SANDRIDGE ENERGY INC

Previous wording

As we outsource functions, we become more dependent on the entities performing those functions. Disruptions or delays at our third-party service providers could adversely impact our operations.

Current wording

◦As we outsource functions, we are more dependent on the entities performing those functions. Disruptions or delays at our third-party service providers could adversely impact our operations

Previous wording

These factors and the volatility of the energy markets, which we expect will continue, make it extremely difficult to predict future oil, natural gas and NGL price movements with any certainty. For oil, from January 2019 through December 2023, the NYMEX West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") settled price fluctuated between a high of $123.64 per Bbl and a low of $(36.98) per Bbl. For natural gas, from January 2019 through December 2023, the NYMEX Henry Hub spot prices fluctuated between a high of $24.77 per Mcf and a low of $1.38 per Mcf. In addition, the market price of natural gas is generally higher in the winter months than during other months of the year due to increased demand for natural gas for heating purposes during the winter season. For NGLs, prices exhibited similar volatility from January 2019 through December 2023.

Current wording

These factors and the volatility of the energy markets, which we expect will continue, make it extremely difficult to predict future oil, natural gas and NGL price movements with any certainty. For oil, from January 2020 through December 2024, the NYMEX West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") settled price fluctuated between a high of $123.64 per Bbl and a low of $(36.98) per Bbl. For natural gas, from January 2020 through December 2024, the NYMEX Henry Hub spot prices fluctuated between a high of $24.77 per Mcf and a low of $1.26 per Mcf. In addition, the market price of natural gas is generally higher in the winter months than during other months of the year due to increased demand for natural gas for heating purposes during the winter season. For NGLs, prices exhibited similar volatility from January 2020 through December 2024.

Previous wording

A portion of our acreage is undeveloped and subject to leases that will expire unless we exercise our contractual rights to extend or renew the terms of the leases or we establish production in paying quantities prior to expiration. Our ability to establish production in paying quantities on or renew our expiring leases is based on various factors that may be beyond our control, such as the availability and cost of capital, equipment, services and personnel; the ability to renew leases on commercially favorable terms or at all; market prices of oil and natural gas; drilling costs and results; and production costs, among other factors. Renewing such leases may cause us to incur additional costs. If we are unable to establish production in paying quantities on or renew such leases, those leases will expire, and we will lose our right to participate in the development of the subject leases, which may adversely affect our results of operations. As of December 31, 2023, we hold 364,201 total net acres (including developed and undeveloped net acres), of which 26,070 net aces is undeveloped. Of our undeveloped acreage, less than 5% are subject to expiration at the end of their primary terms. For additional information on our developed and undeveloped acreage please see the section “Item 1. Business—Developed and Undeveloped Acreage.”

Current wording

A portion of our acreage is undeveloped and subject to leases that will expire unless we exercise our contractual rights to extend or renew the terms of the leases or we establish production in paying quantities prior to expiration. Our ability to establish production in paying quantities on or renew our expiring leases is based on various factors that may be beyond our control, such as the availability and cost of capital, equipment, services and personnel; the ability to renew leases on commercially favorable terms or at all; market prices of oil and natural gas; drilling costs and results; and production costs, among other factors. Renewing such leases may cause us to incur additional costs. If we are unable to establish production in paying quantities on or renew such leases, those leases will expire, and we will lose our right to participate in the development of the subject leases, which may adversely affect our results of operations. As of December 31, 2024, we held 371,748 total net acres (including developed and undeveloped net acres), of which 37,269 net acres is undeveloped. Of our net undeveloped acreage, 43% are subject to expiration at the end of their primary terms. For additional information on our developed and undeveloped acreage please see the section “Item 1. Business—Developed and Undeveloped Acreage.”

Previous wording

The oil and natural gas industry is capital intensive. Our future oil, natural gas and NGL reserves and production are naturally depleting resources, which in turn impacts our cash flow and income. Our ability to offset these declines may be highly dependent on our success in efficiently developing our undeveloped assets, and finding or acquiring additional economically recoverable reserves. We have historically utilized substantial capital expenditures in our business and operations for the acquisition, development and production of oil, natural gas and NGL reserves, and have financed capital expenditures primarily from cash generated by operations, credit facility borrowings and proceeds from asset sales. In particular, cash flow from operations were $115.6 million and $164.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Current wording

The oil and natural gas industry is capital intensive. Our future oil, natural gas and NGL reserves and production are naturally depleting resources, which in turn impacts our cash flow and income. Our ability to offset these declines may be highly dependent on our success in efficiently developing our undeveloped assets, and finding or acquiring additional economically recoverable reserves. We have historically utilized substantial capital expenditures in our business and operations for the acquisition, development and production of oil, natural gas and NGL reserves, and have financed capital expenditures primarily from cash generated by operations, credit facility borrowings and proceeds from asset sales. In particular, cash flow from operations were $73.9 million and $115.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Previous wording

We are not actively trying to raise debt or equity capital at this time, with current projected activity for the year financed by cash flow from operations or cash held on the balance sheet. However, a change in economic conditions or the need to access additional capital may be necessary in the future, and if the debt and capital markets are not accessible, we may be unable to implement our development plans or otherwise carry out our business strategy as expected. Our cash flow from operations and access to capital are subject to a number of variables, including:

Current wording

While we may seek to raise debt or equity capital to fund high return projects or acquisitions, we expect our current projected activity for the year to be financed by cash flow from operations or cash held on the balance sheet. However, a change in economic conditions or the need to access additional capital may be necessary in the future, and if the debt and capital markets are not accessible, we may be unable to implement our development plans or otherwise carry out our business strategy as expected. Our cash flow from operations and access to capital are subject to a number of variables, including:

Previous wording

We utilize the full cost method of accounting for costs related to our oil and natural gas properties. Under this accounting method, all costs for both productive and nonproductive properties are capitalized and amortized on an aggregate basis over the estimated lives of the properties using the unit-of-production method. However, the amount of these costs that can be carried as capitalized assets is subject to a ceiling, which limits such pooled costs to the aggregate of the present value of future net revenues of proved oil, natural gas and NGL reserves attributable to proved properties, discounted at 10%, plus the cost of unproved properties. The full cost ceiling is evaluated at the end of each quarter using the SEC prices, adjusted for the impact of derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges, if any. The Company did not recognize any full cost ceiling impairment charges for the years ended December 31, 2023 or 2022. Cumulative full cost ceiling impairment from the Emergence Date through December 31, 2023 totaled $947.1 million. If oil, natural gas and NGL prices decline further in the near term, and without other mitigating circumstances, we may experience additional losses of future net revenues, including losses attributable to quantities that cannot be economically produced at lower prices, which would likely cause us to record additional write-downs of capitalized costs of oil and natural gas properties and non-cash charges against future earnings. The amount of such future write-downs and non-cash charges could be substantial.

Current wording

We utilize the full cost method of accounting for costs related to our oil and natural gas properties. Under this accounting method, all costs for both productive and nonproductive properties are capitalized and amortized on an aggregate basis over the estimated lives of the properties using the unit-of-production method. However, the amount of these costs that can be carried as capitalized assets is subject to a ceiling, which limits such pooled costs to the aggregate of the present value of future net revenues of proved oil, natural gas and NGL reserves attributable to proved properties, discounted at 10%, plus the cost of unproved properties. The full cost ceiling is evaluated at the end of each quarter using the SEC prices, adjusted for the impact of derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges, if any. The Company did not recognize any full cost ceiling impairment charges for the years ended December 31, 2024 or 2023. Cumulative full cost ceiling impairment from the Emergence Date through December 31, 2024 totaled $947.1 million. If oil, natural gas and NGL prices decline in the near term, and without other mitigating circumstances, we may experience additional losses of future net revenues, including losses attributable to quantities that cannot be economically produced at lower prices, which could cause us to record additional write-downs of capitalized costs of oil and natural gas properties and non-cash charges against future earnings. The amount of such future write-downs and non-cash charges could be substantial.

Previous wording

The success of our business depends on key personnel, including members of senior management and technical personnel. The ability to attract and retain these key personnel may be difficult in light of the uncertainties currently facing the business and changes we may make to the organizational structure to adjust to changing circumstances. The market for qualified personnel has historically been, and we expect that it will continue to be, intensely competitive. We cannot assure that we will be successful in attracting or retaining such personnel. We may need to enter into retention or other arrangements that could be costly to maintain. If executives, managers or other key personnel resign, retire or are terminated, or their service is otherwise interrupted, we may not be able to replace them in a timely manner and we could experience significant declines in productivity or effectiveness.

Current wording

The success of our business depends on the continuity of information and processes, key personnel, including members of senior management and technical personnel. The ability to attract and retain these key personnel may be difficult in light of the uncertainties currently facing the industry and changes we may make to the organizational structure to adjust to changing circumstances. The market for qualified personnel has historically been, and we expect that it will continue to be, intensely competitive. We cannot assure that we will be successful in attracting or retaining such personnel. We may need to enter into retention or other arrangements that could be costly to maintain. If executives, managers or other key personnel resign, retire or are terminated, or their service is otherwise interrupted, we may not be able to replace them in a timely manner and we could experience significant declines in productivity or effectiveness.

Previous wording

◦Disruptions or delays at our third-party service providers could adversely impact our operations

Current wording

As we outsource functions, we are more dependent on the entities performing those functions. Disruptions or delays at our third-party service providers could adversely impact our operations.

Previous wording

On July 1, 2020, our Board of Directors approved, and the Company adopted, as amended on March 16, 2021, a Tax Benefits Preservation Plan in order to protect shareholder value against a possible limitation on the Company’s ability to use its tax NOLs and certain other tax benefits to reduce potential future U.S. federal income tax obligations. The Tax Benefits Preservation Plan was approved at the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders on May 25, 2021. On June 14, 2023, our Board of Directors approved an amendment to the Tax Benefits Preservation Plan to extend the expiration time of the Tax Benefits Preservation Plan from July 1, 2023 to July 1, 2026. The Company will submit this amendment to the Company’s stockholders for approval at our 2024 Annual Meeting. The Tax Benefits Preservation Plan is designed to reduce the likelihood of an “ownership change” as defined under Section 382 of the IRC in order to protect our NOLs by deterring any person or group from acquiring beneficial ownership of 4.9% or more of the Company’s securities. However, there is no assurance that the Tax Benefits Preservation Plan will prevent all transfers that could result in such an “ownership change.”

Current wording

On July 1, 2020, our Board of Directors approved, and the Company adopted, as amended on March 16, 2021, a Tax Benefits Preservation Plan in order to protect shareholder value against a possible limitation on the Company’s ability to use its tax NOLs and certain other tax benefits to reduce potential future U.S. federal income tax obligations. The Tax Benefits Preservation Plan was approved at the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders on May 25, 2021. On June 20, 2023, the Company entered into an amendment to the Tax Benefits Preservation Plan, approved by shareholders, to extend the expiration time of the Tax Benefits Preservation Plan from July 1, 2023 to July 1, 2026. The Tax Benefits Preservation Plan is designed to reduce the likelihood of an “ownership change” as defined under Section 382 of the IRC in order to protect our NOLs by deterring any person or group from acquiring beneficial ownership of 4.9% or more of the Company’s securities. However, there is no assurance that the Tax Benefits Preservation Plan will prevent all transfers that could result in such an “ownership change.”

Previous wording

The Tax Benefits Preservation Plan was approved at the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders on May 25, 2021. On June 14, 2023, our Board of Directors approved an amendment to the Tax Benefits Preservation Plan to extend the expiration time of the Tax Benefits Preservation Plan from July 1, 2023 to July 1, 2026. The Company will submit this amendment to the Company’s stockholders for approval at our 2024 Annual Meeting. Each share of our common stock issued thereafter will also include one right. Each right entitles its holder, under certain circumstances, to purchase from us one one-thousandth of a share of our Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $5.00 per right, subject to adjustment.

Current wording

The Tax Benefits Preservation Plan was approved at the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders on May 25, 2021. On June 20, 2023, the Company entered into an amendment to the Tax Benefits Preservation Plan, approved by shareholders, to extend the expiration time of the Tax Benefits Preservation Plan from July 1, 2023 to July 1, 2026. Each share of our common stock issued thereafter will also include one right. Each right entitles its holder, under certain circumstances, to purchase from us one one-thousandth of a share of our Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $5.00 per right, subject to adjustment.