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HighPeak Energy, Inc.

For the period ended Mar 31, 2025. Filed May 12, 2025.

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About this filing

A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.

Mar 31, 2025 · Filed May 12, 2025

HPK$7.140.0%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026
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Item 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share data)

March 31, 2025December 31, 2024
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$51,619$86,649
Accounts receivable78,35685,242
Inventory8,70610,952
Prepaid expenses8,3014,587
Derivative instruments5,6207,582
Total current assets152,602195,012
Crude oil and natural gas properties, using the successful efforts method of accounting:
Proved properties4,140,8813,959,545
Unproved properties71,35970,868
Accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization(1,293,949)(1,184,684)
Total crude oil and natural gas properties, net2,918,2912,845,729
Other property and equipment, net3,1413,201
Other noncurrent assets19,04719,346
Total assets$3,093,081$3,063,288
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt$120,000$120,000
Accounts payable – trade66,47374,011
Accrued capital expenditures53,24035,170
Revenues and royalties payable27,99326,838
Other accrued liabilities22,06522,196
Derivative instruments8,2755,380
Operating leases821719
Advances from joint interest owners—316
Total current liabilities298,867284,630
Noncurrent liabilities:
Long-term debt, net902,844928,384
Deferred income taxes242,337232,398
Asset retirement obligations15,05814,750
Operating leases581670
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024——
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 600,000,000 shares authorized, 126,067,436 and 126,067,436 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively1313
Additional paid-in capital1,166,7861,166,609
Retained earnings466,595435,834
Total stockholders’ equity1,633,3941,602,456
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$3,093,081$3,063,288

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share data)

Three Months Ended March 31,
20252024
Operating revenues:
Crude oil sales$246,424$282,369
NGL and natural gas sales11,0245,395
Total operating revenues257,448287,764
Operating costs and expenses:
Crude oil and natural gas production35,56230,271
Production and ad valorem taxes15,15214,402
Exploration and abandonments264498
Depletion, depreciation and amortization109,325130,850
Accretion of discount244239
General and administrative6,3454,685
Stock-based compensation1773,798
Total operating costs and expenses167,069184,743
Other expense—1
Income from operations90,379103,020
Interest income8102,392
Interest expense(36,988)(43,634)
Loss on derivative instruments, net(7,927)(53,043)
Income before income taxes46,2748,735
Provision for income taxes9,9392,297
Net income$36,335$6,438
Earnings per share:
Basic net income$0.26$0.05
Diluted net income$0.26$0.05
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic123,913125,696
Diluted127,213129,641
Dividends declared per share$0.04$0.04

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity

(in thousands)

Shares OutstandingCommon StockAdditional Paid-in- CapitalRetained EarningsTotal Stockholders' Equity
Balance, December 31, 2024126,067$13$1,166,609$435,834$1,602,456
Dividends declared ($0.04 per share)———(5,043)(5,043)
Dividend equivalents declared on outstanding stock options ($0.04 per share)———(531)(531)
Stock-based compensation costs:
Compensation costs included in net income——177—177
Net income———36,33536,335
Balance, March 31, 2025126,067$13$1,166,786$466,595$1,633,394
Shares OutstandingCommon StockAdditional Paid-in- CapitalRetained EarningsTotal Stockholders' Equity
Balance, December 31, 2023128,421$13$1,189,424$363,284$1,552,721
Dividends declared ($0.04 per share)———(5,137)(5,137)
Dividend equivalents declared on outstanding stock options ($0.04 per share)———(532)(532)
Repurchased shares under buyback program(566)—(8,851)—(8,851)
Stock-based compensation costs:
Compensation costs included in net income——3,798—3,798
Net income———6,4386,438
Balance, March 31, 2024127,855$13$1,184,371$364,053$1,548,437

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

Three Months Ended March 31,
20252024
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income$36,335$6,438
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:
Provision for deferred income taxes9,9391,688
Loss on derivative instruments, net7,92753,043
Cash paid on settlement of derivative instruments(3,071)(5,148)
Amortization of debt issuance costs2,0342,053
Amortization of discounts on long-term debt2,4262,453
Stock-based compensation expense1773,798
Accretion expense244239
Depletion, depreciation and amortization expense109,325130,850
Exploration and abandonment expense4274
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable6,886(14,414)
Prepaid expenses, inventory and other assets(1,314)(4,722)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other current liabilities(13,860)(5,113)
Net cash provided by operating activities157,052171,439
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Additions to crude oil and natural gas properties(179,819)(147,698)
Changes in working capital associated with crude oil and natural gas property additions25,1721,705
Acquisitions of crude oil and natural gas properties(2,517)(2,171)
Proceeds from sales of properties570—
Other property additions—(59)
Net cash used in investing activities(156,594)(148,223)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayments under Term Loan Credit Agreement(30,000)(30,000)
Dividends paid(4,957)(5,050)
Dividend equivalents paid(531)(530)
Repurchased shares under buyback program—(8,764)
Debt issuance costs—(7)
Net cash used in financing activities(35,488)(44,351)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents(35,030)(21,135)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period86,649194,515
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$51,619$173,380
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest$32,528$39,678
Cash paid for income taxes——
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash transactions:
Additions to asset retirement obligations152201

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1. Organization and Nature of Operations

HighPeak Energy, Inc. ("HighPeak Energy" or the "Company") is a Delaware corporation, formed in October 2019. See the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 10, 2025, for further information regarding the formation of the Company. HighPeak Energy’s common stock and warrants are listed and traded on the Nasdaq Global Market (the "Nasdaq") under the ticker symbols “HPK” and “HPKEW,” respectively. The Company is an independent crude oil and natural gas exploration and production company that explores for, develops and produces crude oil, NGL and natural gas in the Permian Basin in West Texas, more specifically, the Midland Basin primarily in Howard and Borden Counties. Our acreage is composed of two core areas, Flat Top primarily in the northern portion of Howard County extending into southern Borden County, southwest Scurry County and northwest Mitchell County and Signal Peak in the southern portion of Howard County.

NOTE 2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

***Presentation.***In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company as of March 31, 2025 and for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 include all adjustments and accruals, consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments and accruals necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"). Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period condensed consolidated financial statement presentation. These reclassifications had an immaterial effect on the previously reported total assets, total liabilities, stockholders’ equity, results of operations or cash flows. The operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2025 are not indicative of results for a full year.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read together with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.

***Principles of consolidation.***The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries since their acquisition or formation. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

***Use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements.***Preparation of the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Depletion of crude oil and natural gas properties is determined using estimates of proved crude oil, NGL and natural gas reserves and evaluations for impairment of proved and unproved crude oil and natural gas properties, in part, is determined using estimates of proved and risk adjusted probable and possible crude oil, NGL and natural gas reserves. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in the estimation of quantities of proved, probable and possible reserves and in the projection of future rates of production and the timing of development expenditures. Similarly, if needed, evaluations for impairment of proved crude oil and natural gas properties are subject to numerous uncertainties including, among others, estimates of future recoverable reserves, commodity price outlooks and future undiscounted and discounted net cash flows. In addition, evaluations for impairment of unproved crude oil and natural gas properties on a project-by-project basis are also subject to numerous uncertainties including, among others, estimates of future recoverable reserves, results of exploration activities, commodity price outlooks, planned future sales or expirations of all or a portion of such projects. Other items subject to such estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, the carrying value of crude oil and natural gas properties, asset retirement obligations, equity-based compensation, fair value of derivatives, expected credit losses and estimates of income taxes. Actual results could differ from the estimates and assumptions utilized.

***Cash and cash equivalents.***The Company’s cash and cash equivalents include depository accounts held by banks with original issuance maturities of 90 days or less. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are generally held in financial institutions in amounts that may exceed the insurance limits of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. However, management believes that the Company’s counterparty risks are minimal based on the reputation and history of the institutions selected.

***Accounts receivable.***As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company’s accounts receivables primarily consist of amounts due from the sale of crude oil, NGL and natural gas of $70.1 million and $76.0 million, respectively, and are based on estimates of sales volumes and realized prices the Company anticipates it will receive, joint interest receivables of $3.3 million and $4.7 million, respectively, current U.S. federal income tax receivables of $3.1 million and $3.1 million, respectively, and receivables related to settlements of derivative contracts of $1.9 million and $1.4 million, respectively. The Company’s share of crude oil, NGL and natural gas production is sold to various purchasers who must be prequalified under the Company’s credit risk policies and procedures. The Company’s credit risk related to collecting accounts receivables is mitigated by using credit and other financial criteria to evaluate the credit standing of the entity obligated to make payment on the accounts receivable, and where appropriate, the Company obtains assurances of payment, such as a guarantee by the parent company of the counterparty or other credit support.

Accounts receivable are stated at amounts due from purchasers or joint interest owners, net of an allowance for expected losses as estimated by the Company when collection is doubtful. For receivables from joint interest owners, the Company typically has the ability to withhold future revenue disbursements to recover any non-payment of joint interest billings. Accounts receivable from purchasers or joint interest owners outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are considered past due. The Company determines its allowance for each type of receivable by considering a number of factors, including the length of time accounts receivable are past due, the Company’s previous loss history, the debtor’s current ability to pay its obligation to the Company, the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. The Company writes off specific accounts receivable when they become uncollectible, and payments subsequently received on such receivables are credited to the allowance for expected losses. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company hadno allowance for credit losses related to accounts receivable.

***Concentration of credit risk.***The Company is subject to credit risk resulting from the concentration of its crude oil and natural gas receivables with significant purchasers. For the three months ended March 31, 2025 and the year ended December 31, 2024, sales to the Company’s largest purchaser accounted for approximately 81% and 76%, respectively, and sales to the Company’s second largest purchaser accounted for approximately 10% and 18%, respectively, of the Company’s total crude oil, NGL and natural gas sales revenues. The Company generally does not require collateral and does not believe the loss of these particular purchasers would materially impact its operating results, as crude oil and natural gas are fungible products with well-established markets and numerous purchasers in various regions.

***Inventory.***Inventory is comprised primarily of crude oil and natural gas drilling and completion or repair items such as pumps, tubing, casing, vessels, operating supplies and ordinary maintenance materials and parts. The materials and supplies inventory is primarily acquired for use in future drilling and completion or repair operations and is carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value, on a weighted average cost basis. Valuation allowances for materials and supplies inventories are recorded as reductions to the carrying values of the materials and supplies inventories in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet and as charges to other expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s materials and supplies inventory as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 is $8.7 million and $11.0 million, respectively, and the Company has not recognized any valuation allowance to date.

***Prepaid expenses.***Prepaid expenses are comprised primarily of fees related to a debt refinancing that will be included in debt issuance costs when consummated or charged to expense if not successful, strategic alternatives that will be deducted from eventual commissions on a future transaction, caliche that will be used on future locations and roads in our development areas, and prepaid insurance, software maintenance fees, listing fees and subscriptions that will be amortized over the life of the contracts. Prepaid expenses as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 are $8.3 million and $4.6 million, respectively.

Crude oil and natural gas properties. The Company utilizes the successful efforts method of accounting for its crude oil and natural gas properties. Under this method, all costs associated with productive and nonproductive development wells are capitalized while nonproductive exploration costs and geological and geophysical expenditures are expensed.

The Company does not carry the costs of drilling an exploratory well as an asset in its condensed consolidated balance sheet following the completion of drilling unless both of the following conditions are met: (i) the well has found a sufficient quantity of reserves to justify its completion as a producing well and (ii) the Company is making sufficient progress assessing the reserves and the economic and operating viability of the project.

Due to the capital-intensive nature and the geographical location of certain projects, it may take an extended period of time to evaluate the future potential of an exploration project and the economics associated with making a determination on its commercial viability. In these instances, the project’s feasibility is not contingent upon price improvements or advances in technology, but rather the Company’s ongoing efforts and expenditures related to accurately predict the hydrocarbon recoverability based on well information, gaining access to other companies’ production data in the area, transportation or processing facilities and/or getting partner approval to drill additional appraisal wells. These activities are ongoing and are being pursued constantly. Consequently, the Company’s assessment of suspended exploratory well costs is continuous until a decision can be made that the project has found sufficient proved reserves to sanction the project or is noncommercial and is charged to exploration and abandonment expense. See Note 6 for additional information.

The capitalized costs of proved properties are depleted using the unit-of-production method based on proved reserves for leasehold costs and proved developed reserves for drilling, completion and other crude oil and natural gas property costs. Unproved leasehold costs are excluded from depletion until proved reserves are established or, if unsuccessful, impairment is determined.

Proceeds from the sales of individual properties are credited to proved or unproved crude oil and natural gas properties, as the case may be, if doing so does not materially impact the depletion rate of an amortization base. Generally, no gain or loss is recorded until an entire amortization base is sold. However, gain or loss is recorded from the sale of less than an entire amortization base if the disposition is significant enough to materially impact the depletion rate of the remaining properties in the amortization base.

The Company performs assessments of its long-lived assets to be held and used, including proved crude oil and natural gas properties accounted for under the successful efforts method of accounting, whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of those assets may not be recoverable. If there is an indication the carrying value of the assets may not be recovered, an impairment loss is recognized if the sum of the expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the assets. In these circumstances, the Company recognizes an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the estimated fair value of the assets.

Unproved crude oil and natural gas properties are periodically assessed for impairment on a project-by-project basis. These impairment assessments are affected by the estimates of future recoverable reserves, results of exploration activities, commodity price outlooks, planned future sales or expirations of all or a portion of such projects. If the estimated future net cash flows attributable to such projects are not expected to be sufficient to fully recover the costs invested in each project, the Company will recognize an impairment charge at that time.

***Other property and equipment, net.***Other property and equipment is recorded at cost. The carrying values of other property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1.1 million and $1.1 million as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, are as follows (in thousands):

March 31, 2025December 31, 2024
Land$1,869$1,869
Transportation equipment569620
Buildings513516
Leasehold improvements189193
Field equipment12
Furniture and fixtures—1
Total other property and equipment, net$3,141$3,201

Other property and equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful life on a straight-line basis. Land is not depreciated. Transportation equipment is generally depreciated over five years, buildings are generally depreciated over forty years, field equipment is generally depreciated over seven years and furniture and fixtures is generally depreciated over five years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of their estimated useful lives or the underlying terms of the associated leases.

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recorded is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value. The estimated fair value is determined using either a discounted future cash flow model or another appropriate fair value method.

***Aid-in-construction assets.***As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company had aid-in-construction assets totaling $17.7 million and $18.0 million, respectively, included in other noncurrent assets. The Company funded aid-in-construction projects during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and the year ended December 31, 2024 ofzero and $17.5 million, respectively, under the contract. The Company has received and will continue to receive payments based on gross system throughput, including any third-party natural gas that is potentially tied into the Flat Top gathering system in the future. Payments received during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and the year ended December 31, 2024 were approximately $375,000 and $2.0 million, respectively. The contract calls for future aid-in-construction fundings if expansions of the system are necessary as determined in the sole discretion of the Company.

***Leases.***The Company enters into leases for drilling rigs, storage tanks, equipment and buildings and recognizes lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are initially recorded on the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s lease contracts do not provide an implicit discount rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate, which is determined based on information available at the commencement date of a lease. Leases may include renewal, purchase or termination options that can extend or shorten the term of a lease. The exercise of those options is at the Company’s sole discretion and is evaluated at inception and throughout the contract to determine if a modification of the lease term is required. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are generally not recorded as lease right-of-use assets and liabilities. See Note 10 for additional information.

***Current liabilities.***Current liabilities as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 totaled approximately $298.9 million and $284.6 million, respectively, including current maturities of long-term debt, trade accounts payable, accrued capital expenditures revenues and royalties payable, derivative liabilities and accruals for operating and general and administrative expenses, interest expense, operating leases, dividends and dividend equivalents and other miscellaneous items.

***Debt issuance costs and original issue discount.***The Company has paid a total of $25.1 million in debt issuance costs, zero and $58,000 of which were incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and the year ended December 31, 2024, respectively, primarily related to the completion of the Term Loan Credit Agreement and Senior Credit Facility Agreement. Amortization based on the straight-line method over the terms of the Term Loan Credit Agreement and Senior Credit Facility Agreement which approximates the effective interest method was $2.0 million and $2.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. In addition, the Company realized a total of $30.0 million in original issue discounts on the issuance of its Term Loan Credit Agreement that is being amortized over the life of the agreement which approximates the effective interest method and was $2.4 million and $2.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. See Note 7 for more information. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the remaining net debt issuance costs and discounts related to the Term Loan Credit Agreement and Senior Credit Facility Agreement are netted against the outstanding long-term debt on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

***Asset retirement obligations.***The Company records a liability for the fair value of an asset retirement obligation in the period in which the associated asset is acquired or placed into service if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. Asset retirement obligations are generally capitalized as part of the carrying value of the long-lived asset to which it relates. Conditional asset retirement obligations meet the definition of liabilities and are recorded when incurred and when fair value can be reasonably estimated. See Note 8 for additional information.

Revenue recognition**.**The Company follows FASB ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” (“ASC 606”) whereby the Company recognizes revenues from the sales of crude oil, NGL and natural gas to its purchasers and presents them disaggregated on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The Company enters into contracts with purchasers to sell its crude oil, NGL and natural gas production. Revenue on these contracts is recognized in accordance with the five-step revenue recognition model prescribed in ASC 606. Specifically, revenue is recognized when the Company’s performance obligations under these contracts are satisfied, which generally occurs with the transfer of control of the crude oil and natural gas to the purchaser. Control is generally considered transferred when the following criteria are met: (i) transfer of physical custody, (ii) transfer of title, (iii) transfer of risk of loss and (iv) relinquishment of any repurchase rights or other similar rights. Given the nature of the products sold, revenue is recognized at a point in time based on the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in accordance with the price specified in the contract. Consideration under the crude oil and natural gas marketing contracts is typically received from the purchaserone totwo months after the date of sale. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company had receivables related to contracts with purchasers of approximately $70.1 million and $76.0 million, respectively.

*Crude Oil Contracts.*The Company’s crude oil marketing contracts transfer physical custody and title at or near the wellhead, which is generally when control of the crude oil has been transferred to the purchaser. The crude oil produced is sold under contracts using market-based pricing which is then adjusted for the differentials based upon delivery location and crude oil quality. Since the differentials are incurred after the transfer of control of the crude oil, the differentials are included in crude oil sales on the condensed consolidated statements of operations as they represent part of the transaction price of the contract.

*Natural Gas Contracts.*The majority of the Company’s natural gas is sold at the lease location, which is generally when control of the natural gas has been transferred to the purchaser. The natural gas is sold under (i) percentage of proceeds processing contracts or (ii) a hybrid of percentage of proceeds and fee-based contracts. Under the majority of the Company’s contracts, the purchaser gathers the natural gas in the field where it is produced and transports it to natural gas processing plants where NGL products are extracted. The NGL products and remaining residue natural gas are then sold by the purchaser. Under percentage of proceeds and hybrid percentage of proceeds and fee-based contracts, the Company receives a percentage of the value for the extracted liquids and the residue natural gas. Since control of the natural gas transfers upstream of the transportation and processing activities, revenue is recognized as the net amount received from the purchaser.

The Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations under its contracts with customers as it applies the practical exemption in accordance with ASC 606. The exemption, as described in ASC 606-10-50-14(a), applies to variable consideration that is recognized as control of the product is transferred to the customer. Since each unit of product represents a separate performance obligation, future volumes are wholly unsatisfied and disclosure of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations is not required.

***Derivatives.***All the Company’s derivatives are accounted for as non-hedge derivatives and are recorded at estimated fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. All changes in the fair values of its derivative contracts are recorded as gains or losses in the earnings of the periods in which they occur. The Company enters into derivatives under master netting arrangements, which, in an event of default, allows the Company to offset payables to and receivables from the defaulting counterparty. The Company classifies the fair value amounts of derivative assets and liabilities executed under master netting arrangements as net current or noncurrent derivative assets or net current or noncurrent derivative liabilities, whichever the case may be, by commodity and counterparty.

The Company’s credit risk related to derivatives is a counterparties’ failure to perform under derivative contracts owed to the Company. The Company uses credit and other financial criteria to evaluate the credit standing of, and to select, counterparties to its derivative instruments. Although the Company does not obtain collateral or otherwise secure the fair value of its derivative instruments, associated credit risk is mitigated by the Company’s credit risk policies and procedures.

The Company has entered into International Swap Dealers Association Master Agreements (“ISDA Agreements”) with each of its derivative counterparties. The terms of the ISDA Agreements provide the Company and the counterparties with rights of set off upon the occurrence of defined acts of default by either the Company or a counterparty to a derivative, whereby the party not in default may set off all derivative liabilities owed to the defaulting party against all derivative asset receivables from the defaulting party. See Note 5 for additional information.

***Income taxes.***The provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability approach of accounting for income taxes. Under this approach, deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the carrying amounts for income tax purposes and net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The amount of deferred taxes on these temporary differences is determined using the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized or the liability is settled, as applicable, based on tax rates and laws in the respective tax jurisdiction enacted as of the balance sheet date.

The Company reviews its deferred tax assets for recoverability and establishes a valuation allowance based on projected future taxable income, applicable tax strategies and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not (likelihood of greater than 50 percent) that some portion or all the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company has not established a valuation allowance as of March 31, 2025 or December 31, 2024.

Tax benefits from an uncertain tax positions are recognized only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, based upon the technical merits of the position. If all or a portion of the unrecognized tax benefit is sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, the tax benefit will be recognized as a reduction to the Company’s deferred tax liability and will affect the Company’s effective tax rate in the period it is recognized. See Note 12 for additional information.

Tax-related interest charges are recorded as interest expense and any tax-related penalties as other expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations of which there have been none to date.

The Company is also subject to Texas Margin Tax. The Company realized zero and $223,000 in current Texas Margin Tax during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

***Stock-based compensation.***Stock-based compensation expense for stock option awards is measured at the grant date or modification date, as applicable, using the fair value of the award, and is recorded, net of forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the respective award. The fair value of stock option awards is determined on the grant date or modification date, as applicable, using a Black-Scholes option valuation model with the following inputs; (i) the grant date’s closing stock price, (ii) the exercise price of the stock options, (iii) the expected term of the stock option, (iv) the estimated risk-free adjusted interest rate for the duration of the option’s expected term, (v) the expected annual dividend yield on the underlying stock and (vi) the expected volatility over the option’s expected term.

Stock-based compensation for restricted stock awarded to outside directors, employee members of the Board and certain other employees is measured at the grant date using the fair value of the award and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the respective award.

***Segments.***The Company is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas. The Company’s crude oil and natural gas exploration and production activities are solely focused in the U.S., specifically the Midland Basin portion of the Permian Basin in West Texas. For financial reporting purposes, the Company aggregates its operations into one reporting segment due to the similar geographic location and nature of the operations.

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President are the chief operating decision makers (“CODMs”). To assess the performance of our assets, the CODMs use net income. We believe net income provides information useful in assessing our operating and financial performance across periods.

The following table reflects the Company’s net income, assets and capital expenditures for the Company’s one reporting segment for the time periods presented:

Three Months Ended March 31,
20252024
Total operating revenues$257,448$287,764
Lease operating expenses31,59928,511
Production and ad valorem taxes15,15214,402
Expensed workover costs3,9631,760
Total significant expenses50,71444,673
Depletion, depreciation and amortization109,325130,850
General and administrative expenses, including stock-based comp6,5228,483
Interest expense, net36,17841,242
Provision for income taxes9,9392,297
Other segment items(1)8,43553,781
Total expenses221,113281,326
Net income$36,335$6,438
Total assets$3,093,081$3,054,692
Capital costs incurred, including acquisitions$182,488$150,070
(1)Other segment items included in segment net income are exploration and abandonment expense, accretion of discount, other expense and gains and losses on derivative instruments.

***Recently adopted accounting pronouncements.***In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures,” which is intended to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures. The amendments in this standard provide for enhanced income tax information primarily through changes to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. This ASU is effective for the Company prospectively to all annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2025. While the adoption of this ASU will modify the Company's disclosures, it will not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

***New accounting pronouncements not yet adopted.***In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03,Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Topic 220): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. The amendments in this update require disclosure in the Company's annual and interim consolidated financial statements of specified information about certain costs and expenses, including depletion, depreciation and amortization recognized as part of crude oil and natural gas producing activities and employee compensation. This ASU is effective for the Company to all annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. While the adoption of this ASU will modify the Company's disclosures, it will not have an impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

The Company considers the applicability and the impact of all ASUs. ASUs were assessed and determined to be either not applicable, the effects of adoption are not expected to be material or are clarifications of ASUs previously disclosed.

**NOTE 3.**Acquisitions and Divestitures

***Acquisitions.***During the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company incurred a total of $2.5 million and $2.2 million, respectively, in acquisition costs primarily to acquire various undeveloped crude oil and natural gas leases largely contiguous to its Flat Top and Signal Peak operating areas.

***Divestitures.***During the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company sold various non-core non-operated working interests in certain producing properties outside of our core areas for total proceeds of $570,000.

NOTE 4. Fair Value Measurements

The Company determines fair value based on the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurements are based upon inputs that market participants use in pricing an asset or liability, which are characterized according to a hierarchy that prioritizes those inputs based on the degree to which they are observable. Observable inputs represent market data obtained from independent sources, whereas unobservable inputs reflect a company’s own market assumptions, which are used if observable inputs are not reasonably available without undue cost and effort. The fair value input hierarchy level to which an asset or liability measurement in its entirety falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the measurement in its entirety.

The three input levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

●Level 1 – quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
●Level 2 – quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g., interest rates) and inputs derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
●Level 3 – unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, typically reflecting management’s estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The fair values are therefore, determined using model-based techniques, including discounted cash flow models.

***Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.***Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 are as follows (in thousands):

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)Total
Assets:
Commodity price derivatives – current$—$5,620$—$5,620
Liabilities:
Commodity price derivatives – current—8,275—8,275
Total recurring fair value measurements, net$—$(2,655)$—$(2,655)
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)Total
Assets:
Commodity price derivatives – current$—$7,582$—$7,582
Liabilities:
Commodity price derivatives – current—5,380—5,380
Total recurring fair value measurements, net$—$2,202$—$2,202

*Commodity price derivatives.*The Company’s commodity price derivatives are currently made up of crude oil swap contracts, enhanced collars, costless collars, deferred premium put options and natural gas swap contracts. The Company measures derivatives using an industry-standard pricing model that is provided by the counterparties. The inputs utilized in the third-party discounted cash flow and option-pricing models for valuing commodity price derivatives include forward prices for crude oil, contracted volumes, volatility factors and time to maturity, which are considered Level 2 inputs.

***Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.***Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. These assets and liabilities are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances. Specifically, (i) stock-based compensation is measured at fair value on the date of grant based on Level 1 inputs for restricted stock awards or Level 2 inputs for stock option awards based upon market data, (ii) the estimates and fair value measurements used for the evaluation of proved property for potential impairment using Level 3 inputs based upon market conditions in the area and (iii) asset retirement obligations are measured at estimated fair value on the date the liabilities are incurred using Level 3 inputs based on expected future costs to retire the assets, market conditions and estimated lives of the assets. The Company assesses the recoverability of the carrying amount of certain assets and liabilities whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset or liability may not be recoverable. These assets and liabilities can include inventories, proved and unproved crude oil and natural gas properties and other long-lived assets that are written down to fair value when they are impaired or held for sale. The Company did not record any impairments to proved or unproved crude oil and natural gas properties for the periods presented in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

Financial instruments not carried at fair value. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company has financial instruments consisting primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, long-term debt (specifically the Term Loan Credit Agreement and Senior Credit Facility Agreement), and other current assets and liabilities that approximate fair value due to the nature of the instrument and their relatively short maturities.

NOTE 5. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company primarily utilizes commodity swap contracts, deferred premium put options, collars and enhanced collars to (i) reduce the effect of price volatility on the commodities the Company produces and sells, (ii) support the Company’s capital budgeting and expenditure plans, (iii) protect the Company’s commitments under the Term Loan Credit Agreement and Senior Credit Facility Agreement and (iv) support the payment of contractual obligations.

The following table summarizes the effect of derivative instruments on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):

Three Months Ended March 31,
20252024
Noncash derivative loss, net$(4,856)$(47,895)
Cash payments on settled derivatives, net(3,071)(5,148)
Derivative loss, net$(7,927)$(53,043)

***Crude oil production derivatives.***The Company sells its crude oil production at the lease and the sales contracts governing such crude oil production are tied directly to, or are correlated with, NYMEX WTI Cushing and Argus WTI Midland crude oil prices. As such, the Company primarily uses NYMEX WTI Cushing derivative contracts as well as Argus WTI Midland basis swaps from time to time to manage future crude oil price volatility. The Argus WTI Midland basis differential represents the amount of premium to NYMEX WTI Cushing.

The Company’s outstanding NYMEX WTI Cushing and Argus WTI Midland crude oil derivative instruments as of March 31, 2025 and the weighted average crude oil prices and premiums payable per barrel for those contracts are as follows:

Swaps · Collars, Enhanced Collars & Deferred Premium Puts
Settlement MonthSettlement YearType of ContractBbls Per DayIndexPrice per BblFloor or Strike Price per BblCeiling Price per BblDeferred Premium Payable per Bbl
Crude Oil:
Apr - Jun2025Swap5,500WTI Cushing$76.37$—$—$—
Apr - Jun2025Collar7,989WTI Cushing$—$64.38$88.55$2.00
Apr - Jun2025Put9,000WTI Cushing$—$65.78$—$5.00
Jul - Sep2025Swap3,000WTI Cushing$75.85$—$—$—
Jul - Sep2025Collar7,000WTI Cushing$—$65.00$90.08$2.28
Jul - Sep2025Put9,000WTI Cushing$—$65.78$—$5.00
Oct - Dec2025Collar5,000WTI Cushing$—$60.00$72.80$—
Jan - Mar2026Collar5,000WTI Cushing$—$60.00$72.80$—

***Natural gas production derivatives.***The Company sells its natural gas production at the tailgate of the gas processing plants and the sales contracts governing such natural gas production are tied directly to, or are correlated with, HH natural gas prices. As such, the Company primarily uses HH derivative contracts to manage future natural gas price volatility.

The Company’s outstanding HH natural gas derivative instruments as of March 31, 2025 and the weighted average natural gas prices per MMBtu for those contracts are as follows:

Settlement MonthSettlement YearType of ContractMMBtu Per DayIndexPrice per MMBtu
Natural Gas:
Apr – Jun2025Swap30,000HH$4.43
Jul – Sep2025Swap30,000HH$4.43
Oct – Dec2025Swap30,000HH$4.43
Jan – Mar2026Swap19,667HH$4.43

The Company uses credit and other financial criteria to evaluate the credit standings of, and to select, counterparties to its derivative financial instruments. Although the Company does not obtain collateral or otherwise secure the fair value of its derivative financial instruments, associated credit risk is mitigated by the Company’s credit risk policies and procedures.

Net derivative assets associated with the Company’s open commodity derivative instruments by counterparty are as follows (in thousands):

Macquarie Bank Limited$(2,812)
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association(1,200)
Fifth Third Bank, National Association(583)
Mercuria Energy Trading SA1,940
$(2,655)

NOTE 6. Exploratory/Extension Well Costs

The Company capitalizes exploratory/extension wells and project costs until a determination is made that the well or project has either found proved reserves, is impaired or is sold. The Company’s capitalized exploratory/extension well and project costs are included in proved properties in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. If the exploratory/extension well or project is determined to be impaired, the impaired costs are charged to exploration and abandonments expense.

The changes in capitalized exploratory/extension well costs are as follows (in thousands):

Beginning capitalized exploratory/extension well costs$33,619
Additions to exploratory/extension well costs28,613
Reclassification to proved properties(9,528)
Exploratory/extension well costs charged to exploration and abandonment expense—
Ending capitalized exploratory/extension well costs$52,704

All capitalized exploratory/extension well costs have been capitalized for less thanone year based on the date of drilling.

NOTE 7. Long-Term Debt

The components of long-term debt, including the effects of debt issuance costs, are as follows (in thousands):

March 31, 2025December 31, 2024
Term Loan Credit Agreement due 2026$1,050,000$1,080,000
Senior Credit Facility Agreement due 2026——
Discounts, net (a)(14,771)(17,197)
Debt issuance costs, net (b)(12,385)(14,419)
Total debt1,022,8441,048,384
Less current maturities of long-term debt(120,000)(120,000)
Long-term debt, net$902,844$928,384
(a)Discounts as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 consisted of $30.0 million in discounts less accumulated amortization of $15.2 million and $12.8 million, respectively.
(b)Debt issuance costs as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 consisted of $25.1 million and $25.1 million, respectively, in costs less accumulated amortization of $12.7 million and $10.7 million, respectively.

Term Loan Credit Agreement. On September 12, 2023, the Company entered into a Term Loan Credit Agreement with Texas Capital Bank (“Texas Capital”) as the administrative agent and Chambers Energy Management, LP (“Chambers”) as collateral agent and lenders from time-to-time party thereto to establish a term loan (“Term Loan Credit Agreement”) totaling $1.2 billion in borrowings, less a 2.5% original issue discount of $30.0 million at closing and customary debt issuance costs which totaled approximately $24.0 million. The Term Loan Credit Agreement matures on September 30, 2026. Loans under the Term Loan Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Term SOFR (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) plus an applicable margin of 7.50%. To the extent that a payment default exists and is continuing, at the election of the Required Lenders (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) under the Term Loan Credit Agreement, all amounts outstanding under the Term Loan Credit Agreement will bear interest at 2.00% per annum above the rate and margin otherwise applicable thereto. The Company is able to repay any amounts borrowed prior to the maturity date, subject to a concurrent payment of (i) the Make-Whole Amount (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) for any optional prepayment prior to the date 18 months after the closing date, (ii)1.00% of the principal amount being repaid for any optional prepayment on or after the date 18 months after the closing date but prior to the date 24 months after the closing date and (iii) without any premium for any optional prepayment on or after the date that is 24 months after the closing date. The Term Loan Credit Agreement is guaranteed by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries and is secured by a first lien security interest in substantially all assets of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries.

The Term Loan Credit Agreement also contains certain financial covenants, including (i) an asset coverage ratio that may not be less than 1.50 to 1.00 as of the last day of any fiscal quarter and (ii) a total net leverage ratio that may not exceed 2.00 to 1.00 as of the last day of any fiscal quarter. Additionally, the Term Loan Credit Agreement contains additional restrictive covenants that limit the ability of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness (with such exceptions including, among other things, a super priority revolving credit facility limited to $100 million), incur additional liens, make investments and loans, enter into mergers and acquisitions, materially increase dividends and other payments, enter into certain hedging transactions, sell assets, engage in transactions with affiliates and make certain capital expenditures based on the Company’s total net leverage ratio.

The Term Loan Credit Agreement contains customary mandatory prepayments, including quarterly installments of $30.0 million in aggregate principal amount which began March 31, 2024 ($150.0 million paid to date through March 31, 2025), the prepayment of gross proceeds from an incurred indebtedness other than Permitted Indebtedness (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement), the prepayment of net cash proceeds for asset sales and hedge terminations in excess of $20.0 million within one calendar year, and prepayments of Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) which began with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2024 (none paid to date as of March 31, 2025). In addition, the Term Loan Credit Agreement is subject to customary events of default, including a change in control. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the collateral agent or the majority lenders may accelerate any amounts outstanding and terminate lender commitments.

***Collateral Agency Agreement.***On September 12, 2023, the Company entered into a collateral agency agreement (the “Collateral Agency Agreement”) among the Company, Texas Capital, as collateral agent, Chambers, as term representative, and Mercuria Energy Trading SA as first-out representative prior to giving effect to that certain Collateral Agency Joinder – Additional First-Out Debt, dated as of November 1, 2023 and Fifth Third Bank, National Association as first-out representative after giving effect to that certain Collateral Agency Joinder – Additional First-Out Debt, dated as of November 1, 2023.

The Collateral Agency Agreement provides for the appointment of Texas Capital, as collateral agent, for the present and future holders of the first lien obligations (including the obligations of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries under the Term Loan Credit Agreement) to receive, hold, administer and distribute the collateral that is at any time delivered to Texas Capital or the subject of the Security Documents (as defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement) and to enforce the Security Documents and all interests, rights, powers and remedies of Texas Capital with respect thereto or thereunder and the proceeds thereof.

Senior Credit Facility Agreement. On November 1, 2023, the Company entered into a credit agreement with Fifth Third Bank, National Association (“Fifth Third”) as the administrative agent and as the collateral agent and a number of banks included in the syndicate to establish a senior revolving credit facility (“Senior Credit Facility Agreement”) that matures on September 30, 2026. The Senior Credit Facility Agreement has aggregate maximum commitments of $100.0 million and effective March 29, 2024 pursuant to the First Facility Amendment, current commitments of $100.0 million and customary debt issuance costs which totaled approximately $1.1 million. Loans under the Senior Credit Facility Agreement bear interest at either the Adjusted Term SOFR (as defined in the Senior Credit Facility Agreement) or the Base Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facility Agreement) at the Company’s option, plus an applicable margin ranging (i) for Adjusted Term SOFR loans, from 4.00% to 5.00%, and (ii) for Base Rate loans, from 3.00% to 4.00%, in each case calculated based on the ratio at such time of the outstanding principal loan amounts to the aggregate amount of lenders’ commitments. To the extent that a payment default exists and is continuing, at the election of the Required Lenders (as defined in the Senior Credit Facility Agreement) under the Senior Credit Facility Agreement, all amounts outstanding under the Senior Credit Facility Agreement will bear interest at 2.00% per annum above the rate and margin otherwise applicable thereto. The Company is able to repay any amounts borrowed prior to the maturity date without premium or penalty. The Senior Credit Facility Agreement is guaranteed by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries and is secured by a first lien security interest in substantially all assets of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries.

The Term Loan Credit Agreement and the Senior Credit Facility Agreement have hedging requirements to which the Company adheres.

NOTE 8. Asset Retirement Obligations

The Company’s asset retirement obligations primarily relate to the future plugging and abandonment of wells and remediation of related facilities. Market risk premiums associated with asset retirement obligations are estimated to represent a component of the Company’s credit-adjusted risk-free rate that is utilized in the calculations of asset retirement obligations.

Asset retirement obligations activity is as follows (in thousands):

Beginning asset retirement obligations$14,750
Liabilities incurred from new wells152
Dispositions(88)
Accretion of discount244
Ending asset retirement obligations$15,058

As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, all asset retirement obligations are considered noncurrent and classified as such in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

NOTE 9. Incentive Plans

***401(k) Plan.***The HighPeak Energy Employees, Inc 401(k) Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) is a defined contribution plan established under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). All regular full-time and part-time employees of the Company are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan after three continuous months of employment with the Company. Participants may contribute up to 80 percent of their annual base salary into the 401(k) Plan. Matching contributions are made to the 401(k) Plan in cash by the Company in amounts equal to 100 percent of a participant’s contributions to the 401(k) Plan up tofour percent of the participant’s annual base salary (the “Matching Contribution”). Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contributions, Matching Contributions and allocations of the 401(k) Plan’s earnings. Participants are fully vested in their account balances at their eligibility date. During the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company contributed $173,000 and $201,000 to the 401(k) Plan, respectively.

***Long-Term Incentive Plan.***The Company’s Second Amended & Restated Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) provides for the grant of stock options, restricted stock, stock awards, dividend equivalents, cash awards and substitute awards to officers, employees, directors and consultants of the Company. The number of shares available for grant pursuant to awards under the LTIP as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 are as follows:

March 31, 2025December 31, 2024
Approved and authorized shares16,414,01516,414,015
Shares subject to awards issued under plan(15,807,337)(15,808,671)
Shares available for future grant606,678605,344

***Stock options.***Stock option awards were granted to employees on August 24, 2020, November 4, 2021, May 4, 2022, August 15, 2022 and July 21, 2023. Stock-based compensation expense related to the Company’s stock option awards for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 was a negative $12,000 due to certain forfeitures and $52,000, respectively, and as of March 31, 2025 there was no unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested stock option awards. The 1,949,000 stock options granted in July 2023 were 100% vested upon grant on July 21, 2023. However, to encourage long-term alignment with the Company stockholders, the stock options are not exercisable until the earlier of (i) August 31, 2026, (ii) upon a change in control or (iii) upon the death or disability of the grantee.

The Company estimates the fair value of stock options granted on the grant date using a Black-Scholes option valuation model, which requires the Company to make several assumptions. The expected term of options granted was determined based on the simplified method of the midpoint between the vesting dates and the contractual term of the options. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. treasury yield curve rate for the expected term of the option at the date of grant and the volatility was based on the volatility of either an index of exploration and production crude oil and natural gas companies or on a peer group of companies with similar characteristics of the Company on the date of grant since the Company had minimal or did not have any trading history. More detailed stock options activity and details are as follows:

Stock OptionsAverage Exercise PriceRemaining Term in YearsIntrinsic Value (in thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 202313,449,061$11.956.3$47,672
Forfeitures(4,999)$26,44
Outstanding at December 31, 202413,444,062$11.955.3$53,093
Forfeitures(1,334)$19.98
Outstanding at March 31, 202513,442,728$11.945.1$29,544
Vested at December 31, 202413,444,062$11.955.3$53,093
Exercisable at December 31, 202411,495,062$12.195.9$44,907
Vested at March 31, 202513,442,728$11.945.1$29,544
Exercisable at March 31, 202511,493,728$12.195.7$25,334

***Restricted stock issued to employee members of the Board and certain employees.***A total of 1,500,500 shares of restricted stock was approved by the Board to be granted to certain employee members of the Board of the Company on November 4, 2021, which vest on thethree-year anniversary of such grant assuming the employees remain in his or her position as of the anniversary date. Therefore, stock-based compensation expense ofzero and $1.8 million was recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and there is no remaining unrecognized stock-based compensation expense as of March 31, 2025 to be recognized, which was based upon the closing price of the stock on the date of the restricted stock issuance. The Board also approved a total of 600,000 shares of restricted stock to be granted to certain employees of the Company on June 1, 2022, which vest on November 4, 2024, assuming the employees remain in his or her position as of that date. Therefore, stock-based compensation expense ofzero and $1.8 million was recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and there is no remaining unrecognized stock-based compensation expense as of March 31, 2025 to be recognized, which was based upon the closing price of the stock on the date of the restricted stock issuance. On October 31, 2024, the vesting date for the aforementioned 2,100,500 shares of restricted stock was extended from November 4, 2024 to December 31, 2025 to ensure said restricted stock would continue to provide retention value to the Company. There is no excess stock-based compensation expense as the closing price on the modification date was lower than the original grant dates.

***Stock issued to outside directors.***A total of 53,879 shares of restricted stock was approved by the Board to be granted to the outside directors of the Company on June 4, 2024, which will vest at the next annual meeting, assuming the Board members maintain their positions on the Board. Therefore, stock-based compensation expense of $189,000 was recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and the remaining $126,000 will be recognized during the second quarter of 2025, which was based upon the closing price of the stock on the date of the restricted stock issuance. Also, a total of 58,767 shares of restricted stock was approved by the Board to be granted to the outside directors of the Company on June 1, 2023, which vested on June 4, 2024. Therefore, stock-based compensation expense ofzero and $189,000 was recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, which was based upon the closing price of the stock on the date of the restricted stock issuance.

NOTE 10. Commitments and Contingencies

***Leases.***The Company follows ASC Topic 842, “Leases” to account for its operating and finance leases. Therefore, as of March 31, 2025 the Company had right-of-use assets totaling $1.4 million included inother noncurrent assets and operating lease liabilities totaling $1.4 million, $821,000 of which is included incurrent liabilities and $581,000 of which is included innoncurrent liabilities, and as of December 31, 2024 the Company had right-of-use assets totaling $1.4 million included inother noncurrent assets and operating lease liabilities totaling $1.4 million, $719,000 of which are included incurrent liabilities and $670,000 of which are included innoncurrent liabilities on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company does not currently have any finance right-of-use leases. Maturities of the operating lease obligations are as follows (in thousands):

Remainder of 2025$900
2026599
Total1,499
Less present value discount(98)
Present value of lease liabilities$1,401

***Legal actions.From time to time, the Company may be a party to various proceedings and claims incidental to its business. While many of these matters involve inherent ***uncertainty, the Company believes that the amount of the liability, if any, ultimately incurred with respect to these proceedings and claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position as a whole or on its liquidity, capital resources or future annual results of operations. The Company records reserves for contingencies when information available indicates that a loss is probable, and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.

***Indemnifications.***The Company has agreed to indemnify its directors, officers and certain employees and agents with respect to claims and damages arising from acts or omissions taken in such capacity, as well as with respect to certain litigation.

***Environmental.***Environmental expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations and have no future economic benefits are expensed. Environmental expenditures that extend the life of the related property or mitigate or prevent future environmental contamination are capitalized. Liabilities for expenditures that will not qualify for capitalization are recorded when environmental assessment and/or remediation is probable, and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Such liabilities are undiscounted unless the timing of cash payments for the liability is fixed or reliably determinable. Environmental liabilities normally involve estimates that are subject to revision until settlement or remediation occurs.

Crude oil delivery commitments. In September 2024, the Company entered into an amended and restated crude oil marketing contract with DK Trading & Supply, LLC (“Delek”) as the purchaser and DKL Permian Gathering, LLC (“DKL”) as the gatherer and transporter. The contract includes the Company’s current and future crude oil production from the majority of its horizontal wells in Flat Top and Signal Peak where DKL is continually constructing a crude oil gathering system and custody transfer meters to most of the Company’s central tank batteries. The contract contains a minimum volume commitment commencing May 2024 that totals $138.7 million based on the gross piped barrels delivered of 23,500 Bopd for the first ten years of the contract at a certain amount per barrel escalating throughout the term of the contract. However, the Company generally has the ability under the contract to cumulatively bank dollars based on excess volumes delivered to offset the minimum volume commitment. For the period from May 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025, the Company has delivered approximately 30,962 Bopd under the contract. The remaining monetary commitment as of March 31, 2025, if the Company never delivers any additional volumes under the agreement, is approximately $127.3 million.

***Natural gas gathering and treating agreement.***In June 2024, the Company entered into a natural gas gathering and treating agreement to gather certain natural gas in its Signal Peak area. Pursuant to said agreement, the Company has agreed to fund certain aid-in-construction costs totaling $7.2 million and $5.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and the year ended December 31, 2024, respectively. In addition, throughout the remainder of 2025 and first quarter of 2026, the Company has a remaining commitment under the contract of $20.0 million as certain milestones are attained. The agreement does not contain any minimum volume commitments.

Power contracts. In June 2022, the Company entered into a contract to provide a block of electric power at an attractive variable rate, which fluctuates based on the usage by the Company through May 31, 2032. In March 2024, the Company entered into a contract to provide an additional block of electric power under similar terms. In conjunction with these contracts, the Company has a $4.6 million Letter of Credit in place in lieu of a deposit that is cancellable at the end of the contract term.

Sand commitments. The Company is party to an amended agreement whereby it has agreed to purchase at least 750,000 tons of sand over a fifteen-month period beginning April 1, 2024. The Company has taken deliveries of approximately 720,000 tons of sand through March 31, 2025, leaving a commitment of approximately 30,000 remaining. There are stipulations in the agreement that reduce this commitment should there be a downturn in crude oil prices. Generally, if the Company never takes delivery of any additional sand under the agreement, the monetary commitment that remains as of March 31, 2025 is approximately $776,000.

NOTE 11. Major Customers

Delek accounted for approximately 81% and 76% and Energy Transfer Crude Marketing, LLC (“ETC”) accounted for approximately 10% and 19% of the Company’s revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Based on the current demand for crude oil and natural gas and the availability of other purchasers, management believes the loss of either of these major purchasers would not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations because crude oil and natural gas are fungible products with well-established markets and numerous purchasers.

NOTE 12. Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The Company is subject to corporate income taxes and Texas margin tax. The Company and its subsidiaries file a U.S. federal corporate income tax return on a consolidated basis.

On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (“IRA 2022”), which among other tax provisions, created a 15 percent corporate alternative minimum tax (“CAMT”) on the “adjusted financial statement income” of certain large corporations (generally, corporations reporting at least $1.0 billion of average adjusted pre-tax net income on their consolidated financial statements) as well as an excise tax of 1% on the fair market value of certain public company stock repurchases for tax years beginning after December 31, 2022. Based on application of currently available guidance, the Company’s income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 was not impacted by the CAMT. The Company’s excise tax imposed on its stock repurchases during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and the year ended December 31, 2024 waszero and $352,000, respectively, recognized as part of the cost basis of the stock repurchased.

The Company’s provision for income taxes attributable to income before income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):

Three Months Ended March 31,
20252024
Provision for current income taxes:
Federal$—$386
State—223
Total provision for current income taxes—609
Provision for deferred income taxes:
Federal9,5721,465
State367223
Total provision for deferred income taxes9,9391,688
Total provision for income taxes$9,939$2,297

The reconciliation between the provision for income taxes computed by multiplying pre-tax income by the U.S. federal statutory rate and the reported amounts of provision for income taxes is as follows (in thousands, except rate):

Three Months Ended March 31,
20252024
Provision for income taxes at U.S. federal statutory rate$9,718$1,834
State deferred income taxes367399
Limited tax benefit (expense) due to stock-based compensation(112)377
Other, net(34)(313)
Provision for income taxes$9,939$2,297
Effective income tax rate21.5%26.3%

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 (in thousands):

March 31, 2025December 31, 2024
Deferred tax assets:
Interest expense limitations$80,163$73,013
Net operating loss carryforwards16,03013,089
Stock-based compensation3,3883,351
Unrecognized derivative losses, net573—
Other7935
Less: Valuation allowance——
Deferred tax assets100,23389,488
Deferred tax liabilities:
Crude oil and natural gas properties, principally due to differences in basis and depreciation and the deduction of intangible drilling costs for tax purposes(342,570)(321,411)
Unrecognized derivative gains, net—(475)
Deferred tax liabilities(342,570)(321,886)
Net deferred tax liabilities$(242,337)$(232,398)

The effective income tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate of 21 percent primarily due to certain stock-based compensation which exceeds the federal limits, deferred state income taxes and other permanent differences between GAAP income and taxable income.

As required by ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes,” (“ASC 740”) the Company uses reasonable judgments and makes estimates and assumptions related to evaluating the probability of uncertain tax positions. The Company bases its estimates and assumptions on the potential liability related to an assessment of whether the income tax position will “more likely than not” be sustained in an income tax audit. Based on that analysis, the Company believes the Company has not taken any material uncertain tax positions, and therefore has not recorded an income tax liability related to uncertain tax positions. However, if actual results materially differ, the Company’s effective income tax rate and cash flows could be affected in the period of discovery or resolution. The Company also reviews the estimates and assumptions used in evaluating the probability of realizing the future benefits of the Company’s deferred tax assets and records a valuation allowance when the Company believes that a portion or all the deferred tax assets may not be realized. If the Company is unable to realize the expected future benefits of its deferred tax assets, the Company is required to provide a valuation allowance. The Company uses its history and experience, overall profitability, future management plans, tax planning strategies, and current economic information to evaluate the amount of valuation allowance to record. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company hadnot recorded a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets arising from its operations because the Company believed they met the “more likely than not” criteria as defined by the recognition and measurement provisions of ASC 740. The Company reversed a portion of its deferred tax asset related to stock-based compensation based on the assumption that the tax deduction will be subject to IRC Section 162(m) limits when the restricted stock vests. IRC Section 162(m) limits compensation deductions to $1.0 million per year for certain Company executives. This resulted in a $3.0 million reduction in the deferred tax asset and increased the amount of income tax expense realized during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

The Company is also subject to Texas margin tax. The Company realized zero and $223,000 in current Texas margin tax in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. In addition, the Company has recognized a net deferred Texas margin tax liability of $9.0 million and $8.6 million as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

NOTE 13. Earnings Per Share

The Company uses the two-class method of calculating earnings per share because certain of the Company’s stock-based awards qualify as participating securities.

The Company’s basic earnings per share attributable to common stockholders is computed as (i) net income as reported, (ii) less participating basic earnings (iii) divided by weighted average basic common shares outstanding. The Company’s diluted earnings per share attributable to common stockholders is computed as (i) basic earnings attributable to common stockholders, (ii) plus reallocation of participating earnings (iii) divided by weighted average diluted common shares outstanding.

The following table reconciles the Company’s earnings from operations and earnings attributable to common stockholders to the basic and diluted earnings used to determine the Company’s earnings per share amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 under the two-class method (in thousands):

Three Months Ended March 31,
20252024
Net income as reported$36,335$6,438
Participating basic earnings (a)(3,542)(605)
Basic earnings attributable to common stockholders32,7935,833
Reallocation of participating earnings471
Diluted net income attributable to common stockholders$32,840$5,834
Basic weighted average shares outstanding123,913125,696
Dilutive warrants and unvested stock options1,1461,786
Dilutive unvested restricted stock2,1542,159
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding127,213129,641
(a)Vested stock options represent participating securities because they participate in dividend equivalents with the common equity holders of the Company. Participating earnings represent the distributed and undistributed earnings of the Company attributable to the participating securities. Certain unvested restricted stock awarded to outside directors, employee members of the Board and certain employees do not represent participating securities because, while they participate in dividends with the common equity holders of the Company, the dividends associated with such unvested restricted stock are forfeitable in connection with the forfeitability of the underlying restricted stock. Unvested stock options do not represent participating securities because, while they participate in dividend equivalents with the common equity holders of the Company, the dividend equivalents associated with unvested stock options are forfeitable in connection with the forfeitability of the underlying stock options.

The calculation for weighted average shares reflects shares outstanding over the reporting period based on the actual number of days the shares were outstanding.

NOTE 14. Stockholders’** Equity**

***Stock Repurchase Program.***In February 2024, the Company’s board of directors approved a common stock repurchase program to acquire up to $75.0 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock, excluding excise taxes and other expenses, which expires on December 31, 2025. Purchases under the repurchase program may be made from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions, and are subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements, contractual obligations and other factors. The repurchase program does not require the Company to acquire any specific number of shares. This repurchase program may be suspended from time to time, modified, extended or discontinued by the board of directors at any time. During the three months ended March 31, 2025 and the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company repurchased zero and 2,407,421, respectively, shares of common stock that were cancelled and terminated for a total of approximately zero and $35.1 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2025, up to approximately $39.9 million remained available for use to repurchase shares under the Company’s common stock repurchase program, excluding excise taxes and other expenses.

***Issuance of Common Stock.***During the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company did not issue any shares of HighPeak Energy common stock.

Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. In February 2025, the Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.04 per share of common stock outstanding which resulted in a total of $5.0 million in dividends being paid in March 2025. In addition, under the terms of the LTIP, the Company paid a dividend equivalent per share to all vested stock option holders of $531,000 in March 2025 and accrued a dividend equivalent per share to all unvested stock option holders which will be payable upon vesting, assuming no forfeitures. In addition, the Company accrued an additional combined $86,000 in dividends on the restricted stock issued to directors, management directors and certain employees that will be payable upon vesting.

In February 2024, the Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.04 per share of common stock outstanding which resulted in a total of $5.1 million in dividends being paid in March 2024. In addition, under the terms of the LTIP, the Company paid a dividend equivalent per share to all vested stock option holders of $530,000 in March 2024 and accrued a dividend equivalent per share to all unvested stock option holders which will be payable upon vesting, assuming no forfeitures. In addition, the Company accrued an additional combined $86,000 in dividends on the restricted stock issued to directors, management directors and certain employees that will be payable upon vesting.

***Outstanding securities.***At March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company had 126,067,436 and 126,067,436 shares of common stock outstanding, respectively, and 7,934,922 and 7,934,922 warrants outstanding, respectively, with an exercise price of $11.50 per share that expire on August 21, 2025.

NOTE 15. Subsequent Events

***Dividends and dividend equivalents.***In May 2025, the Board approved a quarterly dividend of $0.04 per share of common stock outstanding which will result in a total of approximately $5.0 million in dividends to be paid in June 2025. In addition, under the terms of the LTIP, the Company will pay a dividend equivalent per share to all vested stock option holders of approximately $531,000 in June 2025. In addition, the Company will accrue an additional combined $86,000 in dividends on the restricted stock issued to directors, management directors and certain employees that will be payable upon vesting.

***Natural gas derivative instruments.***In April 2025, the Company entered into the following additional natural gas derivative instruments.

Settlement MonthSettlement YearType of ContractMMBtu Per DayIndexPrice per MMBtu
Natural Gas:
Jan – Mar2026Swap10,333HH$4.30
Apr – Jun2026Swap30,000HH$4.30
Jul – Sep2026Swap30,000HH$4.30
Oct – Dec2026Swap30,000HH$4.30
Jan – Mar2027Swap19,667HH$4.30

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ContentsView on SEC.gov

The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.