After a Failed Merger, This Oil Stock Plots a New Way Forward

FAN Editor

Denbury Resources (NYSE: DNR) thought it found a solution to its most pressing problems when it agreed to acquire Penn Virginia (NASDAQ: PVAC) late last year. That’s because the transaction would not only reaccelerate its growth engine but improve its financial profile. However, the company abandoned that controversial merger earlier this year after it became apparent that investors wouldn’t support the deal.

As a result, the company has had to come up with a new way forward. CEO Chris Kendall outlined what the company plans to do on its first-quarter conference call. Here are two main things he wanted investors to know about what they can expect from Denbury in the future.

Continue Reading Below

We have no plans to boost spending

Given Denbury’s weaker balance sheet, its current priority is to generate as much free cash flow as possible so that it can chip away at its debt. That’s why the company only plans to spend $270 million to $300 million on new oil projects this year — 20% to 25% less than last year — which will result in its production declining about 4% year over year. By keeping a tight lid on spending, the company estimates that it can produce between $50 million to $100 million in free cash this year as long as oil averages around $50 a barrel, which it could use for debt reduction.

However, Kendall noted on the conference call that “the first quarter has been a remarkable reminder of both the volatility and the potential of the oil market. After entering the year at just over $45 WTI, prices have steadily climbed to above $60.” The CEO further pointed out that “with oil accounting for nearly all our production, these price improvements coupled with our disciplined spending program and our strong operating performance, positioned Denbury to generate significant free cash in 2019, while still making the important investments that lay the groundwork for the company’s future.” He would go on to state that “as prices have now improved significantly, we currently expect to generate free cash well above $150 million this year.”

This additional cash flow has many investors wondering if Denbury plans to ramp up spending. Kendall answered: “We don’t. We are pleased with the current program and its expected outcome in both the near and the longer term.” Instead of accelerating its growth rate, Denbury will use that excess cash to reduce debt and strengthen its balance sheet.

We’d like a bit more balance

Another topic Kendall addressed on the call was Denbury’s growth strategy. The company currently focuses on using enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques such as injecting carbon dioxide into legacy fields to grow its oil output. Those projects require a high up-front investment and a long-term time horizon but generate lots of cash flow once complete. That approach, however, leaves gaps when the company doesn’t grow. That’s why it wanted to acquire Penn Virginia since its shale drilling program can quickly deliver production, which would have helped plug Denbury’s near-term growth gap.

That background helped frame Kendall’s comments as he provided a big-picture overview of what’s now ahead for Denbury. He stated that:

In other words, while Denbury plans to continue focusing on EOR, it wants to balance out its opportunity set by finding more short-term growth opportunities within its existing acreage position as it did at Mission Canyon. That would enable the company to grow production at a steadier rate since those short-term opportunities can fill in the gap until its large-scale EOR project in the Cedar Creek Anticline comes on line in a few years.

Getting better organically

Denbury saw its proposed acquisition of Penn Virginia as the solution to its near-term growth problem as well as its balance sheet issues. However, with that deal falling apart, the company plans to take an internal approach to address both items. Not only does the company plan to keep spending in check so that it can generate free cash and pay down debt, but it intends on finding short-term growth opportunities on its existing acreage. While that means it will likely take a lot longer before the company is in the position to start growing again, it’s a less risky approach than its bold acquisition.

10 stocks we like better than Denbury ResourcesWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has quadrupled the market.*

David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the ten best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Denbury Resources wasn’t one of them! That’s right — they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.

See the 10 stocks

*Stock Advisor returns as of March 1, 2019

Matthew DiLallo owns shares of Denbury Resources. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Free America Network Articles

Leave a Reply

Next Post

Why American Airlines Stock Could Bounce Back From Its Recent 52-Week Low

Shares of American Airlines (NASDAQ: AAL) plunged to a new 52-week low last week as rising trade tensions and fears of a global economic slowdown roiled the stock market. Its Friday closing price of $27.23 was less than six times American Airlines’ projected 2019 earnings. Other than a brief period […]