Texas Pacific Land Corp

Previous wording

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand the results of operations and financial condition of Texas Pacific Land Corporation. MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, those factors presented in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This section generally discusses the results of our operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. For a discussion of the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, please refer to Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Current wording

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand the results of operations and financial condition of Texas Pacific Land Corporation. MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, those factors presented in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This section generally discusses the results of our operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. For a discussion of the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, refer to Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Previous wording

TPL was originally organized in 1888 as a business trust to hold title to extensive tracts of land in numerous counties in West Texas which were previously the property of the Texas and Pacific Railway Company. As discussed in Item 1. “Business — General — Corporate Reorganization,” on January 11, 2021, we completed our Corporate Reorganization from a business trust to a corporation changing our name from Texas Pacific Land Trust to Texas Pacific Land Corporation.

Current wording

TPL was originally organized in 1888 as a business trust to hold title to extensive tracts of land in the State of Texas that were previously the property of the Texas and Pacific Railway Company. On January 11, 2021, we completed our Corporate Reorganization from a business trust to a corporation and changed our name from Texas Pacific Land Trust to Texas Pacific Land Corporation.

Previous wording

Our business activity is generated from our surface and royalty interest ownership in West Texas, primarily in the Permian Basin. Our revenues are primarily derived from oil, gas and produced water royalties, sales of water and land, easements, and commercial leases. Due to the nature of our operations and concentration of our ownership in one geographic location, our revenue and net income are subject to substantial fluctuations from quarter to quarter and year to year. In addition to fluctuations in response to changes in the market price for oil and gas, our financial results are also subject to decisions by the owners and operators of not only the oil and gas wells to which our oil and gas royalty interests relate, but also to other owners and operators in the Permian Basin as it relates to our other revenue streams, principally water sales, easements and other surface-related revenue.

Current wording

Our business activity is generated from our surface and royalty interest ownership, primarily in the Permian Basin. Our revenues are derived from oil and gas royalties, water sales, produced water royalties, easements and other surface-related income and land sales. Due to the nature of our operations and concentration of our ownership in one geographic location, our revenue and net income are subject to substantial fluctuations from quarter to quarter and year to year. In addition to fluctuations in response to changes in the market price for oil and gas, our financial results are subject to decisions by not only the owners and operators of oil and gas wells to which our oil and gas royalty interests relate, but also to other owners and operators in the Permian Basin as it relates to our other revenue streams, principally water sales, produced water royalties, easements and other surface-related revenue.

Previous wording

Average oil and gas prices during 2023 have declined compared to average prices during 2022. Oil prices continue to be impacted by certain actions by OPEC+, geopolitical factors, and evolving global supply and demand trends, among other factors. Global and domestic natural gas markets have experienced volatility due to macroeconomic conditions, infrastructure and logistical constraints, weather, and geopolitical issues, among other factors. In 2023, domestic natural gas prices have declined in part to growing supply. Since mid-2022, the Waha Hub located in Pecos County, Texas has at times experienced significant negative price differentials relative to Henry Hub, located in Erath, Louisiana, due in part to growing local Permian natural gas production and limited natural gas pipeline takeaway capacity. Midstream infrastructure is currently under construction by operators to provide additional takeaway capacity, though the impact on future basis differentials will be dependent on future natural gas production and other factors. Changes in macro-economic conditions, including rising interest rates and lower global economic activity, could result in additional shifts in oil and gas supply and demand in future periods. Although our revenues are directly and indirectly impacted by changes in oil and natural gas prices, we believe our royalty interests (which require no capital expenditures or operating expense burden from us for well development), strong balance sheet, and liquidity position will help us navigate through potential commodity price volatility.

Current wording

Average oil prices for the year ended December 31, 2024 were relatively flat compared to average oil prices during the same period last year. Oil prices continue to be impacted by certain actions by OPEC+, geopolitics, and evolving global supply and demand trends, among other factors. Average natural gas prices during 2024 decreased compared to average prior year natural gas prices. Global and domestic natural gas markets have experienced volatility due to macroeconomic conditions, infrastructure and logistical constraints, weather, and geopolitics, among other factors. Since mid-2022, the Waha Hub located in Pecos County, Texas has at times experienced significant negative price differentials relative to Henry Hub, located in Erath, Louisiana, due in part to growing local Permian natural gas production and limited natural gas pipeline takeaway capacity. Midstream infrastructure is currently being developed by operators to provide additional takeaway capacity, though the impact on future basis differentials will be dependent on future natural gas production and other factors. Changes in global and domestic macro-economic conditions could result in additional shifts in oil and gas supply and demand in future periods. Although our revenues are directly and indirectly impacted by changes in oil and natural gas prices, we believe our royalty interests (which require no capital expenditures or operating expense burden from us for well development), strong balance sheet, and liquidity position will help us navigate through potential commodity price volatility.

Previous wording

The Permian Basin is one of the oldest and most well-known hydrocarbon-producing areas and currently accounts for a substantial portion of oil and gas production in the United States, covering approximately 86,000 square miles in 52 counties across southeastern New Mexico and western Texas. Exploration and production (“E&P”) companies active in the Permian have generally increased their drilling and development activity in 2023 compared to recent prior year activity levels. Per the U.S. Energy Information Administration (“EIA”), Permian production is approximately six million barrels per day, which is higher than the average daily production of any year prior to 2023.

Current wording

The Permian Basin is one of the oldest and most well-known hydrocarbon-producing areas and currently accounts for a substantial portion of oil and gas production in the United States, covering approximately 86,000 square miles in 52 counties across southeastern New Mexico and western Texas. Exploration and production (“E&P”) companies active in the Permian have generally increased their drilling and development activity in 2024 compared to recent prior year activity levels. Per the U.S. Energy Information Administration (“EIA”), Permian production averaged approximately 6.3 million barrels per day during 2024, which represents the highest annual production ever. The EIA currently estimates that Permian oil production for December 2024 was approximately 6.5 million barrels per day.

Previous wording

With our ownership concentration in the Permian Basin, our revenues are directly impacted by oil and gas pricing and drilling activity in the Permian Basin. Below are metrics for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:

Current wording

Due to our ownership concentration in the Permian Basin, our revenues are directly impacted by oil and gas pricing and drilling activity in the Permian Basin. The metrics below show selected benchmark oil and natural gas prices and approximate activity levels in the Permian Basin for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

Previous wording

Permian Basin for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Our oil and gas royalties are impacted by both oil and gas prices as well as production levels. Oil and gas prices in 2023 have declined compared to the comparable period in 2022. Despite declining commodity prices, drilling and development activities across the Permian generally remained strong in 2023. As we are a significant landowner in the Permian Basin and not an oil and gas producer, our revenue is affected by the development decisions made by companies that operate in the areas where we own royalty interests and land. Accordingly, these decisions made by others affect not only our production and produced water disposal volumes, but also directly impact our surface-related income and water sales.

Current wording

While average oil prices for the year ended December 31, 2024 were generally flat compared to the same period in 2023, Henry Hub and Waha Hub natural gas prices for the year ended December 31, 2024 declined compared to the same period last year. E&P companies generally have continued to deploy capital at a measured pace as drilling and development activities across the Permian Basin have remained strong overall. Although average rig counts during the year ended December 31, 2024 were lower compared to the same period last year, increased drilling and completion efficiencies have allowed operators to maintain robust levels of well development. As we are a significant landowner in the Permian Basin and not an oil and gas producer, our revenue is affected by the development decisions made by companies that operate in the areas where we own royalty interests and land. Accordingly, these decisions made by others affect not only our share of production volumes and produced water disposal volumes, but also directly impact our surface-related income and water sales.

Previous wording

We continuously review our liquidity and capital resources. If market conditions were to change and our revenues were to decline significantly or operating costs were to increase significantly, our cash flows and liquidity could be reduced. Should this occur, we could seek alternative sources of funding. We have no debt or credit facilities, nor any off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2023.

Current wording

We continuously review our liquidity and capital resources. If market conditions were to change and our revenues were to decline significantly or operating costs were to increase significantly, our cash flows and liquidity could be reduced. Should this occur, we could seek alternative sources of funding. We had no debt, credit facilities, or any off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2024.

Previous wording

As of December 31, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents of $725.2 million that we expect to utilize, along with cash flow from operations, to provide capital to support our business, to repurchase our Common Stock subject to market conditions, to pay dividends subject to the discretion of our Board, for potential acquisitions and for general corporate purposes. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we paid $100.0 million in dividends to our stockholders and repurchased $42.4 million of our Common Stock (including the share repurchases not settled at the end of the period).

Current wording

As we evaluate our current capital structure, capital allocation priorities, business fundamentals, and investment opportunities, we have set a target cash and cash equivalents balance of approximately $700 million. Above this target, we will seek to deploy the majority of our free cash flow towards dividends and share repurchases. As of December 31, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $369.8 million that we expect to utilize, along with cash flow from operations, to provide capital to support our business, to pay dividends subject to the discretion of our Board, to repurchase shares of our Common Stock subject to market conditions, for potential acquisitions and for general corporate purposes. We believe that cash from operations, together with our cash and cash equivalents balances, will be sufficient to meet ongoing capital expenditures, working capital requirements and other cash needs for at least the next 12 months.

Previous wording

We acquired intangible assets of $21.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, consisting of a SWD easement and groundwater rights. Additionally, we invested approximately $15.2 million in TPWR projects to maintain and/or enhance our water sourcing assets, of which $3.1 million related to water wells and related infrastructure acquired in conjunction with the acquisition of groundwater rights during the year ended December 31, 2023. The SWD easement covers approximately 49,000 acres and provides us future disposal opportunities to service injection customers seeking disposal solutions located outside of core basins. The groundwater rights provide us access to additional water volumes outside of our existing surface footprint to assist in managing fluctuations in customer demand.

Current wording

Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2024, we invested approximately $21.7 million to maintain and/or enhance our water sourcing assets.

Previous wording

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, net cash provided by operating activities was $418.3 million and $447.1 million, respectively. Our cash flow provided by operating activities is primarily from oil, gas and produced water royalties, water and land sales, easements, and other surface-related income. Cash flow used in operations generally consists of operating expenses associated with our revenue streams, general and administrative expenses and income taxes.

Current wording

For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, net cash provided by operating activities was $490.7 million and $418.3 million, respectively. Our cash flow provided by operating activities is primarily from oil, gas and produced water royalties, water and land sales, easements, and other surface-related income. Cash flow used in operations generally consists of operating expenses associated with our revenue streams, general and administrative expenses and income taxes.

Previous wording

The decrease in cash flows provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022, was primarily related to changes in working capital requirements over the same time period.

Current wording

The increase in cash flows provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the same period of 2023 was primarily driven by an increase in operating income and changes in working capital requirements.

Previous wording

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, net cash used in investing activities was $60.3 million and $21.4 million, respectively. Our cash flows used in investing activities are primarily related to land acquisitions, intangible assets such as subsurface easements, and capital expenditures related to our water services and operations segment.

Current wording

For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, net cash used in investing activities was $471.7 million and $60.3 million, respectively. Our cash flows used in investing activities are primarily related to acquisitions and capital expenditures related to our water services and operations segment. Our acquisitions may include land, royalty interests and other similar tangible and intangible assets.

Previous wording

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, net cash used in financing activities was $144.6 million and $336.8 million, respectively. Our cash flows used in financing principally consist of activities which return capital to our stockholders such as payment of dividends and repurchases of our Common Stock.

Current wording

For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, net cash used in financing activities was $378.1 million and $144.6 million, respectively. Our cash flows used in financing activities principally consist of activities that return capital to our stockholders such as payments of dividends and repurchases of our Common Stock.

Previous wording

During the year ended December 31, 2023, we paid total dividends of $100.0 million, consisting of cumulative paid cash dividends of $13.00 per share. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we paid total dividends of $247.3 million consisting of cumulative cash dividends of $12.00 per share and a special dividend of $20.00 per share. We repurchased $42.4 million and $87.9 million of our Common Stock (including share repurchases not settled at the end of the period) during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Current wording

During the year ended December 31, 2024, we paid total dividends of $347.3 million, consisting of cumulative regular cash dividends of $5.11 per share and a special dividend of $10.00 per share. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we paid total dividends of $100.0 million consisting of cumulative regular cash dividends of $4.33 per share. We repurchased $29.2 million and $42.4 million of our Common Stock (in each case, including share repurchases not settled at the end of the period) during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Previous wording

The following table shows our consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 (in thousands):

Current wording

The following table shows our consolidated results of operations and our results of operations by reportable segment for Land and Resource Management (“LRM”) and Water Service and Operations (“WSO”) for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):

Previous wording

Total revenues decreased $35.8 million, or 5.4%, to $631.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $667.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. This decrease was principally due to the $95.0 million decrease in oil and gas royalty revenue and was partially offset by the combined increase of $39.5 million in water sales and produced water royalties, and the $22.9 million increase in easements and other surface-related income, over the same period. Individual revenue line items are discussed below under “Segment Results of Operations.” Net income of $405.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 was 9.1% lower than the comparable period of 2022, principally as a result of both the decrease in revenues discussed above and the increase in operating expenses discussed further below under “Consolidated Expenses.”

Current wording

Total revenues increased $74.2 million, or 11.8%, to $705.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $631.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. This increase was principally due to the $38.5 million increase in water sales, the $19.9 million increase in produced water royalties and the $15.9 million increase in oil and gas royalty revenue in 2024 over 2023. Individual revenue line items are discussed below under “Segment Results of Operations.” Net income of $454.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 was 11.9% higher than 2023, principally as a result of the increase in total revenues, partially offset by an increase in operating expenses, as discussed below.

Previous wording

Salaries and related employee expenses. Salaries and related employee expenses were $43.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $41.4 million for the comparable period of 2022. The increase in salaries and related employee expenses is principally related to market compensation adjustments.

Current wording

Salaries and related employee expenses. Salaries and related employee expenses were $53.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $43.4 million for 2023. The number of employees increased from 100 at December 31, 2023 to 111 as of December 31, 2024, which, when coupled with market compensation adjustments effective at the beginning of 2024, resulted in increased salary and related employee expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 2023. Additionally, contract labor expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased over 2023, principally as a result of the 34.3% increase in water sales over the same period.

Previous wording

General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses increased $1.6 million to $14.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $13.3 million for the same period of 2022. The increase in general and administrative expenses during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022 was principally related to increased expenses for technology applications and increased board fees due to the expansion of our board to 10 directors in April 2022.

Current wording

General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased $12.0 million to $34.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $46.5 million for the same period of 2023. The decrease in general and administrative expenses during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the same period of 2023 was principally related to a reduction in legal and professional fees associated with stockholder matters that occurred during 2023.

Previous wording

Other income, net. Other income, net was $31.5 million and $6.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase in other income, net is primarily related to increased interest income earned on our cash balances during 2023. Higher cash balances and interest yields during this period contributed to the increase in interest income.

Current wording

Other income, net. Other income, net was $39.7 million and $31.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in other income, net was primarily related to increased interest income earned on our cash balances during 2024. Higher interest yields during the year ended December 31, 2024 contributed to the increase in interest income. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2024, we recorded a curtailment and settlement gain of $4.6 million related to the Company’s pension plan. See further discussion at Note 8, “Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included under Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Previous wording

Total income tax expense. Total income tax expense was $111.9 million and $122.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in income tax expense is primarily related to decreased operating income resulting from decreased oil and gas royalty revenue and increased operating expenses.

Current wording

Total income tax expense. Total income tax expense was $124.9 million and $111.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in income tax expense was primarily related to increased operating income resulting from increased consolidated revenues.

Previous wording

We operate our business in two reportable segments: Land and Resource Management and Water Services and Operations. We eliminate any inter-segment revenues and expenses upon consolidation.

Current wording

We operate our business in two reportable segments: Land and Resource Management and Water Services and Operations. We eliminate any inter-segment revenues and expenses, if any, upon consolidation.

Previous wording

We evaluate the performance of our operating segments separately to monitor the different factors affecting financial results. The reportable segments presented are consistent with our reportable segments discussed in Note 14, “Business Segment Reporting” in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We monitor our reporting segments based upon revenue and net income calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

Current wording

We evaluate the performance of our operating segments separately to monitor the different factors affecting financial results. The reportable segments presented are consistent with our reportable segments discussed in Note 15, “Business Segment Reporting” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included under Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” We monitor our reporting segments based upon revenue and net income calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

Previous wording

Our oil and gas royalty revenue, and, in turn, our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 have been impacted by lower average commodity prices compared to 2022. The decline in oil and gas royalty revenues has been partially offset by increases in revenues derived from water sales, easements and other surface-related income, and produced water royalties which have been positively impacted by ongoing development activity in the Permian Basin.

Current wording

Our oil and gas royalty revenue, and, in turn, our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 have been impacted by lower average commodity prices compared to 2023. However, our oil and gas royalty revenues increased for the year ended December 31, 2024 due to increased royalty production. Additionally, revenues derived from water sales and produced water royalties for the year ended December 31, 2024 were also positively impacted by our active management of our surface and royalty interests in recent years.

Previous wording

Land and Resource Management segment revenues decreased $74.9 million, or 14.8%, to $432.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the same period of 2022. The decrease in Land and Resource Management segment revenues is due to a $95.0 million decrease in oil and gas royalties for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022. The decrease in oil and gas royalty revenue was partially offset by a $23.3 million increase in easements and other surface-related income over the same time period.

Current wording

Land and Resource Management segment revenues increased $8.7 million, or 2.0%, to $440.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to 2023. The increase in Land and Resource Management segment revenues was related to a $15.9 million increase in oil and gas royalty revenue, partially offset by a decrease in easements and other surface-related income of $4.8 million and a decrease in land sales of $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 2023.

Previous wording

Oil and gas royalties. Oil and gas royalty revenue was $357.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $452.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of 21.0%. Oil and gas royalties for the year ended December 31, 2023 included an $8.7 million recovery, discussed further in the following paragraph. Excluding the $8.7 million recovery, oil and gas royalties decreased $103.7 million due to lower average commodity prices during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022. The average realized prices declined 30.0% to $42.58 per Boe for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $60.81 per Boe for the same period of 2022. Our share of crude oil, natural gas and NGL production volumes was 23.5 thousand Boe per day for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to 21.3 thousand Boe per day for the same period of 2022.

Current wording

Oil and gas royalties. Oil and gas royalty revenue was $373.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $357.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of 4.5%. Oil and gas royalties for the year ended December 31, 2023 included an $8.7 million recovery with an operator with respect to unpaid oil and gas royalties for older production periods. Excluding the impact of the $8.7 million recovery on 2023 revenue, oil and gas royalties for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased $24.6 million due to increased production volumes over 2023. Our share of production volumes increased to 26.8 thousand Boe per day for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 23.5 thousand Boe per day for 2023. The average realized prices decreased to $39.87 per Boe for the year ended December 31, 2024 from $42.58 per Boe for 2023.

Previous wording

The table below provides financial and operational data by royalty stream for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 and excludes the O&G Settlement discussed above:

Current wording

The table below provides financial and operational data by royalty stream for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:

Previous wording

(1) Commonly used definitions in the oil and gas industry not previously defined: Boe represents barrels of oil equivalent. MBbls represents one thousand barrels of crude oil, condensate or NGLs. Mcf represents one thousand cubic feet of natural gas. MMcf represents one million cubic feet of natural gas. MBoe represents one thousand Boe. MBoe/d represents one thousand Boe per day.

Current wording

(1) Commonly used definitions in the oil and gas industry not previously defined: MBbls represents one thousand barrels of crude oil, condensate or NGLs. Mcf represents one thousand cubic feet of natural gas. MMcf represents one million cubic feet of natural gas. MBoe represents one thousand Boe. MBoe/d represents one thousand Boe per day.

Previous wording

(2) The metrics provided exclude the impact of the$8.7 million of oil and gas royalties from the O&G Settlement discussed above.

Current wording

(2) The metrics and dollars provided for the year ended December 31, 2023 exclude the impact of the $8.7 million recovery of oil and gas discussed above.

Previous wording

Easements and other surface-related income. Easements and other surface-related income was $67.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of 52.4% compared to $44.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Easements and other surface-related income includes revenue related to the use and crossing of our land for oil and gas exploration and production, renewable energy, and agricultural operations. The increase in easements and other surface-related income is principally related to increases of $13.6 million in pipeline easements and $5.3 million in material sales (caliche and sand) for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022. The amount of income derived from pipeline easements is a function of the term of the easement, the size of the easement and the number of easements entered into for any given period. Easements and other surface-related income is dependent on development decisions made by companies that operate in the areas where we own land and is, therefore, unpredictable and may vary significantly from period to period. See “Market Conditions” above for additional discussion of development activity in the Permian Basin during the year ended December 31, 2023.

Current wording

Easements and other surface-related income. Easements and other surface-related income was $63.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of 7.1% compared to $67.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Easements and other surface-related income includes revenue related to the use and crossing of our land for oil and gas exploration and production, renewable energy, and agricultural operations. The decrease in easements and other surface-related income was principally related to a decrease of $5.1 million in wellbore easements for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 2023. Easements and other surface-related income is dependent on development decisions made by companies that operate in the areas where we own land and is, therefore, unpredictable and may vary significantly from period to period. See “Permian Basin Activity” above for additional discussion of development activity in the Permian Basin during the year ended December 31, 2024.

Previous wording

Land sales and other operating revenue. Land sales and other operating revenue was $6.8 million and $10.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we sold 18,061 acres of land for an aggregate sales price of $6.8 million. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we sold 6,392 acres of land for an aggregate sales price of approximately $9.7 million.

Current wording

Land sales. Land sales were $4.4 million and $6.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2024, we sold 439 acres of land for an aggregate sales price of $4.4 million. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we sold 18,061 acres of land for an aggregate sales price of approximately $6.8 million.

Previous wording

Net income. Net income for the Land and Resource Management segment decreased 16.0% to $306.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $365.0 million for the comparable period in 2022. Segment operating income decreased $98.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022, largely driven by the $95.0 million decrease in oil and gas royalty revenue. Expenses are discussed further above under “Results of Operations.”

Current wording

Net income. Net income for the Land and Resource Management segment increased to $314.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $306.7 million for 2023. Segment operating income increased $8.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 2023. The increase was principally due to a $15.9 million increase in oil and gas royalty revenue and a $13.5 million decrease in general and administrative expenses, partially offset by increased depletion expense and salaries and related employee expenses. Expenses are discussed further above under “Results of Operations — Consolidated.”

Previous wording

Water Services and Operations segment revenues increased 24.3%, to $199.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared with $160.4 million for the comparable period of 2022. The increase in Water Services and Operations segment revenues is principally due to increases in water sales revenue and produced water royalties, which are discussed below. As discussed in “Market Conditions” above, our segment revenues are directly influenced by development decisions made by our customers and the overall activity level in the Permian Basin. Accordingly, our segment revenues and sales volumes, as further discussed below, will fluctuate from period to period based upon those decisions and activity levels.

Current wording

Water Services and Operations segment revenues increased 32.9%, to $265.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $199.5 million for 2023. The increase in Water Services and Operations segment revenues was principally due to increases in water sales revenue and produced water royalties, which are discussed below. As discussed in “Market Conditions” and “Permian Basin Activity” above, our segment revenues are directly influenced by development decisions made by our customers and the overall activity level in the Permian Basin. Accordingly, our segment revenues and sales volumes, as further discussed below, will fluctuate from period to period based upon those decisions and activity levels.

Previous wording

Water sales. Water sales revenue increased $27.5 million, or 32.4% to $112.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022. The growth in water sales is principally due to an increase of 21.8% in water sales volumes for the years ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.

Current wording

Water sales. Water sales revenue increased $38.5 million, or 34.3% to $150.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 2023. The growth in water sales was principally due to an increase of 31.0% in water sales volumes for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023.

Previous wording

Produced water royalties. Produced water royalties are royalties received from the transfer or disposal of produced water on our land. Produced water royalties are contractual and not paid as a matter of right. We do not operate any salt water disposal wells. Produced water royalties were $84.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $72.2 million for the same period in 2022. This increase is principally due to increased produced water volumes for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022.

Current wording

Produced water royalties. Produced water royalties are royalties received from the transfer or disposal of produced water on our land. Produced water royalties are contractual and not paid as a matter of right. We do not operate any saltwater disposal wells. Produced water royalties were $104.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $84.3 million in 2023. This increase was principally due to increased produced water volumes for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 2023.

Previous wording

Net income. Net income for the Water Services and Operations segment was $98.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $81.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Segment operating income increased $22.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022. The increase is principally due to the $39.0 million increase in segment revenues which were partially offset by the $16.1 million increase in water service-related expenses and the $5.4 million increase in income tax expense. Expenses are discussed further above under “Results of Operations.”

Current wording

Net income. Net income for the Water Services and Operations segment was $139.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $98.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Segment operating income increased $44.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 2023. The increase was principally due to a $65.5 million increase in segment revenues which were partially offset by a $12.6 million increase in water service-related expenses and a $10.9 million increase in income tax expense. Expenses are discussed further above under “Results of Operations — Consolidated.”

Previous wording

EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measurement of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization. Its purpose is to highlight earnings without finance, taxes, and depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, and its use is limited to specialized analysis. We calculate Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA excluding employee share-based compensation. Its purpose is to highlight earnings without non-cash activity such as share-based compensation and/or other non-recurring or unusual items. We calculate Free Cash Flow as Adjusted EBITDA less current income tax expense and capital expenditures. Its purpose is to provide an additional measure of operating performance. We have presented EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow because we believe that these metrics are useful supplements to net income in analyzing the Company's operating performance. Our definitions of Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow may differ from computations of similarly titled measures of other companies.

Current wording

EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measurement of earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization. The purpose of presenting EBITDA is to highlight earnings without finance, taxes, and depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, and its use is limited to specialized analysis. We calculate Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA plus employee share-based compensation and less pension curtailment and settlement gain. The pension curtailment and settlement gain is related to a buyout by a third party of defined benefit obligations under our pension plan and the subsequent freezing of our pension plan, both of which occurred in the fourth quarter of 2024. We have excluded the pension curtailment and settlement gain from the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA as such gain is a non-recurring item and is not related to our core business. The purpose of presenting Adjusted EBITDA is to highlight earnings without non-cash activity such as share-based compensation and other non-recurring or unusual items, if applicable. We calculate free cash flow as Adjusted EBITDA less current income tax expense and capital expenditures. The purpose of presenting free cash flow is to provide an additional measure of operating performance. We have presented EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow because we believe that these metrics are useful supplements to net income in analyzing the Company's operating performance. Our definitions of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow may differ from computations of similarly titled measures of other companies.

Previous wording

The following table presents a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 (in thousands):

Current wording

The following table presents a reconciliation of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow to net income for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):

Previous wording

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. It is our opinion that we fully disclose our significant accounting policies in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Consistent with our disclosure policies, we include the following discussion related to what we believe to be our most critical accounting policies that require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgment.

Current wording

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. It is our opinion that we fully disclose our significant accounting policies in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. Consistent with our disclosure policies, we include the following discussion related to what we believe to be our most critical accounting policies that require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgment and estimates.

Previous wording

For further information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements, see Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Current wording

For further information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements, see Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included under Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”