• Produced Water Volumes: Increased 2% sequentially and 6% year over year.

• Recycled Water Volumes: Grew 25% sequentially and 16% year over year.

• Operating Margin: $0.45 per barrel, up 13% from the third quarter of last year.

• Adjusted EBITDA: $54.3 million, up 21% year over year and 9% sequentially.

• Capital Expenditures (CapEx): $8 million for the third quarter; $83 million for the first nine months.

• Full Year CapEx Guidance: $98 million to $105 million.

• Net Debt: $422 million with a 2.0 times debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio.

• Available Liquidity: $325 million.

• Dividend: $0.105 per share for the fourth quarter.

• Warning! GuruFocus has detected 7 Warning Signs with ARIS.

Release Date: November 05, 2024

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

• Aris Water Solutions Inc (NYSE:ARIS) reported a strong third quarter with a 21% year-over-year increase in adjusted EBITDA, reaching $54.3 million.

• The company achieved a 13% increase in operating margins compared to the previous year, supported by CPI-linked revenue escalation clauses and operational efficiencies.

• Produced water volumes grew by 2% sequentially and 6% year-over-year, while recycled water volumes increased by 25% sequentially and 16% year-over-year.

• Aris Water Solutions Inc (NYSE:ARIS) is generating excess cash, allowing for reinvestment in business growth and enhanced shareholder returns.

• The company is actively pursuing beneficial reuse projects and mineral extraction opportunities, including iodine, magnesium, ammonia, and lithium, with promising pilot project results.

Negative Points

• Despite strong performance, Aris Water Solutions Inc (NYSE:ARIS) has not yet found inorganic opportunities that meet their strategic fit and financial accretion criteria.

• There is variability in skim oil recoveries, which could lead to fluctuations in quarterly margins.

• The company faces potential regulatory challenges in Texas regarding the disposal of produced water into surface systems, which may require additional processing.

• Aris Water Solutions Inc (NYSE:ARIS) has not provided specific guidance for 2025, creating some uncertainty about future growth projections.

• The bid-ask spread for potential acquisitions remains wide, indicating challenges in finding suitable M&A opportunities.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you provide an early look into 2025 regarding volume growth on the produced water side and its impact on EBITDA? A: Amanda Brock, President and CEO, stated that while they are not providing specific guidance for 2025 yet, they anticipate a mid-single-digit growth range of 4% to 7% in produced water volumes. This expectation is based on the growth plans of their existing customers, such as Chevron and ConocoPhillips, who have indicated significant growth targets.