. We are excited about the progress we’ve made and believe Ring is well positioned for success in 2021 and beyond.”

“As I have said in the past, we remain committed to operational excellence to steady production levels and control costs while pursuing rigorous capital discipline by investing in our highest risk-adjusted return opportunities. A clear example is our recently initiated Northwest Shelf drilling program. The first well we drilled, the Badger 709 B 6XH, was brought online January 29th and has averaged so far this month 363 BOPD, continuing to increase and currently producing over 400 BOPD. The other three wells are in early stages of cleaning up as well and are coming in equal to or ahead of our expectations. When compared to unconventional shale producers, we benefit from long life, low-decline reserves, which further support our ability to generate free cash flow even during lower oil price environments. We will continue to leverage our unique position in the marketplace to further pay down debt and potentially capitalize on accretive acquisitions that add value for our shareholders.”

For the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company reported a net loss of $160.3 million, or $1.83 per diluted share, which included before tax adjustments of $129.6 million for a non-cash ceiling test impairment primarily due to lower oil pricing, a $15.2 million non-cash unrealized commodity derivative loss, and $2.8 million for share-based compensation. Excluding the estimated after-tax impact of these adjustments and adding back the full valuation against its deferred tax assets of $50.6 million, the Company’s Adjusted Net Income was $6.5 million, or $0.07 per diluted share. In the third quarter of 2020, the Company reported a net loss of $2.0 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, and Adjusted Net Income of $3.4 million, or $0.05 per diluted share. In the fourth quarter of 2019, Ring reported net income of $5.0 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, and Adjusted Net Income of $10.3 million, or $0.15 per diluted share.

Adjusted EBITDA totaled $24.5 million for the fourth quarter 2020 compared to $19.9 million in the third quarter of 2020 and $34.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. The year-over-year reduction was driven by lower realized pricing and sales volumes.

Free Cash Flow for the fourth quarter of 2020 totaled $12.7 million compared with $11.3 million in the third quarter of 2020 and $16.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2019.

Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow are non-GAAP financial measures, which are described in more detail and reconciled to the most comparable GAAP measures, in the tables shown later in this release under “Non-GAAP Information.”

Sales Volumes, Prices and Revenues: Sales volumes for the fourth quarter of 2020 were 9,307 Boe/d (86% oil), or 856,271 Boe, a slight decrease of 3% compared to 9,549 Boe/d (89% oil) in the third quarter of 2020 and 11,448 Boe/d (88% oil) in the fourth quarter of 2019. Sales volumes for the fourth quarter of 2020 were above the high end of the Company’s guidance primarily due to CTR conversions, reactivations and the results of workovers. Fourth quarter 2020 sales volumes were comprised of 734,548 barrels (“Bbls”) of oil and 730,337 thousand cubic feet (“Mcf”) of natural gas.

For the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company realized an average sales price of $40.48 per barrel for crude oil and $2.21 per Mcf for natural gas. The combined average realized sales price for the period was $36.61 per Boe versus $35.82 per Boe for the third quarter of 2020 and $49.59 per Boe in the fourth quarter of 2019. The average price differential the Company experienced from WTI posting4 price in the fourth quarter of 2020 was approximately ($2.00) per barrel of crude oil.  

Revenues of $31.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 were essentially flat with the third quarter of 2020 and down 40% from the fourth quarter of 2019 due to lower sales volumes and realized pricing.

Oil and Natural Gas Production Costs: Lease Operating Expense (“LOE”), which includes base lease operating expenses, expense workovers, and facilities maintenance, was $9.1 million, or $10.65 per Boe, in the fourth quarter of 2020 versus $8.9 million, or $10.11 per Boe, for the third quarter of 2020, an increase of 5%, primarily due to lower sales volumes and higher workover costs. LOE for the fourth quarter of 2020 was 22% lower than $11.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, and 5% lower than the fourth quarter of 2019 per Boe of $11.16. Ad valorem taxes were $0.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, $0.8 million in the third quarter of 2020, and $0.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2019. Full year 2020 ad valorem taxes were $3.1 million compared to $3.4 million for full year 2019, with the decrease primarily associated with lower revenues and well counts year-over-year.

Production Taxes: Production taxes were $1.75 per Boe in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to $1.62 per Boe in the third quarter of 2020 and $2.21 per Boe in fourth quarter of 2019.

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (“DD&A”) and Asset Retirement Obligation Accretion: DD&A was $13.04 per Boe for the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to $12.32 per Boe for the third quarter of 2020 and $13.81 in the fourth quarter of 2019. Asset retirement obligation accretion was $0.25 per Boe for the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to $0.26 per Boe for the third quarter of 2020 and $0.25 in the fourth quarter of 2019.

General and Administrative Expenses (“G&A”): G&A, excluding share-based compensation, was $4.4 million, or $5.09 per Boe, for the fourth quarter of 2020 versus $1.9 million, or $2.20 per Boe, for the third quarter of 2020 and $3.9 million, or $3.73 per Boe, in the fourth quarter of 2019. The increase from the third quarter of 2020 was primarily associated with management and personnel changes, severance and non-recurring legal and asset divestiture fees.

Operating Lease Expense: Operating lease expense was $0.37 per Boe for the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to $0.34 per Boe for the third quarter of 2020 and $0.53 in the fourth quarter of 2019. These expenses are primarily associated with our office leases.

Derivative (Gain) Loss: In the fourth quarter of 2020, Ring recorded a net loss of $11.5 million on its commodity derivative contracts, including a realized $3.7 million cash commodity derivative gain and an unrealized $15.2 million non-cash commodity derivative loss, largely due to higher quarter-end oil and natural gas prices compared to third quarter of 2020. This compared to a net loss of $4.5 million in the third quarter of 2020, of which $6.2 million was unrealized, and $6.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, all of which was unrealized.

In the fourth quarter of 2020 and through March 16, 2021, Ring added the following derivative positions:

   AverageWeighted Avg.  
Date Entered IntoProduction PeriodInstrumentDaily VolumesSwap Price  
Crude Oil - WTI  (Bbls)(per Bbl)  
       
11/25/2020Calendar year 2021Swaps2,000$45.37  
12/02/2020Calendar year 2021Swaps500$45.38  
12/03/2020Calendar year 2021Swaps500$45.00  
12/04/2020Calendar year 2021Swaps500$45.40  
12/04/2020Calendar year 2021Swaps500$45.60  
12/07/2020Calendar year 2021Swaps500$45.96  
       
12/04/2020Calendar year 2022Swaps500$44.22  
12/07/2020Calendar year 2022Swaps500$44.75  
12/10/2020Calendar year 2022Swaps500$44.97  
12/17/2020Calendar year 2022Swaps250$45.98  
       
   AverageWeighted Avg.  
Date Entered IntoProduction PeriodInstrumentDaily VolumesSwap Price  
Natural Gas - Henry Hub (MMBTU)(per MMBTU)  
       
11/04/2020Calendar year 2021Swaps6,000$2.991  
       
11/04/2020Calendar year 2022Swaps5,000$2.7255  
       

A full listing of the Company’s current outstanding derivative positions is included in the tables shown later in this release.

Interest Expense: Interest expense, as reported in the income statement, in the fourth quarter of 2020 was $4.7 million compared with $4.5 million in the third quarter of 2020 and $4.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2019. The fourth quarter 2020 included the amortization of additional deferred financing costs proportionate to the reduction in the Company’s borrowing base.

Income Tax: Ring recorded a non-cash income tax provision of $21.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to a non-cash income tax benefit of $0.5 million in the third quarter of 2020 and a non-cash income tax provision of $2.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2019.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity: Total liquidity on December 31, 2020 was $40.6 million, consisting of cash and cash equivalents of $3.6 million and $37.0 million of availability under Ring’s revolving bank credit facility. At December 31, 2020, the Company had $313 million in borrowings on its revolving credit facility, which has a current borrowing base of $350 million. Ring paid down $75 million of debt from the maximum amount drawn during full year 2020, including $47 million in the fourth quarter. The Company is targeting further debt reduction in 2021 based on expected additional free cash flow generation as well as potential asset sales during 2021.

The next regularly scheduled bank redetermination is scheduled for May 1, 2021. Ring is currently in compliance with all applicable covenants of its revolving credit facility agreement.

Capital Expenditures: Ring’s original plan for 2020 included drilling 18 horizontal wells on the Northwest Shelf and performing workovers and extensive infrastructure projects on its Northwest Shelf, Central Basin Platform and Delaware Basin assets. Four of the 18 wells were drilled and completed in the first quarter. However, in early March, due to an uncertain commodity outlook primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company suspended its drilling and completion activities. During full year 2020, Ring performed 29 CTR projects, including eight in the fourth quarter. Capital expenditures in the fourth quarter of 2020 were $7.8 million. Capital expenditures for full year 2020 totaled $30.0 million.

Equity Offerings

In October 2020, the Company closed on an underwritten public offering of (i) 9,575,800 Common Shares, (ii) 13,428,500 Pre-Funded Warrants and (iii) 23,004,300 Common Warrants at a combined purchase price of $0.70. This included a partial exercise of the over-allotment. The Common Warrants have a term of five years and an exercise price of $0.80 per share. Gross proceeds totaled approximately $16.1 million.

Concurrently with the underwritten public offering, the Company closed on a registered direct offering of (i) 3,500,000 Common Shares, (ii) 3,300,000 Pre-Funded Warrants and (iii) 6,800,000 Common Warrants at a combined purchase price of $0.70. The Common Warrants have a term of five years and an exercise price of $0.80 per share. Gross proceeds totaled approximately $4.8 million.

Total gross proceeds from the 2020 underwritten public offering and the registered direct offering aggregated $20.8 million, with net proceeds aggregating $19.4 million.

2021 Capital Investment Program & Sales Volumes Outlook

Leveraging the expertise of a reconstituted Board of Directors and executive management team, Ring has developed and is executing a strategic vision based on the following key principles:

  • Continuing to generate free cash flow to improve and build a sustainable financial foundation;
  • Maintaining operational excellence with a strong commitment to safety, the environment, Ring’s employees, and the communities in which we work and operate;
  • Pursuing rigorous capital discipline focused on Ring’s highest returning opportunities;
  • Improving margins and driving value by targeting additional operating cost reductions and capital efficiencies; and
  • Strengthening the balance sheet by steadily paying down debt, divesting non-core assets and becoming a peer leader in Debt/EBITDA metrics.

In alignment with the Company’s strategic efforts and supported by a rising oil price environment, Ring initiated a targeted Northwest Shelf drilling program in early December 2020 that focuses on the Company’s highest rate-of-return inventory in Yoakum County, Texas. Four Northwest Shelf San Andres wells were drilled in December and January, including three 1.5-mile horizontal wells and one 1.0-mile horizontal well, with all wells now completed and brought online. Early production results have been above expectations and Ring will provide additional details after results are available.

For full year 2021, the Company currently expects total capital spending of $44 million to $48 million, which includes the estimated cost to drill up to six to eight horizontal wells and complete eight to 10 horizontal wells primarily in its Northwest Shelf asset area. Its full year capital spending outlook includes targeted well reactivations, workovers, infrastructure upgrades, and continuing its successful CTR program in its Northwest Shelf and Central Basin Platform areas. Also included in the full year estimate is anticipated spending for leasing, contractual drilling obligations and non-operated drilling, completion and capital workovers. Ring expects to generate significant free cash flow after all expenses and costs, including capital expenditures. All 2021 planned capital expenditures will be fully funded by cash on hand and cash from operations, and excess free cash flow is currently targeted for debt reduction.

As previously announced on February 22, 2021, the Company is planning to launch a sales process during the second quarter of 2021 to divest all of Ring’s Delaware Basin assets, subject to market conditions. The Company anticipates using the net proceeds from the potential sale to further reduce its debt position.

Supported by its targeted development program and continued execution of its successful CTR initiatives, Ring currently forecasts full year 2021 sales volumes to be 3% to 8% higher than the full year 2020 average sales volumes of 8,790 Boe/d.

Full Year 2020 Financial Review

The Company reported a net loss for full year 2020 of $253.4 million, or $3.48 per share, and Adjusted Net Income of $20.7 million, or $0.28 per share. For the full year 2019, Ring reported net income of $29.5 million, or $0.44 per share, and Adjusted Net Income of $34.3 million, or $0.51 per share. The Company generated Adjusted EBITDA of $86.1 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, for the full year 2020 compared to $121.4 million, or $1.82 per diluted share, in 2019, with the decline driven primarily by lower realized pricing and sales volumes, partially offset by targeted cost reductions and increased operational efficiencies.  

Revenues totaled $113.0 million for 2020 compared with $195.7 million in 2019, with the reduction due primarily to decreases in commodity prices and sales volumes. Net cash provided by operating activities for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was $72.2 million compared with $106.6 million in 2019. Free Cash Flow totaled $39.7 million in 2020 compared with $(28.8) million in 2019.

Net sales for full year 2020 were 8,790 Boe/d, or 3,217,278 Boe, comprised of 2,801,528 Bbls of oil and 2,494,502 Mcf of natural gas. Full year 2019 net sales averaged 10,819 Boe/d, or 3,948,871 Boe, which included 3,536,126 Bbls of oil and 2,476,472 Mcf of natural gas. The year-over-year decrease was driven by a substantial reduction in the Company’s development program activities due to the decline in crude oil prices in March 2020 primarily as a result of COVID-19 and natural decline. Partially offsetting the impact was Ring’s highly successful CTR program designed to mitigate production declines and well failure rates at a much lower cost than utilizing current electrical submersible pump technology for artificial production lift.

For the full year 2020, the Company’s realized crude oil sales price was $38.95 per barrel and natural gas sales price was $1.57 per Mcf. The combined average sales price was $35.13 per Boe compared to a realized sales price of $49.56 per Boe for full year 2019.

For the full year 2020, LOE decreased 25% to $33.8 million from $45.1 million for full year 2019, and 8% on a per BOE basis from $11.42 in 2019 to $10.52 for 2020. Driving the year-over-year decrease was the Company’s focus on cost reductions during the pandemic-induced downturn. This included reducing overhead, expensive repairs, and the conversion of 29 electrical submersible pumps to rod pumps, which have an overall lower operating cost. In addition, artificial lift optimization has continued to reduce overall well failure rates, resulting in lower well downtime and further reductions to operating costs. Production taxes totaled $5.2 million, or $1.63 per Boe, in 2020, compared to $9.1 million, or $2.31 per Boe, in 2019.

For the full year 2020, G&A, including share-based compensation, was $16.9 million, down 15% compared with full year 2019 G&A of $19.9 million. For the full year 2020, G&A, excluding share-based compensation, was $11.5 million, a 31% reduction from full year 2019 of $16.8 million. The decrease year-over-year was primarily due to right-sizing the organization to match operational activity in response to a reduced oil price environment. G&A, excluding share-based compensation, per Boe was $3.58 in 2020, down 16% from $4.25 in 2019.

For the full year 2020, the Company recorded a non-cash income tax benefit of $6.0 million compared to a non-cash income tax provision of $13.8 million in full year 2019. The change was primarily the result of losses due to the ceiling test write-down in 2020 offset by the Company’s full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets of $50.6 million. The Company was in a deferred tax asset position as a result of the ceiling test write downs recorded during 2020. No valuation allowance was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Year-End 2020 Proved Reserves

The Company's year-end 2020 SEC proved reserves were 76.5 MMBoe, down modestly from 81.1 MMBoe at year-end 2019. Ring recorded net upward revisions of 1.3 MMBoe in 2020 primarily related to additions, improved well performance and technical revisions that were offset by reductions of 2.7 MMBoe due to lower commodity prices and 3.2 MMBoe of production.

The SEC twelve-month first day of the month average prices used for year-end 2020 were $36.04 per barrel of crude oil (WTI) and $1.99 per MMBtu of natural gas (Henry Hub), both before adjustment for quality, transportation, fees, energy content, and regional price differentials, while for year-end 2019 they were $52.19 per barrel of crude oil and $2.58 per MMBtu of natural gas.

Year-end 2020 SEC proved reserves were comprised of approximately 87% crude oil and 13% natural gas. At year end, approximately 57.5% of 2020 proved reserves were classified as proved developed and 42.5% as proved undeveloped.

Ring’s reserve life ratio at year-end 2020, based on year-end 2020 SEC proved reserves and 2020 production was 23.8 years.

The present value of the Company’s reported SEC proved reserves, discounted at 10% ("PV-10"), at year-end 2020 was $556 million, down about 40% from $923 million at the end of 2019.

 

Summary Reconciliation Ring Energy, Inc.        
  Oil Gas Net   
  (Bbl) (Mcf) (Boe) PV-10(1)
          
Balance, December 31, 201971,359,014  58,271,882  81,070,994  $923,175,051
          
 Improved recovery3,495,210  1,824,310  3,799,262    
 Production(2,801,528) (2,494,501) (3,217,278)   
 Upward revisions of estimates2,591,965  6,158,076  3,618,311    
 Downward revisions of estimates due to well performance(4,484,425) 44,370  (4,477,030)   
 Downward revisions of estimates due to commodity prices(2,313,890) (2,303,700) (2,697,840)   
 Downward revisions of estimates due to removal of undeveloped locations(1,582,060) (195,410) (1,614,628)   
          
Balance, December 31, 202066,264,286  61,305,027  76,481,791  $556,871,253
          

(1) PV-10 for this presentation excludes any provision for asset retirement obligations or income taxes.

In accordance with guidelines established by the SEC, estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2020 were determined to be economically producible under existing economic conditions, which requires the use of the 12-month average commodity price for each product, calculated as the unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for the year end December 31, 2020. The SEC average prices used for year-end 2020 were $36.04 per barrel of crude oil (WTI) and $1.99 per MMBtu of natural gas (Henry Hub), both before adjustment for quality, transportation, fees, energy content, and regional price differentials. Such prices were held constant throughout the estimated lives of the reserves. Future production and development costs are based on year-end costs with no escalations.

Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows

Ring’s standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil and natural gas reserves and changes in the standardized measure as described below were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

December 31,     2020     2019 
       
Future cash flows $2,682,488,655  $3,825,773,515 
Future production costs  (821,515,126)  (964,887,856)
Future development costs  (244,323,270)  (252,457,833)
Future income taxes  (208,645,934)  (424,715,966)
Future net cash flows  1,408,004,325   2,183,711,860 
10% annual discount for estimated timing of cash flows  (852,133,072)  (1,260,536,809)
       
Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows $555,871,253  $923,175,051 
       

2021 Sales Volumes, Operating Expense and Capital Spending Guidance

The guidance for the full year 2021 in the table below represents the Company's current best estimate of the range of likely future results. Guidance could be affected by the factors described below in "Safe Harbor Statement".

   Full Year     
   2021     
         
Sales Volumes:       
 Total (Boe/d) 9,000 - 9,500     
         
Operating Expenses:       
 Lifting cost(1) (per Boe) $10.00 - $10.50     
         
Capital Program:       
 Number of new wells drilled 6 - 8     
 Number of new wells completed8 - 10     
         
 Capital spending(2) (millions) $44 - $48     
         
(1) Lifting cost equals lease operating expenses excluding severance and ad valorem tax divided by the total barrels of oil equivalent sold during the same period.
         
(2) In addition to Company-directed drilling and completion activities, the capital spending outlook includes funds for targeted well reactivations, workovers, infrastructure upgrades, and continuing the Company's successful CTR program in its Northwest Shelf and Central Basin Platform areas. Also included is anticipated spending for leasing, contractural drilling obligations and non-operated drilling, completion and capital workovers.
         

Conference Call Information

Ring will hold a conference call on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2020 financial and operating results, and 2021 plans and guidance as it implements its new strategic vision. To participate, interested parties should dial 877-270-2148 at least five minutes before the call is to begin. Please reference the “Ring Energy Fourth Quarter 2020 Earnings Conference Call.” International callers may participate by dialing 412-902-6510. This call will also be webcast and available on Ring’s web site at www.ringenergy.com under “Investors” on the “Events” page. An audio replay will also be available on the Company’s web site following the call.     

About Ring Energy, Inc.

Ring Energy, Inc. is an oil and gas exploration, development, and production company with current operations focused on the conventional development of its Permian Basin assets in West Texas and New Mexico. For additional information, please visit www.ringenergy.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains 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. Forward-looking statements involve a wide variety of risks and uncertainties, and include, without limitations, statements with respect to the Company’s strategy and prospects. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which are disclosed in the Company’s reports filed with the SEC, including its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, and its other filings with the SEC. Readers and investors are cautioned that the Company’s actual results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the Company’s ability to acquire productive oil and/or gas properties or to successfully drill and complete oil and/or gas wells on such properties, general economic conditions both domestically and abroad, and the conduct of business by the Company, and other factors that may be more fully described in additional documents set forth by the Company.

Contact Information

David A. Fowler, Investor Relations
Ring Energy, Inc.
Office: 432-682-7464
dfowler@ringenergy.com


RING ENERGY, INC.
Statements of Operations
                
  (Unaudited)      
  Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
   December 31,  September 30,  December 31, December 31,
   2020   2020   2019   2020   2019 
         
Oil and Natural Gas Revenues $31,351,673  $31,466,544  $52,231,186  $113,025,138  $195,702,831 
                
Costs and Operating Expenses               
Oil and natural gas production costs (including ad valorem taxes)  9,840,105   9,678,011   12,040,300   36,968,873   48,496,225 
Oil and natural gas production taxes  1,497,044   1,427,041   2,327,383   5,228,090   9,130,379 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization  11,162,567   10,826,989   14,544,775   43,010,660   56,204,269 
Ceiling test impairment  129,564,000   -   -   277,501,943   - 
Asset retirement obligation accretion  212,503   230,784   262,321   906,616   943,707 
Operating lease expense  319,483   295,631   554,755   1,196,372   925,217 
General and administrative expense (including share-based compensation)  7,164,619   2,496,927   4,579,634   16,874,050   19,866,706 
                
Total Costs and Operating Expenses  159,760,321   24,955,383   34,309,168   381,686,604   135,566,503 
                
(Loss) Income from Operations  (128,408,648)  6,511,161   17,922,018   (268,661,466)  60,136,328 
                
Other Income (Expense)               
Interest income  1   1   6   8   13,511 
Interest expense  (4,658,826)  (4,457,250)  (4,276,122)  (17,617,614)  (13,865,556)
Realized gain on derivatives  3,708,523   1,726,373   -   22,522,591   - 
Unrealized loss on change in fair value of derivatives  (15,243,222)  (6,228,453)  (6,066,991)  (1,156,523)  (3,000,078)
Deposit forfeiture income  5,500,000   -   -   5,500,000   - 
                
Net Other Income (Expense)  (10,693,524)  (8,959,329)  (10,343,107)  9,248,462   (16,852,123)
                
(Loss) Income Before Tax Provision  (139,102,172)  (2,448,168)  7,578,911   (259,413,004)  43,284,205 
                
Benefit From (Provision For) Income Taxes  (21,152,105)  486,565   (2,552,217)  6,001,176   (13,787,654)
                
Net (Loss) Income $(160,254,277) $(1,961,603) $5,026,694  $(253,411,828) $29,496,551 
                
Basic (Loss) Earnings per Share $(1.83) $(0.03) $0.07  $(3.48) $0.44 
Diluted (Loss) Earnings per Share $(1.83) $(0.03) $0.07  $(3.48) $0.44 
                
Basic Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding  87,503,079   67,980,961   67,823,981   72,891,310   66,571,738 
Diluted Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding  87,503,079   67,980,961   67,835,724   72,891,310   66,757,028 
                


RING ENERGY, INC. 
Condensed Operating Data 
(Unaudited) 
                   
  Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended 
   December 31,   September 30,   December 31, December 31, 
   2020    2020    2019   2020   2019  
                   
Net sales volumes:                   
Oil (Bbls)  734,548    781,626    923,384   2,801,528   3,536,126  
Natural gas (Mcf)  730,337    581,123    779,099   2,494,502   2,476,472  
Total oil and natural gas (Boe) (1)  856,271    878,480    1,053,234   3,217,278   3,948,871  
% Oil  86%    89%    88%   87%   90%  
                   
Average daily equivalent sales (Boe/d)  9,307    9,549    11,448   8,790   10,819  
                   
Average realized sales prices:                   
Oil ($/Bbl) $40.48   $38.80   $54.93  $38.95  $54.27  
Natural gas ($/Mcf)  2.21    1.96    1.94   1.57   1.54  
Barrel of oil equivalent ($/Boe) $36.61   $35.82   $49.59  $35.13  $49.56  
                   
Average costs and expenses per Boe ($/Boe):                   
Oil and natural gas production costs (excluding ad valorem taxes) $10.65   $10.11   $11.16  $10.52  $11.42  
Ad valorem taxes (2)  0.84    0.91    0.27   0.97   0.86  
Oil and natural gas production taxes  1.75    1.62    2.21   1.63   2.31  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization  13.04    12.32    13.81   13.37   14.23  
Asset retirement obligation accretion  0.25    0.26    0.25   0.28   0.24  
Operating lease expense  0.37    0.34    0.53   0.37   0.23  
General and administrative expense (including share-based compensation)  8.37    2.84    4.35   5.24   5.03  
General and administrative expense (excluding share-based compensation)  5.09    2.20    3.73   3.58   4.25  
                   
(1) Boe is determined using the ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one Bbl of oil (totals may not compute due to rounding).  The conversion ratio does not assume price equivalency and the price on an equivalent basis for oil and natural gas may differ significantly. 
                   
(2) Ad valorem taxes used for calculation of per Boe:  716,994    799,417    281,775   3,125,222   3,409,064  
                   

   

RING ENERGY, INC. 
Balance Sheets 
        
  December 31, December 31, 
  2020
 2019
 
        
ASSETS       
Current Assets       
Cash and cash equivalents $3,578,634  $10,004,622  
Accounts receivable  14,997,979   22,909,195  
Joint interest billing receivable  1,327,262   1,812,469  
Derivative receivable  499,906   -  
Prepaid expenses and other assets  396,109   3,982,255  
Total Current Assets  20,799,890   38,708,541  
        
Properties and Equipment       
Oil and natural gas properties subject to amortization  836,514,815   1,083,966,135  
Financing lease asset subject to depreciation  858,513   858,513  
Fixed assets subject to depreciation  1,520,890   1,465,551  
Total Properties and Equipment  838,894,218   1,086,290,199  
Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization  (200,111,658)  (157,074,044) 
Net Properties and Equipment  638,782,560   929,216,155  
        
Operating Lease Asset  1,494,399   1,867,044  
Properties and Equipment  2,379,348   3,214,408  
        
TOTAL ASSETS $663,456,197  $973,006,148  
        
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY       
Current Liabilities       
Accounts payable $32,500,081  $54,635,602  
Financing lease liability  295,311   280,970  
Operating lease liability  859,017   1,175,904  
Derivative liabilities  3,287,328   3,000,078  
Total Current Liabilities  36,941,737   59,092,554  
        
Deferred income taxes  -   6,001,176  
Revolving line of credit  313,000,000   366,500,000  
Financing lease liability, less current portion  126,857   424,126  
Operating lease liability, less current portion  635,382   691,140  
Derivative liabilities  869,273   -  
Asset retirement obligations  17,117,135   16,787,219  
        
Total Liabilities  368,690,384   449,496,215  
        
Stockholders' Equity       
Preferred stock - $0.001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding  -   -  
Common stock - $0.001 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 85,568,287 shares and 67,993,797 shares issued and outstanding, respectively  85,568   67,994  
Additional paid-in capital  550,951,415   526,301,281  
Accumulated deficit  (256,271,170)  (2,859,342) 
        
Total Stockholders' Equity  294,765,813   523,509,933  
        
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $663,456,197  $973,006,148  
        

  

RING ENERGY, INC. 
Statements of Cash Flows 
                     
   (Unaudited)        
   Three Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended 
    December 31,   September 30,   December 31,  December 31, 
    2020   2020   2019   2020  2019 
                     
Cash Flows From Operating Activities                   
 Net (loss) income $(160,254,277)  $(1,961,603)  $5,026,694   $(253,411,828) $29,496,551  
 Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:                   
 Depreciation, depletion and amortization  11,162,567    10,826,989    14,544,775    43,010,660   56,204,269  
 Ceiling test impairment  129,564,000    -    -    277,501,943   -  
 Accretion expense  212,503    230,784    262,321    906,616   943,707  
 Amortization of deferred financing costs  622,861    189,083    991,310    1,190,109   991,310  
 Share-based compensation  2,807,006    565,819    646,590    5,364,162   3,082,625  
 Shares issued for services  23,800    -    -    23,800   -  
 Deferred income tax (benefit) expense  21,598,750    (525,218)   2,002,405    (3,975,170)  9,500,517  
 Excess tax (benefit) expense related to share-based compensation  (446,645)   38,653    118,064    (2,026,006)  3,855,389  
 Adjustment to deferred tax asset for change in effective tax rate  -    -    431,748    -   431,748  
 Change in fair value of derivative instruments  15,243,222    6,228,453    6,066,991    1,156,523   3,000,078  
 Changes in assets and liabilities:                   
 Accounts receivable  (1,970,509)   (5,678,392)   (2,940,392)   7,896,517   (10,035,648) 
 Prepaid expenses and retainers  102,501    85,785    4,182,032    3,586,146   (1,878,667) 
 Accounts payable  8,845,188    4,824,895    13,375,705    (8,380,594)  12,320,308  
 Settlement of asset retirement obligation  (255,018)   (108,025)   (680,234)   (683,623)  (1,295,966) 
                     
 Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities  27,255,949    14,717,223    44,028,009    72,159,255   106,616,221  
                     
Cash Flows From Investing Activities                   
 Payments for the Wishbone Acquisition  -    -    (15,935,028)   -   (276,061,594) 
 Payments to purchase oil and natural gas properties  (127,880)   (171,999)   (264,931)   (1,317,313)  (3,400,411) 
 Proceeds from divestiture of oil and natural gas properties  (4,500,000)   4,500,000    8,547,074    -   8,547,074  
 Payments to develop oil and natural gas properties  (8,871,408)   (3,283,558)   (30,121,203)   (42,457,745)  (152,125,320) 
 Purchase of fixed assets subject to depreciation  (55,339)   -    -    (55,339)  -  
                     
 Net Cash Used in Investing Activities  (13,554,627)   1,044,443    (37,774,088)   (43,830,397)  (423,040,251) 
                     
Cash Flows From Financing Activities                   
 Proceeds from revolving line of credit  -    -    -    21,500,000   327,000,000  
 Payments on revolving line of credit  (47,000,000)   (15,000,000)   -    (75,000,000)  -  
 Proceeds form issuance of common stock and warrants  19,383,131    -    -    19,383,131   -  
 Payment of deferred financing costs  (355,049)   -    (3,781,657)   (355,049)  (3,781,657) 
 Reduction of financing lease liabilities  (71,587)   (70,629)   (66,731)   (282,928)  (153,417) 
                     
 Net Cash Used in (Provided by) Investing Activities  (28,043,505)   (15,070,629)   (3,848,388)   (34,754,846)  323,064,926  
                     
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash  (14,342,183)   691,037    2,405,533    (6,425,988)  6,640,896  
Cash at Beginning of Period  17,920,817    17,229,780    7,599,089    10,004,622   3,363,726  
                     
Cash at End of Period $3,578,634   $17,920,817   $10,004,622   $3,578,634  $10,004,622  
                     

 

RING ENERGY, INC.
Financial Commodity Derivative Positions
As of March 16, 2021
       
   AverageWeighted Avg.Weighted Avg.Weighted Avg.
Date Entered IntoProduction PeriodInstrumentDaily VolumesPut PriceCall PriceSwap Price
Crude Oil - WTI  (Bbls)(per Bbl)(per Bbl)(per Bbl)
       
02/25/2020Calendar year 2021Costless Collars1,000$45.00$54.75 
02/25/2020Calendar year 2021Costless Collars1,000$45.00$52.71 
02/27/2020Calendar year 2021Costless Collars1,000$40.00$55.08 
03/02/2020Calendar year 2021Costless Collars1,500$40.00$55.35 
11/25/2020Calendar year 2021Swaps2,000  $45.37
12/02/2020Calendar year 2021Swaps500  $45.38
12/03/2020Calendar year 2021Swaps500  $45.00
12/04/2020Calendar year 2021Swaps500  $45.40
12/04/2020Calendar year 2021Swaps500  $45.60
12/07/2020Calendar year 2021Swaps500  $45.96
       
12/04/2020Calendar year 2022Swaps500  $44.22
12/07/2020Calendar year 2022Swaps500  $44.75
12/10/2020Calendar year 2022Swaps500  $44.97
12/17/2020Calendar year 2022Swaps250  $45.98
       
   AverageWeighted Avg.Weighted Avg.Weighted Avg.
Date Entered IntoProduction PeriodInstrumentDaily VolumesPut PriceCall PriceSwap Price
Natural Gas - Henry Hub (MMBTU)(per MMBTU)(per MMBTU)(per MMBTU)
       
11/04/2020Calendar year 2021Swaps6,000  $2.991
       
11/04/2020Calendar year 2022Swaps5,000  $2.7255
       

 RING ENERGY, INC.

Non-GAAP Information

Certain financial information included in Ring’s financial results are not measures of financial performance recognized by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures are “Adjusted Net Income”, “Adjusted EBITDA”, “Free Cash Flow” and “Cash Flow from Operations”. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in its analysis of performance. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA is a key metric used to determine the Company’s incentive compensation awards. These disclosures may not be viewed as a substitute for results determined in accordance with GAAP and are not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures which may be reported by other companies.

Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income to Adjusted Net Income

Adjusted Net Income does not include the estimated after-tax impact of share-based compensation, ceiling test impairment, and unrealized loss on change in fair value of derivatives, as well an add back of the full valuation against the Company’s deferred tax assets during the fourth quarter of 2020. Adjusted Net Income is presented because the timing and amount of these items cannot be reasonably estimated and affect the comparability of operating results from period to period, and current periods to prior periods.

 

   Three Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended   
   December 31,  September 30,  December 31,  December 31,   
   2020
  2020
  2019   2020  2019   
                   
   (Unaudited for All Periods)   
                        
Net (Loss) Income $(160,254,277)  $(1,961,603)  $5,026,694   $(253,411,828)  $29,496,551    
                        
 Share-based compensation  2,807,006    565,819    646,590    5,364,162    3,082,625    
 Ceiling test write impairment  129,564,000    -    -    277,501,943    -    
 Unrealized loss on change in fair value of derivatives  15,243,222    6,228,453    6,066,991    1,156,523    3,000,078    
 Tax impact of adjusted items(1)  19,126,056    (1,446,501)   (1,429,321)   (9,915,293)   (1,295,007)   
                        
Adjusted Net Income $6,486,007   $3,386,168   $10,310,954   $20,695,507   $34,284,247    
                        
Diluted Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding  87,503,079    67,980,961    67,835,724    72,891,310    66,757,028    
                        
Adjusted Net Income per Diluted Share $0.07   $0.05   $0.15   $0.28   $0.51    
                        
(1) For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020, includes adding back the full valuation against the Company's deferred tax assets of $50,553,125.   
                        

 

RING ENERGY, INC.

Non-GAAP Information

Reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA, Free Cash Flow and Cash Flow from Operations

The Company also presents the non-GAAP financial measures Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net (loss) income plus net interest expense, unrealized loss on change in fair value of derivatives, ceiling test impairment, income tax (benefit) expense, depreciation, depletion and amortization and accretion, asset retirement obligation accretion and share-based compensation. Company management believes this presentation is relevant and useful because it helps investors understand Ring’s operating performance and makes it easier to compare its results with those of other companies that have different financing, capital and tax structures. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for net income, as an indication of operating performance or cash flows from operating activities or as a measure of liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA, as Ring calculates it, may not be comparable to Adjusted EBITDA measures reported by other companies. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA does not represent funds available for discretionary use.

The Company defines Free Cash Flow as Adjusted EBITDA (defined above) less net interest expense (excluding amortization of deferred financing cost) and capital expenditures. For this purpose, the Company’s definition of capital expenditures includes costs incurred related to oil and natural gas properties (such as drilling and infrastructure costs and the lease maintenance costs) and equipment, furniture and fixtures, but excludes acquisition costs of oil and gas properties from third parties that are not included in the Company’s capital expenditures guidance provided to investors. Company management believes that Free Cash Flow is an important financial performance measure for use in evaluating the performance and efficiency of its current operating activities after the impact of accrued capital expenditures and net interest expense and without being impacted by items such as changes associated with working capital, which can vary substantially from one period to another. There is no commonly accepted definition Free Cash Flow within the industry. Accordingly, Free Cash Flow, as defined and calculated by the Company, may not be comparable to Free Cash Flow or other similarly named non-GAAP measures reported by other companies. While the Company includes net interest expense in the calculation of Free Cash Flow, other mandatory debt service requirements of future payments of principal at maturity (if such debt is not refinanced) are excluded from the calculation of Free Cash Flow. These and other non-discretionary expenditures that are not deducted from Free Cash Flow would reduce cash available for other uses.

The following tables present (i) a reconciliation of the Company’s net (loss) income, a GAAP measure, to Adjusted EBITDA and (ii) a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, to Free Cash Flow, as both Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow are defined by the Company. In addition, a reconciliation of cash flow from operations is presented.

 

   Three Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended 
   December 31,  September 30,  December 31,  December 31, 
   2020
  2020
  2019
  2020
  2019
 
                 
            (Unaudited for All Periods) 
                      
Net (Loss) Income  $(160,254,277)  $(1,961,603)  $5,026,694   $(253,411,828)  $29,496,551  
                      
 Interest expense, net  4,658,825    4,457,249    5,267,426    17,617,606    14,843,355  
 Unrealized loss on change in fair value of derivatives  15,243,222    6,228,453    6,066,991    1,156,523    3,000,078  
 Ceiling test impairment  129,564,000    -    -    277,501,943    -  
 Income tax (benefit) expense  21,152,105    (486,565)   2,552,217    (6,001,176)   13,787,654  
 Depreciation, depletion and amortization  11,162,567    10,826,989    14,544,775    43,010,660    56,204,269  
 Asset retirement obligation accretion  212,503    230,784    262,321    906,616    943,707  
 Share-based compensation  2,807,006    565,819    646,590    5,364,162    3,082,625  
                      
Adjusted EBITDA  $24,545,951   $19,861,126   $34,367,014   $86,144,506   $121,358,239  
                      
Adjusted EBITDA Margin  78%   63%   66%   76%   62% 
                      
Diluted Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding  87,503,079    67,980,961    67,835,724    72,891,310    66,757,028  
                      
Adjusted EBITDA per Diluted Share $0.28   $0.29   $0.51   $1.18   $1.82  
                      
                      
   Three Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended 
   December 31,  September 30,  December 31,  December 31, 
   2020
  2020
  2019
  2020
  2019
 
                 
   (Unaudited for All Periods) 
                      
Adjusted EBITDA  $24,545,951   $19,861,126   $34,367,014   $86,144,506   $121,358,239  
                      
 Net interest expense (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs)  (4,035,964)   (4,268,166)   (4,276,116)   (16,427,497)   (13,852,045) 
 Capital expenditures (excluding Northwest Shelf acquisition)(7,814,361)   (4,305,557)   (13,936,132)    (30,020,131)   (136,333,135)  
                      
Free Cash Flow $12,695,626   $11,287,403   $16,154,766   $39,696,878   $(28,826,941) 
                      
                      
   Three Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended 
   December 31,  September 30,  December 31,  December 31, 
   2020
  2020
  2019
  2020
  2019
 
                 
   (Unaudited for All Periods) 
                      
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities $27,255,949   $14,717,223   $44,028,009   $72,159,255   $106,616,221  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities  (6,722,162)   875,737    (13,937,111)   (2,418,446)   889,973  
                      
Cash Flow from Operations $20,533,787   $15,592,960   $30,090,898   $69,740,809   $107,506,194  
                      



1 A non-GAAP financial measure; see “Non-GAAP Information” later in this release for more information including reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures.
2 Lifting cost equals lease operating expenses excluding severance and ad valorem tax divided by total barrels of oil equivalent sold during the same period.
3 Utilizing 2020 SEC prices of $36.04 per Bbl and $1.99 per MMBtu of gas.
4 WTI posting price per Bbl of oil is based on NYMEX.