Viper Energy Posts Third-Quarter Daily Production of 141,152 Boe
Key Facts
Viper Energy said its average daily production was 141,152 barrels of oil equivalent in the third quarter of 2026, including 69,076 barrels of oil per day. The results were announced in a company statement issued on November 2 after the market close. Actual production exceeded its previous quarterly range of 133,500 to 135,500 boe per day. Chief Executive Officer Kaes Van’t Hof said daily oil production grew by more than 6% sequentially. He attributed the growth to recent acquisitions and continued development activity by Diamondback and third-party operators.
Financially, the company reported net income of $300 million in the third quarter, compared with a net loss of $197 million in the same period of 2025. Total operating income was $661 million, compared with $418 million a year earlier. The company also generated $447 million in cash flow from operating activities. Free cash flow reached $520 million, while adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization totaled $596 million. The figures show improved operating income alongside positive cash flows during the period.
Viper raised its 2026 average production guidance to a range of 137,000 to 138,000 boe per day. That is above its previous forecast range of 132,500 to 135,000 boe per day. Fourth-quarter guidance was 141,500 to 143,500 boe per day. The new guidance includes the pending acquisition of Buckhorn. The company had attributed third-quarter oil production growth to acquisitions and development activity, while its fourth-quarter guidance indicates the level it is targeting in the next period.
On shareholder returns, the company announced a base cash distribution of $0.50 per Class A share for the third quarter. The distribution is payable on November 19 to shareholders of record on November 12, 2026. Alongside the distribution, the company repurchased about 2.1 million Class A shares for about $90 million during the quarter. The measures combine cash distributions and share repurchases as part of the period’s returns.
On expansion, Viper acquired mineral and royalty interests in September for about $529 million. The transaction included about 7,359 net royalty acres in Upton and Crane counties. Its mineral and royalty interests totaled about 98,098 net acres as of September 30, 2026. The company also has a pending agreement to acquire 1,552 net royalty acres in Buckhorn. Consideration includes $280 million in cash and about 1.8 million Class A shares, and the company expects to complete the transaction in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Viper announced that it would release its third-quarter results on November 2 after the market close. It held a conference call to discuss them on November 3 at 10:00 a.m. Central Time. The call followed the release of results and gave the company an opportunity to present details of its operating and financial performance for the period. The results combine actual production exceeding the previous guidance range with a higher annual production forecast. They also include higher fourth-quarter guidance that accounts for the pending Buckhorn deal.