TXO Energy Partners LP’s IPO got off to a strong start Jan. 30, with early morning trading up 10% over its initial public pricing of $20 per common unit.

As of 11 a.m. CST, TXO was trading at roughly $22/ unit on the NYSE. The IPO could serve as a test case for other oil and gas companies that are contemplating or have already filed preliminary IPO intentions, such as the Barnett Shale’s BKV Corp.

Formerly known as MorningStar Partners LP, TXO Energy is an MLP based in Fort Worth, Texas. The E&P’s operations are in conventional-formation producing assets in the Permian and San Juan basins, plus CO2 property in Colorado, according to its S-1 filing. In unconventional, it has upside potential in the Mancos Shale in the San Juan.

If the name sounds similar to Exxon Mobil subsidiary XTO Energy, it’s not exactly a coincidence. The new MLP is led by CEO Bob Simpson, an industry veteran with more than 45 year leading companies. Previously, Simpson founded Cross Timbers Oil, later named XTO Energy Inc., which in 2010 sold to Exxon Mobil Corp. for $41 billion. 

As of Dec. 31, 2021, TXO Energy Partners’ assets consisted of approximately 370,000 net leasehold and mineral acres, primarily in the Permian and San Juan basins, according to Jan. 26 regulatory filings. At the time, the company’s total estimated proved reserves were approximately 130 MMboe, of which approximately 37% were oil and approximately 82% were proved developed, both on a boe basis.

In the first nine months of 2022, XTO produced an average of approximately 23,265 boe/d, approximately 70% of which came from assets operated by the company.

Bob Simpson-led TXO Energy Partners IPO Exceeding Expectations
In 1986, Steve Palko, Bob Simpson and Jon Brumley founded Cross Timbers Oil Co., later named XTO Energy, which was eventually sold to Exxon Mobil for $41 billion. (Source: XTO Energy Inc.)

XTO made its preliminary disclosure to file an offering in mid-January. On Jan. 26, TXO Energy said priced its IPO of 5 million common units to the public at $20 each.

TXO also granted its underwriters an option to purchase up to 750,000 additional common units at the same price, less underwriting discounts ad commission. The offering is expected to close on Jan. 31, subject to customary closing conditions.

In its prospectus, TXO plans to maintain a flat-to-low growth production profile. The company’s strategy includes replacing depleted reservoirs through acquisitions and drilling. The company’s funding sources for our acquisitions have included proceeds from bank borrowings, cash from partners and cash flow from operating activities. The company’s development budget in 2022 was $30 million. For 2023, XTO plans to spend $30.

TXO initially expected net proceeds of approximately $88 million from the IPO, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and excluding any exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common units.

Bob Simpson-led TXO Energy Partners IPO Exceeding Expectations
(Source: Securities and Exchange Commission filing)

TXO intends to use the net proceeds to repay a portion of the amounts outstanding under its revolving credit facility.

Upon the closing of the offering, the public will own an approximate 17% limited partner interest in TXO, or an approximate 83% limited partner interest if the underwriters exercise, in full, their option to purchase additional common units.

Raymond James, Stifel, Janney Montgomery Scott and Capital One Securities are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.

Baker Botts LLP represented the underwriters in the offering.

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