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Kinetik Holdings Inc (NYSE:KNTK) reported solid first-quarter 2025 results on May 7, with Adjusted EBITDA rising 7% year-over-year to $250 million, according to the company’s quarterly presentation. The midstream energy company, which operates primarily in the Permian Basin, maintained its full-year 2025 guidance and highlighted progress on several strategic growth projects.
Quarterly Performance Highlights
Kinetik reported processed gas volumes of 1.80 Bcfpd in Q1 2025, representing a robust 17% increase compared to the same period last year. This volume growth helped drive the company’s financial performance, with free cash flow reaching $120 million, up 12% year-over-year.
As shown in the following chart of segment performance, the company’s Midstream Logistics segment delivered Adjusted EBITDA of $159 million, an 11% year-over-year increase, while the Pipeline Transportation segment generated $94 million, a slight 2% decrease from Q1 2024:
The company’s leverage ratio stood at 3.4x at quarter-end, slightly below its target of 3.5x, positioning Kinetik well for its goal of achieving investment-grade ratings.
"Our first quarter results demonstrate continued execution of our growth strategy in the Permian Basin," said Jamie Welch, CEO of Kinetik, according to the presentation materials. "The 17% year-over-year increase in processed gas volumes reflects the strong producer activity in our service areas and the value of our strategic infrastructure investments."
Strategic Initiatives
Kinetik highlighted significant progress on several key growth projects that are expected to drive future performance. Construction of the 220 Mmcfpd Kings Landing Complex in Eddy County, New Mexico, is advancing well, with commissioning expected to begin in approximately six weeks.
The company also reported ongoing right-of-way approval for the ECCC Pipeline, with construction expected to begin in Q3 2025 and in-service targeted for Q1 2026. Additionally, Kinetik secured a new long-term gathering and processing agreement with a large private producer in Reeves County, Texas, further strengthening its customer base.
The following slide illustrates Kinetik’s key strategic capital investments that are expected to drive growth in 2025 and beyond:
In a significant move to enhance shareholder returns, Kinetik authorized a $500 million share repurchase program. The company also issued $250 million of 6.625% sustainability-linked senior notes and renewed and amended its accounts receivable facility, demonstrating continued access to capital markets.
Financial Outlook
Kinetik affirmed its full-year 2025 Adjusted EBITDA guidance of $1.09 billion to $1.15 billion, representing approximately 15% growth from 2024 levels. The company also maintained its capital expenditure guidance of $450 million to $540 million for the year.
As illustrated in the following chart, Kinetik expects continued EBITDA growth throughout 2025, with an annualized run-rate of approximately $1.2 billion by the fourth quarter:
The company’s 2025 guidance is built on assumptions of high-single-digit growth in natural gas volumes and mid-single-digit growth in crude oil volumes across the Permian Basin. For Kinetik’s own operations, management projects high-teens growth in natural gas volumes, over 50% growth in crude oil volumes, and more than 10% growth in produced water volumes.
The following slide details Kinetik’s 2025 guidance assumptions and commodity price sensitivities:
Notably, 83% of Kinetik’s projected 2025 gross profit is expected to come from fixed-fee contracts, with only 3% directly exposed to unhedged commodity prices, providing significant revenue stability despite volatile energy markets.
Long-Term Vision and Strategy
Kinetik outlined ambitious long-term objectives, targeting approximately 10% compound annual Adjusted EBITDA growth over the next five years. Management has set an internal goal of reaching $2 billion in Adjusted EBITDA by year-end 2030, nearly double the 2025 projected level.
The company’s capital allocation strategy includes annual 3-5% increases to its current $3.12 per share cash dividend, which translates to a yield of approximately 7.7% based on the current share price of around $40.50.
The following slide provides a comprehensive overview of Kinetik’s scale and operational footprint:
In after-hours trading following the presentation, Kinetik shares rose 2.63% to $41.40, partially recovering from recent weakness. The stock has traded between $37.85 and $67.60 over the past 52 weeks, according to market data.
While Kinetik’s Q1 2025 results and outlook appear solid, investors may remain cautious following the company’s significant Q4 2024 earnings miss, when it reported EPS of just $0.01 versus analyst expectations of $0.48. However, the company’s focus on adjusted EBITDA growth and strategic capital investments suggests management is confident in its ability to deliver long-term value despite near-term challenges.
Full presentation:
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