Company Description
Prairie Operating Co. (Nasdaq: PROP) is a Houston-based, publicly traded independent energy company engaged in the development and acquisition of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGL) resources in the United States. According to the company’s public disclosures, Prairie’s assets and operations are concentrated in the oil and liquids-rich regions of the Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin, with a primary focus on the Niobrara and Codell formations. The company describes its approach as emphasizing responsible development of its oil and natural gas resources, with attention to capital discipline and sustainable cash flow generation.
Business focus and operating area
Prairie states that it is focused on the DJ Basin, an established oil and gas producing region. Its development program targets multiple benches within the Niobrara (A, B, and C zones) and the Codell formation. Publicly released operations updates highlight activity on pads such as Opal/Coalbank, Rusch, Noble, and Simpson, where the company has drilled, completed, and turned wells to sales. These activities illustrate Prairie’s emphasis on horizontal development, including two‑mile laterals and designs that target stacked zones within a single wellbore.
The company has also reported acquiring and integrating producing assets and drilling inventory in the DJ Basin. For example, it has disclosed the acquisition of assets from Bayswater Exploration & Production and Edge Energy II LLC, which added producing wells, net acres, and additional permitted and development-ready locations. Prairie characterizes these transactions as bolt-on acquisitions that expand its DJ Basin footprint and inventory depth.
Development, optimization, and operations
Prairie’s public updates describe an active drilling and completions schedule in the DJ Basin. The company has outlined plans and progress for multiple pads, including:
- Opal/Coalbank pad, where it completed and turned in line nine wells acquired as drilled and uncompleted (DUC) locations and reported initial production performance that met or exceeded its expectations.
- Rusch pad, with 11 wells targeting Niobrara and Codell horizons, drilled as two‑mile laterals and turned to sales.
- Noble pad, where Prairie has highlighted the use of U‑shaped lateral designs to target two benches of the Niobrara within a single wellbore.
- Simpson pad, identified as fully permitted and ready to drill in connection with an acquisition, and later described as progressing through drilling and completion phases.
In addition to new drilling, Prairie reports a focus on asset optimization. The company has described a workover program across dozens of wells, installation of plunger lift systems on a large number of existing wells, and efforts to improve gas-lift systems and pad efficiencies. These initiatives are presented by the company as ways to increase per‑well productivity and enhance capital efficiency across its operated base.
Growth through acquisitions and capital access
Prairie’s disclosures indicate that acquisitions are a significant part of its strategy in the DJ Basin. The company has reported closing multiple bolt‑on acquisitions that added net acres, producing wells, and future drilling locations, including permitted sites. It has also referenced the integration of acquired assets, such as those from Bayswater, into its operated portfolio and systems.
On the financing side, Prairie has announced a reserve‑based lending (RBL) credit facility led by Citibank, N.A., with a borrowing base and maximum facility size described in its news releases. The company has also disclosed the reaffirmation of this borrowing base and the addition of other banks to the lending syndicate. In a separate SEC filing, Prairie reported entering into an Equity Distribution Agreement that allows it to sell shares of common stock up to a specified aggregate offering price through designated managers, with proceeds intended for general corporate purposes such as development and drilling, debt repayment, or potential acquisitions.
Hedging and risk management
Prairie has publicly described an active commodity hedging program. The company has reported entering into crude oil, natural gas, and NGL derivative contracts (including swaps) with specified notional volumes and weighted average prices extending through multiple future years. It has also stated that it expanded its hedging program and that these hedges are intended, among other things, to support requirements under its credit agreement and secure pricing for a significant portion of its production.
Financial reporting and corporate governance
Prairie files periodic and current reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The company has furnished press releases announcing quarterly financial and operating results via Form 8‑K under Item 2.02. These press releases include information such as total revenues, net income or loss, production volumes, and non‑GAAP measures like Adjusted EBITDA, along with reconciliations to GAAP metrics as described by the company.
In an 8‑K filing, Prairie reported that its Audit Committee approved a change in its independent registered public accounting firm, engaging Deloitte & Touche LLP and dismissing its prior auditor after a competitive request for proposals process. The company noted that there were no disagreements or reportable events with the prior auditor as defined in SEC rules. Prairie has also filed 8‑Ks describing amended and restated employment agreements for certain senior executives, outlining changes in base salary, incentive bonus targets, and severance provisions, and stating that these changes were intended to align compensation with market practices based on advice from an independent compensation consultant.
Location and regulatory status
Prairie Operating Co. is incorporated in Delaware and lists its principal offices in Houston, Texas in its SEC filings. The company’s common stock trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol PROP. Its SEC reports, including 8‑K filings describing financial results, material agreements, and auditor changes, provide investors with information on its operations, capital structure, and governance matters.
FAQs about Prairie Operating Co. (PROP)
- What does Prairie Operating Co. do?
Prairie Operating Co. describes itself as an independent energy company engaged in the development and acquisition of oil, natural gas, and NGL resources. Its assets and operations are concentrated in the oil and liquids‑rich regions of the Denver‑Julesburg (DJ) Basin, with a primary focus on the Niobrara and Codell formations. - Where does Prairie Operating Co. operate?
According to the company’s public statements, Prairie’s operations are focused on the DJ Basin in the United States. It has highlighted activity on pads such as Opal/Coalbank, Rusch, Noble, and Simpson, targeting Niobrara and Codell horizons. - How does Prairie Operating Co. pursue growth?
Prairie reports that it grows through a combination of organic development and acquisitions. The company has disclosed multiple bolt‑on acquisitions in the DJ Basin that added net acres, producing wells, and future drilling locations, and it has outlined a multi‑pad drilling and completions schedule. - What role do acquisitions play in Prairie’s strategy?
Public announcements from Prairie emphasize acquisitions as a way to expand its DJ Basin footprint and inventory depth. For example, the company has reported acquiring assets from Bayswater Exploration & Production and Edge Energy II LLC in transactions it characterizes as off‑market and accretive. - How does Prairie Operating Co. describe its approach to risk management?
Prairie has disclosed an active hedging program involving crude oil, natural gas, and NGL swaps with specified notional volumes and prices extending through several years. It has also linked its hedging activities to requirements under its credit agreement and to securing commodity pricing. - On which exchange does PROP trade?
Prairie Operating Co.’s common stock trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol PROP, as referenced in its news releases and SEC filings. - How does Prairie report its financial results?
Prairie announces quarterly financial and operating results via press releases that are furnished to the SEC on Form 8‑K under Item 2.02. These releases include information on revenues, net income or loss, production volumes, and non‑GAAP measures such as Adjusted EBITDA, along with reconciliations described by the company. - What is known about Prairie’s credit facility?
The company has announced a reserve‑based lending credit facility led by Citibank, N.A., with a borrowing base and maximum facility size described in its public news. It has also reported the reaffirmation of this borrowing base and the addition of other banks to the lending syndicate. - Has Prairie Operating Co. changed its independent auditor?
Yes. In an 8‑K filing, Prairie reported that its Audit Committee approved the engagement of Deloitte & Touche LLP as its independent registered public accounting firm for a fiscal year and dismissed its prior auditor following a competitive request for proposals process, noting there were no disagreements or reportable events as defined in SEC rules. - How does Prairie describe its corporate governance and leadership arrangements?
Prairie has filed 8‑Ks describing amended and restated employment agreements for certain senior executives, detailing base salary levels, incentive bonus targets, and severance arrangements. The company states that these changes are intended to align compensation with competitive market practices based on input from an independent compensation consultant.
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Short Interest History
Short interest in Prairie Operating (PROP) currently stands at 7.9 million shares, up 11.3% from the previous reporting period, representing 22.9% of the float. Over the past 12 months, short interest has increased by 447.5%. This high level of short interest suggests significant bearish sentiment among traders. The 5.2 days to cover indicates moderate liquidity for short covering.
Days to Cover History
Days to cover for Prairie Operating (PROP) currently stands at 5.2 days, up 14.5% from the previous period. This moderate days-to-cover ratio suggests reasonable liquidity for short covering, requiring about a week of average trading volume. The ratio has shown significant volatility over the period, ranging from 1.4 to 6.6 days.