ASCENT RESOURCES REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2024 OPERATING AND FINANCIAL RESULTS AND ANNOUNCES UPDATED 2024 GUIDANCE

Second Quarter Highlights:

    --  Net production averaged 2,190 mmcfe per day, an increase of 5% over the
        prior year period
    --  Liquids production averaged nearly 50 mbbls per day, an increase of
        approximately 60% over the prior year period, representing 13% of total
        production
    --  Realized pre-hedge natural gas equivalent price of $2.19 per mcfe, a
        $0.30 per mcfe premium to NYMEX pricing during the quarter
    --  Cash Flow from Operating Activities and Adjusted EBITDAX((1)) of $211
        million and $333 million, respectively
    --  Generated $76 million of Adjusted Free Cash Flow((1) )
    --  Received credit rating upgrades from S&P, adding to Q1 2024 upgrades
        from Moody's and Fitch
    --  Issued 6th Annual Sustainability Report and received a Grade A
        certification of 100% of our natural gas production from MiQ for third
        consecutive year
    --  Increased production guidance range to 2,100 - 2,200 mmcfe per day,
        increased liquids mix by 2% and lowered operating expense by $0.05 per
        mcfe at the mid-point


     
     (1) A non-GAAP financial measure. See the non-GAAP reconciliations included in this press release
              for the definition of, and other important information regarding, this non-GAAP financial
              measure.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla., Aug 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascent Resources Utica Holdings, LLC ("Ascent", "our" or the "Company") today reported its second quarter 2024 operating and financial results and issued updated full-year 2024 guidance. Additionally, Ascent announced a conference call with analysts and investors scheduled for 9 AM CT / 10 AM ET, Thursday, August 8, 2024. For more detailed information on Ascent, please refer to our audited financials, the latest investor presentation and additional information located on our website at https://www.ascentresources.com/investors.

Commenting on the second quarter results, Ascent's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Fisher said, "I am pleased to say that we built on our success from the first quarter by continuing to balance our development program to more prominently feature liquids in the production mix. By doing so, we have improved price realizations and maximized returns during a volatile quarter for natural gas prices. We also continue to focus on cost management by working to reduce operating and capital costs in order to improve margins. Our commitment to generating consistent, sustainable free cash flow remains our top priority."

Fisher continued, "As we move into the second half of the year, we will continue to focus on growing liquids production, reducing costs, improving efficiencies and optimizing margins. Our prudent operational and financial approach, coupled with a systematic hedging program, provides a solid foundation to navigate challenging market conditions while positioning the business for growing natural gas demand."

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Second quarter 2024 net production averaged 2,190 mmcfe per day, consisting of 1,910 mmcf per day of natural gas, 12,209 bbls per day of oil and 34,571 bbls per day of natural gas liquids ("NGL").

Second quarter 2024 price realizations, including the impact of settled commodity derivatives, were $3.22 per mcfe. Excluding the impact of settled commodity derivatives, price realizations were $2.19 per mcfe in the second quarter of 2024.

For the second quarter of 2024, Ascent reported a Net Loss of $98 million, Adjusted Net Income of $96 million, Adjusted EBITDAX of $333 million, along with Cash Flows from Operations of $211 million and Adjusted Free Cash Flow of $76 million. Ascent incurred $213 million of total capital expenditures in the second quarter of 2024 consisting of $157 million of D&C costs, $47 million of land and leasehold costs, and $8 million of capitalized interest.

Year-to-Date 2024 Financial Results

Net production for the six months ended June 30, 2024 averaged 2,203 mmcfe per day, consisting of 1,952 mmcf per day of natural gas, 10,802 bbls per day of oil and 31,000 bbls per day of NGLs.

Price realizations, including the impact of settled commodity derivatives, were $3.48 per mcfe for the six months ended June 30, 2024. Excluding the impact of settled commodity derivatives, price realizations were $2.40 per mcfe for the year-to-date period.

For the six months ended June 30, 2024, Ascent reported a Net Loss of $12 million, Adjusted Net Income of $314 million and Adjusted EBITDAX of $788 million, along with Cash Flow from Operations of $579 million and Adjusted Free Cash Flow of $275 million. Ascent incurred a total of $425 million of capital expenditures during the six months ended June 30, 2024 consisting of $337 million of D&C costs, $72 million of land and leasehold costs, and $16 million of capitalized interest.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

As of June 30, 2024, Ascent had total debt of approximately $2.4 billion, with $655 million of borrowings and $169 million of letters of credit issued under the credit facility. Liquidity as of June 30, 2024 was approximately $1.2 billion, comprised of $1.2 billion of available borrowing capacity under the credit facility and $6 million of cash on hand. Our leverage ratio at the end of the quarter was 1.7x based on a LTM Adjusted EBITDAX basis.

Operational Update

During the second quarter of 2024, we spud 19 operated wells, hydraulically fractured 18 wells, and turned-in-line 17 wells with an average lateral length of 13,761 feet. As of June 30, 2024, Ascent had 888 gross operated producing Utica wells.

Hedging Update

Ascent has significant hedges in place in order to reduce exposure to the volatility in commodity prices, as well as to protect our expected operating cash flow. As of June 30, 2024, Ascent had hedged 1,483,000 mmbtu per day of natural gas production for the remainder of 2024 at an average downside price of $3.49 per mmbtu, and 1,450,000 mmbtu per day in 2025 at an average downside price of $3.80 per mmbtu. Additionally, Ascent has hedged 10,000 bbls per day of crude oil production at an average price of $75.39 per bbl for the remainder of 2024, and 6,000 bbls per day in 2025 at an average price of $71.13. We also have a significant portion of our natural gas basis position hedged in 2024 and 2025 along with additional natural gas hedges in place through 2027. Please reference our financial statements for additional detail on our hedge position.

Guidance Update

The Company has updated its full-year 2024 guidance to reflect operational outperformance, improved realizations and lower operating expenses. A detailed summary including production, expense and operational counts is included in the table that follows:



     
                Updated 2024 Guidance





     
                Production



     Production (mmcfe/d)                                 2,100 -2,200



     % Natural Gas                                            86% - 88%





     
                Unhedged Differentials



     Natural Gas ($/mcf)                                    ($0.30) -
                                                               ($0.20)



     Crude Oil ($/bbl)                                      ($9.00) -
                                                               ($8.00)



     NGL (% ofWTI)                                        27.5% - 32.5%





     
                Operating Expenses ($/mcfe)



     Operating Expenses(1)                            
       $1.50 - $1.60



     G&A(2)                                           
       $0.08 - $0.10




                   Capital Expenditures Incurred ($mm)
                      (3)                               
       $750 - $810



     D&C                                                
       $625 - $675



     Land                                               
       $125 - $135





     
                Operations / Well Counts



     Operated Rigs                                           2.5 -3.0



     Wells Spud                                               60 -65



     Average Spud Lateral Length                            16,000' -
                                                               16,500'




     
     (1)   Includes GP&T, LOE, and Taxes Other than
                Income



     
     (2)   Excludes long-term incentive compensation
                expense



     
     (3) 
     Excludes capitalized interest

About Ascent Resources

Ascent is one of the largest private producers of natural gas in the United States and is focused on acquiring, developing, and operating natural gas and oil properties located in the Utica Shale in southern Ohio. With a continued focus on good corporate citizenship, Ascent is committed to delivering cleaner burning, affordable energy to our country and the world, while reducing environmental impacts.

Contact:
Chris Benton
Vice President - Finance and Investor Relations
405-252-7850
chris.benton@ascentresources.com

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of US federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements express views of Ascent regarding future plans and expectations. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future operations, business strategy, liquidity and cash flows of Ascent. These statements are based on numerous assumptions and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, commodity price volatility, inherent uncertainty in estimating natural gas, oil and NGL reserves, environmental and regulatory risks, availability of capital, and the other risks described in Ascent's most recent investor presentation provided at www.ascentresources.com/investors. Actual future results may vary materially from those expressed or implied in this news release and Ascent's business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow could be materially and adversely affected by such risks and uncertainties. As a result, forward-looking statements should be understood to be only predictions and statements of Ascent's current beliefs; they are not guarantees of performance.


                                               
              
            ASCENT RESOURCES UTICA HOLDINGS, LLC

                                          
              
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                                                            
          
                (Unaudited)


                                                                                                                          Three Months Ended                        Six Months Ended


                                                                                                                          June 30,                         June 30,



       
                
                  ($ in thousands)                                                              2024      2023               2024         2023

    ---




       
                Revenues:



       Natural gas                                                                                           $283,761  $333,721           $674,263     $945,281



       Oil                                                                                                     79,336    63,166            137,704      127,159



       NGL                                                                                                     73,272    39,636            150,696       83,377



       Commodity derivative gain                                                                               23,918   348,982            140,177    1,270,631



       Total Revenues                                                                                         460,287   785,505          1,102,840    2,426,448



       
                Operating Expenses:



       Lease operating expenses                                                                                26,438    30,317             57,066       63,967



       Gathering, processing and transportation expenses                                                      255,048   227,792            517,711      468,084



       Taxes other than income                                                                                 11,476    12,637             22,524       24,134



       Exploration expenses                                                                                     3,335     4,185              9,356        4,792



       General and administrative expenses                                                                     27,741    18,479             59,222       34,972



       Depreciation, depletion and amortization                                                               186,940   175,677            373,940      358,716



       Total Operating Expenses                                                                               510,978   469,087          1,039,819      954,665



       
                Income (Loss) from Operations                                                            (50,691)  316,418             63,021    1,471,783



       
                Other Income (Expense):



       Interest expense, net                                                                                 (49,166) (47,818)          (99,378)   (103,153)



       Change in fair value of contingent payment right                                                           605   (2,039)           (3,091)       1,841



       Losses on purchases or exchanges of debt                                                                       (26,900)                      (26,900)



       Other income                                                                                             1,206    10,375             27,127       10,911



       Total Other Expense                                                                                   (47,355) (66,382)          (75,342)   (117,301)



       
                Net Income (Loss)                                                                       $(98,046) $250,036          $(12,321)  $1,354,482


                                                         
              
              ASCENT RESOURCES UTICA HOLDINGS, LLC

                                                         
              
              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                                                      
            
                (Unaudited)


                                                                                                                        June 30, December 31,



       
                
                  ($ in thousands)                                                                        2024          2023

    ---




       
                Current Assets:



       Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                         $5,562        $6,718



       Accounts receivable - natural gas, oil and NGL sales                                                             238,661       266,906



       Accounts receivable - joint interest and other                                                                    58,979        38,540



       Short-term derivative assets                                                                                     314,390       438,041



       Other current assets                                                                                               8,463        10,620



       Total Current Assets                                                                                             626,055       760,825



       
                Property and Equipment:



       Natural gas and oil properties, based on successful efforts accounting                                        11,982,119    11,565,453



       Other property and equipment                                                                                      43,637        42,542



       Less: accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization                                                   (4,992,266)  (4,619,852)



       Property and Equipment, net                                                                                    7,033,490     6,988,143



       
                Other Assets:



       Long-term derivative assets                                                                                      116,998       288,396



       Other long-term assets                                                                                            67,564        68,486



       
                Total Assets                                                                                     $7,844,107    $8,105,850





       
                Current Liabilities:



       Accounts payable                                                                                                 $63,335       $76,333



       Accrued interest                                                                                                  43,314        44,665



       Short-term derivative liabilities                                                                                  9,672        13,157



       Other current liabilities                                                                                        517,626       551,894



       Total Current Liabilities                                                                                        633,947       686,049



       
                Long-Term Liabilities:



       Long-term debt, net                                                                                            2,432,601     2,533,873



       Other long-term liabilities                                                                                      127,147       124,565



       Total Long-Term Liabilities                                                                                    2,559,748     2,658,438



       
                Member's Equity                                                                                   4,650,412     4,761,363



       
                Total Liabilities and Member's Equity                                                            $7,844,107    $8,105,850


                                                         
              
                ASCENT RESOURCES UTICA HOLDINGS, LLC

                                                   
              
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                                                     
              
                (Unaudited)


                                                                                                                                         Three Months Ended                          Six Months Ended


                                                                                                                                         June 30,                           June 30,



              
                
                  ($ in thousands)                                                                     2024       2023               2024           2023

    ---




              
                Cash Flows from Operating Activities:



              Net income (loss)                                                                                           $(98,046)  $250,036          $(12,321)    $1,354,482



              Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
    provided by operating activities:



              Depreciation, depletion and amortization                                                                      186,940    175,677            373,940        358,716



              Gain on commodity derivatives                                                                                (23,918) (348,982)         (140,177)   (1,270,631)



              Settlements received for commodity derivatives                                                                156,659    126,929            335,270         60,111



              Impairment of unproved natural gas and oil properties                                                           2,551      3,814              8,110          3,814



              Non-cash interest expense                                                                                       6,311      3,271             11,685          9,248



              Long-term incentive compensation                                                                               10,952        859             20,266          1,690



              Change in fair value of contingent payment right                                                                (605)     2,039              3,091        (1,841)



              Losses on purchases or exchanges of debt                                                                                 26,038                           26,038



              Other                                                                                                            (47)        79                 20        (1,344)



              Changes in operating assets and liabilities                                                                  (29,978)    44,747           (20,424)       115,142



              
                Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities                                                        210,819    284,507            579,460        655,425



              
                Cash Flows from Investing Activities:



              Natural gas and oil capital expenditures                                                                    (215,801) (270,363)         (434,390)     (530,279)



              Additions to other property and equipment                                                                       (302)     (769)             (845)       (1,828)



              
                Net Cash Used in Investing Activities                                                          (216,103) (271,132)         (435,235)     (532,107)



              
                Cash Flows from Financing Activities:



              Proceeds from credit facility borrowings                                                                      445,000    910,000            850,000      1,420,000



              Repayment of credit facility borrowings                                                                     (435,000) (540,000)         (960,000)   (1,085,000)



              Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                                                                                210,000                          210,000



              Repayment of long-term debt                                                                                           (549,822)                       (549,822)



              Cash paid for debt issuance and amendment costs                                                                        (11,219)                        (11,219)



              Cash paid for debt prepayment costs                                                                                    (27,491)                        (27,491)



              Cash received (paid) for settlements of commodity                                                              55,125                       84,605       (53,530)
    derivatives



              Cash paid to Parent for equity distributions                                                                 (56,214)                   (112,464)



              Cash paid to Parent for long-term incentive Cash                                                                                                       (17,856)
    Awards



              Other                                                                                                         (6,590)   (3,608)           (7,522)       (3,879)



              
                Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing                                                           2,321   (12,140)         (145,381)     (118,797)
    Activities



              
                Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash                                                         (2,963)     1,235            (1,156)         4,521
    Equivalents



              
                Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period                                                     8,525      7,180              6,718          3,894



              
                Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period                                                          $5,562     $8,415             $5,562         $8,415


                                                         
              
             ASCENT RESOURCES UTICA HOLDINGS, LLC

                                                                  
           
                SUPPLEMENTAL TABLES

                                                    
              
             NATURAL GAS, OIL AND NGL PRODUCTION AND PRICES

                                                                      
           
                (Unaudited)


                                                                                                                                  Three Months Ended                    Six Months Ended


                                                                                                                                  June 30,                     June 30,


                                                                                                                           2024    2023               2024    2023





     
                Net Production Volumes:



     Natural gas (mmcf)                                                                                                173,777 173,694            355,209 357,138



     Oil (mbbls)                                                                                                         1,111     974              1,966   1,906



     NGL (mbbls)                                                                                                         3,146   1,695              5,642   3,158



     Natural Gas Equivalents (mmcfe)                                                                                   199,326 189,712            400,858 387,523





     
                Average Daily Net Production Volumes:



     Natural gas (mmcf/d)                                                                                                1,910   1,909              1,952   1,973



     Oil (mbbls/d)                                                                                                          12      11                 11      11



     NGL (mbbls/d)                                                                                                          35      19                 31      17



     Natural Gas Equivalents (mmcfe/d)                                                                                   2,190   2,085              2,203   2,141



     % Natural Gas                                                                                                        87 %   92 %              89 %   92 %



     % Liquids                                                                                                            13 %    8 %              11 %    8 %





     
                Average Sales Prices:



     Natural gas ($/mcf)                                                                                                 $1.63   $1.92              $1.90   $2.65



     Oil ($/bbl)                                                                                                        $71.37  $64.79             $70.04  $66.71



     NGL ($/bbl)                                                                                                        $23.29  $23.38             $26.71  $26.40





     Natural Gas Equivalents ($/mcfe)                                                                                    $2.19   $2.30              $2.40   $2.98



     Settlements of commodity derivatives ($/mcfe)                                                                        1.03    0.67               1.08    0.16



     Average sales price, after effects of settled derivatives ($/mcfe)                                                  $3.22   $2.97              $3.48   $3.14


                                     
              
          CAPITAL EXPENDITURES INCURRED

                                              
          
              (Unaudited)


                                                                                               Three Months Ended                     Six Months Ended


                                                                                               June 30,                      June 30,



       
                
                  ($ in thousands)                                  2024     2023              2024     2023

    ---




       Capital Expenditures Incurred:



       Drilling and completion costs incurred                                    $156,778 $221,121          $336,899 $460,353



       Land and leasehold costs incurred                                           47,380   27,615            72,284   53,800



       Capitalized interest incurred                                                8,395    9,338            15,528   19,608



       Total Capital Expenditures Incurred                                       $212,553 $258,074          $424,711 $533,761

ASCENT RESOURCES UTICA HOLDINGS, LLC
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Ascent uses certain non-GAAP measures as a supplement to our financial results prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). These non-GAAP measures include Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EBITDAX, Last Twelve Months (LTM) Adjusted EBITDAX, Net Debt and Adjusted Free Cash Flow. A reconciliation of each financial measure to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is included in the tables below. Ascent's management team believes these non-GAAP measures are useful to an investor in evaluating Ascent's financial performance because (a) management uses these financial measures to evaluate operating performance, in presentations to its Board of Managers and as a basis for strategic planning and forecasting, (b) these financial measures are more comparable to estimates used by analysts, and (c) items excluded are one-time items, non-cash items or items whose timing or amount cannot be reasonably estimated.

Ascent believes these non-GAAP measures provide meaningful information to our investors and lenders; however, they should not be used as a substitute for measures of performance that are calculated in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures, as used and defined by Ascent below, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies.

Adjusted Net Income: Adjusted Net Income is defined as net income (loss) before the revenue impact of changes in the fair value of commodity derivative instruments prior to settlement, unrealized (gain) loss on interest rate derivatives, change in fair value of contingent payment right, long-term incentive compensation, (gains) losses on purchases or exchanges of debt, impairment of unproved natural gas and oil properties and certain items management believes affect the comparability of results or that are not indicative of trends in the ongoing business. Adjusted Net Income is a supplemental measure of operating performance monitored by management that is not defined under GAAP and does not represent, and should not be considered as, an alternative to net income (loss), as determined by GAAP.

Adjusted EBITDAX and LTM Adjusted EBITDAX: Adjusted EBITDAX is defined as net income (loss) before exploration expenses, depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, interest expense (net), the revenue impact of changes in the fair value of commodity derivative instruments prior to settlement, change in fair value of contingent payment right, long-term incentive compensation, (gains) losses on purchases or exchanges of debt and certain items management believes affect the comparability of results or that are not indicative of trends in the ongoing business. Adjusted EBITDAX is a supplemental measure of operating performance monitored by management that is not defined under GAAP and does not represent, and should not be considered as, an alternative to net income (loss), as determined by GAAP.

Net Debt: Net Debt is defined as total debt less cash and cash equivalents. Management uses Net Debt to determine our outstanding debt obligations that would not be readily satisfied by our cash and cash equivalents on hand. Net Debt does not represent, and should not be considered as, an alternative to total debt, as determined by GAAP.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow: Adjusted Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities adjusted for changes in operating assets and liabilities, drilling and completion costs incurred, land and leasehold costs incurred, capitalized interest incurred, financing commodity derivative settlements, and certain items management believes affect the comparability of results or that are not indicative of trends in the ongoing business. Adjusted Free Cash Flow is an indicator of a company's ability to generate funding to maintain or expand its asset base, make equity distributions and repurchase or extinguish debt. Adjusted Free Cash Flow is a supplemental measure of liquidity monitored by management that is not defined under GAAP and that does not represent, and should not be considered as, an alternative to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, as determined by GAAP.


                                                   
              
           RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NET INCOME (Unaudited)


                                                                                                                                      Three Months Ended                          Six Months Ended


                                                                                                                                      June 30,                           June 30,



              
                
                  ($ in thousands)                                                                  2024       2023               2024           2023

    ---




              Net Income (Loss) (GAAP)                                                                                 $(98,046)  $250,036          $(12,321)    $1,354,482



              Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to Adjusted
    Net Income:



              Gain on commodity derivatives                                                                             (23,918) (348,982)         (140,177)   (1,270,631)



              Settlements received for commodity derivatives                                                             204,604    126,929            431,166         60,111



              Unrealized (gain) loss on interest rate derivatives                                                            678    (1,840)               576        (1,005)



              Change in fair value of contingent payment right                                                             (605)     2,039              3,091        (1,841)



              Long-term incentive compensation(a)                                                                         10,952        859             20,266          1,690



              Losses on purchases or exchanges of debt                                                                              26,900                           26,900



              Impairment of unproved natural gas and oil properties                                                        2,551      3,814              8,110          3,814



              Legal settlements, loss contingencies and other                                                                244                        3,516        (1,477)



              Adjusted Net Income (Non-GAAP)                                                                             $96,460    $59,755           $314,227       $172,043


                                                 
              
           RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDAX (Unaudited)


                                                                                                                                 Three Months Ended                          Six Months Ended


                                                                                                                                 June 30,                           June 30,



            
                
                  ($ in thousands)                                                               2024       2023               2024           2023

    ---




            Net Income (Loss) (GAAP)                                                                              $(98,046)  $250,036          $(12,321)    $1,354,482



            Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to Adjusted
    EBITDAX:



            Exploration expenses                                                                                      3,335      4,185              9,356          4,792



            Depreciation, depletion and amortization                                                                186,940    175,677            373,940        358,716



            Interest expense, net                                                                                    49,166     47,818             99,378        103,153



            Gain on commodity derivatives                                                                          (23,918) (348,982)         (140,177)   (1,270,631)



            Settlements received for commodity derivatives                                                          204,604    126,929            431,166         60,111



            Change in fair value of contingent payment right                                                          (605)     2,039              3,091        (1,841)



            Long-term incentive compensation(a)                                                                      10,952        859             20,266          1,690



            Losses on purchases or exchanges of debt                                                                           26,900                           26,900



            Legal settlements, loss contingencies and other                                                             244                        3,516        (1,477)



            Adjusted EBITDAX (Non-GAAP)                                                                            $332,672   $285,461           $788,215       $635,895



     (a) The expense associated with the Long-Term Incentive Plan Cash Award of $6.5 million and $11.3
          million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, is non-cash to the
          Company as the Plan was established by our Parent, Ascent Resources, LLC. We did not recognize
          any expense associated with the Cash Award in 2023.


                                                            
     
     RECONCILIATION OF LTM ADJUSTED EBITDAX (Unaudited)


                                                                                                            
              
          Three Months                                              Twelve
                                                                                                                                                                           Months Ended
                                                                                                                
              
          Ended


                                                                            June 30,                               March 31,               December 31,   September 30,                         June 30,



              
                
                  ($ in thousands)                     2024                                     2024                        2023             2023                              2024

    ---




              Net Income (Loss) (GAAP)                                    $(98,046)                                 $85,725                    $757,202          $16,655                          $761,536



              Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss)
    to Adjusted EBITDAX:



              Exploration expenses                                            3,335                                    6,021                       5,971            1,862                            17,189



              Depreciation, depletion and                                   186,940                                  187,000                     178,749          186,486                           739,175
    amortization



              Interest expense, net                                          49,166                                   50,212                      52,714           50,043                           202,135



              Gain on commodity derivatives                                (23,918)                               (116,259)                  (758,301)        (69,253)                        (967,731)



              Settlements received for commodity                            204,604                                  226,562                      58,169          104,269                           593,604
    derivatives



              Change in fair value of contingent                              (605)                                   3,696                         651            3,760                             7,502
    payment right



              Long-term incentive compensation(a)                            10,952                                    9,314                       1,006              999                            22,271



              Legal settlements, loss contingencies                             244                                    3,272                      20,000                                            23,516
    and other



              Adjusted EBITDAX (Non-GAAP)                                  $332,672                                 $455,543                    $316,161         $294,821                        $1,399,197

                                                                      
           
          Three Months                                    Twelve

                                                                        
             
          Ended                                    Months Ended


                                                             June 30,     March 31,               December 31,   September 30,                 June 30,



              
                
                  ($ in thousands)      2023           2023                        2022             2022                        2023

    ---




              Net Income (GAAP)                             $250,036     $1,104,446                  $1,600,999          $46,540                  $3,002,021



              Adjustments to reconcile net income to
    Adjusted EBITDAX:



              Exploration expenses                             4,185            607                       3,353           15,365                      23,510



              Depreciation, depletion and                    175,677        183,039                     181,519          192,484                     732,719
    amortization



              Interest expense, net                           47,818         55,335                      57,426           57,553                     218,132



              (Gain) loss on commodity derivatives         (348,982)     (921,649)                  (993,155)       1,100,991                 (1,162,795)



              Settlements received (paid) for                126,929       (66,818)                  (473,217)       (856,004)                (1,269,110)
    commodity derivatives



              Change in fair value of contingent               2,039        (3,880)                      1,955          (3,656)                    (3,542)
    payment right



              Losses on purchases or exchanges of             26,900                                                                               26,900
    debt



              Long-term incentive compensation(a)                859            831                       8,780            8,914                      19,384



              Legal settlements, loss contingencies                        (1,477)                       (59)         (3,352)                    (4,888)
    and other



              Adjusted EBITDAX (Non-GAAP)                   $285,461       $350,434                    $387,601         $558,835                  $1,582,331



     (a) The expense associated with the Long-Term Incentive Plan Cash Award of $6.5 million, $4.8
          million, $6.5 million and $8.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, March 31, 2024,
          December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2022, respectively, is non-cash to the Company as the Plan
          was established by our Parent, Ascent Resources, LLC. We did not recognize any expense
          associated with the Cash Award in 2023.



       
                RECONCILIATION OF NET DEBT & NET DEBT TO LTM ADJUSTED EBITDAX (Unaudited)


                                                                                                          June 30,



       
                
                  ($ in thousands)                                                 2024                2023

    ---




       Net Debt:



       Total debt                                                                             $2,432,601          $2,465,629



       Less: cash and cash equivalents                                                             5,562               8,415



       Net Debt                                                                               $2,427,039          $2,457,214





       Net Debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDAX:



       Net Debt                                                                               $2,427,039          $2,457,214



       LTM Adjusted EBITDAX (Non-GAAP)(a)                                                     $1,399,197          $1,582,331



       Net Debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDAX                                                            1.7 x              1.6 x



     (a) Only includes impact of XTO acquisition since
          August 5, 2022.


                                            
              
            RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED FREE CASH FLOW (Unaudited)


                                                                                                                             Three Months Ended                        Six Months Ended


                                                                                                                             June 30,                         June 30,



              
                
                  ($ in thousands)                                                           2024       2023               2024         2023

    ---




              Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities (GAAP)                                                   $210,819   $284,507           $579,460     $655,425



              Adjustments to reconcile Net Cash Provided by
    Operating Activities to Adjusted Free Cash Flow:



              Changes in operating assets and liabilities                                                          29,978   (44,747)            20,424    (115,142)



              Drilling and completion costs incurred                                                            (156,778) (221,121)         (336,899)   (460,353)



              Land and leasehold costs incurred                                                                  (47,380)  (27,615)          (72,284)    (53,800)



              Capitalized interest incurred                                                                       (8,395)   (9,338)          (15,528)    (19,608)



              Financing commodity derivative settlements                                                           47,945                       95,896



              Legal settlements, loss contingencies and other                                                         244        862              3,516          862



              Adjusted Free Cash Flow (Non-GAAP)(a)                                                               $76,433  $(17,452)          $274,585       $7,384



     (a) Adjusted Free Cash Flow does not include the impact of the Long-Term Incentive Cash Award of
          $6.5 million and $11.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively.
          It is reflected in our consolidated financial statements as a non-cash equity contribution
          received from our Parent as the Plan was established by our Parent, Ascent Resources, LLC. We
          did not recognize any expense associated with the Cash Award in 2023.

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SOURCE Ascent Resources Utica Holdings, LLC