HOUSTON, Aug. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VAALCO Energy, Inc. (NYSE: EGY, LSE: EGY) (“Vaalco” or the “Company”) today reported operational and financial results for the second quarter 2026. Additionally, the Company provided operational and financial guidance for the third quarter and full year of 2026.

Second Quarter 2026 Highlights and Recent Key Items:

• Sold 17,812 net revenue interest (“NRI”)⁽¹⁾ barrels of oil equivalent per day (“BOEPD”), above the midpoint of guidance, and up 47% from Q1 2026;
  • Forecasting Q3 2026 sales volumes to increase slightly to a range between 17,200 and 18,900 NRI barrels of oil per day (“BOPD”);
• Restarted production in June 2026 at the Baobab field in offshore Côte d’Ivoire, as planned, following a major refurbishment of the Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (“FPSO”);
• Produced 21,796 working interest (“WI”)⁽²⁾ BOEPD or 16,688 NRI⁽¹⁾ BOEPD an increase of about 10% compared to Q1 2026;
  • Including a full quarter of production from Côte d’Ivoire, Q3 2026 production is expected to be between 19,600 and 21,600 NRI BOPD, a 23% increase compared to Q2 2026 (at the midpoint of guidance);
• Reported net income of $42.4 million ($0.39 per diluted share), driven by significantly increased sales, lower exploration expense and a non-cash gain on derivative instruments, compared with Q1 2026;
• Generated Adjusted EBITDAX⁽³⁾ of $54.8 million, an increase of almost five times from $11.6 million in Q1 2026;
  • Q2 2026 included two liftings in Gabon and increased sales in Egypt;
  • Q3 2026 is expected to have two liftings in Gabon, continued increased Egyptian sales and the first 2026 lifting in Côte d’Ivoire;
• Affirmed the elevated full year 2026 NRI production and sales volumes that were raised in May by 8% and 12%, respectively at the midpoint, while maintaining 2026 capital budget guidance unchanged even with additional drilling in Egypt included;
• Invested $103.6 million in capital expenditures, which included the successful start to the Gabon Phase Three Drilling Program, completion of Côte d’Ivoire FPSO Dry Dock refurbishment and key drilling materials and services for the upcoming 2026 drilling campaign in Côte d’Ivoire;
• Reduced trade receivables in Egypt even further from $31.6 million at December 31, 2025 to $12.9 million at June 30, 2026; and
• Declared quarterly cash dividend of $0.0625 per share of common stock to be paid on September 22, 2026.

(1)   All NRI sales and production rates are Vaalco's working interest volumes less royalty volumes, where applicable.
(2)   All WI production rates and volumes are Vaalco's working interest volumes, where applicable.
(3)   Adjusted EBITDAX, Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Free Cash Flow and Net Debt are Non-GAAP financial measures and are described and reconciled to the closest GAAP measure in the attached table under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

George Maxwell, Vaalco’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “The first half of 2026 has seen material changes to Vaalco across our growing and diversified portfolio. We increased our future growth potential in Côte d’Ivoire by being confirmed as operator with a 60% WI in the Kossipo field and divested all of our Canadian assets adding material cash to the balance sheet. We have drilled and brought online multiple wells in our Gabon drilling campaign. The FPSO at the Baobab field in offshore Côte d’Ivoire was brought back online from a yearlong refurbishment and the field was successfully restarted with production commencing in June 2026. We also resumed our successful drilling program in Egypt in May 2026. In Q2 2026, we had strong sales volumes and increased realized pricing while we continued to positively progress our asset campaigns in Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon and Egypt. This drove improved earnings of $42.4 million or $0.39 per diluted share and $54.8 million in Adjusted EBITDAX. The strong first half results and our expectation of continued operational execution have given us the confidence to affirm our increased full year production and sales guidance for 2026. We have delivered positive results in 2026, meeting or exceeding expectations, driven by our successful drilling programs and capital investments.”

Mr. Maxwell concluded, “As we look at the second half of 2026, we are projecting significant increases in production and strong sales, which coupled with continued attractive pricing should generate solid operational cash flow and Adjusted EBITDAX generation. We are completing the Gabon drilling campaign, expanding the successful Egyptian drilling campaign and starting the Phase Five Drilling Program at Baobab that should provide material production uplift in 2027. We remain confident in our strategic vision with continued operational success coupled with our recently increased full year 2026 production and sales guidance without increasing 2026 capital guidance. Vaalco is well positioned to deliver material organic production growth.”

Operational Update

Gabon

Vaalco successfully drilled and completed the Ebouri-5H development well, as part of its ongoing Phase Three Drilling Program, with production commencing in June 2026. Following the completion of operations at the Ebouri platform, the drilling rig was mobilized to the SEENT platform where the Company spudded the ETBNM-3 gas-supply well. This well was directionally drilled adjacent to a discovery well and targeted gas and condensate resources in the Dentale D15 reservoir. The well was successfully brought online and the natural gas produced from this successful well is now being utilized for operational purposes in the field to significantly reduce the costs of higher priced diesel that is currently transported to the field by vessel. Vaalco also continued the drilling campaign in offshore Gabon by moving the rig on July 27th to a new slot on the SEENT platform to drill the ETSEM-3PH pilot hole and development well. This development well is planned with a completion length of 300 meters within the Gamba sands. Through the remainder of the Phase Three Drilling Program, the objective is to continue growing production volumes and adding proved reserves through the successful execution of Vaalco’s development program.

In addition, the BWE Consortium completed its 3D seismic campaign across the Niosi and Guduma blocks in January 2026. The seismic data processing and interpretation are currently ongoing.

Egypt

The 2026 Egypt drilling program commenced in May 2026 with the drilling of the HE-9 development well, which was completed and brought on production in early June 2026. Vaalco subsequently initiated drilling two additional development wells in June 2026, both of which were successfully completed in July. The Company is continuing with its drilling program in Egypt in the third quarter of 2026. The Company also successfully executed a series of workovers, well interventions, well reactivations, water shut-off treatments, and production optimization activities that are contributing to the organic growth of its production and reserves in Egypt.

Côte d’Ivoire

Following completion of its planned dry dock refurbishment in February 2026, the Baobab FPSO returned to Côte d’Ivoire and was successfully reconnected to field infrastructure in early April 2026. Production resumed from all producing wells in June 2026. While production has restarted, Vaalco’s first crude oil lifting is scheduled for August 2026. A drilling rig has been mobilized and the drilling program is expected to start in September 2026. This development campaign is expected to provide meaningful production growth and further unlock the value of the main Baobab field in Block CI-40.

The Company is also the operator of exploration license CI-705 with a 70% WI. Currently in the first exploration period subsurface interpretation and prospect maturation continues with the Company and its partners scheduled to make the decision whether to enter into the second phase of the exploration period by year-end 2026.

In February 2026, the Company became the operator with a 60% WI in the Kossipo field on the CI-40 Block with a field development plan being actively progressed toward completion in the first half of 2027.

Equatorial Guinea

Vaalco owns a 60% working interest in an undeveloped portion of Block P offshore Equatorial Guinea where it is the designated operator. The Company has an existing plan of development of the Venus field discovery on Block P, which focuses on key areas of drilling evaluations, facilities design, market inquiries and metocean review. The Company has completed the initial Front End Engineering and Design study that confirmed the viability of the development concept and is currently evaluating alternative technical solutions which may deliver enhanced economic value. Work is progressing towards Final Investment Decision expected in Q4 2026.

Canada

On February 5, 2026, Vaalco announced an agreement for the sale of all of its producing properties in Canada to a third party for approximately $25.5 million with a closing date of February 19, 2026. The Canadian properties were producing approximately 1,850 BOEPD at the time of the sale. Vaalco’s first quarter 2026 results included January and prorated February Canadian production and financial results.

Financial Update – Second Quarter of 2026

Vaalco reported net income of $42.4 million ($0.39 per diluted share) for Q2 2026 which was up compared with a net loss of $93.8 million ($0.90 per diluted share) in Q1 2026 and net income of $8.4 million ($0.08 per diluted share) in Q2 2025. The increase in earnings compared with Q1 2026 and Q2 2025 was driven primarily by hedging gains, higher realized pricing and lower exploration expenses, partially offset by increases in production expense, depletion and general and administrative expenses.

Adjusted EBITDAX totaled $54.8 million in Q2 2026, a nearly five-fold increase when compared with $11.6 million in Q1 2026 and up 10% from $49.9 million generated in Q2 2025. The increase was primarily the result of higher realized commodity prices, which increased sales revenue, partially offset by increases in production expense and general and administrative expenses.

^(a) Reflects net revenues and sales volumes from January 1, 2026 through the closing date of the Canada Assets Divestment date on February 19, 2026.

In Q2 2026, Vaalco had a net revenue increase of $72.6 million or 116% compared to Q1 2026 driven by an increase in the total NRI sales volumes of 1,621 MBOE which was 48% higher than the Q1 2026 volumes of 1,094 MBOE. This was primarily attributed to the timing of Gabon liftings partially offset by the sale of the Canadian assets in Q1 2026. Q2 2026 sales volumes were lower compared to 1,765 MBOE for Q2 2025 primarily due to the sale of the Canadian assets. Average realized price received of $80.77 per BOE in Q2 2026 was higher compared to $57.21 per BOE in Q1 2026 and higher than Q2 2025 of $54.87. Q2 2026 NRI sales were above the midpoint of Vaalco’s guidance.

Total production expense (excluding offshore workovers and stock compensation) increased in Q2 2026 compared with Q1 2026 and Q2 2025 primarily driven by higher sales, offset by lower production expenses resulting from the Canadian divestment and the change in oil inventory adjustments in Cote d’Ivoire. Production expenses associated with unsold crude oil inventory are capitalized and included in inventory, which are then subsequently expensed when oil inventory is sold.

General and administrative (“G&A”) expense, excluding stock-based compensation, increased in Q2 2026 primarily driven by non-recurring increases in legal and professional service fees.

Exploration expense in Q1 2026 was primarily attributable to the cost of additional seismic data related to the Niosi and Guduma licenses and the costs of an exploration well at West Etame offshore Gabon that was determined to be unsuccessful. Exploration expense for Q2 2025 was attributable to the purchase of seismic data for Block 705 in Côte d’Ivoire.

Other income (expense), net, includes gains or losses on derivatives, interest expense and foreign currency losses. In Q2 2026, Vaalco reported a net gain on derivative instruments of $18.7 million, which included an unrealized gain of $43.7 million related to the change in fair value of commodity derivative contracts primarily driven by a decrease in the futures curve for forecasted commodity prices and a realized loss of $25.0 million on matured commodity derivative contracts.

Vaalco reported an income tax expense for Q2 2026 of $16.8 million, which includes a $1.0 million favorable oil price adjustment as a result of the change in value of the government of Gabon's allocation of Profit Oil between the time it was produced and the time it was taken in-kind. After excluding this impact, income taxes were $17.8 million for the period. Income tax expense for Q2 2025 was $7.0 million, which included a $3.1 million favorable oil price adjustment as a result of the change in value of the government of Gabon's allocation of Profit Oil between the time it was produced and the time it was taken in-kind. After excluding this impact, current income taxes were $10.1 million for the period.

Taxes paid by jurisdiction are as follows:

Financial Update – First Six Months of 2026

Net sales for the first six months of 2026 decreased to 2,715 MBOE compared to 3,481 MBOE reported in the first six months of 2025. The decrease was driven primarily by the sale of the Canadian assets, Cote d’Ivoire FPSO refurbishment and the timing of Gabon liftings.

The average realized crude oil price for the first six months was $71.28 per barrel, representing an increase of 20% from the $59.50 realized in the first six months of 2025. The increase primarily reflects higher benchmark crude oil prices during the current year.

The Company reported a net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2026 of $51.3 million compared to a net income of $16.1 million for the same period in 2025. The decrease in the results of operations was primarily driven by losses on commodity derivative instruments, lower revenues due to reduced sales volumes, and higher exploration and G&A expenses, partially offset by lower production expenses.

Capital Investments/Balance Sheet

For the second quarter of 2026, net capital expenditures totaled $103.6 million on a cash basis and $98.9 million on an accrual basis, below the low end of second quarter guidance of $110 million to $130 million. These expenditures were primarily related to the new wells drilled as part of the Phase Three Drilling Campaign in offshore Gabon and the drilling campaign in Egypt, as well as expenditures associated with the refurbishment and reconnection activities of the FPSO in Côte d’Ivoire.

At June 30, 2026, Vaalco had long-term debt of $177.0 million and approximately $123.0 million of liquidity remaining on its reserves based lending facility (the “2025 RBL Facility”). The Company arranged the 2025 RBL Facility primarily to provide short-term funding that may be needed from time-to-time to supplement its internally generated cash flow and cash balance as it executes its planned investment programs across its diversified asset base over the next few years. The aggregate commitments will reduce semi-annually starting with a $15.8 million reduction on March 31, 2027, and a $35.5 million reduction for each of the subsequent semi-annual periods starting on September 30, 2027.

In April 28, 2026, certain existing lenders further increased their commitments to $300.0 million, which is equal to the maximum aggregate commitments permitted under the facility. The increases in commitments were undertaken with the existing accordion feature included in the 2025 RBL Facility.

Quarterly Cash Dividend

Vaalco paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.0625 per share of common stock for the second quarter of 2026 on June 26, 2026. The Company also recently announced its next quarterly cash dividend of $0.0625 per share of common stock for the third quarter of 2026 ($0.25 annualized), to be paid on September 22, 2026 to stockholders of record at the close of business on August 21, 2026. Future declarations of quarterly dividends and the establishment of future record and payment dates are subject to approval by the Vaalco Board of Directors.

Hedging

The Company continued to hedge a portion of its expected future production to protect cash flow generation to assist in funding its capital and shareholder return programs.

The following includes hedges remaining in place as of the end of the second quarter of 2026:

The table below presents commodity swaps entered into subsequent to June 30, 2026 .

2026 Guidance: 

The Company has provided third quarter 2026 guidance and its full year 2026 guidance. All of the quarterly and annual guidance is detailed in the tables below.

Conference Call

As previously announced, the Company will hold a conference call to discuss its second quarter 2026 financial and operating results, Friday, August 7, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. Central Time (9:00 a.m. Eastern Time and 2:00 p.m. London Time). Interested parties may participate by dialing (833) 685-0907. Parties in the United Kingdom may participate toll-free by dialing +44 20 3769 4533 and other international parties may dial (412) 317-5741. Participants should request to be joined to the “Vaalco Energy Second Quarter 2026 Conference Call.” This call will also be webcast on Vaalco’s website at www.vaalco.com. An archived audio replay will be available on Vaalco’s website following the call.

A “Q2 2026 Supplemental Information” investor deck will be posted to Vaalco’s website prior to its conference call on August 7, 2026 that includes additional financial and operational information.

About Vaalco

Vaalco, founded in 1985 and incorporated under the laws of Delaware, is a Houston, Texas, USA based, independent energy company with a diverse portfolio of production, development and exploration assets across Gabon, Egypt, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria.

Vaalco’s Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is 549300CFHFVIWB8M6T24

For Further Information

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created by those laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). Where a forward-looking statement expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “aim,” “target,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “may,” “likely,” “plan” and “probably” or similar words may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to (i) estimates of future drilling, production, sales and costs of acquiring crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids; (ii) expectations regarding future exploration and the development, growth and potential of Vaalco’s operations, project pipeline and investments, and schedule and anticipated benefits to be derived therefrom; (iii) expectations regarding future acquisitions, investments or divestitures; (iv) expectations of future dividends; (v) expectations of future balance sheet strength; and (vi) expectations of future equity and enterprise value.

Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: risks relating to any unforeseen liabilities of Vaalco; the ability to generate cash flows that, along with cash on hand, will be sufficient to support operations and cash requirements; and the risks described under the caption “Risk Factors” in Vaalco’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC.

Dividends beyond the third quarter of 2026 have not yet been approved or declared by the Board of Directors for Vaalco. The declaration and payment of future dividends remains at the discretion of the Board and will be determined based on Vaalco’s financial results, balance sheet strength, cash and liquidity requirements, future prospects, crude oil and natural gas prices, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board. The Board reserves all powers related to the declaration and payment of dividends. Consequently, in determining the dividend to be declared and paid on Vaalco common stock, the Board may revise or terminate the payment level at any time without prior notice.

Any forward-looking statement made by Vaalco in this press release is based only on information currently available to Vaalco and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Vaalco undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Other Oil and Gas Advisories

Investors are cautioned when viewing BOEs in isolation. BOE conversion ratio is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. Given that the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil as compared to natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalencies described above, utilizing such equivalencies may be incomplete as an indication of value.

Inside Information

This announcement contains inside information as defined in Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 on market abuse which is part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (“MAR”) and is made in accordance with the Company’s obligations under article 17 of MAR. The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of Vaalco is Matthew Powers, Corporate Secretary of Vaalco.

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•Offshore workover costs and stock compensation associated with production expense excluded for Q2 2026, Q2 2025, and Q1 2026 are immaterial.
••General and administrative expenses include $1.01, $0.78 and $1.23 per barrel of oil related to stock-based compensation expense for Q2 2026, Q2 2025, and Q1 2026, respectively.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Management uses Adjusted Net Income (Loss) to evaluate operating and financial performance and believes the measure is useful to investors because it eliminates the impact of certain non-cash and/or other items that management does not consider to be indicative of the Company’s performance from period to period. Management also believes this non-GAAP measure is useful to investors to evaluate and compare the Company’s operating and financial performance across periods, as well as to facilitate comparisons to others in the Company’s industry. Adjusted Net Income (Loss) is a non-GAAP financial measure and as used herein represents net income, plus deferred income tax expense (benefit), unrealized derivative instrument loss (gain), bargain purchase gain on the Baobab Acquisition, FPSO demobilization, transaction costs related to the Baobab acquisition and non-cash and other items.

Adjusted EBITDAX is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure used by Vaalco’s management and by external users of the Company’s financial statements, such as industry analysts, lenders, rating agencies, investors and others who follow the industry. Management believes the measure is useful to investors because it is as an indicator of the Company’s ability to internally fund exploration and development activities and to service or incur additional debt. Adjusted EBITDAX is a non-GAAP financial measure and as used herein represents net income, plus interest expense (income) net, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation, depletion and amortization, exploration expense, FPSO demobilization, non-cash and other items including stock compensation expense, bargain purchase gain on the Baobab Acquisition, other operating (income) expense, net, non-cash purchase price adjustment, transaction costs related to acquisition, credit losses and other and unrealized derivative instrument loss (gain).

Management uses Free Cash Flow to evaluate financial performance and to determine the total amount of cash over a specified period available to be used in connection with returning cash to shareholders, and believes the measure is useful to investors because it provides the total amount of net cash available for returning cash to shareholders by adding cash generated from operating activities, subtracting amounts used in financing and investing activities, effects of exchange rate changes on cash and adding back amounts used for dividend payments and stock repurchases. Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure and as used herein represents net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and adds the amounts paid under dividend distributions and share repurchases over a specified period.

Free Cash Flow has significant limitations, including that it does not represent residual cash flows available for discretionary purposes and should not be used as a substitute for cash flow measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Free Cash Flow should not be considered as a substitute for cashflows from operating activities before discontinued operations or any other liquidity measure presented in accordance with GAAP. Free Cash Flow may vary among other companies. Therefore, the Company’s Free Cash Flow may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Net debt, or outstanding debt obligations less cash and cash equivalents, is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management uses net debt as a measure of the Company’s outstanding debt obligations that would not be readily satisfied by its cash and cash equivalents on hand.

Adjusted EBITDAX and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) have significant limitations, including that they do not reflect the Company’s cash requirements for capital expenditures, contractual commitments, working capital or debt service. Adjusted EBITDAX, Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Free Cash Flow and Net Debt should not be considered as substitutes for net income (loss), operating income (loss), cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDAX, Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Net Debt exclude some, but not all, items that affect net income (loss), operating income (loss) and debt, as applicable, and the calculation of these measures may vary among other companies. Therefore, the Company’s Adjusted EBITDAX, Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Free Cash Flow and Net Debt may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

The tables below reconcile the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures to Adjusted Net Income (Loss), Adjusted EBITDAX and Free Cash Flow.

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⁽¹⁾  No adjustments to weighted average shares outstanding

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