Ring Energy Releases Second Quarter 2026 Results, Advances Development Program and Provides Initial 2027 Outlook
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Aug. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ring Energy, Inc. (NYSE American: REI) (“Ring” or the “Company”) today reported operational and financial results for the second quarter of 2026, announced an expanded development program for second half of 2026, updated guidance for the remainder of 2026 and provided guidance for 2027.
Second Quarter 2026 Highlights
Strengthened Financial Position
Continued Operational and All-In Cash Cost 1 Improvements
Advanced Development and Infrastructure Initiatives
Positioned for Improved Returns and Sustainable Growth
Management Commentary
Mr. Paul D. McKinney, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “The second quarter marked another period of efficient and effective execution for Ring Energy. We delivered production within guidance, reduced per-Boe operating costs, significantly increased Adjusted EBITDA, and generated positive Adjusted Free Cash Flow 1 for the 27th straight quarter. Additionally, we continued strengthening our balance sheet while positioning the Company for the next phase of its development strategy. The equity offering completed during the quarter gave us the balance sheet capacity to fund the acceleration of our development transition without losing focus on decreasing our leverage ratio. Rather than choosing between strengthening the balance sheet and investing in the highest-return phase of our development plan, the timing of this raise allowed us to do both. We expect our expanded drilling program to be funded primarily through operating cash flow going forward, with leverage continuing to trend toward our 1.25x target as this investment cycle completes. When considering these results and the expansion of our undeveloped drilling inventory due to our 2026 capital program, the Company is meaningfully stronger in almost every regard than it was at the beginning of the year."
Mr. McKinney concluded, “Over the past eighteen months, we have strengthened our balance sheet, improved liquidity and advanced a number of initiatives designed to enhance long-term value of our asset base. Looking ahead and supported by improving commodity prices, greater exposure to those prices through an improved hedge position and encouraging early drilling results, we are increasing our capital investment program for the remainder of 2026 that will allow for our transition to a more capital efficient development program of longer lateral wells and co-horizontal-development of our stacked-pay drilling opportunities. We strongly believe this transition will enhance economic returns, improve capital efficiency and increase the long-term value of our inventory. As a result, we expect increased production, reserves and free cash flow generation over time. We expect to fund this expanded program primarily through operating cash flow while maintaining Ring's commitment to financial discipline, free cash flow generation, balance sheet strength and per share return metrics. Also, as a part of our ongoing portfolio management, we continue to evaluate select non-core assets that do not fit our long-term development plans and any proceeds from such divestitures would be directed toward further debt reduction, consistent with our capital allocation priorities.”
___________________________________
1 A non-GAAP financial measure; see the “Non-GAAP Financial Information” section in this release for more information including reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures.
Summary Results and Additional Key Items
(1) Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted 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 Financial Information.” In addition, see section titled “Condensed Operating Data” for additional details concerning costs and expenses presented below.
(2) Not meaningful.
Select Expenses and Other Items
(1) A summary listing of the Company’s outstanding derivative positions as of August 4, 2026 is included in the tables shown later in this release. As of August 4, 2026, for the remainder (July through December) of 2026, the Company has approximately 1.7 million barrels of oil (approximately 70% of oil sales guidance midpoint) hedged at an average upside protection price of $71.47 and approximately 2.4 billion cubic feet of natural gas (approximately 62% of natural gas sales guidance midpoint) hedged at an average downside protection price of $3.78.
(2) Not meaningful.
Balance Sheet and Liquidity
Total liquidity (defined as cash and cash equivalents plus borrowing base availability under the Company’s credit facility) at June 30, 2026 was approximately $226.1 million, consisting of $225.0 million of availability under our revolving credit facility, which included a reduction of $35 thousand for letters of credit, and $1.1 million in cash and cash equivalents. On June 30, 2026, the Company had $360 million in borrowings outstanding on its credit facility that has a current borrowing base of $585 million. This reflects a reduction of $66 million from the balance of $426 million at March 31, 2026. The Company intends to resume debt reduction, dependent on market conditions, the timing and level of capital spending, and other considerations.
Drilling and Completion Activity
In 2Q 2026 the Company continued execution of its development program across its core positions. In the Northwest Shelf the Company drilled and completed one 1.5-mile horizontal (98% working interest) and one 1-mile horizontal well (100% working interest) in Yoakum County. In the Central Basin Platform, the Company drilled and completed one 1.5-mile horizontal well (99% working interest) in Andrews County, and one 1.5-mile horizontal well (96% working interest) in Crane County. The latter of these two wells, while completed, was not put on pump until 3Q 2026 and did not contribute significant volumes in 2Q 2026. Also in Crane County, the Company drilled three 2-mile horizontal wells (each with working interest of 100%) and was in the process of drilling one SWD well. The three 2-mile horizontal wells represent the first laterals of this length drilled by the Company in an area that has been historically developed with vertical wells. All four of these wells are expected to be completed during the third quarter of 2026.
The table below sets forth Ring’s drilling and completion activities in the first half of 2026:
(1) The horizontal well completed in the Central Basin Platform in the first quarter of 2026 is the completion of a previously drilled but uncompleted (“DUC”) well.
Remaining Quarters of 2026 and Full-Year 2027 Sales Volumes, Capital Investment and Operating Expense Guidance
Since providing its original 2026 development outlook, Ring has continued to refine its development plan towards horizontal drilling and allocate capital toward its highest-return opportunities. Under the revised plan, wells exceeding 1.5 miles in length are expected to represent approximately 70% of planned 2026 drilling activity, compared to approximately 42% contemplated in the original plan. This evolution reflects encouraging early well results, improved operational execution and the attractive economics associated with extended-reach laterals. Ring believes the increased concentration of longer lateral opportunities has the potential to enhance capital efficiency, improve project economics and support the Company's strategy of generating higher returns while responsibly growing production.
Based on the spending guidance, the Company expects the following estimated allocation of capital:
The guidance in the table below represents the Company's current good faith estimate of the range of likely future results. Guidance could be affected by the factors discussed below in the "Safe Harbor Statement" section.
(1) In addition to Company-directed drilling and completion activities, the capital spending outlook includes funds for targeted well recompletions, capital workovers, infrastructure upgrades, and well reactivations. Also included is anticipated spending for leasing acreage; and non-operated drilling, completion, capital workovers, and facility improvements.
Conference Call Information
Ring will hold a conference call on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. ET (10 a.m. CT) to discuss its 2Q 2026 operational and financial results. An updated investor presentation will be posted to the Company’s website prior to the conference call.
To participate in the conference call, interested parties should dial 833-953-2433 at least five minutes before the call is set to begin. Please reference the “Ring Energy 2Q 2026 Earnings Conference Call”. International callers may participate by dialing 412-317-5762. The call will also be webcast and available on Ring’s website at www.ringenergy.com under “Investors” on the “News & Events” page. An audio replay will also be available on the Company’s website 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 development of its Permian Basin assets. 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, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements involve a wide variety of risks and uncertainties, and include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company’s strategy and prospects. The forward-looking statements include statements about the expected future reserves, production, financial position, business strategy, revenues, earnings, costs, capital expenditures and debt levels of the Company, and plans and objectives of management for future operations. Forward-looking statements also include assumptions and projections for remaining quarters of 2026 guidance for sales volumes, oil, NGL and natural gas mix as a percentage of total sales, capital expenditures, operating expenses and the projected impacts thereon. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and analyses made by Ring and its management in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform to expectations is subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: declines in oil, natural gas liquids or natural gas prices; the level of success in exploration, development and production activities; the impact of worldwide political, military and armed conflict (including the impact of the ongoing conflict with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz); adverse weather conditions that may negatively impact development or production activities particularly in the winter; the timing of exploration and development expenditures; inaccuracies of reserve estimates or assumptions underlying them; revisions to reserve estimates as a result of changes in commodity prices; impacts to financial statements as a result of impairment write-downs; risks related to level of indebtedness and periodic redeterminations of the borrowing base and interest rates under the Company’s credit facility; Ring’s ability to generate sufficient cash flows from operations to meet the internally funded portion of its capital expenditures budget; the impacts of hedging on results of operations; changes in U.S. energy, environmental, monetary, tax and trade policies, including with respect to tariffs or other trade barriers, and any resulting trade tensions; cost and availability of transportation and storage capacity as a result of oversupply, government regulation or other factors; and Ring’s ability to replace oil and natural gas reserves. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which are disclosed in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, and its other SEC filings. Ring undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
Contact Information
Sonu Singh Johl
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Phone: 281-397-3699
Email: IR@ringenergy.com
(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, natural gas, and natural gas liquids may differ significantly.
(1) The gas basis swap hedges are calculated as the Henry Hub natural gas price less the fixed amount specified as the weighted average spread price above.
RING ENERGY, INC.
Non-GAAP Financial Information
Certain financial information included in this release are not measures of financial performance recognized by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). These non-GAAP financial measures are “Adjusted Net Income,” “Adjusted EBITDA,” “Adjusted Free Cash Flow” or “AFCF,” “Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations”or “ACFFO,” “G&A Excluding Share-Based Compensation,” “G&A Excluding Share-Based Compensation and Transaction Costs,” “Leverage Ratio,” “Consolidated Total Debt to LQA Consolidated EBITDAX,” “All-In Cash Operating Costs,” and “Cash Operating Margin.” Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in its analysis of performance. 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 income (loss) to Adjusted Net Income
“Adjusted Net Income” is calculated as net income (loss) minus the estimated after-tax impact of share-based compensation, ceiling test impairment, unrealized gains and losses on changes in the fair value of derivatives, and transaction costs for acquisitions and divestitures (“A&D”). 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 period to prior periods. The Company believes that the presentation of Adjusted Net Income provides useful information to investors as it is one of the metrics management uses to assess the Company’s ongoing operating and financial performance, and also is a useful metric for investors to compare the Company’s results with its peers.
Reconciliation of Net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA
The Company defines “Adjusted EBITDA” as net income (loss) plus net interest expense (including interest income and expense), unrealized loss (gain) on change in fair value of derivatives, ceiling test impairment, income tax (benefit) expense, depreciation, depletion and amortization, asset retirement obligation accretion, transaction costs for acquisitions and divestitures (A&D), share-based compensation, loss (gain) on disposal of assets, and backing out the effect of other income. Company management believes Adjusted EBITDA 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.
Reconciliations of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Adjusted Free Cash Flow and Adjusted EBITDA to Adjusted Free Cash Flow
The Company defines “Adjusted Free Cash Flow” or “AFCF” as Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities (as reflected on the Company’s Condensed Statements of Cash Flows) less changes in operating assets and liabilities, and plus transaction costs for acquisitions and divestitures (“A&D”), current income tax expense (benefit), proceeds from divestitures of equipment for oil and natural gas properties, loss (gain) on disposal of assets, and less capital expenditures, credit loss expense, and other income. 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 lease maintenance costs) 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. Management believes that Adjusted Free Cash Flow is an important financial performance measure for use in evaluating the performance and efficiency of the Company’s current operating activities after the impact of capital expenditures and net interest expense (including interest income and expense, excluding amortization of deferred financing costs) and without being impacted by items such as changes associated with working capital, which can vary substantially from one period to another. Other companies may use different definitions of Adjusted Free Cash Flow.
Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations
The Company defines “Adjusted Cash Flow from Operations” or “ACFFO” as Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities, as reflected in the Company’s Condensed Statements of Cash Flows, less the changes in operating assets and liabilities, which includes accounts receivable, inventory, prepaid expenses and other assets, accounts payable, and settlement of asset retirement obligations, which are subject to variation due to the nature of the Company’s operations. Accordingly, the Company believes this financial performance measure is useful to investors because it is used often in its industry and allows investors to compare this metric to other companies in its peer group as well as the E&P sector.
Reconciliation of General and Administrative Expense (G&A) to G&A Excluding Share-Based Compensation and Transaction Costs
The following table presents a reconciliation of General and Administrative Expense (“G&A”), a GAAP measure, to G&A excluding share-based compensation, and G&A excluding share-based compensation and transaction costs for acquisitions and divestitures (A&D).
Calculation of Leverage Ratio
“Leverage” or the “Leverage Ratio” is calculated pursuant to the Company’s existing senior revolving credit facility and means as of any date, the ratio of (i) Consolidated Total Debt as of such date to (ii) Consolidated EBITDAX for the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or immediately prior to such date for which financial statements are required to have been delivered under the credit facility.
The Company defines “Consolidated Total Debt” in accordance with its existing senior revolving credit facility and means, as of any date, all Indebtedness of the Company on a consolidated basis as of such date, but excluding hedging obligations.
The Company defines “Indebtedness” in accordance with its existing senior revolving credit facility and generally means (i) all obligations of the Company for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of the Company evidenced by notes or other similar instruments, (iii) all obligations of the Company in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services, (iv) all obligations of the Company under any conditional sale relating to property acquired the Company, (v) all capital lease obligations of the Company, (vi) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of the Company in respect of letters of credit or similar extensions of credit, (vii) all guarantees of the Company of the type of Indebtedness described in clauses (i) through (vi) above, (viii) all Indebtedness of a third party secured by any lien on property owned by the Company, whether or not such Indebtedness has been assumed by the Company, (ix) all off-balance sheet liabilities, (x) all hedging obligations and (xi) the undischarged balance of any production payment created by the Company or for the creation of which the Company directly or indirectly received payment.
The Company defines “Consolidated EBITDAX” in accordance with its existing senior revolving credit facility and means for any period an amount equal to the sum of (i) consolidated net income (loss) for such period plus (ii) to the extent deducted in determining consolidated net income (loss) for such period, and without duplication, (A) consolidated interest expense, (B) income tax expense (benefit) determined on a consolidated basis, (C) depreciation, depletion and amortization determined on a consolidated basis, (D) exploration expenses determined on a consolidated basis, and (E) all other non-cash charges reasonably acceptable to the administrative agent, in each case for such period minus (iii) all noncash income added to consolidated net income (loss) for such period; provided that, for purposes of calculating compliance with the financial covenants under the credit facility, to the extent that during such period the Company has consummated an acquisition permitted by the credit facility or any sale, transfer or other disposition of any property or assets permitted by the credit facility, Consolidated EBITDAX will be calculated on a pro forma basis with respect to the property or assets acquired or disposed of.
The maximum permitted Leverage Ratio under the senior revolving credit facility is 3.00. The following tables show the leverage ratio calculations for the quarters ended June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2025.
Calculation of Consolidated Total Debt to LQA Consolidated EBITDAX
The Company defines Consolidated Total Debt to LQA Consolidated EBITDAX as Consolidated Total Debt divided by LQA (“Last Quarter Annualized”) Consolidated EBITDAX. Consolidated Total Debt and Consolidated EBITDAX are defined pursuant to the Company’s existing senior revolving credit facility. The Company believes this metric is more reflective of its current leverage ratio profile by annualizing Consolidated EBITDAX for the most recent period. Consolidated Total Debt to LQA Consolidated EBITDAX and Consolidated EBTIDAX are non-GAAP financial measures and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and should not be considered as a substitute for measured prepared in accordance with GAAP. Therefore, the Company believes it is important to view this ratio and Consolidated EBITDAX as supplemental to its entire financial statements.
All-In Cash Operating Costs
The Company defines All-In Cash Operating Costs, a non-GAAP financial measure, as “all in cash” costs which includes lease operating expenses, G&A costs excluding share-based compensation, net interest expense (including interest income and expense, excluding amortization of deferred financing costs), workovers and other operating expenses, production taxes, ad valorem taxes, and gathering/transportation costs. Management believes that this metric provides useful additional information to investors to assess the Company’s operating costs in comparison to its peers, which may vary from company to company.
Cash Operating Margin
The Company defines Cash Operating Margin, a non-GAAP financial measure, as realized revenues per Boe less “all-in cash operating costs” per Boe. Management believes that this metric provides useful additional information to investors to assess the Company’s operating margins in comparison to its peers, which may vary from company to company.