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California Resources Corp - Quarter Report: 2023 June (Form 10-Q)


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2023
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from ___________ to ___________
 
Commission file number 001-36478
California Resources Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware46-5670947
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
1 World Trade Center, Suite 1500
Long Beach, California 90831
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(888) 848-4754
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
Title of Each ClassTrading Symbol(s)Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common StockCRCNew York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes    No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).     Yes    No   
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
Large Accelerated FilerAccelerated FilerNon-Accelerated Filer
Smaller Reporting CompanyEmerging Growth Company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     Yes    No



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.     Yes    No   

Indicate the number of shares outstanding for each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2023 was 68,962,220.



California Resources Corporation and Subsidiaries

Table of Contents
Page
Part I 
Item 1
Financial Statements (unaudited)
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Item 2
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
General
Business Environment and Industry Outlook
Regulatory Updates
Supply Chain Constraints and Inflation
Production
Prices and Realizations
Statements of Operations Analysis
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Divestitures and Acquisitions
Lawsuits, Claims, Commitments and Contingencies
Critical Accounting Estimates and Significant Accounting and Disclosure Changes
Forward-Looking Statements
Item 3
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 4
Controls and Procedures
Part II
Item 1
Legal Proceedings
Item 1A
Risk Factors
Item 2
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 5
Other Disclosures
Item 6
Exhibits

1


GLOSSARY AND SELECTED ABBREVIATIONS

The following are abbreviations and definitions of certain terms used within this Form 10-Q:

ABR - Alternate base rate.
ASC - Accounting Standards Codification.
ARO - Asset retirement obligation.
Bbl - Barrel.
Bbl/d - Barrels per day.
Bcf - Billion cubic feet.
Bcfe - Billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent using the ratio of one barrel of oil, condensate, or NGLs converted to six thousand cubic feet of natural gas.
Boe - We convert natural gas volumes to crude oil equivalents using a ratio of six thousand cubic feet (Mcf) to one barrel of crude oil equivalent based on energy content. This is a widely used conversion method in the oil and natural gas industry.
Boe/d - Barrel of oil equivalent per day.
Btu - British thermal unit.
CalGEM - California Geologic Energy Management Division.
CCS - Carbon capture and storage.
CDMA - Carbon Dioxide Management Agreement.
CEQA - California Environmental Quality Act.
CO2 - Carbon dioxide.
DAC - Direct air capture.
DD&A - Depletion, depreciation, and amortization.
EOR - Enhanced oil recovery.
EPA - United States Environmental Protection Agency.
ESG - Environmental, social and governance.
E&P - Exploration and production.
Full-Scope Net Zero - Achieving permanent storage of captured or removed carbon emissions in a volume equal to all of our scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 2045.
GAAP - United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
G&A - General and administrative expenses.
GHG - Greenhouse gases.
JV - Joint venture.
LCFS - Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate.
MBbl - One thousand barrels of crude oil, condensate or NGLs.
MBbl/d - One thousand barrels per day.
MBoe/d - One thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day.
MBw/d - One thousand barrels of water per day
Mcf - One thousand cubic feet of natural gas equivalent, with liquids converted to an equivalent volume of natural gas using the ratio of one barrel of oil to six thousand cubic feet of natural gas.
MHp - One thousand horsepower.
MMBbl - One million barrels of crude oil, condensate or NGLs.
MMBoe - One million barrels of oil equivalent.
MMBtu - One million British thermal units.
MMcf/d - One million cubic feet of natural gas per day.
MMT - Million metric tons.
MMTPA - Million metric tons per annum.
MW - Megawatts of power.
NGLs - Natural gas liquids. Hydrocarbons found in natural gas that may be extracted as purity products such as ethane, propane, isobutane and normal butane, and natural gasoline.
NYMEX - The New York Mercantile Exchange.
OCTG - Oil country tubular goods.
Oil spill prevention rate - Calculated as total Boe less net barrels lost divided by total Boe.
OPEC - Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
OPEC+ - OPEC together with Russia and certain other producing countries.
PHMSA - Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
2


Proved developed reserves - Reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods.
Proved reserves - The estimated quantities of natural gas, NGLs, and oil that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be commercially recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic conditions, operating methods and government regulations.
Proved undeveloped reserves - Proved reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage that are reasonably certain of production when drilled or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion.
PSCs - Production-sharing contracts.
PV-10 - Non-GAAP financial measure and represents the year-end present value of estimated future cash flows from proved oil and natural gas reserves, less future development and operating costs, discounted at 10% per annum and using SEC Prices. PV-10 facilitates the comparisons to other companies as it is not dependent on the tax-paying status of the entity.
Scope 1 emissions - Our direct emissions.
Scope 2 emissions - Indirect emissions from energy that we use (e.g., electricity, heat, steam, cooling) that is produced by others.
Scope 3 emissions - Indirect emissions from upstream and downstream processing and use of our products.
SDWA - Safe Drinking Water Act.
SEC - United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
SEC Prices - The unweighted arithmetic average of the first day-of-the-month price for each month within the year used to determine estimated volumes and cash flows for our proved reserves.
SOFR - Secured overnight financing rate as administered by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Standardized measure - The year-end present value of after-tax estimated future cash flows from proved oil and natural gas reserves, less future development and operating costs, discounted at 10% per annum and using SEC Prices. Standardized measure is prescribed by the SEC as an industry standard asset value measure to compare reserves with consistent pricing, costs and discount assumptions.
TRIR - Total Recordable Incident Rate calculated as recordable incidents per 200,000 hours for all workers (employees and contractors).
Working interest - The right granted to a lessee of a property to explore for and to produce and own oil, natural gas or other minerals in-place. A working interest owner bears the cost of development and operations of the property.
WTI - West Texas Intermediate.
3


PART I    FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 

Item 1Financial Statements (unaudited)

CALIFORNIA RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022
(in millions, except share data)

June 30,December 31,
 20232022
CURRENT ASSETS  
Cash and cash equivalents$448 $307 
Trade receivables183 326 
Inventories69 60 
Assets held for sale13 
Receivable from affiliate29 33 
Other current assets, net125 133 
Total current assets867 864 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
3,303 3,228 
Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
(558)(442)
Total property, plant and equipment, net2,745 2,786 
INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARY14 13 
DEFERRED TAX ASSET108 164 
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS166 140 
TOTAL ASSETS$3,900 $3,967 
CURRENT LIABILITIES  
Accounts payable206 345 
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale
Fair value of commodity derivative contracts72 246 
Accrued liabilities299 298 
Total current liabilities582 894 
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
Long-term debt, net593 592 
Asset retirement obligations411 432 
Other long-term liabilities204 185 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  
Preferred stock (20,000,000 shares authorized at $0.01 par value) no shares outstanding at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022
— — 
Common stock (200,000,000 shares authorized at $0.01 par value) (83,460,990 and 83,406,002 shares issued; 68,962,220 and 71,949,742 shares outstanding at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022)
Treasury stock (14,498,770 shares held at cost at June 30, 2023 and 11,456,260 shares held at cost at December 31, 2022)
(584)(461)
Additional paid-in capital1,317 1,305 
Retained earnings1,295 938 
Accumulated other comprehensive income81 81 
Total stockholders' equity2,110 1,864 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY$3,900 $3,967 



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.


4


CALIFORNIA RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022
(dollars in millions, except share and per share data)
Three months ended
June 30,
Six months ended
June 30,
 2023202220232022
REVENUES    
Oil, natural gas and NGL sales$447 $718 $1,162 $1,346 
Net gain (loss) from commodity derivatives31 (100)73 (662)
Sales of purchased natural gas72 75 256 107 
Electricity sales34 49 102 83 
Other revenue22 26 
Total operating revenues591 747 1,615 900 
OPERATING EXPENSES    
Operating costs186 190 440 372 
General and administrative expenses71 56 136 104 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization56 50 114 99 
Asset impairment— 
Taxes other than on income42 42 84 76 
Exploration expense
Purchased natural gas expense27 67 151 88 
Electricity generation expenses13 33 62 57 
Transportation costs16 12 33 24 
Accretion expense11 11 23 22 
Other operating expenses, net21 34 23 
Total operating expenses444 473 1,082 869 
Net gain on asset divestitures— 58 
OPERATING INCOME147 278 540 89 
NON-OPERATING (EXPENSES) INCOME
Interest and debt expense(14)(13)(28)(26)
Loss from investment in unconsolidated subsidiary(1)— (3)— 
Other non-operating income
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES135 266 511 65 
Income tax provision(38)(76)(113)(50)
NET INCOME$97 $190 $398 $15 
Net income per share
Basic $1.39 $2.48 $5.65 $0.19 
Diluted$1.35 $2.41 $5.47 $0.19 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
Basic69.7 76.7 70.5 77.6 
Diluted71.9 78.8 72.7 79.6 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.


5



CALIFORNIA RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023
(in millions)

Three months ended June 30, 2023
 Common StockTreasury StockAdditional Paid-in CapitalRetained EarningsAccumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income
Total
Equity
Balance, March 31, 2023$$(520)$1,311 $1,219 $81 $2,092 
Net income— — — 97 — 97 
Share-based compensation— — — — 
Repurchases of common stock— (64)— — — (64)
Cash dividend ($0.2825 per share)
— — — (21)— (21)
Shares cancelled for taxes— — (1)— — (1)
Balance, June 30, 2023$$(584)$1,317 $1,295 $81 $2,110 

Six months ended June 30, 2023
 Common StockTreasury StockAdditional Paid-in CapitalRetained EarningsAccumulated Other
Comprehensive Income
Total
Equity
Balance, December 31, 2022$$(461)$1,305 $938 $81 $1,864 
Net income— — — 398 — 398 
Share-based compensation— — 14 — — 14 
Repurchases of common stock— (123)— — — (123)
Cash dividend ($0.2825 per share)
— — — (41)— (41)
Shares cancelled for taxes(2)— — (2)
Balance, June 30, 2023$$(584)$1,317 $1,295 $81 $2,110 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.


6



CALIFORNIA RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2022
(in millions)

Three months ended June 30, 2022
 Common StockTreasury StockAdditional Paid-in CapitalRetained EarningsAccumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income
Total
Equity
Balance, March 31, 2022$$(219)$1,293 $286 $72 $1,433 
Net income— — — 190 — 190 
Share-based compensation— — — — 
Repurchases of common stock— (96)— — — (96)
Cash dividend ($0.17 per share)
— — — (13)— (13)
Balance, June 30, 2022$$(315)$1,296 $463 $72 $1,517 

Six months ended June 30, 2022
 Common StockTreasury StockAdditional Paid-in CapitalRetained EarningsAccumulated Other
Comprehensive Income
Total
Equity
Balance, December 31, 2021$$(148)$1,288 $475 $72 $1,688 
Net income— — — 15 — 15 
Share-based compensation— — — — 
Repurchases of common stock— (167)— — — (167)
Cash dividend ($0.17 per share)
— — — (27)— (27)
Balance, June 30, 2022$$(315)$1,296 $463 $72 $1,517 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.


7



CALIFORNIA RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022
(in millions)
Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
 2023202220232022
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $97 $190 $398 $15 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization56 50 114 99 
Deferred income tax provision62 56 29 
Asset impairment— 
Net (gain) loss from commodity derivatives(31)100 (73)662 
Net payments on settled commodity derivatives(63)(241)(128)(422)
Net gain on asset divestitures— (4)(7)(58)
Other non-cash charges to income, net30 19 51 27 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net10 (13)
Net cash provided by operating activities108 181 418 341 
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital investments(39)(98)(86)(197)
Changes in accrued capital investments(2)(15)
Proceeds from asset divestitures, net— 16 — 76 
Acquisitions(1)— (1)(17)
Other, net(2)— (3)— 
Net cash used in investing activities(44)(76)(105)(129)
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Repurchases of common stock(64)(96)(123)(167)
Common stock dividends(20)(13)(40)(26)
Issuance of common stock— — — 
Debt amendment costs(8)— (8)— 
Shares cancelled for taxes(1)— (2)— 
Net cash used in financing activities(93)(109)(172)(193)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents(29)(4)141 19 
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period477 328 307 305 
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period$448 $324 $448 $324 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.


8



CALIFORNIA RESOURCES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2023

NOTE 1    BASIS OF PRESENTATION

We are an independent energy and carbon management company committed to energy transition. We produce some of the lowest carbon intensity oil in the United States according to a joint report by Ceres and the Clean Air Task Force and we are focused on maximizing the value of our land, minerals and technical resources for decarbonization efforts. We are in the early stages of developing several carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects and other emissions reducing projects in California. Our subsidiary Carbon TerraVault is expected to build, install, operate and maintain CO2 capture equipment, transportation assets and storage facilities in California. In August 2022, Carbon TerraVault entered into a joint venture with BGTF Sierra Aggregator LLC (Brookfield) to pursue certain of these opportunities (Carbon TerraVault JV). See Note 2 Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary and Related Party Transactions for more information on the Carbon TerraVault JV. Separately, we are evaluating the feasibility of a carbon capture system to be located at our Elk Hills power plant.

Except when the context otherwise requires or where otherwise indicated, all references to ‘‘CRC,’’ the ‘‘Company,’’ ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer to California Resources Corporation and its subsidiaries.

In the opinion of our management, the accompanying unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to fairly present our financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, equity and cash flows for all periods presented. We have eliminated all significant intercompany transactions and accounts. We account for our share of oil and natural gas producing activities, in which we have a direct working interest, by reporting our proportionate share of assets, liabilities, revenues, costs and cash flows within the relevant lines on our condensed consolidated financial statements. In applying the equity method of accounting, our investment in an unconsolidated subsidiary (Carbon TerraVault JV HoldCo, LLC) was initially recognized at cost and then adjusted for our proportionate share of income or loss in addition to contributions and distributions.

We have prepared this report in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission applicable to interim financial information which permit the omission of certain disclosures to the extent they have not changed materially since the latest annual financial statements. We believe our disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to select appropriate accounting policies and make informed estimates and judgments regarding certain types of financial statement balances and disclosures. Actual results could differ. Management believes that these estimates and judgments provide a reasonable basis for the fair presentation of our condensed consolidated financial statements. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (2022 Annual Report).

The carrying amounts of cash, cash equivalents and on-balance sheet financial instruments, other than debt, approximate fair value. Refer to Note 3 Debt for the fair value of our debt.

9


NOTE 2    INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARY AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

In August 2022, our wholly-owned subsidiary Carbon TerraVault I, LLC entered into a joint venture with Brookfield for the further development of a carbon management business in California. We hold a 51% interest in the Carbon TerraVault JV and Brookfield holds a 49% interest. We determined that the Carbon TerraVault JV is a variable interest entity (VIE); however, we share decision-making power with Brookfield on all matters that most significantly impact the economic performance of the joint venture. Therefore, we account for our investment in the Carbon TerraVault JV under the equity method of accounting. Transactions between us and the Carbon TerraVault JV are related party transactions.

Brookfield has committed an initial $500 million to invest in CCS projects that are jointly approved through the Carbon TerraVault JV. As part of the formation of the Carbon TerraVault JV, we contributed rights to inject CO2 into the 26R reservoir in our Elk Hills field for permanent CO2 storage (26R reservoir) and Brookfield committed to make an initial investment of $137 million, payable in three equal installments with the last two installments subject to the achievement of certain milestones. Brookfield contributed the first $46 million installment of their initial investment to the Carbon TerraVault JV in 2022. This amount may, at our sole discretion, be distributed to us or used to satisfy future capital contributions, among other items. During 2022, $12 million was distributed to us (and used to pay transaction costs related to the formation of the joint venture) and $2 million was used to satisfy a capital call. During 2023, we used $4 million to satisfy a capital call. The remaining amount of the initial contribution by Brookfield which is available to us was reported as a receivable from affiliate on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. Because the parties have certain put and call rights (repurchase features) with respect to the 26R reservoir if certain milestones are not met, the initial investment by Brookfield is reflected as a contingent liability included in other long-term liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

We entered into a Management Services Agreement (MSA) with the Carbon TerraVault JV whereby we provide administrative, operational and commercial services under a cost-plus arrangement. Services may be supplemented by using third parties and payments to us under the MSA are limited to the amount in an approved budget. The MSA may be terminated by mutual agreement of the parties, among other events.

The tables below present the summarized financial information related to our equity method investment and related party transactions for the periods presented.

June 30,December 31,
20232022
(in millions)
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary(a)
$14 $13 
Receivable from affiliate(b)
$29 $33 
Property, plant and equipment(c)
$$— 
Other long-term liabilities - Contingent liability (related to Carbon TerraVault JV put and call rights)(d)
$50 $48 
(a)Reflects our investment less losses allocated to us of $3 million and $1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and the year ended December 31, 2022, respectively.
(b)At June 30, 2023, the amount of $29 million includes $28 million which may be distributed to us or used to satisfy future capital calls and $1 million related to the MSA and vendor reimbursements. At December 31, 2022, the amount of $33 million includes $32 million which may be distributed to us or used to satisfy future capital calls and $1 million related to the MSA and vendor reimbursements.
(c)This amount includes the reimbursement to us for plugging and abandonment activities at the 26R reservoir.
(d)These amounts were included in other long-term liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. Our obligation due to repurchase features related to the 26R reservoir includes $4 million and $2 million of accrued interest at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
2023202220232022
(in millions)(in millions)
Loss from investment in unconsolidated subsidiary
$$— $$— 
General and administrative expenses(a)
$$— $$— 
(a)Includes amounts recognized by us under the MSA for administrative, operational and commercial services.

10


The Carbon TerraVault JV has an option to participate in certain projects that involve the capture, transportation and storage of CO2 in California. This option expires upon the earlier of (1) August 2027, (2) when a final investment decision has been approved by the Carbon TerraVault JV for storage projects representing in excess of 5 million metric tons per annum (MMTPA) in the aggregate, or (3) when Brookfield has made contributions to the joint venture in excess of $500 million (unless Brookfield elects to increase its commitment).

NOTE 3    DEBT

As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, our long-term debt consisted of the following:

June 30,December 31,
20232022Interest RateMaturity
(in millions)
Revolving Credit Facility$— $— 
SOFR plus 2.50%-3.50%
ABR plus 1.50%-2.50%(a)
July 31, 2027(b)
Senior Notes600 600 7.125%February 1, 2026
Principal amount$600 $600 
Unamortized debt issuance costs(7)(8)
Long-term debt, net$593 $592 
(a)At our election, borrowings under the amended Revolving Credit Facility may be alternate base rate (ABR) loans or term SOFR loans, plus an applicable margin. ABR loans bear interest at a rate equal to the highest of (i) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the administrative agent prime rate and (iii) the one-month SOFR rate plus 1%. Term SOFR loans bear interest at term SOFR, plus an additional 10 basis points per annum credit spread adjustment. The applicable margin is adjusted based on the commitment utilization percentage and will vary from (i) in the case of ABR loans, 1.50% to 2.50% and (ii) in the case of term SOFR loans, 2.50% to 3.50%.
(b)The Revolving Credit Facility is subject to a springing maturity to August 4, 2025 if any of our Senior Notes are outstanding on that date.

On April 26, 2023, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (Revolving Credit Facility) with Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent, and certain other lenders, which amends and restates in its entirety the prior credit agreement dated October 27, 2020. As of June 30, 2023, our Revolving Credit Facility consisted of a senior revolving loan facility with an aggregate commitment of $627 million, which includes a net $25 million increase that occurred during the second quarter of 2023. Our Revolving Credit Facility also included a sub-limit of $250 million for the issuance of letters of credit. As of June 30, 2023, $148 million letters of credit were issued to support ordinary course marketing, insurance, regulatory and other matters.

The recent amendments to our Revolving Credit Facility included, among other things:

extending the maturity date to July 31, 2027;
increasing our ability to make certain restricted payments (such as dividends and share repurchases) and certain investments (including in our carbon management business);
releasing liens on certain assets securing the loans made under the Revolving Credit Facility, including our Elk Hills power plant;
permitting us to designate the entities that hold certain of our assets, including our Elk Hills power plant, as unrestricted subsidiaries subject to meeting certain conditions;
extending the period for which we can enter into hedges on our production from 48 months to 60 months; and
increasing our capacity to issue letters of credit from $200 million to $250 million.

We also amended the interest rates and fees we pay under our Revolving Credit Facility. Interest is payable quarterly for ABR loans and at the end of the applicable interest period for term SOFR loans, but not less than quarterly. We also pay a commitment fee on unused capacity ranging from 37.5 to 50 basis points per annum, depending on the percentage of the commitment utilized.

The borrowing base is redetermined semi-annually and was reaffirmed at $1.2 billion on April 26, 2023 as part of our amendment. The borrowing base takes into account the estimated value of our proved reserves, total indebtedness and other relevant factors consistent with customary reserves-based lending criteria. The amount we are able to borrow under our Revolving Credit Facility is limited to the amount of the commitment described above.

11


At June 30, 2023, we were in compliance with all financial and other debt covenants under our Revolving Credit Facility and Senior Notes. For more information on our Senior Notes, see Part II, Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 4 Debt in our 2022 Annual Report.

Fair Value

The fair value of our fixed-rate debt at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was approximately $604 million and $574 million, respectively. We estimate fair value based on known prices from market transactions (using Level 1 inputs on the fair value hierarchy).

NOTE 4    LAWSUITS, CLAIMS, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We are involved, in the normal course of business, in lawsuits, environmental and other claims and other contingencies that seek, among other things, compensation for alleged personal injury, breach of contract, property damage or other losses, punitive damages, civil penalties, or injunctive or declaratory relief.

We accrue reserves for currently outstanding lawsuits, claims and proceedings when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the liability can be reasonably estimated. Reserve balances for these items at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were not material to our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of such dates. We also evaluate the amount of reasonably possible losses that we could incur as a result of these matters. We believe that reasonably possible losses that we could incur in excess of reserves cannot be accurately determined.

In October 2020, Signal Hill Services, Inc. defaulted on its decommissioning obligations associated with two offshore platforms. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) determined that former lessees, including our former parent, Occidental Petroleum Corporation (Oxy) with a 37.5% share, are responsible for accrued decommissioning obligations associated with these offshore platforms. Oxy sold its interest in the platforms approximately 30 years ago and it is our understanding that Oxy has not had any connection to the operations since that time and was challenging BSEE's order. Oxy notified us of the claim under the indemnification provisions of the Separation and Distribution Agreement between us and Oxy. In September 2021, we accepted the indemnification claim from Oxy and are challenging the order from BSEE. Upon execution of a cost sharing agreement with former lessees, we will share in on-going maintenance costs during the pendency of the challenge to the BSEE order.

NOTE 5    DERIVATIVES

We maintain a commodity hedging program primarily focused on crude oil, and to a lesser extent natural gas, to help protect our cash flows from the volatility of commodity prices and to optimize margins for our marketing and trading activities. We did not have any derivative instruments designated as accounting hedges as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. Unless otherwise indicated, we use the term "hedge" to describe derivative instruments that are designed to implement our hedging strategy.

12


Summary of open derivative contracts on oil — We held the following Brent-based contracts as of June 30, 2023:

Q3
2023
Q4
2023
Q1
2024
Q2
2024
2H
2024
2025
Sold Calls
Barrels per day17,363 5,747 7,750 10,500 10,375 14,811 
Weighted-average price per barrel$57.06 $57.06 $90.00 $90.20 $90.20 $85.83 
Swaps
Barrels per day19,697 27,094 6,000 1,000 1,000 1,687 
Weighted-average price per barrel$70.73 $70.73 $79.06 $77.20 $77.20 $70.32 
Net Purchased Puts(a)
Barrels per day17,363 5,747 14,684 10,500 10,375 14,811 
Weighted-average price per barrel$76.25 $76.25 $69.72 $65.48 $65.48 $60.00 
(a)Purchased puts and sold puts with the same strike price have been presented on a net basis.

The outcomes of the derivative positions are as follows:

Sold calls – we make settlement payments for prices above the indicated weighted-average price per barrel.
Swaps – we make settlement payments for prices above the indicated weighted-average price per barrel and receive settlement payments for prices below the indicated weighted-average price per barrel.
Net purchased puts – we receive settlement payments for prices below the indicated weighted-average price per barrel.

Fair value of derivatives — The following tables present the fair values on a recurring basis (at gross and net) of our outstanding commodity derivatives as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
June 30, 2023
ClassificationGross Amounts at Fair ValueNettingNet Fair Value
(in millions)
  Other current assets, net(a)
$46 $(9)$37 
  Other noncurrent assets54 (37)17 
Current liabilities(a)
(81)(72)
Noncurrent liabilities(37)37 — 
$(18)$— $(18)
(a)In addition to our Brent based derivative contracts in the table above, we held swaps as of June 30, 2023 for natural gas to secure a margin for future physical sales of natural gas related to our marketing and trading activities. The fair value of these natural gas hedges was $1 million included in other current assets, net and $2 million included in current liabilities at June 30, 2023.

13


December 31, 2022
ClassificationGross Amounts at Fair ValueNettingNet Fair Value
(in millions)
  Other current assets, net(a)
$51 $(12)$39 
  Other noncurrent assets— 
Current liabilities(a)
(258)12 (246)
$(200)$— $(200)
(a)In addition to our Brent based derivative contracts in the table above, we held swaps as of December 31, 2022 for natural gas to secure a margin for future physical sales of natural gas related to our marketing and trading activities. The fair value of these natural gas hedges was $4 million included in current liabilities at December 31, 2022.

Our derivative contracts are measured at fair value using industry-standard models with various inputs, including quoted forward prices, and are classified as Level 2 in the required fair value hierarchy for the periods presented. We recognized fair value changes on derivative instruments each reporting period in net gain (loss) from commodity derivatives on our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. The changes in fair value result from the relationship between our existing positions, volatility, time to expiration, contract prices and the associated forward curves.

NOTE 6    INCOME TAXES

The following tables present the components of our total income tax provision and a reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory rate to our effective tax rate:

 Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
 2023202220232022
(in millions)(in millions)
Income before income taxes$135 $266 $511 $65 
Current income tax provision29 14 57 21 
Deferred income tax provision 62 56 29 
Total income tax provision$38 $76 $113 $50 

 Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
 2023202220232022
U.S. federal statutory tax rate21 %21 %21 %21 %
State income taxes, net
Change in the valuation allowance— — (6)49 
Other— — — 
Effective tax rate28 %29 %22 %77 %

During the six months ended June 30, 2022, we recognized a valuation allowance of $35 million for a portion of the tax loss on the sale of our Lost Hills assets, the deductibility of which was limited. During the six months ended June 30, 2023, we recognized the benefit of this tax loss by releasing the valuation allowance after we jointly agreed to amend the original tax treatment with the buyer. See Note 7 Divestitures and Acquisitions for more information on our Lost Hills transaction.

Realization of our deferred tax assets is subjective and remains dependent on a number of factors including our ability to generate sufficient taxable income in future periods.

14


NOTE 7    DIVESTITURES AND ACQUISITIONS

Divestitures

Ventura Basin Transactions

In the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, we recorded a gain of $4 million and $10 million, respectively, related to the sale of certain Ventura basin assets. The closing of the sale of our remaining assets in the Ventura basin is subject to final approval from the State Lands Commission, which we expect to receive in the second half of 2023. These remaining assets, consisting of property, plant and equipment, and associated asset retirement obligations are classified as held for sale on our condensed consolidated balance sheets at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. See Part II, Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 3 Divestitures and Acquisitions in our 2022 Annual Report for additional information on the Ventura basin transactions.

Lost Hills Transaction

During the first quarter of 2022, we sold our 50% non-operated working interest in certain horizons within our Lost Hills field, located in the San Joaquin basin, recognizing a gain of $49 million. We retained an option to capture, transport and store 100% of the CO2 from steam generators across the Lost Hills field for future carbon management projects until January 1, 2026. We also retained 100% of the deep rights and related seismic data.

Other

During the six months ended June 30, 2023, we sold a non-producing asset in exchange for the assumption of liabilities recognizing a $7 million gain. During the six months ended June 30, 2022, we sold non-core assets recognizing an insignificant loss.

Acquisitions

During the six months ended June 30, 2022, we acquired properties for carbon management activities for approximately $17 million. We are evaluating the sale of certain unwanted assets that were part of this acquisition and recognized an impairment of $3 million in the first quarter of 2023. The fair value of these assets, using Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy, declined during the first quarter of 2023 due to market conditions including inflation and rising interest rates. These unwanted assets are classified as held for sale as of June 30, 2023 on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.

15


NOTE 8    STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Share Repurchase Program

Our Board of Directors has authorized a Share Repurchase Program to acquire up to $1.1 billion of our common stock through June 30, 2024. The repurchases may be effected from time-to-time through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, Rule 10b5-1 plans, accelerated stock repurchases, derivative contracts or otherwise in compliance with Rule 10b-18, subject to market conditions. The Share Repurchase Program does not obligate us to repurchase any dollar amount or number of shares and our Board of Directors may modify, suspend, or discontinue authorization of the program at any time. The following is a summary of our share repurchases, held as treasury stock for the periods presented:

Total Number of Shares PurchasedTotal Value of Shares PurchasedAverage Price Paid per Share
(number of shares)(in millions)($ per share)
Three months ended June 30, 20222,255,445 $96 $42.57 
Three months ended June 30, 20231,618,746 $64 $39.12 
Six months ended June 30, 20223,923,901 $167 $42.55 
Six months ended June 30, 20233,042,510 $123 $40.12 
Inception of Program (May 2021) through June 30, 202314,498,770 $584 $40.18 
Note: The total value of shares purchased includes approximately $1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2023 related to excise taxes on share repurchases, which was effective beginning in 2023. Commissions paid were not significant in all periods presented.

Dividends

On February 23, 2023, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.2825 per share of common stock which amounted to $20 million in the aggregate. The dividend was payable to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 6, 2023 and was paid on March 16, 2023. On April 28, 2023, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.2825 per share of common stock which amounted to $20 million in the aggregate. The dividend was payable to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 1, 2023 and was paid on June 16, 2023.

Future cash dividends, and the establishment of record and payment dates, are subject to final determination by our Board of Directors each quarter after reviewing our financial performance and position. See Note 13 Subsequent Event for information on future cash dividends.

Warrants

In October 2020, we reserved an aggregate 4,384,182 shares of our common stock for warrants which are exercisable at $36 per share through October 26, 2024.

As of June 30, 2023, we had outstanding warrants exercisable into 4,295,157 shares of our common stock (subject to adjustments pursuant to the terms of the warrants). During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, we issued an insignificant amount of shares of our common stock in exchange for warrants.

See Part II, Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 11 Stockholders' Equity in our 2022 Annual Report for additional information on the terms of our warrants.

NOTE 9    EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) were calculated using the treasury stock method for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. Our restricted stock unit (RSU) and performance stock unit (PSU) awards are not considered participating securities since the dividend rights on unvested shares are forfeitable.

16


For basic EPS, the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding excludes shares underlying our equity-settled awards and warrants. For diluted EPS, the basic shares outstanding are adjusted by adding potential common shares, if dilutive.

The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted EPS, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022:

Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
2023202220232022
(in millions, except per-share amounts)
Numerator for Basic and Diluted EPS
Net income$97 $190 $398 $15 
Denominator for Basic EPS
Weighted-average shares69.7 76.7 70.5 77.6 
Potential Common Shares, if dilutive:
Warrants0.5 0.7 0.5 0.7 
Restricted Stock Units0.9 0.7 0.9 0.7 
Performance Stock Units0.8 0.7 0.8 0.6 
Denominator for Diluted EPS
Weighted-average shares71.9 78.8 72.7 79.6 
EPS
Basic $1.39 $2.48 $5.65 $0.19 
Diluted$1.35 $2.41 $5.47 $0.19 

NOTE 10    SUPPLEMENTAL ACCOUNT BALANCES

Revenues — We derive most of our revenue from sales of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs), with the remaining revenue primarily generated from sales of electricity and marketing activities related to storage and managing excess pipeline capacity.

The following table provides disaggregated revenue for sales of produced oil, natural gas and NGLs to customers:

Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
2023202220232022
(in millions)
Oil$362 $547 $752 $1,033 
Natural gas43 94 306 174 
NGLs42 77 104 139 
Oil, natural gas and NGL sales$447 $718 $1,162 $1,346 
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Inventories — Materials and supplies, which primarily consist of well equipment and tubular goods used in our oil and natural gas operations, are valued at weighted-average cost and are reviewed periodically for obsolescence. Finished goods include produced oil and NGLs in storage, which are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Inventories, by category, are as follows:
June 30,December 31,
20232022
(in millions)
Materials and supplies$65 $56 
Finished goods
Inventories$69 $60 

Other current assets, net — Other current assets, net include the following:
June 30,December 31,
20232022
(in millions)
Net amounts due from joint interest partners(a)
$32 $39 
Fair value of commodity derivative contracts37 39 
Prepaid expenses21 17 
Greenhouse gas allowances16 — 
Natural gas margin deposits16 
Income tax receivable10 
Other12 12 
Other current assets, net$125 $133 
(a)Included in the June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 net amounts due from joint interest partners are allowances of $1 million.

Other noncurrent assets — Other noncurrent assets include the following:
June 30,December 31,
20232022
(in millions)
Operating lease right-of-use assets$83 $73 
Deferred financing costs - Revolving Credit Facility12 
Emission reduction credits 11 11 
Prepaid power plant maintenance31 28 
Fair value of commodity derivative contracts17 
Deposits and other 12 15 
Other noncurrent assets$166 $140 

18


Accrued liabilities — Accrued liabilities include the following:
June 30,December 31,
20232022
(in millions)
Employee-related costs$65 $49 
Taxes other than on income31 32 
Asset retirement obligations72 59 
Interest19 19 
Operating lease liability16 18 
Premiums due on commodity derivative contracts35 58 
Liability for settlement payments on commodity derivative contracts15 33 
Amounts due under production-sharing contracts— 
Signal Hill maintenance11 
Other28 22 
 Accrued liabilities$299 $298 

Other long-term liabilities — Other long-term liabilities includes the following:

June 30,December 31,
20232022
(in millions)
Compensation-related liabilities$40 $36 
Postretirement benefit plan29 33 
Operating lease liability64 52 
Premiums due on commodity derivative contracts13 
Contingent liability (related to Carbon TerraVault JV put and call rights)50 48 
Other
Other long-term liabilities$204 $185 

General and administrative expenses — The table below shows G&A expenses for our exploration and production business (including unallocated corporate overhead and other) separately from our carbon management business. The amounts shown for our carbon management business are net of amounts invoiced under the MSA to the Carbon TerraVault JV. See Note 2 Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary and Related Party Transactions for more information on the Carbon TerraVault JV.

G&A expenses were $71 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, which was an increase of $15 million from $56 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022. G&A expenses were $136 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, which was an increase of $32 million from $104 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The increase in G&A expenses for the three and six month periods was primarily attributable to compensation-related expenses, including accelerated vesting for certain departing employees and stock-based compensation awards granted in 2023, and higher spending on information technology infrastructure.

Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
2023202220232022
(in millions)(in millions)
Exploration and production, corporate and other
$68 $52 $130 $99 
Carbon management business
Total general and administrative expenses$71 $56 $136 $104 

19


Other operating expenses, net — The table below shows other operating expenses, net for our exploration and production business (including unallocated corporate overhead and other) separately from our carbon management business. Carbon management expenses includes lease cost for carbon sequestration easements, advocacy, and other startup related costs.

Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
2023202220232022
(in millions)(in millions)
Exploration and production, corporate and other
$13 $$22 $23 
Carbon management business
— 12 — 
Total other operating expenses, net$21 $$34 $23 

NOTE 11    SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

We paid $51 million of U.S. federal and state income tax payments during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. We paid $20 million of U.S. federal income tax payments during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022. No state income tax payments were made in the three and six months ended June 30, 2022.

Interest paid, net of capitalized amounts, was insignificant for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and $22 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023. Interest paid, net of capitalized amounts, was insignificant for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and $22 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022.

Non-cash investing activities in the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 included $2 million and $4 million, respectively, related to our share of capital calls by the Carbon TerraVault JV. See Note 2 Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary and Related Party Transactions for more information on the Carbon TerraVault JV. Non-cash investing activities in the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 included $1 million of additional earn-out consideration related to our Ventura basin asset divestiture.

NOTE 12    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION

We have designated certain of our subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries under the indenture governing our Senior Notes (Senior Notes Indenture). Unrestricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Senior Notes Indenture) are subject to fewer restrictions under the Senior Notes Indenture. We are required under the Senior Notes indenture to present the financial condition and results of operations of CRC and its Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Senior Notes Indenture) separate from the financial condition and results of operations of its Unrestricted Subsidiaries. The following condensed consolidating balance sheets as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 and the condensed consolidating statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, as applicable, reflect the condensed consolidating financial information of our parent company, CRC (Parent), our combined Unrestricted Subsidiaries, our combined Restricted Subsidiaries and the elimination entries necessary to arrive at the information for the Company on a consolidated basis. The financial information may not necessarily be indicative of the financial condition and results of operations had the Unrestricted Subsidiaries operated as independent entities.

20


Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022

As of June 30, 2023
ParentCombined Unrestricted SubsidiariesCombined Restricted SubsidiariesEliminationsConsolidated
(in millions)
Total current assets
$467 $30 $370 $— $867 
Total property, plant and equipment, net
12 2,726 — 2,745 
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries2,736 (9)1,530 (4,257)— 
Deferred tax asset108 — — — 108 
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary— 14 — — 14 
Other assets14 42 110 — 166 
TOTAL ASSETS$3,337 $84 $4,736 $(4,257)$3,900 
Total current liabilities95 478 — $582 
Long-term debt593 — — — 593 
Asset retirement obligations— — 411 — 411 
Other long-term liabilities77 76 51 — 204 
Amounts due to (from) affiliates462 21 (483)— — 
Total equity2,110 (22)4,279 (4,257)2,110 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY$3,337 $84 $4,736 $(4,257)$3,900 
As of December 31, 2022
ParentCombined Unrestricted SubsidiariesCombined Restricted SubsidiariesEliminationsConsolidated
(in millions)
Total current assets
$329 $33 $502 $— $864 
Total property, plant and equipment, net
13 2,767 — 2,786 
Investments in consolidated subsidiaries2,096 — 1,512 (3,608)— 
Deferred tax asset164 — — — 164 
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary— 13 — — 13 
Other assets33 99 — 140 
TOTAL ASSETS$2,610 $85 $4,880 $(3,608)$3,967 
Total current liabilities76 811 — $894 
Long-term debt592 — — — 592 
Asset retirement obligations— — 432 — 432 
Other long-term liabilities78 67 40 — 185 
Total equity1,864 11 3,597 (3,608)1,864 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY$2,610 $85 $4,880 $(3,608)$3,967 

21


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022

Three months ended June 30, 2023
ParentCombined Unrestricted SubsidiariesCombined Restricted SubsidiariesEliminationsConsolidated
(in millions)
Total revenues
$$— $586 $— $591 
Total costs and other
62 11 371 — 444 
Non-operating (loss) income(11)(2)— (12)
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES(68)(13)216 — 135 
Income tax provision(38)— — — (38)
NET (LOSS) INCOME$(106)$(13)$216 $— $97 

Three months ended June 30, 2022
ParentCombined Unrestricted SubsidiariesCombined Restricted SubsidiariesEliminationsConsolidated
(in millions)
Total revenues
$— $— $747 $— $747 
Total costs and other
43 425 — 473 
Gain on asset divestitures— — — 
Non-operating (loss) income(13)— — (12)
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES(56)(5)327 — 266 
Income tax provision(76)— — — (76)
NET (LOSS) INCOME$(132)$(5)$327 $— $190 

Six months ended June 30, 2023
ParentCombined Unrestricted SubsidiariesCombined Restricted SubsidiariesEliminationsConsolidated
(in millions)
Total revenues
$$— $1,606 $— $1,615 
Total costs and other
112 19 951 — 1,082 
Gain on asset divestitures— — — 
Non-operating (loss) income(27)(5)— (29)
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES(130)(24)665 — 511 
Income tax provision(113)— — — (113)
NET (LOSS) INCOME$(243)$(24)$665 $— $398 
22


Six months ended June 30, 2022
ParentCombined Unrestricted SubsidiariesCombined Restricted SubsidiariesEliminationsConsolidated
(in millions)
Total revenues
$— $— $900 $— $900 
Total costs and other
81 781 — 869 
Gain on asset divestitures— — 58 — 58 
Non-operating (loss) income(27)— — (24)
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES(108)(7)180 — 65 
Income tax provision(50)— — — (50)
NET (LOSS) INCOME$(158)$(7)$180 $— $15 

NOTE 13    SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On July 28, 2023, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.2825 per share of common stock. The dividend is payable to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 1, 2023 and is expected to be paid on September 15, 2023.

23


Item 2Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

General

We are an independent energy and carbon management company committed to energy transition. We produce some of the lowest carbon intensity oil in the United States according to a joint report by Ceres and the Clean Air Task Force and we are focused on maximizing the value of our land, minerals and technical resources for decarbonization efforts. We are in the early stages of developing several carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects and other emissions reducing projects in California. We intend to pursue some or all of these projects through our Carbon TerraVault JV that we formed with BGTF Sierra Aggregator LLC (Brookfield). While all of these projects are in early stages, we expect that the size and scope of our projects providing these and similar services and capital spent on such projects will continue to grow given our strategy of expansion into carbon management. For more information about the risks involved in our carbon capture projects, see Part I, Item 1A – Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (2022 Annual Report) and for more information on the Carbon TerraVault JV, see Part I, Item 1 – Financial Statements, Note 2 Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary and Related Party Transactions.

Except when the context otherwise requires or where otherwise indicated, all references to ‘‘CRC,’’ the ‘‘Company,’’ ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer to California Resources Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Business Environment and Industry Outlook
 
Commodity Prices

Our operating results and those of the oil and natural gas industry as a whole are heavily influenced by commodity prices. Oil and natural gas prices and differentials may fluctuate significantly as a result of numerous market-related variables. These and other factors make it impossible to predict realized prices reliably. We may respond to economic conditions by adjusting the amount and allocation of our capital program while continuing to identify efficiencies and cost savings. Volatility in oil prices may materially affect the quantities of oil and natural gas reserves we can economically produce over the longer term.

Global oil prices declined slightly in the three months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023 as global demand for oil remained generally flat. The decrease in natural gas index prices during the three months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023 occurred as North American natural gas production and storage inventories remained relatively high in the second quarter. Refer to Prices and Realizations below for additional information our realized prices.

The following table presents the average daily benchmark prices for oil and natural gas during the periods presented:
Three months endedSix months ended
June 30, 2023March 31, 2023June 30, 2023June 30, 2022
Brent oil ($/Bbl)$78.01 $82.22 $80.12 $104.59 
WTI oil ($/Bbl)$73.78 $76.13 $74.95 $101.35 
NYMEX Henry Hub ($/MMBtu) Average Monthly Settled Price$2.10 $3.42 $2.76 $6.06 

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Regulatory Updates

CalGEM is California's primary regulator of the oil and natural gas production industry on private and state lands, with additional oversight from the State Lands Commission’s administration of state surface and mineral interests. From time to time we have experienced significant delays with respect to obtaining drilling permits from CalGEM for our operations. A variety of factors outside of our control can lead to such delays. Since December 2022, CalGEM has issued a limited number of permits for new production wells in California, and those permits were issued to other operators. We continue to receive permits from CalGEM for workovers, deepenings, sidetracks and plugging and abandonment operations. For more information, see Part I, Item 1 & 2 – Business and Properties, Regulation of the Industries in Which We Operate in our 2022 Annual Report.

Our operations in the Wilmington Oil Field utilize injection wells to reinject produced water pursuant to waterflooding plans. These operations are subject to regulation by the City of Long Beach and CalGEM. We are currently in discussions with the City of Long Beach and CalGEM with respect to what injection well pressure gradient complies with CalGEM’s regulatory requirements for the protection of underground sources of drinking water, while at the same time mitigating subsidence risks. CalGEM's local office has preliminarily indicated that the injection well pressure gradient should be reduced from the gradient that has been used for several decades. As part of our ongoing discussions, we and the City of Long Beach have provided CalGEM with technical information regarding how the historical injection well pressure gradient complies with CalGEM's requirements, as well as the Clean Water Act, and to inform them of the absence of risk of leakage from the injection zone. CalGEM has proposed a meeting for CRC and the City of Long Beach to present their technical findings in more detail, to occur in or around August 2023. As part of that meeting, and subject to its outcome, CalGEM has also proposed that CRC and the City of Long Beach present a work plan for the reduction of injection pressures over a six-month period to levels acceptable to CalGEM. We are in the process of preparing a response and continue to believe that existing injection pressures address subsidence risks and are protective of underground sources of drinking water. If CalGEM were to ultimately disagree and determine to reduce the injection well pressure gradient, and we were unable to reverse that decision on appeal or other legal challenge, we expect any material reduction in injection well pressure gradient for our operations in the Wilmington Oil Field would result in a decrease in production and reserves from the field. For additional information, see Part I, Item 1 & 2 – Business and Properties, Regulation of the Industries in Which We Operate, Regulation of Exploration and Production Activities and the Risk factor entitled "Our business is highly regulated and government authorities can delay or deny permits and approvals or change requirements governing our operations, including hydraulic fracturing and other well stimulation methods, enhanced production techniques and fluid injection or disposal, that could increase costs, restrict operations and change or delay the implementation of our business plans" in our 2022 Annual Report.

Supply Chain Constraints and Inflation

In 2023, we have experienced relatively flat pricing compared to 2022. Labor costs and national electricity prices have risen which has partially negated the benefits of supply chains opening up in 2023. Further, we have been unable to obtain price reductions from our vendors for certain purchased goods, including OCTG, wellbore tubulars and chemicals. These categories have raw material inputs such as steel and diesel fuel which have experienced intermediate price spikes throughout the first half of 2023 preventing our vendors from offering price reductions for these items.

We have taken measures to limit the effects of inflation by entering into contracts for materials and services with terms of one to three years. For contracts that we anticipate renegotiating in the second half of 2023, we expect moderate price increases for certain purchased goods and services. We also continue to look at ways to improve productivity and performance from our workforce and our vendors.

25


Production

The following table sets forth our average net production of oil, NGLs and natural gas per day in each of the California oil and natural gas basins in which we operated for the periods presented.
Three months endedSix months ended
June 30, 2023March 31, 2023June 30, 2023June 30, 2022
Oil (MBbl/d)
      San Joaquin Basin34 35 35 38 
      Los Angeles Basin19 20 19 17 
          Total53 55 54 55 
NGLs (MBbl/d)
      San Joaquin Basin11 11 11 11 
          Total11 11 11 11 
Natural gas (MMcf/d)
      San Joaquin Basin119 119 119 127 
      Los Angeles Basin
      Sacramento Basin15 16 16 18 
          Total135 136 136 146 
Total Net Production (MBoe/d)86 89 88 90 

Total daily net production for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023 decreased by 3 MBoe/d largely due to natural decline and changes in NGL storage volumes. This decrease was partially offset by increased production from drilling and workover activity. Our production-sharing contracts (PSCs), which are described below, negatively impacted our net oil production by 1 MBoe/d in the three months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023.

Total daily net production for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared to the same prior year period decreased by 2 MBoe/d largely due to natural decline partially offset by increased production from drilling and workover activity. Our PSCs positively impacted our production by 2 MBoe/d in the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the same prior year period.

The following table reconciles our average net production to our average gross production (which includes production from the fields we operate and our share of production from fields operated by others) for the periods presented:

Three months endedSix months ended
June 30, 2023March 31, 2023June 30, 2023June 30, 2022
(MBoe/d)
Total Net Production86898890
Partners' share under PSC-type contracts7667
Working interest and royalty holders' share8788
Changes in NGL inventory and other2111
Total Gross Production103103103106

26


Production-Sharing Contracts (PSCs)

Our share of production and reserves from operations in the Wilmington field in the Los Angeles basin is subject to contractual arrangements similar to production-sharing contracts (PSCs) that are in effect through the economic life of the assets. The reporting of our PSC-type contracts creates a difference between reported operating costs, which are for the full field, and reported volumes, which are only our net share, inflating the per barrel operating costs. Operating costs, excluding effects of PSC-type contracts is a non-GAAP measure which adjusts for excess costs attributable to PSC-type contracts for the periods presented in the tables below:

Three months ended
June 30, 2023March 31, 2023
(in millions)($ per Boe)(in millions)($ per Boe)
Operating costs$186 $23.71 $254 $31.61 
Excess costs attributable to PSC-type contracts(17)$(2.15)(18)$(2.23)
Operating costs, excluding effects of PSC-type contracts$169 $21.56 $236 $29.38 

Six months ended
June 30, 2023June 30, 2022
(in millions)($ per Boe)(in millions)($ per Boe)
Operating costs$440 $27.71 $372 $22.90 
Excess costs attributable to PSC-type contracts(35)$(2.19)(40)$(2.45)
Operating costs, excluding effects of PSC-type contracts$405 $25.52 $332 $20.45 

For further information on our production-sharing contracts, see Part I, Item 1 & 2 Business and Properties, Oil and Natural Gas Operations, Production, Price and Cost History in our 2022 Annual Report.

27


Prices and Realizations

The following tables set forth the average realized prices and price realizations as a percentage of average Brent, WTI and NYMEX indexes for our products for the periods presented:
Three months ended
June 30, 2023March 31, 2023
PriceRealizationPriceRealization
Oil ($ per Bbl)
Brent$78.01 $82.22 
Realized price without derivative settlements$75.77 97%$78.68 96%
Derivative settlements(12.11)(15.64)
Realized price with derivative settlements$63.66 82%$63.04 77%
WTI$73.78 $76.13 
Realized price without derivative settlements$75.77 103%$78.68 103%
Realized price with derivative settlements$63.66 86%$63.04 83%
NGLs ($ per Bbl)
Realized price (% of Brent)$42.48 54%$58.88 72%
Realized price (% of WTI)$42.48 58%$58.88 77%
Natural gas
NYMEX Henry Hub ($/MMBtu) - Average Monthly Settled Price$2.10 $3.42 
Realized price without derivative settlements ($/Mcf)$3.46 165%$21.56 630%
Derivative settlements— — 
Realized price with derivative settlements ($/Mcf)$3.46 165%$21.56 630%

28


Six months ended
June 30, 2023June 30, 2022
PriceRealizationPriceRealization
Oil ($ per Bbl)
Brent$80.12 $104.59 
Realized price without derivative settlements$77.25 96%$104.07 100%
Derivative settlements(13.90)(42.36)
Realized price with derivative settlements$63.35 79%$61.71 59%
WTI$74.95 $101.35 
Realized price without derivative settlements$77.25 103%$104.07 103%
Realized price with derivative settlements$63.35 85%$61.71 61%
NGLs ($ per Bbl)
Realized price (% of Brent)$50.88 64%$72.57 69%
Realized price (% of WTI)$50.88 68%$72.57 72%
Natural gas
NYMEX Henry Hub ($/MMBtu) - Average Monthly Settled Price$2.76 $6.06 
Realized price without derivative settlements ($/Mcf)$12.44 451%$6.58 109%
Derivative settlements— (0.07)
Realized price with derivative settlements ($/Mcf)$12.44 451%$6.51 107%

Oil — Brent prices decreased slightly for the three months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023 as global demand for crude remained generally flat. Oil prices in the six months ended June 30, 2023 were lower than the same prior year period in 2022 as global energy inventories (including crude, refined products and natural gas) stabilized and as Russian crude and refined products continue to reach markets.

NGLs — NGL prices for the three months ended June 30, 2023 decreased compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023 reflecting traditional seasonality in NGL pricing, as well as higher than normal levels of inventory for this time of year. NGL prices for the six months ended June 30, 2023 decreased compared to the same prior year period as prices for competing and complementary products (natural gas, crude oil) have declined. For both periods, California remained a premium market compared to other North American locations.

Natural Gas — Our realized price for natural gas decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023 as weather across the West Coast of the United States during the quarter remained moderate and as California storage inventories rebounded from historically low levels. Natural gas prices in the six months ended June 30, 2023 were higher than the same period in 2022 reflecting the unprecedented pricing experienced in California natural gas markets during the first quarter of 2023.

29


Statements of Operations Analysis

Results of Oil and Gas Operations

The following table includes key operating data for our oil and gas operations, excluding certain corporate expenses, on a per Boe basis for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and March 31, 2023 and the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. Energy operating costs consist of purchased natural gas used to generate electricity for our operations and steam for our steamfloods, purchased electricity and internal costs to generate electricity used in our operations. Gas processing costs include costs associated with compression, maintenance and other activities needed to run our gas processing facilities at Elk Hills. Non-energy operating costs equal total operating costs less energy operating costs and gas processing costs. Purchased natural gas used to generate steam in our steamfloods was reclassified from non-energy operating costs to energy operating costs beginning in the third quarter of 2022. All prior periods have been updated to conform to this presentation.

Three months endedSix months ended
June 30, 2023March 31, 2023June 30, 2023June 30, 2022
($ per Boe)
Energy operating costs$7.39 $15.56 $11.52 $9.24 
Gas processing costs$0.64 $0.62 $0.63 $0.55 
Non-energy operating costs$15.68 $15.43 $15.56 $13.11 
Operating costs$23.71 $31.61 $27.71 $22.90 
Field general and administrative expenses(a)
$1.40 $1.49 $1.45 $0.92 
Field depreciation, depletion and amortization(b)
$6.50 $6.72 $6.61 $5.29 
Field taxes other than on income$3.70 $3.73 $3.72 $3.20 
a.Excludes unallocated general and administrative expenses.
b.Excludes depreciation, depletion and amortization related to our corporate assets and our Elk Hills power plant.

Operating costs decreased during the three months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily due to lower energy operating costs as natural gas prices in California markets declined between quarters. Operating costs were higher in the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the same prior year period primarily due to increased energy operating costs as natural gas prices in California experienced unprecedented highs during the first quarter of 2023. Lower production volumes also contributed to the increase on a per Boe basis.

Field depreciation, depletion and amortization decreased slightly during the three months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023 due to lower production volumes. Field depreciation, depletion and amortization increased during the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the same prior year period primarily due to a change in our depreciation, depletion and amortization rates which are periodically adjusted to reflect current reserve estimates. This increase was partially offset by lower production volumes in the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2022. Lower production volumes also contributed to the increase on a per Boe basis.

Consolidated Results of Operations

For financial information related to our subsidiaries designated as Unrestricted Subsidiaries under the Senior Notes Indenture, see Part I, Item 1 – Financial Statements, Note 12 Condensed Consolidated Financial Information.
30



Three months ended June 30, 2023 compared to March 31, 2023

The following table presents our operating revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and March 31, 2023:
Three months ended
June 30, 2023March 31, 2023
(in millions)
Oil, natural gas and NGL sales$447 $715 
Net gain from commodity derivatives31 42 
Sales of purchased natural gas72 184 
Electricity sales34 68 
Other revenue15 
Total operating revenues$591 $1,024 

Oil, natural gas and NGL sales — Oil, natural gas and NGL sales, excluding the effects of cash settlements on our commodity derivative contracts, were $447 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, which is a decrease of $268 million compared to $715 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. This decrease was primarily due to lower realized prices for the second quarter of 2023 as shown in the table below.
OilNGLsNatural GasTotal
(in millions)
Three months ended March 31, 2023$390 $62 $263 $715 
Changes in realized prices(15)(18)(221)(254)
Changes in production(13)(2)(14)
Three months ended June 30, 2023$362 $42 $43 $447 
Note: See Production for volumes by commodity type and Prices and Realizations for index and realized prices for comparative periods.

The effect of cash settlements on our commodity derivative contracts is not included in the table above. Payments on commodity derivatives were $63 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023 compared to $65 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Including the effect of settlement payments for commodity derivatives, our oil, natural gas and NGL sales decreased by $266 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023.

Net gain from commodity derivatives — Net gain from commodity derivatives was $31 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023 compared to $42 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The change primarily resulted from non-cash changes in the fair value of our outstanding commodity derivatives from the positions held at the end of each measurement period as well as the relationship between contract prices and the associated forward curves:
Three months ended
June 30, 2023March 31, 2023
(in millions)
Non-cash commodity derivative gain $94 $107 
Net cash payments on settled commodity derivatives(63)(65)
     Net gain from commodity derivatives$31 $42 

Sales of purchased natural gas — Sales of purchased natural gas relates to natural gas acquired from third parties which is subsequently sold in connection with certain of our marketing activities. Sales of purchased natural gas were $72 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, a decrease of $112 million from $184 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily the result of lower market prices for natural gas. Our natural gas sales net of related purchased natural gas expense were $45 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023 compared to $60 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

31


Electricity sales — Electricity sales decreased by $34 million to $34 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023 compared to $68 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 predominately due to higher power prices during the first quarter of 2023.

The following table presents our operating and non-operating expenses and income for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and March 31, 2023:

Three months ended
June 30, 2023March 31, 2023
(in millions)
Operating expenses
Energy operating costs$58 $125 
Gas processing costs
Non-energy operating costs123 124 
General and administrative expenses71 65 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization56 58 
Asset impairment— 
Taxes other than on income42 42 
Exploration expense
Purchased natural gas expense27 124 
Electricity generation expenses13 49 
Transportation costs16 17 
Accretion expense11 12 
Other operating expenses, net21 13 
Total operating expenses444 638 
Gain on asset divestitures— 
Operating income 147 393 
Non-operating (expenses) income
Interest and debt expense(14)(14)
Loss from investment in unconsolidated subsidiary(1)(2)
Other non-operating (expense) income(1)
Income before income taxes135 376 
Income tax provision(38)(75)
Net income $97 $301 

Energy operating costs — Energy operating costs for the three months ended June 30, 2023 were $58 million, which was a decrease of $67 million from $125 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. This decrease was a result of lower natural gas prices in the second quarter of 2023. For more information on our natural gas market prices, see Prices and Realizations above.

Non-energy operating costs — Non-energy operating costs includes $3 million and $1 million of stock-based compensation expense related to our cash-settled awards for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively. See General and administrative expenses below for additional information on our stock-based compensation awards.

32


General and administrative expenses — General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $71 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, which was an increase of $6 million from $65 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in G&A expenses was primarily attributable to compensation-related expenses including accelerated vesting for certain departing employees and new stock-based compensation awards granted. Stock-based compensation awards are discussed further below.

The table below shows G&A expenses for our exploration and production business (including unallocated corporate overhead and other) separately from our carbon management business. The amounts shown for our carbon management business do not include expenses borne by the Carbon TerraVault JV.

Three months ended
June 30, 2023March 31, 2023
(in millions)
Exploration and production, corporate and other
$68 $62 
Carbon management business
Total general and administrative expenses$71 $65 

Awards are granted under our stock-based compensation plans to executives, non-executive employees and non-employee directors that are either settled with shares of our common stock or cash. Our equity-settled awards granted to executives include performance stock units and restricted stock units that either cliff vest at the end of a two- or three-year period or vest ratably over a two- or three-year period. Our equity-settled awards granted to non-employee directors are restricted stock units that vest ratably over a three-year period. Our cash-settled awards granted to non-executive employees vest ratably over a three-year period.

Changes in our stock price introduce volatility in our results of operations because we pay half of our cash-settled awards based on our stock price performance and we adjust our obligation for unvested cash-settled awards at the end of each reporting period. Equity-settled awards are not similarly adjusted for changes in our stock price.

Stock-based compensation included in G&A expense is shown in the table below:

Three months ended
June 30, 2023March 31, 2023
(in millions)
Cash-settled awards
$$
Stock-settled awards
Total included in general and administrative expenses$13 $

Purchased natural gas expense — Purchased natural gas expense relates to natural gas acquired from third parties in connection with certain of our marketing activities. We purchased $27 million of natural gas for marketing activities during the three months ended June 30, 2023, which was a decrease of $97 million from $124 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease was predominantly the result of a decline in marketing activity and lower market prices in the three months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023. For more information on our natural gas market prices, see Prices and Realizations above.

Electricity generation expenses — Electricity generation expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2023 were $13 million, which was a decrease of $36 million from $49 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. This decrease was primarily due to lower prices for natural gas.

Income taxes – The income tax provision for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was $38 million (effective tax rate of 28%), compared to $75 million (effective tax rate of 20%) for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Excluding the effect of the change in valuation allowance, our effective tax rate would have been 28% in the three months ended March 31, 2023. See Part I, Item 1 – Financial Statements, Note 6 Income Taxes for more information on a valuation allowance related to our Lost Hills divestiture.
33



Six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to June 30, 2022

The following table presents our operating revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022:
Six months ended
June 30, 2023June 30, 2022
(in millions)
Oil, natural gas and NGL sales$1,162 $1,346 
Net gain (loss) from commodity derivatives73 (662)
Sales of purchased natural gas256 107 
Electricity sales102 83 
Other revenue22 26 
Total operating revenues$1,615 $900 

Oil, natural gas and NGL sales — Oil, natural gas and NGL sales, excluding the effects of cash settlements on our commodity derivative contracts, were $1,162 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, which is a decrease of $184 million compared to $1,346 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. This decrease was primarily due to changes in realized prices as shown in the table below, including lower realized prices for oil and NGLs partially offset by higher realized prices for natural gas.
OilNGLsNatural GasTotal
(in millions)
Six months ended June 30, 2022$1,033 $139 $174 $1,346 
Changes in realized prices(266)(42)155 (153)
Changes in production(15)(23)(31)
Six months ended June 30, 2023$752 $104 $306 $1,162 
Note: See Production for volumes by commodity type and Prices and Realizations for index and realized prices for comparative periods.

The effect of cash settlements on our commodity derivative contracts is not included in the table above. Payments on commodity derivatives were $128 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to payments of $422 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Including the effect of settlement payments for commodity derivatives, our oil, natural gas and NGL sales increased by $110 million compared to the six months ended June 30, 2022.

Net gain (loss) from commodity derivatives — Net gain from commodity derivatives was $73 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to a net loss of $662 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The change primarily resulted from non-cash changes in the fair value of our outstanding commodity derivatives from the positions held at the end of each measurement period as well as the relationship between contract prices and the associated forward curves:
Six months ended
June 30, 2023June 30, 2022
(in millions)
Non-cash commodity derivative gain (loss)$201 $(240)
Net cash payments on settled commodity derivatives(128)(422)
     Net gain (loss) from commodity derivatives$73 $(662)

Sales of purchased natural gas — Sales of purchased natural gas relates to natural gas acquired from third parties which is subsequently sold in connection with certain of our marketing activities. Sales of purchased natural gas were $256 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, an increase of $149 million from $107 million during the six months ended June 30, 2022. The increase was primarily the result of higher marketing activity and higher market prices in 2023. Our natural gas sales net of related purchased natural gas expense were $105 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to $19 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022.

34


Electricity sales — Electricity sales increased by $19 million to $102 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to $83 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The increase was predominately a result of higher power prices in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the prior year. Our electricity sales net of electricity generation expenses were $40 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to $26 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022.

The following table presents our operating and non-operating expenses and income for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022:

Six months ended
June 30, 2023June 30, 2022
(in millions)
Operating expenses
Energy operating costs$183 $150 
Gas processing costs10 
Non-energy operating costs247 213 
General and administrative expenses136 104 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization114 99 
Asset impairment
Taxes other than on income84 76 
Exploration expense
Purchased natural gas expense151 88 
Electricity generation expenses62 57 
Transportation costs33 24 
Accretion expense23 22 
Other operating expenses, net34 23 
Total operating expenses1,082 869 
Gain (loss) on asset divestitures58 
Operating income 540 89 
Non-operating (expenses) income
Interest and debt expense(28)(26)
Loss from investment in unconsolidated subsidiary(3)— 
Other non-operating (expense) income
Income before income taxes511 65 
Income tax provision(113)(50)
Net income $398 $15 

Energy operating costs — Energy operating costs for the six months ended June 30, 2023 were $183 million, which was an increase of $33 million from $150 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. This increase was a result of higher prices in the first six months of 2023 compared to the same prior year period. For more information on our natural gas market prices, see Prices and Realizations above.

Non-energy operating costs — Non-energy operating costs were $247 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, which was an increase of $34 million from $213 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The increase was predominately a result of higher downhole maintenance activity. Non-energy operating costs also includes $4 million and $2 million of stock-based compensation expense related to our cash-settled awards for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. See General and administrative expenses below for additional information on our stock-based compensation awards.
35


General and administrative expenses — General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $136 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, which was an increase of $32 million from $104 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The increase in G&A expenses was primarily attributable to compensation-related expenses, including stock-based compensation awards granted in 2023, and higher spending on information technology infrastructure. Stock-based compensation awards are discussed further below.

The table below shows G&A expenses for our exploration and production business (in addition to unallocated corporate overhead and other) separately from our carbon management business. The amounts shown for our carbon management business do not include expenses borne by the Carbon TerraVault JV.

Six months ended
June 30, 2023June 30, 2022
(in millions)
Exploration and production, corporate and other
$130 $99 
Carbon management business
Total general and administrative expenses$136 $104 

Awards are granted under our stock-based compensation plans to executives, non-executive employees and non-employee directors that are either settled with shares of our common stock or cash. Our equity-settled awards granted to executives include performance stock units and restricted stock units that either cliff vest at the end of a two- or three-year period or vest ratably over a two- or three-year period. Our equity-settled awards granted to non-employee directors are restricted stock units that vest ratably over a three-year period. Our cash-settled awards granted to non-executive employees vest ratably over a three-year period.

Changes in our stock price introduce volatility in our results of operations because we pay half of our cash-settled awards based on our stock price performance and we adjust our obligation for unvested cash-settled awards at the end of each reporting period. Equity-settled awards are not similarly adjusted for changes in our stock price.

Stock-based compensation included in G&A expense is shown in the table below:

Six months ended
June 30, 2023June 30, 2022
(in millions)
Cash-settled awards
$$
Stock-settled awards
14 
Total included in general and administrative expenses$22 $12 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization — Depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) increased $15 million to $114 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 from $99 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The increase was primarily due to a change in our DD&A rates which are periodically adjusted to reflect current reserve estimates.

Purchased natural gas expense — Purchased natural gas expense relates to natural gas acquired from third parties in connection with certain of our marketing activities. We purchased $151 million of natural gas for marketing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2023, which was an increase of $63 million from $88 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The increase was predominantly the result of higher marketing activity levels and higher market prices in the six months ended June 30, 2023 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2022. For more information on our natural gas market prices, see Prices and Realizations above.

Income taxes – The income tax provision for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $113 million (effective tax rate of 22%), compared to $50 million (effective tax rate of 77%) for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The income tax provision for the six months ended June 30, 2022 included a valuation allowance related to our Lost Hills divestiture that was released in the six months ended June 30, 2023. See Part I, Item 1 – Financial Statements, Note 6 Income Taxes for more information on a valuation allowance related to our Lost Hills divestiture.

36


Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Liquidity

Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash flows from operations, cash and cash equivalents and available borrowing capacity under our Revolving Credit Facility. We consider our low leverage and ability to control costs to be a core strength and strategic advantage, which we are focused on maintaining. Our primary uses of operating cash flow for the six months ended June 30, 2023 were for capital investments, repurchases of our common stock and dividends.

The following table summarizes our liquidity:
June 30, 2023
(in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents$448 
Revolving Credit Facility:
Borrowing capacity627 
Outstanding letters of credit(148)
Availability$479 
Liquidity$927 

In April 2023 we amended our Revolving Credit Facility and our borrowing base was reaffirmed at $1.2 billion. See Part I, Item 1 – Financial Statements, Note 3 Debt for more information on the amendment to our Revolving Credit Facility.

At current commodity prices and based upon our planned 2023 capital program described below, we expect to generate operating cash flow to support and invest in our core assets and preserve financial flexibility. We regularly review our financial position and evaluate whether to (i) adjust our drilling program, (ii) return available cash to shareholders through dividends or stock buybacks to the extent permitted under our Revolving Credit Facility and Senior Notes indenture, (iii) repurchase outstanding indebtedness, (iv) advance carbon management activities, or (v) maintain cash and cash equivalents on our balance sheet. We believe we have sufficient sources of liquidity to meet our obligations for the next twelve months.

Cash Flow Analysis

Cash flows from operating activities — For the six months ended June 30, 2023, our operating cash flow increased $77 million, to $418 million from $341 million in the same period in 2022. The increases in operating cash flow for the six months ended June 30, 2023 primarily relates to higher average realized natural gas prices (increasing sales revenue from the natural gas we produce and margins on our marketing and trading activities) in 2023 compared to the same prior-year period. This increase was partially offset by lower production volumes in 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022. The increase in our revenue was partially offset by an increase in operating costs primarily related to higher prices for purchased natural gas and electricity used in our operations.

Cash flows used in investing activities — The following table provides a comparative summary of net cash used in investing activities:

Six months ended
June 30,
20232022
(in millions)
Capital investments$(86)$(197)
Changes in accrued capital investments(15)
Proceeds from divestitures, net— 76 
Acquisitions(1)(17)
Other, net(3)— 
Net cash used in investing activities$(105)$(129)

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Cash flows used in financing activities — The following table provides a comparative summary of net cash used in financing activities:

Six months ended
June 30,
20232022
(in millions)
Repurchases of common stock$(123)$(167)
Common stock dividends(40)(26)
Issuance of common stock$— 
Debt amendment costs(8)$— 
Shares cancelled for taxes(2)$— 
Net cash used in financing activities$(172)$(193)

2023 Capital Program

Our capital program is dynamic in response to commodity price volatility while focusing on oil production and maximizing our free cash flow. We expect our 2023 capital program to range between $200 and $245 million under current conditions with heavier weighting in the second half of the year due to timing of projects and higher expected workover activity and facilities projects. We expect our capital program related to oil and natural gas development to continue to be focused primarily on executing projects using existing permits outside of Kern County.

The amounts in the table below reflect components of our capital investment for the periods indicated, excluding changes in capital investment accruals:

2023 Full Year EstimateSix months ended June 30, 2023
(in millions)
Oil and natural gas operations$165 - $195$75 
Carbon management business5 - 15
Corporate and other30 - 3510 
Total Capital$200 - $245$86 

We recently amended and extended our Revolving Credit Facility as described in Part I, Item 1 – Financial Statements, Note 3 Debt, and continue to evaluate refinancing options for our Senior Notes. We also intend to pursue financing options for our carbon management business that are separate from the rest of our business.

Derivatives

Significant changes in oil and natural gas prices may have a material impact on our liquidity. Declining commodity prices negatively affect our operating cash flow, and the inverse applies during periods of rising commodity prices. Our hedging strategy seeks to mitigate our exposure to commodity price volatility and ensure our financial strength and liquidity by protecting our cash flows. We will continue to evaluate our hedging strategy based on prevailing market prices and conditions.

Unless otherwise indicated, we use the term “hedge” to describe derivative instruments that are designed to achieve our hedging requirements and program goals, even though they are not accounted for as cash-flow or fair-value hedges. We did not have any commodity derivatives designated as accounting hedges as of and during the three months ended June 30, 2023. See Part I, Item 1 – Financial Statements, Note 5 Derivatives for further information on our derivatives and a summary of our open derivative contracts as of June 30, 2023 and Part II, Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 4 Debt in our 2022 Annual Report for information on the hedging requirements included in our Revolving Credit Facility.

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Dividends

On April 28, 2023, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.2825 per share of common stock. The dividend was payable to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 1, 2023 and was paid on June 16, 2023.

On July 28, 2023, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.2825 per share of common stock. The dividend is payable to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 1, 2023 and is expected to be paid on September 15, 2023.

The declaration of future cash dividends, and the establishment of record and payment dates, is subject to final determination by our Board of Directors each quarter after reviewing our financial performance and position. For information regarding past dividends paid, see Cash Flow Analysis, Cash Flow Used in Financing Activities above.

Share Repurchase Program

Our Board of Directors has authorized a Share Repurchase Program to acquire up to $1.1 billion of our common stock through June 30, 2024. The repurchases may be effected from time-to-time through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, Rule 10b5-1 plans, accelerated stock repurchases, derivative contracts or otherwise in compliance with Rule 10b-18, subject to market conditions and contractual limitations in our debt agreements. The Share Repurchase Program does not obligate us to repurchase any dollar amount or number of shares and our Board of Directors may modify, suspend, or discontinue authorization of the program at any time. The total value of shares that may yet be purchased under the Share Repurchase Program totaled $517
million, excluding commissions and excise taxes on repurchases, as of June 30, 2023. The following is a summary of our share repurchases, held as treasury stock for the periods presented:

Total Number of Shares PurchasedTotal Value of Shares PurchasedAverage Price Paid per Share
(number of shares)(in millions)($ per share)
Three months ended June 30, 20222,255,445 $96 $42.57 
Three months ended June 30, 20231,618,746 $64 $39.12 
Six months ended June 30, 20223,923,901 $167 $42.55 
Six months ended June 30, 20233,042,510 $123 $40.12 
Inception of Program (May 2021) through June 30, 202314,498,770 $584 $40.18 
Note: The total value of shares purchased includes approximately $1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2023 related to excise taxes on share repurchases, which was effective beginning in 2023. Commissions paid were not significant in all periods presented.

Divestitures and Acquisitions

See Part I, Item 1 – Financial Statements, Note 7 Divestitures and Acquisitions for information on our transactions during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.

Lawsuits, Claims, Commitments and Contingencies

We are involved, in the normal course of business, in lawsuits, environmental and other claims and other contingencies that seek, among other things, compensation for alleged personal injury, breach of contract, property damage or other losses, punitive damages, civil penalties, or injunctive or declaratory relief.

We accrue reserves for currently outstanding lawsuits, claims and proceedings when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the liability can be reasonably estimated. Reserve balances at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were not material to our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of such dates. We also evaluate the amount of reasonably possible losses that we could incur as a result of these matters. We believe that reasonably possible losses that we could incur in excess of reserves cannot be accurately determined.

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See Part I, Item 1 – Financial Statements, Note 4 Lawsuits, Claims, Commitments and Contingencies for further information.

Critical Accounting Estimates and Significant Accounting and Disclosure Changes

There have been no changes to our critical accounting estimates, which are summarized in Part II, Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Critical Accounting Estimates of our 2022 Annual Report.
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Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains statements that we believe to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than historical facts are forward-looking statements, and include statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy, projected revenues, earnings, costs, capital expenditures and plans and objectives of management for the future. Words such as "expect," “could,” “may,” "anticipate," "intend," "plan," “ability,” "believe," "seek," "see," "will," "would," “estimate,” “forecast,” "target," “guidance,” “outlook,” “opportunity” or “strategy” or similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such statements.

Although we believe the expectations and forecasts reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, they are inherently subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. No assurance can be given that such forward-looking statements will be correct or achieved or that the assumptions are accurate or will not change over time. Particular uncertainties that could cause our actual results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements include:

fluctuations in commodity prices, including supply and demand considerations for our products and services;
decisions as to production levels and/or pricing by OPEC or U.S. producers in future periods;
government policy, war and political conditions and events, including the war in Ukraine and oil sanctions on Russia, Iran and others;
regulatory actions and changes that affect the oil and gas industry generally and us in particular, including (1) the availability or timing of, or conditions imposed on, permits and approvals necessary for drilling or development activities or our carbon management business; (2) the management of energy, water, land, greenhouse gases (GHGs) or other emissions, (3) the protection of health, safety and the environment, or (4) the transportation, marketing and sale of our products;
the impact of inflation on future expenses and changes generally in the prices of goods and services;
changes in business strategy and our capital plan;
lower-than-expected production or higher-than-expected production decline rates;
changes to our estimates of reserves and related future cash flows, including changes arising from our inability to develop such reserves in a timely manner, and any inability to replace such reserves;
the recoverability of resources and unexpected geologic conditions;
general economic conditions and trends, including conditions in the worldwide financial, trade and credit markets;
production-sharing contracts' effects on production and operating costs;
the lack of available equipment, service or labor price inflation;
limitations on transportation or storage capacity and the need to shut-in wells;
any failure of risk management;
results from operations and competition in the industries in which we operate;
our ability to realize the anticipated benefits from prior or future efforts to reduce costs;
environmental risks and liability under federal, regional, state, provincial, tribal, local and international environmental laws and regulations (including remedial actions);
the creditworthiness and performance of our counterparties, including financial institutions, operating partners, CCS project participants and other parties;
reorganization or restructuring of our operations;
our ability to claim and utilize tax credits or other incentives in connection with our CCS projects;
our ability to realize the benefits contemplated by our energy transition strategies and initiatives, including CCS projects and other renewable energy efforts;
our ability to successfully identify, develop and finance carbon capture and storage projects and other renewable energy efforts, including those in connection with the Carbon TerraVault JV, and our ability to convert our CDMAs to definitive agreements and enter into other offtake agreements;
our ability to maximize the value of our carbon management business and operate it on a stand alone basis;
our ability to successfully develop infrastructure projects and enter into third party contracts on contemplated terms;
uncertainty around the accounting of emissions and our ability to successfully
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gather and verify emissions data and other environmental impacts;
changes to our dividend policy and share repurchase program, and our ability to declare future dividends or repurchase shares under our debt agreements;
limitations on our financial flexibility due to existing and future debt;
insufficient cash flow to fund our capital plan and other planned investments and return capital to shareholders;
changes in interest rates;
our access to and the terms of credit in commercial banking and capital markets, including our ability to refinance our debt or obtain separate financing for our carbon management business;
changes in state, federal or international tax rates, including our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards to reduce our income tax obligations;
effects of hedging transactions;
the effect of our stock price on costs associated with incentive compensation;
inability to enter into desirable transactions, including joint ventures, divestitures of oil and natural gas properties and real estate, and acquisitions, and our ability to achieve any expected synergies;
disruptions due to earthquakes, forest fires, floods, extreme weather events or other natural occurrences, accidents, mechanical failures, power outages, transportation or storage constraints, labor difficulties, cybersecurity breaches or attacks or other catastrophic events;
pandemics, epidemics, outbreaks, or other public health events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic; and
other factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A – Risk Factors in our 2022 Annual Report.



We caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this document, which speak only as of the filing date, and we undertake no obligation to update this information. This document may also contain information from third party sources. This data may involve a number of assumptions and limitations, and we have not independently verified them and do not warrant the accuracy or completeness of such third-party information.
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Item 3Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, there were no material changes to market risks from the information provided under Item 305 of Regulation S-K included under the caption Part II, Item 7A – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in the 2022 Annual Report.

Commodity Price Risk

Our financial results are sensitive to fluctuations in oil, NGL and natural gas prices. These commodity price changes also impact the volume changes under our PSC-type contracts. We maintain a commodity hedging program primarily focused on hedging crude oil sales to help protect our cash flows, margins and capital program from the volatility of crude oil prices. As of June 30, 2023, we had a net liability of $18 million for our commodity derivative positions which are carried at fair value. For more information on our derivative positions as of June 30, 2023, refer to Part I, Item 1 – Financial Statements, Note 5 Derivatives. We have price exposure for natural gas we purchase and use in our business. We used natural gas to generate electricity for our operations and higher natural gas prices will also result in an increase to our electricity costs.

Counterparty Credit Risk

Our credit risk relates primarily to trade receivables and derivative financial instruments. Credit exposure for each customer is monitored for outstanding balances and current activity. Counterparty credit limits have been established based upon the financial health of our counterparties, and these limits are actively monitored. In the event counterparty credit risk is heightened, we may request collateral and accelerate payment dates. Concentration of credit risk is regularly reviewed to ensure that counterparty credit risk is adequately diversified.

As of June 30, 2023, the majority of our credit exposure was with investment-grade counterparties. We believe exposure to counterparty credit-related losses related to our business at June 30, 2023 was not material and losses associated with counterparty credit risk have been insignificant for all periods presented.

Interest-Rate Risk

Changes in interest rate may affect the amount of interest we pay on our long-term debt. We had no variable-rate debt outstanding as of June 30, 2023. Our Senior Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 7.125% per annum.

Item 4 Controls and Procedures

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer supervised and participated in management's evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2023.
There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during the three months ended June 30, 2023 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

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PART II    OTHER INFORMATION
 

Item 1Legal Proceedings

For additional information regarding legal proceedings, see Item 1 Financial Statements, Note 4 Lawsuits, Claims, Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I of this Form 10-Q, Part I, Item 2 – Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Lawsuits, Claims, Commitments and Contingencies in this Form 10-Q, and Part I, Item 3, Legal Proceedings in our 2022 Annual Report.

Item 1A     Risk Factors

We are subject to various risks and uncertainties in the course of our business. A discussion of such risks and uncertainties may be found under the heading Risk Factors in our 2022 Annual Report and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Except as set forth below, there were no material changes to those risk factors during the three months ended June 30, 2023.

Our business is highly regulated and government authorities can delay or deny permits and approvals or change requirements governing our operations, including hydraulic fracturing and other well stimulation methods, enhanced production techniques and fluid injection or disposal, that could increase costs, restrict operations and change or delay the implementation of our business plans.

Our operations are subject to complex and stringent federal, state, local and other laws and regulations relating to the exploration and development of our properties, as well as the production, transportation, marketing and sale of our products.

To operate in compliance with these laws and regulations, we must obtain and maintain permits, approvals and certificates from federal, state and local government authorities for a variety of activities including siting, drilling, completion, stimulation, operation, inspection, maintenance, transportation, storage, marketing, site remediation, decommissioning, abandonment, protection of habitat and threatened or endangered species, air emissions, disposal of solid and hazardous waste, fluid injection and disposal and water consumption, recycling and reuse. For example, our operations in the Wilmington Oil Field utilize injection wells to reinject produced water pursuant to waterflooding plans. These operations are subject to regulation by both the City of Long Beach and CalGEM. We are currently in discussions with the City of Long Beach and CalGEM with respect to what injection well pressure gradient complies with CalGEM’s requirements for the protection of underground sources of drinking water while at the same time mitigating subsidence risks. CalGEM's local office has preliminarily indicated that the injection well pressure gradient should be reduced from the gradient that has been used for several decades. As part of our ongoing discussions, we and the City of Long Beach have provided CalGEM with technical information regarding how the historical injection well pressure gradient complies with CalGEM's requirements and to inform them of the absence of risk of leakage. CalGEM has proposed a meeting for CRC and the City of Long Beach to present their technical findings in more detail, to occur in or around August 2023. As part of that meeting, and subject to its outcome, CalGEM has also proposed that CRC and the City of Long Beach present a work plan for the reduction of injection pressures over a six-month period to levels acceptable to CalGEM. We are in the process of preparing a response and continue to believe that existing injection pressures address subsidence risks and are protective of underground sources of drinking water. If CalGEM were to ultimately disagree and determine to reduce the injection well pressure gradient, and we were unable to reverse that decision on appeal or other legal challenge, we expect that any material reduction in injection well pressure gradient for our operations in the Wilmington Oil Field would result in a decrease in production and reserves from the field.

Failure to comply may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and/or criminal fines and penalties, liability for noncompliance, costs of corrective action, cleanup or restoration, compensation for personal injury, property damage or other losses, and the imposition of injunctive or declaratory relief restricting or prohibiting certain operations or our access to property, water, minerals or other necessary resources, and may otherwise delay or restrict our operations and cause us to incur substantial costs. Under certain environmental laws and regulations, we could be subject to strict or joint and several liability for the removal or remediation of contamination, including on properties over which we and our predecessors had no control, without regard to fault, legality of the original activities, or ownership or control by third parties.

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Our ability to timely obtain and maintain permits for our operations, including from CalGEM, has from time to time been subject to significant delays and uncertainties and is subject to factor our control. These factors include changes in agency practices, new regulations, or legal challenges to existing approvals for our operations from individual citizens and non-governmental organizations. For example, beginning in 2021, CalGEM ceased issuing new well stimulation permits and has slowed the approval of new drill permits even as it continues approving plugging and workovers. In addition, in 2020 a group of plaintiffs challenged in court the ability of Kern County to issue well permits in reliance on an existing Environmental Impact Report (EIR). See Part I, Item 1 and 2 – Business and Properties, Regulation of the Industries in Which We Operate, Regulation of Exploration and Production Activities. We can also provide no assurances that we will always be able to successfully navigate these risks and timely obtain permits or obtain them on favorable terms. While we have existing permits that will allow us to run a modified drilling program in 2023, we are unlikely to be able to offset projected oil production declines over the same period.

Changes to elected or appointed officials or their priorities and policies could result in different approaches to the regulation of the oil and natural gas industry. We cannot predict the actions the Governor of California or the California legislature may take with respect to the regulation of our business, the oil and natural gas industry or the state’s economic, fiscal or environmental policies, nor can we predict what actions may be taken at the federal level with respect to health, environmental safety, climate, labor or energy laws, regulations and policies, including those that may directly or indirectly impact our operations. For additional information, see Part I, Item 1 & 2 – Business and Properties, Regulation of the Industries in Which We Operate, Regulation of Exploration and Production Activities and the Risk factor entitled "Our business is highly regulated and government authorities can delay or deny permits and approvals or change requirements governing our operations, including hydraulic fracturing and other well stimulation methods, enhanced production techniques and fluid injection or disposal, that could increase costs, restrict operations and change or delay the implementation of our business plans" in our 2022 Annual Report.

Item 2     Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Our Board of Directors has authorized a Share Repurchase Program to acquire up to $1.1 billion of our common stock through June 30, 2024. The repurchases may be affected from time-to-time through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, Rule 10b5-1 plans, accelerated stock repurchases, derivative contracts or otherwise in compliance with Rule 10b-18, subject to market and contractual limitations in our debt agreements. The Share Repurchase Program does not obligate us to repurchase any dollar amount or number of shares and our Board of Directors may modify, suspend, or discontinue authorization of the program at any time. Shares repurchased are held as treasury stock.

Our share repurchase activity for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was as follows:

PeriodTotal Number of Shares PurchasedAverage Price Paid per ShareTotal Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Maximum Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs(a)
April 1, 2023 - April 30, 2023542,465 $39.60 542,465 $— 
May 1, 2023 - May 31, 2023449,631 $39.70 449,631— 
June 1, 2023 - June 30, 2023626,650 $38.28 626,650— 
Total 1,618,746 $39.12 1,618,746$— 
(a)The total value of shares that may yet be purchased under the Share Repurchase Program totaled $517 million as of June 30, 2023.

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Item 5     Other Disclosures

As previously disclosed, on June 16, 2023, Omar Hayat was appointed to the position Executive Vice President — Operations. In connection with this appointment, the Company and Mr. Hayat entered into an employment agreement, effective July 27, 2023, providing for the following: (i) a base salary of $400,000, (ii) an annual cash bonus with a target value equal to 100% of his annual base salary; (iii) participation in those benefit plans and programs of the Company available to similarly situated executives; (iv) reimbursement for reasonable business-related expenses, subject to the Company’s business expense reimbursement policy; and (v) annual long-term incentive awards (expected to be comprised 60% of performance stock units and 40% of restricted stock units) under the Company’s 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended, the “LTIP”) with a target grant value of 400% of Mr. Hayat’s base salary as in effect on the applicable grant date, commencing in calendar year 2024. The performance stock unit awards are expected to vest over a three-year cliff vesting period beginning on the date of grant, and the restricted stock units are expected to vest in three equal installments over a three-year vesting period beginning on the date of grant. The terms and conditions of his LTIP awards will be governed by individual award agreements to be entered into between the Company and Mr. Hayat in connection with the grant of those LTIP awards. He will continue to be a participant in the Company’s Executive Severance Plan.

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Item 6 Exhibits
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
10.1
10.2**
10.3*,**
10.4*,**
31.1*
31.2*
32.1*
101.INS*Inline XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH*Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL*Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.LAB*Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE*Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF*Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in inline XBRL and contained in Exhibits 101).
* - Filed or furnished herewith
**Certain portions of this exhibit (indicated by "[*****]") have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K
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SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


 CALIFORNIA RESOURCES CORPORATION 

DATE:August 1, 2023/s/ Noelle M. Repetti 
 Noelle M. Repetti 
 Senior Vice President and Controller 
(Principal Accounting Officer)

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