Prairie Operating Co. Ignites Growth Engine in the DJ Basin (NASDAQ:PROP) - PROP Stock Research Report

## Executive Summary / Key Takeaways * Transformative Pivot and Accelerated Growth: Prairie Operating Co. has rapidly transitioned from cryptocurrency mining to a focused oil and gas E&P player in the Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin, marked by strategic, accretive acquisitions like Bayswater and NRO, which have dramatically scaled its production and asset base. * Robust Operational Ramp-Up: Recent acquisitions have propelled production, with significant development programs (Rusch, Opal Coalbank, Noble pads) expected to bring new wells online in Q3 2025, signaling a strong near-term operational trajectory and substantial revenue generation. * Strengthened Financial Foundation and Liquidity: Despite a historical accumulated deficit, the company has secured a $1.00 billion Credit Facility and launched an At-the-Market (ATM) offering, providing ample liquidity to fund its aggressive development and acquisition strategy, while maintaining covenant compliance. * Technological Edge and Competitive Positioning: PROP's commitment to "next-generation technology and techniques" for environmentally efficient energy delivery aims to enhance operational efficiency and cost advantages within the highly competitive DJ Basin, positioning it as a leading operator. * Significant Earnings Rebound Projected: External analyst projections anticipate a substantial earnings per share (EPS) rebound for fiscal year 2025, reflecting the market's recognition of the company's strategic transformation and operational execution. ## The Phoenix Rises: Prairie Operating Co.'s Strategic Rebirth Prairie Operating Co. (NASDAQ:PROP) stands at a pivotal juncture, having executed a remarkable strategic pivot that has reshaped its identity and market trajectory. Once engaged in the volatile world of cryptocurrency mining, the company has decisively transformed into a dynamic independent oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) firm. This strategic reorientation centers on the prolific Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin in Weld County, Colorado, an area renowned for its low break-even prices and consistent production history, contributing approximately 85% of Colorado's oil output. The company's overarching strategy is clear: to deliver energy efficiently while deploying "next-generation technology and techniques" that underscore an environmentally conscious approach. This technological differentiation, while not detailed with specific quantifiable metrics in public disclosures, implies a focus on optimizing extraction processes, reducing operational footprints, and enhancing overall resource recovery. Such an emphasis is critical in a basin where operational efficiency directly translates to competitive advantage and sustained profitability. This commitment to advanced methods is foundational to PROP's ambition to become a leading operator, aiming for superior well-level economics and high-rate-of-return drilling locations. In the competitive landscape of the DJ Basin, PROP faces formidable rivals such as Devon Energy (TICKER:DVN), EOG Resources (TICKER:EOG), and Chevron (TICKER:CVX). These industry giants possess immense scale, diversified asset portfolios, and deep financial resources. For instance, Devon Energy and EOG Resources typically exhibit robust operating profit margins (DVN: 23%, EOG: 35%) and strong cash flow generation, allowing for significant R&D and capital expenditure. PROP, with its more specialized focus, aims to carve out its niche by leveraging its operational agility and potentially more environmentally sound practices, which could appeal to evolving regulatory and stakeholder demands. ## A History Forged in Transformation Prairie Operating Co.'s modern narrative truly began on May 3, 2023, with the merger of Creek Road Miners, Inc. and Prairie LLC, marking its entry into the oil and gas sector. This initial step was quickly followed by the First Exok Asset Purchase, securing $3.00 million in undeveloped leases in Weld County. The commitment to the DJ Basin deepened with the Second Exok Asset Purchase on August 15, 2023, adding 25,240 net leasehold acres for $25.30 million. The definitive break from its past came with the Crypto Sale on January 23, 2024, divesting all cryptocurrency mining assets for $1.00 million cash and $1.00 million in deferred payments. This move allowed PROP to fully concentrate on its E&P ambitions, reclassifying all prior crypto activities as discontinued operations. The NRO Acquisition, closing on October 1, 2024, for $55.50 million, was the true genesis of PROP's oil and gas production and revenue, as the company had no such operations prior to this date. This acquisition provided crucial producing reserves and high-rate-of-return drilling inventory. The most significant leap occurred on March 26, 2025, with the "transformative" Bayswater Acquisition for $602.80 million. This acquisition dramatically expanded PROP's DJ Basin footprint to approximately 55,000 net acres and projected an increase in average daily production by an estimated 25,700 net barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOEPD). It also extended the company's inventory life to approximately 10 years, solidifying its long-term growth potential. ## Financial Momentum and Strategic Funding The impact of these strategic acquisitions is clearly reflected in PROP's recent financial performance. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, the majority of the company's total production and revenues were directly attributable to the Bayswater Acquisition. This led to a net income attributable to common stockholders of $48.50 million for the three months and $44.97 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025.

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Adjusted EBITDA also saw a significant increase, reaching $38.56 million for the three months and $43.02 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $7.06 million and $13.87 million in the prior year periods, respectively.

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Operational expenses, including lease operating expenses, gathering, transportation, and processing, and depreciation, depletion, and amortization (DDA), naturally increased in tandem with the expanded production base. General and administrative expenses also rose, driven by higher stock-based compensation, employee benefits, investor relations, and professional services related to the Bayswater transaction. The company's hedging strategy, mandated by its credit facility, generated a realized gain on derivatives of $4.90 million for the three months and $4.16 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, alongside unrealized gains of $23.21 million and $23.09 million, respectively, highlighting effective risk management in volatile commodity markets. To fund its aggressive growth, PROP has significantly bolstered its liquidity. On March 26, 2025, the company amended and restated its Credit Facility, expanding its maximum commitment to $1.00 billion with a borrowing base of $475.00 million, maturing on March 26, 2029. As of June 30, 2025, PROP had $88.00 million in available liquidity under this facility. The Bayswater Acquisition was financed through a combination of cash on hand, $41.40 million (net) from a public offering of common stock, $137.20 million (net) from the issuance of Series F Preferred Stock, and borrowings under the Credit Facility.

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Additionally, an At-the-Market (ATM) Offering was launched on June 20, 2025, providing the option to sell up to $75.00 million in common stock for general corporate purposes, including further development or acquisitions.

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## Operational Momentum and Future Outlook PROP's operational pipeline is robust, with several key developments poised to drive future production. The Rusch pad development, consisting of 11 two-mile lateral wells, completed drilling by June 30, 2025, with initial production anticipated in the third quarter of 2025. Similarly, completion activities at the Opal Coalbank pad, comprising nine previously drilled but uncompleted (DUC) wells acquired from Bayswater, commenced in May 2025, with wells coming online in mid-July 2025. The Noble pad development, featuring seven wells, also completed drilling by July 1, 2025, with initial production expected late in the third quarter of 2025. Further expanding its footprint, PROP entered an agreement on July 2, 2025, for the $12.50 million Edge Acquisition, adding approximately 11,000 net acres and 47 wells, pushing its total DJ Basin acreage to approximately 60,000 net acres. This acquisition includes the fully permitted Simpson pad, with development slated to begin in August 2025, alongside seven other fully permitted locations. On August 8, 2025, the Third Exok Asset Purchase added another 5,500 net acres for $1.30 million. These initiatives underscore a clear strategy of continuous, accretive growth through both drilling and targeted acquisitions. The market's confidence in PROP's transformation is reflected in external analyst projections. Zacks.com anticipates the company will earn $6.07 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, representing a remarkable year-over-year change of 389.1%. This upward trend in earnings estimates, with a 148.8% increase over the past three months, signals a strong belief in the company's ability to capitalize on its expanded asset base and operational execution. ## Risks and Challenges Despite the compelling growth narrative, investors must consider several key risks. Commodity price volatility remains a significant factor, as oil, natural gas, and NGL prices directly impact revenue and cash flow. While PROP utilizes derivative instruments to hedge a portion of its production, this strategy mitigates downside risk but also limits upside potential during price surges. The company's ability to sustain profitability on a quarterly or annual basis is still evolving, and extended periods of losses or negative cash flow could hinder its expansion plans. Integrating newly acquired assets, such as Bayswater and Edge Energy, presents operational and financial challenges, and the anticipated benefits may not be fully realized if integration is not managed effectively. Furthermore, while liquidity has been strengthened, the development program's success is dependent on consistent cash flow from operations and continued access to capital markets, which can be influenced by broader economic conditions and investor sentiment. ## Conclusion Prairie Operating Co. is executing a bold and rapid transformation, shedding its past to emerge as a focused and expanding E&P player in the highly prospective DJ Basin. The strategic acquisitions of NRO and Bayswater have fundamentally reshaped its operational scale and financial profile, laying a robust foundation for future growth. With an active drilling program, a strengthened balance sheet, and a clear commitment to leveraging technology for efficient and environmentally responsible energy production, PROP is positioned for a significant operational and financial rebound. While the journey involves inherent risks associated with commodity markets and acquisition integration, the company's proactive funding strategy and strong operational pipeline suggest a compelling investment thesis centered on accelerated production growth and a projected return to profitability. The market's increasingly positive outlook, as evidenced by analyst upgrades and earnings estimate revisions, underscores the potential for Prairie Operating Co. to solidify its position as a leading operator in one of the nation's premier resource plays, translating its strategic vision into tangible shareholder value.