W&T Offshore's Q4 2024 Earnings Call: Contradictions in Drilling Strategies, Acquisitions, and Market Conditions

These are the key contradictions discussed in W&T Offshore's latest 2024Q4 earnings call, specifically including: Drilling Challenges and Regulations, Acquisition Market Conditions, Drilling Partnership Progress, and Acquisitions vs. Drilling:



Strategic Growth and Financial Performance:
- W&T Offshore reported adjusted EBITDA of $154 million and free cash flow of $45 million for the full year 2024.
- The growth was driven by strong operational execution, accretive acquisitions, and strategic financial transactions.

Reserve and Production Performance:
- Total proved reserves increased by 3% year-over-year to 127 million barrels of oil equivalent, with oil reserves increasing by 39%.
- This was mainly due to the acquisition of 6 shallow water Gulf of America fields from Cox and positive performance revisions.

Balance Sheet Improvement and Debt Reduction:
- The company reduced its total debt from $393 million to $284 million in early 2025 through refinancing and asset sales.
- This improvement was the result of closing a new second lien notes offering, redeeming outstanding notes, and paying off a term loan.

Operational and Cost Control:
- W&T Offshore delivered production of 33,300 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2024, despite hurricanes and downtime related to acquisitions.
- The company's focus on operational excellence and synergy capture led to lease operating expenses coming in at the low end of guidance.

Investor Confidence and Future Outlook:
- W&T Offshore's new senior second lien notes were oversubscribed, reflecting confidence in the company's asset base and growth potential.
- The company is well-positioned for growth in 2025 and beyond, with a strong balance sheet, high-quality assets, and a focus on accretive acquisitions and operational excellence.