Matador Resources Co.

USA News Group News Commentary

Issued on behalf of Prairie Operating Co.

VANCOUVER, BC, July 23, 2025 /CNW/ -- USA News Group News Commentary – U.S. crude inventories continue to shrink despite efforts by the current administration to rebuild domestic stockpiles, with the latest EIA data showing a 3.9 million barrel decline. Earlier this year, the EIA projected strong domestic crude and gas production through 2030, even as OPEC now expects global oil demand to grow well beyond 2050, fueled in part by surging power needs from AI-focused data centers in the Middle East. In the U.S., President Trump's AI Action Plan is expected to accelerate investment into domestic energy sources—positioning select non-OPEC producers to benefit from the trend, including Prairie Operating Co. (NASDAQ: PROP), Ring Energy, Inc. (NYSE-American: REI), Amplify Energy Corp. (NYSE: AMPY), Matador Resources Company (NYSE: MTDR), and Obsidian Energy Ltd. (NYSE-American: OBE) (TSX: OBE).

Meanwhile, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve remains depleted, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright warns that refilling it to prior levels could cost US$20 billion and take years. That prolonged timeline, coupled with accelerating AI-driven energy demand, is drawing fresh attention to the importance of stable, domestically sourced oil and gas supplies.

Prairie Operating Co. (NASDAQ: PROP) has remained a stealth operator in the energy space, steadily growing its position in the Denver–Julesburg Basin without drawing much attention. Over the past four months, the Houston-based driller has methodically built scale while maintaining a disciplined capital approach that continues to resonate with cost-conscious investors.

In its latest strategic addition, Prairie acquired a portion of Edge Energy's assets for US$12.5 million, securing roughly 11,000 net acres, 190 boe/d of current production, and 40 locations ready for drilling.

"This strategic and highly accretive bolt-on acquisition enhances our existing footprint in the DJ Basin," said Edward Kovalik, Chairman and CEO of Prairie. "With a high working interest, established cash flow, and development-ready drilling locations, this transaction aligns with our capital allocation strategy and adds near-term value and long-term inventory."

Prairie financed the Edge Energy acquisition through its reserve-based lending facility, avoiding any equity dilution. The flexibility comes thanks to a June update, when Prairie confirmed a US$1 billion RBL led by Citibank. On June 9, the lending syndicate—which now includes Bank of America and West Texas National—reaffirmed a US$475 million borrowing base following a review of Prairie's expanded reserve profile.

Operational momentum continues to build. In late April, Prairie began completions on nine drilled-but-uncompleted wells at its Opal Coalbank location, with first oil expected this summer. Those follow the 11-well Rusch Pad, which was spudded on April 1 and features alternating 2-mile laterals targeting the Niobrara and Codell formations. Initial production from Rusch is expected in early August, setting up back-to-back volume catalysts.

Prairie's broader expansion is anchored by its US$602.8 million acquisition of Bayswater Exploration assets, which closed in late March. That deal boosted daily production by approximately 25,700 boe, added 77.9 MMboe in proved reserves, and delivered more than 600 future drilling locations across 24,000 net acres. At a purchase price of less than 0.7× proved PV-10, the assets offer firm value support under the stock.

"The addition of the Bayswater Assets further establishes Prairie as a leading operator in the DJ Basin," said Gary Hanna, President of Prairie. "These assets are a strong complement to our existing portfolio, and we remain focused on maximizing operational efficiencies, optimizing production, and delivering sustainable growth for shareholders."

Prairie now holds approximately 60,000 net acres in the DJ Basin, with a runway of over 550 economic locations and leverage holding steady near 1× EBITDA. Production remains weighted about 70% to liquids—a favorable profile as rising AI-related power demand lifts both crude and associated gas fundamentals. With new wells at Opal Coalbank and Rusch nearing first production, Prairie's execution timeline is about to be put to the test.

CONTINUED… Read this and more news for Prairie Operating Co. at:

https://usanewsgroup.com/2025/07/14/ai-power-demand-set-to-jump-165-meet-the-sub-5-oil-stock-racing-to-help-keep-the-grid-alive/ 

In other recent industry developments and happenings in the market include:

Ring Energy, Inc. (NYSE-American: REI) has selected Veriforce as its exclusive contractor management partner to enhance safety, compliance, and operational efficiency across its expanding network.

"Our goal was to free up time with our field and office personnel, improving how we verify contractor insurance and MSAs," said Chris Gafford, HSE Manager for Ring Energy. "More importantly, we needed a better way to understand how our contractors are handling safety. Veriforce provides that insight."

The move centralizes contractor oversight and integrates training programs like SafeLand and H2S awareness to streamline field readiness. The initiative reflects Ring's continued growth in the Permian and its commitment to risk reduction and workforce scalability

Amplify Energy Corp. (NYSE: AMPY) has sold its non-operated Eagle Ford assets to Murphy Exploration & Production for US$23 million, aiming to strengthen its balance sheet and reduce debt.

"Reducing debt and accelerating Beta development are core tenets of our go-forward strategy," said Martyn Willsher, President and CEO of Amplify. "This deal is consistent with both of these objectives, and we believe we are receiving fair value for the divested assets. We will continue to look for other opportunities that align with our strategic intent."

The proceeds may also fund the return of previously deferred Beta field development wells. The divestiture supports Amplify's pivot toward a more focused operational strategy centered on higher-return assets.

Matador Resources Company (NYSE: MTDR) has successfully completed a major expansion of its Marlan cryogenic gas processing plant in New Mexico, boosting capacity from 60 MMcf/d to 260 MMcf/d.

 "We are pleased to announce the start up of the expansion of the Marlan Plant," said Joseph Wm. Foran, Chairman and CEO of Matador. "The increased processing capacity at the Marlan Plant should allow San Mateo to continue to provide Matador with reliable flow assurance in our Ranger and Antelope Ridge asset areas in Lea County, New Mexico. The Board and I congratulate and thank the members of our midstream and operational asset teams – especially the teams in the field – for the significant value they have created through their extra efforts to complete the Marlan Plant expansion on time and on budget."

The project supports both Matador's operations in the Delaware Basin and third-party volumes through its midstream affiliate, San Mateo. Alongside the infrastructure upgrade, Matador received a corporate credit rating bump from Fitch to BB and saw its US$3.25 billion borrowing base reaffirmed by all 19 participating lenders.

Obsidian Energy Ltd. (NYSE-American: OBE) (TSX: OBE) has unveiled a US$110–120 million second-half capital program, focused on drilling 28 operated wells across its Peace River and Willesden Green assets.

"With the disposition of our Pembina asset during the second quarter, coupled with the recent tariff and OPEC+ induced commodity price volatility, we have adapted our approach to 2025 accordingly," said Stephen Loukas, Obsidian Energy's President and CEO. "Post-disposition, due to our enhanced liquidity position as well as the continued discount that our shares trade to intrinsic-value, we have opted to moderate our near-term production growth via the reduction in capital expenditures and have chosen to drive growth in per-share metrics via incremental share buybacks. Moreover, during the second half we are extending infrastructure to our Open Creek field which will, upon completion, allow us to aggressively grow our Cardium and Belly River production volumes as market conditions improve. Furthermore, we plan on building an all-season road to our Nampa field that will bring ~200 barrels per day of currently shut-in oil back on production and enable pursuit of a full field development plan."

The company aims to exit 2025 at approximately 29,000 boe/d, supported by infrastructure upgrades and moderate production growth. Obsidian also plans a Canadian share exchange offer involving its stake in InPlay Oil Corp. as part of its capital return strategy.

Source: https://usanewsgroup.com/2025/07/14/ai-power-demand-set-to-jump-165-meet-the-sub-5-oil-stock-racing-to-help-keep-the-grid-alive/ 

CONTACT:

USA NEWS GROUP

info@usanewsgroup.com

(604) 265-2873

DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this publication should be considered as personalized financial advice. We are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular financial situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision. This is a paid advertisement and is neither an offer nor recommendation to buy or sell any security. We hold no investment licenses and are thus neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. The content in this report or email is not provided to any individual with a view toward their individual circumstances. USA News Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market IQ Media Group, Inc. ("MIQ"). MIQ has been paid a fee for Prairie Operating Co. advertising and digital media from the company directly. There may be 3rd parties who may have shares of Prairie Operating Co. and may liquidate their shares which could have a negative effect on the price of the stock. This compensation constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the profiled company. Because of this conflict, individuals are strongly encouraged to not use this publication as the basis for any investment decision. The owner/operator of MIQ own shares of Prairie Operating Co. which were purchased in the open market, and reserve the right to buy and sell, and will buy and sell shares of Prairie Operating Co. at any time without any further notice commencing immediately and ongoing. We also expect further compensation as an ongoing digital media effort to increase visibility for the company, no further notice will be given, but let this disclaimer serve as notice that all material, including this article, which is disseminated by MIQ has been approved by Oncolytics Biotech Inc.; this is a paid advertisement, we currently own shares of Prairie Operating Co. and will buy and sell shares of the company in the open market, or through private placements, and/or other investment vehicles.

While all information is believed to be reliable, it is not guaranteed by us to be accurate. Individuals should assume that all information contained in our newsletter is not trustworthy unless verified by their own independent research. Also, because events and circumstances frequently do not occur as expected, there will likely be differences between the any predictions and actual results. Always consult a licensed investment professional before making any investment decision. Be extremely careful, investing in securities carries a high degree of risk; you may likely lose some or all of the investment.

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SOURCE USA News Group

USA News Group News Commentary

Issued on behalf of Prairie Operating Co.

VANCOUVER, BC, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Thanks to the rise of more and more AI data centers, the USA is faced with a very real threat in terms of surging demand for electricity, causing a renewed fascination with utilities. A new DOE reliability study warns that, if firm capacity keeps retiring while AI-driven load soars, the annual risk of power outages could jump by "a factor of one-hundred" as soon as 2030. And while there's talk about nuclear power emerging as a clean AI data center energy source, oil and gas is being touted as a medium-term interim solution. Citing "very strong" oil demand in Q3, OPEC announced its plan to ramp up oil output, amid expectations of a near-term tight supply-demand balance. Meanwhile, the US Energy Information Administration's (EIA's) Annual Energy Outlook 2025 projects US crude oil and natural gas production growth to remain relatively high through 2030. This has all culminated in increased market attention to oil and gas stocks that are thriving and adding countless barrels of production, including updates from Prairie Operating Co. (NASDAQ: PROP), Permian Resources Corporation (NYSE: PR), Matador Resources Company (NYSE: MTDR), Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: CHRD), and Northern Oil & Gas, Inc. (NYSE: NOG).

After the US Energy Secretary Chris Wright estimated it would take $20 billion and years to accomplish President Trump's goal of refilling the country's Strategic Petroleum Reserve to its maximum capacity. As power utilities providers seek higher prices for their products based on rising AI demands, the need for domestically sourced energy also grows.

Prairie Operating Co. (NASDAQ: PROP) may not yet be a household name, but the Houston-based driller has spent the past four months methodically expanding its Denver–Julesburg (DJ) Basin platform while locking in the kind of capital discipline retail investors usually want to see.

In its most recent move, Prairie paid $12.5 million for a bolt-on slice of Edge Energy acreage. The deal added roughly 11,000 net acres, 190 Boe/d of existing output, and forty drill-ready locations.

"This strategic and highly accretive bolt-on acquisition enhances our existing footprint in the DJ Basin," said Edward Kovalik, Chairman and CEO of Prairie. "With a high working interest, established cash flow, and development-ready drilling locations, this transaction aligns with our capital allocation strategy and adds near-term value and long-term inventory."

Management financed the purchase with its credit facility, so no new shares were issued. That flexibility exists because back in June, Prairie reaffirmed it had secured a $1 billion reserve-based lending facility led by Citibank. On 9 June the bank group, which now includes Bank of America and West Texas National, reaffirmed the $475 million borrowing base after reviewing the company's enlarged reserves.

Operations are moving just as quickly. In late April, Prairie began completing nine drilled-but-uncompleted Opal Coalbank wells that are expected to reach first oil this summer. Those wells line up behind the 11-well Rusch Pad, spud on 1 April, which alternates two-mile laterals in the Niobrara and Codell zones. Initial production from Rusch is scheduled for early August, giving investors two near-term volume catalysts.

To protect cash flow while new pads ramp, the company hedged about 85% of 2025 production at $68.27 WTI and $4.28 Henry Hub and extended smaller strips through the first quarter of 2028. When Prairie last updated the market, that hedge book was roughly $70 million in the money, creating a visible floor under future earnings.

"Our hedging strategy is a powerful example of how we're executing our broader growth plan with discipline and foresight," said Kovalik. "We've protected cash flows, reduced risk, and positioned the Company to accelerate growth while delivering long-term shareholder value."

The current build-out rests on a $602.8 million acquisition from Bayswater Exploration that closed in late March. That transaction lifted Prairie's daily output by roughly 25 700 Boe, added 77.9 MMBoe of proved reserves, and delivered more than six-hundred future drilling locations across twenty-four-thousand acres. The price equaled less than 0.7 times proved PV-10, leaving tangible asset support under the stock.

"The addition of the Bayswater Assets further establishes Prairie as a leading operator in the DJ Basin," said Gary Hanna, President of Prairie. "These assets are a strong complement to our existing portfolio, and we remain focused on maximizing operational efficiencies, optimizing production, and delivering sustainable growth for shareholders."

Today Prairie controls about 60,000 net DJ acres, more than 550 economic locations, and a leverage ratio near one-times EBITDA. Liquids should represent roughly seventy percent of production, a favorable mix at a time when AI-driven electricity demand is pushing both crude and associated-gas requirements higher. With the first Opal Coalbank and Rusch barrels expected in the near term, investors will soon see whether the model delivers on schedule.

CONTINUED… Read this and more news for Prairie Operating Co. at: usanewsgroup.com

In other recent industry developments and happenings in the market include:

Permian Resources Corporation (NYSE: PR) recently closed a $608 million bolt-on in Eddy and Lea Counties, New Mexico, adding 13,320 net acres, 12,000 Boe/d of low-decline output and more than 100 two-mile locations that breakeven near $30 WTI. That deal follows a record first-quarter showing of 373 Boe/d production and $460 million free cash flow, which let management cut 2025 cap-ex guidance by $50 million while holding volumes flat.

"As a result of the current environment, we are lowering the mid-point of our capital expenditure budget by $50 million while maintaining our full year production guidance, demonstrating the high-quality nature of our asset base," said James Walter, Co-CEO of Permian Resources. "Underpinned by high-return inventory and improved business fundamentals, we expect to deliver similar free cash flow at $60 per barrel WTI for the remainder of 2025 as we did in 2024 at $75 per barrel."

With liquidity above $3 billion and leverage at 0.8× EBITDAX, PR is deploying its fortress balance sheet to scoop acreage at cycle-low pricing.

Baytex Energy Corp. (NYSE: BTE) (NYSE: BTE) just secured a one-year extension of its US $1.1 billion revolving credit facilities to June 2029, preserving liquidity with no borrowing-base redeterminations. The move follows a solid first-quarter report that showed 144,194 boe/d of production (84% oil & NGL) and C$53 million of free cash flow, even after winter weather disruptions.

"Baytex efficiently executed its exploration and development program and delivered first quarter results consistent with our fullyear plan," said Eric T. Greager, President and CEO of Baytex. "In a challenging operating environment marked by macroeconomic uncertainty and a volatile commodity price, we are pleased to have delivered free cash flow and returns to shareholders."

Management used that cash to repurchase 3.7 million shares, pay a quarterly dividend, and trim net debt to CA $2.39 billion, signalling disciplined balance-sheet focus in a choppy price tape.

Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: CHRD) delivered 153.7 Mbopd and 271 Mboe/d in Q1 2025, topping guidance and generating $290 million of free cash flow even after winter weather slowed fieldwork. Management returned 100% of that free cash flow to shareholders through a $1.30 base dividend and $216.5 million of buybacks at an average $108.54 per share.

"Our compelling asset base and proficient execution continue to support high levels of shareholder distributions, with 100% of free cash flow returned to shareholders for the second consecutive quarter," said Danny Brown, President and CEO of Chord Energy. "Our premier Williston Basin position, built with a focus on disciplined capital allocation, early adoption of new technologies, and strategic M&A, puts Chord in a strong position to weather commodity down cycles."

The company also issued $750 million of 6.75% 2033 notes, pushing liquidity to $1.9 billion while keeping leverage at just 0.3× EBITDAX.

In June, Northern Oil & Gas, Inc. (NYSE: NOG) raised about $211 million by reopening its 3.625% convertible notes due 2029, then used part of the proceeds for a $35 million accelerated share repurchase and to fund capped-call transactions that lift the effective conversion price above $50 per share.

"NOG is pleased to have successfully completed the issuance of an additional $200 million of our 2029 Convertible Notes, which further bolsters our liquidity, enhances our debt maturity schedule and reduces our cost of capital, all while executing an accelerated share repurchase," said Nick O'Grady, CEO of Northern Oil & Gas. "This enhances the Company's competitive position in a volatile market backdrop and should allow us to pursue accretive countercyclical investments."

After fees and capped-call costs, management expects a $152 million boost to liquidity and roughly $5 million in annual interest and dividend savings, improving its debt-maturity profile without equity dilution.

Six weeks earlier, NOG's semi-annual redetermination expanded committed capacity on its revolver to $1.6 billion while the $1.8 billion borrowing base remained intact, adding CIBC as the twentieth bank in the syndicate.

CONTACT:

USA NEWS GROUP

info@usanewsgroup.com

(604) 265-2873

DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this publication should be considered as personalized financial advice. We are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular financial situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision. This is a paid advertisement and is neither an offer nor recommendation to buy or sell any security. We hold no investment licenses and are thus neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. The content in this report or email is not provided to any individual with a view toward their individual circumstances. USA News Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market IQ Media Group, Inc. ("MIQ"). MIQ has been paid a fee for Prairie Operating Co. advertising and digital media from the company directly. There may be 3rd parties who may have shares of Prairie Operating Co. and may liquidate their shares which could have a negative effect on the price of the stock. This compensation constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the profiled company. Because of this conflict, individuals are strongly encouraged to not use this publication as the basis for any investment decision. The owner/operator of MIQ own shares of Prairie Operating Co. which were purchased in the open market, and reserve the right to buy and sell, and will buy and sell shares of Prairie Operating Co. at any time without any further notice commencing immediately and ongoing. We also expect further compensation as an ongoing digital media effort to increase visibility for the company, no further notice will be given, but let this disclaimer serve as notice that all material, including this article, which is disseminated by MIQ has been approved by Oncolytics Biotech Inc.; this is a paid advertisement, we currently own shares of Prairie Operating Co. and will buy and sell shares of the company in the open market, or through private placements, and/or other investment vehicles.

While all information is believed to be reliable, it is not guaranteed by us to be accurate. Individuals should assume that all information contained in our newsletter is not trustworthy unless verified by their own independent research. Also, because events and circumstances frequently do not occur as expected, there will likely be differences between the any predictions and actual results. Always consult a licensed investment professional before making any investment decision. Be extremely careful, investing in securities carries a high degree of risk; you may likely lose some or all of the investment.

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