Crescent Energy Co (CRGY)

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

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to provide the reader of the financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of management on the financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and certain other factors that may affect the Company’s operating results. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 (“Annual Report”), our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2026, as well as our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025. The following information updates the discussion of our financial condition provided in our previous filings, and analyzes the changes in the results of operations between the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. The forward-looking statements are dependent upon events, risks and uncertainties that may be outside our control. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, commodity price volatility, capital requirements and uncertainty of obtaining additional funding on terms acceptable to the Company, realized oil, natural gas and NGL prices, the timing and amount of future production of oil, natural gas and NGLs, shortages of equipment, supplies, services and qualified personnel, as well as those factors discussed below and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report and in our Annual Report, particularly under “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements,” all of which are difficult to predict. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed may not occur. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law. Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise indicates, all references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Crescent” and the “Company” or similar expressions refer to Crescent Energy Company (“CEC”) and its subsidiaries.

Business

Crescent is a differentiated U.S. energy company committed to delivering value through a disciplined, returns-driven growth through acquisition strategy and consistent return of capital. Our long-life, balanced portfolio combines significant cash flow from stable production with deep, high-quality development inventory. Our activities are focused in the Eagle Ford, Permian Basin and Uinta Basin, and we own minerals and royalty interests across premier U.S. oil and natural gas basins, primarily operated by large, well-capitalized companies, with a core focus in the Eagle Ford.

Geopolitical developments and economic environment

During the last several years, prices of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs have experienced periodic downturns and sustained volatility, impacted by geopolitical events, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the related sanctions imposed on Russia, Hamas’ attack against Israel and the ensuing conflict and escalation of tensions in the Middle East. For example, the ongoing military conflict with Iran, which began in February 2026, has heightened geopolitical risk in key global energy markets and contributed to increased volatility in oil and gas commodity prices. The conflict has resulted in disruptions and constraints on maritime transit, supply chains, and energy infrastructure in the Middle East, including in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical choke point for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. These developments have led to elevated risk premiums in energy commodity prices and greater short‑term price uncertainty, causing global crude oil prices to surpass $100 per Bbl at times. Commodity prices and broader market conditions have also been affected by developments in Venezuela, supply chain constraints, elevated interest rates, U.S. international trade and tariff policies and responses thereto and costs of capital and political and regulatory uncertainties. Furthermore, the United States has experienced, and may continue to experience, a significant inflationary environment, which began in 2022 that, along with international geopolitical risks and market responses to the announcement of certain tariff policies by the Trump Administration, has contributed to concerns of a potential recession in the United States that has created further volatility. For example, actions taken by OPEC+ with respect to production levels, and announcements of potential changes in such levels, including production adjustments during 2025 and the first half of 2026, and changes in participation by member countries have contributed, and may continue to contribute, to volatility in commodity prices and in the oil and natural gas industry generally. Such volatility may lead to a more difficult investing and planning environment for us and our customers. While we use derivative instruments to partially mitigate the impact of commodity price volatility, our revenues and operating results depend significantly upon the prevailing prices for oil and natural gas.

There were no impairment charges recognized during the three and six months ended June 30, 2026. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, we recorded an impairment expense of $3.0 million and $48.6 million, respectively, to write down the value of certain assets classified as held for sale to expected net proceeds. A decline of future commodity prices or a decrease in estimates of oil and natural gas reserves for our assets would likely result in an impairment charge. The actual amount of impairment incurred, if any, for these properties will depend on a variety of factors including, but not limited to,

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subsequent forward price curve changes, weighted-average cost of capital, operating cost estimates and future capital expenditures estimates. An estimate of the sensitivity to changes in assumptions in our fair value calculations is not practicable, given the numerous assumptions (e.g. reserves, pace and timing of development plans, commodity prices, capital expenditures, operating costs, drilling and development costs, inflation and discount rates) that can materially affect our estimates. Unfavorable adjustments to some of the above listed assumptions would likely be offset by favorable adjustments in other assumptions. For example, the impact of sustained reduced commodity prices would likely be partially offset by lower costs.

Due to the cyclical nature of the oil and gas industry, fluctuating demand for oilfield goods and services can put pressure on the pricing structure within our industry. As commodity prices rise, the cost of oilfield goods and services generally also increase, while during periods of commodity price declines, oilfield costs typically lag and do not adjust downward as fast as oil prices do. The U.S. inflation rate remained relatively stable through 2024, 2025 and thus far through 2026, after an extended period of elevation; however, the full impact of recent geopolitical actions (including the conflict with Iran) on inflation cannot be fully determined at this time. Inflationary pressures have resulted in and may result in additional increases to the costs of our oilfield goods, services and personnel, which in turn cause our capital expenditures and operating costs to rise. Recently announced tariffs and any further tariffs may also increase our operating costs. Although the U.S. Federal Reserve made cuts to benchmark interest rates in 2024 and 2025, the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors has, so far in 2026, kept rates steady. Although the financial health of the oil and gas industry has shown improvement as compared to prior periods, to the extent elevated interest rates and inflation remain, we may experience further cost increases for our operations, including oilfield services, labor costs and equipment. Higher oil and natural gas prices may cause the costs of materials and services to continue to rise. We cannot predict any future trends in the rate of inflation, any subsequent monetary policy changes (including as a result of recent changes to the composition of the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors), and a significant increase in inflation, to the extent we are unable to recover higher costs through higher oil and natural gas prices and revenues, would negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. See Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors—“Risks related to the oil and natural gas industry—Inflationary issues and associated changes in monetary policy previously have resulted in and such issues, as well as certain proposed tariffs, may in the future result in additional increases to the cost of our goods, services and personnel, which in turn cause our capital expenditures and operating costs to rise” in our Annual Report.

Capital market transactions

2031 Convertible Notes

In March 2026, we issued $690.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.750% Convertible Senior Notes due 2031 (the “2031 Convertible Notes”) at par. The 2031 Convertible Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 2.750%, which is payable on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on September 15, 2026, and mature on March 15, 2031, unless earlier converted or redeemed or purchased by the Company. The net proceeds of the 2031 Convertible Notes were approximately $671.0 million after deducting the initial purchasers’ discount and offering expenses. The net proceeds of the 2031 Convertible Notes were used in part to redeem all of our outstanding 2028 Notes (as defined below) as discussed below.

Prior to December 15, 2030, the 2031 Convertible Notes are convertible only in certain circumstances and during specified periods. Thereafter, they are convertible at the noteholders’ election until shortly before the maturity date. Upon conversion, we may settle the conversions by paying or delivering, as applicable, in cash, shares of Class A Common Stock, or a combination thereof, at our election. The 2031 Convertible Notes have an initial conversion rate of 67.1456 shares of Class A Common Stock per each $1,000 principal amount, which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $14.89 per share of Class A Common Stock. In connection with the issuance of the 2031 Convertible Notes, we paid $56.6 million to enter into capped call transactions with certain financial institution counterparties designed to reduce potential dilution upon conversion of the 2031 Convertible Notes and/or offset cash payments in excess of the principal amount of the converted notes, in each case subject to the initial cap price of $22.48 per share of Class A Common Stock.

The 2031 Convertible Notes are the Company’s senior, unsecured obligations and are (i) equal in right of payment with CEC’s, as the issuer of the 2031 Convertible Notes, senior unsecured indebtedness; (ii) senior in right of payment to the issuer’s indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the 2031 Convertible Notes; and (iii) effectively subordinated to the issuer’s secured indebtedness, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that indebtedness. The 2031 Convertible Notes are not guaranteed by any of the Company’s subsidiaries, and the Company’s subsidiaries do not have any obligations under the 2031 Convertible Notes. Because the 2031 Convertible Notes are not guaranteed by any of the Company’s subsidiaries, the 2031 Convertible Notes

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Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is intended to provide the reader of the financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of management on the financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and certain other factors that may affect the Company's operating results. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes included in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Annual Report and also with "Part I., Item 1A. Risk Factors" of this Annual Report. The following information updates the discussion of our financial condition provided in our previous filings, and analyzes the changes in the results of operations between the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. Refer to our 2024 Annual Report filed February 26, 2025 for discussion and analysis of the changes in results of operations between the years

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ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. The forward-looking statements are dependent upon events, risks and uncertainties that may be outside our control. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward- looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, commodity price volatility, capital requirements and uncertainty of obtaining additional funding on terms acceptable to the Company, realized oil, natural gas and NGL prices, the timing and amount of future production of oil, natural gas and NGLs, shortages of equipment, supplies, services and qualified personnel, as well as those factors discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report , particularly under “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking statements,” all of which are difficult to predict. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed may not occur. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law.

Business overview

Crescent is a differentiated energy company committed to delivering value through a disciplined, returns-driven growth through acquisition strategy and consistent return of capital. Our long-life, balanced portfolio combines significant cash flow from stable production with a deep, high-quality development inventory. Our activities are focused in the Eagle Ford, Permian and Uinta Basins, and we own minerals and royalty interests across premier U.S. oil and natural gas basins, primarily operated by large, well-capitalized companies, with a core focus in the Eagle Ford. Our Class A Common Stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol “CRGY.”

Geopolitical developments and economic environment

During the last several years, prices of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs have experienced periodic downturns and sustained volatility, impacted by geopolitical events, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the related sanctions imposed on Russia, Hamas' attack against Israel and the ensuing conflict and escalation of tensions in the Middle East, including the conflict with Iran, recent developments in Venezuela, supply chain constraints, elevated interest rates, U.S. international trade and tariff policy developments and responses thereto and costs of capital and political and regulatory uncertainties. Furthermore, the United States has experienced, and may continue to experience, a significant inflationary environment, which began in 2022 that, along with international geopolitical risks and market responses to the announcement of certain tariff policies by the Trump Administration, has contributed to concerns of a potential recession in the United States in 2026 that has created further volatility. For example, OPEC announced that it is phasing out oil output cuts by increasing 411,000 barrels per day, each month from May to July 2025 and then increasing to 548,000 barrels per day in August 2025. While actual production significantly diverged from these announced targets, as several OPEC members were unable to meet the planned increases when others continued to overproduce, the actions of OPEC with respect to oil production levels and announcements of potential changes in such levels may result in further volatility in commodity prices and the oil and natural gas industry generally. Such volatility may lead to a more difficult investing and planning environment for us and our customers. While we use derivative instruments to partially mitigate the impact of commodity price volatility, our revenues and operating results depend significantly upon the prevailing prices for oil and natural gas.

Due to the cyclical nature of the oil and gas industry, fluctuating demand for oilfield goods and services can put pressure on the pricing structure within our industry. As commodity prices rise, the cost of oilfield goods and services generally also increase, while during periods of commodity price declines, oilfield costs typically lag and do not adjust downward as fast as oil prices do. The U.S. inflation rate remained relatively stable through 2024 and 2025, after an extended period of elevation. Inflationary pressures have resulted in and may result in additional increases to the costs of our oilfield goods, services and personnel, which in turn cause our capital expenditures and operating costs to rise. Tariffs announced in 2025 and any further tariffs may also increase our operating costs. Sustained levels of inflation and certain other market pressures have caused the U.S. Federal Reserve and other central banks to increase interest rates in 2022 and 2023. Although the U.S. Federal Reserve made cuts to benchmark interest rates in 2024 and in 2025, there is no guarantee that additional cuts will occur. Although the financial health of the oil and gas industry has shown improvement as compared to prior periods, to the extent elevated interest rates and inflation remain, we may experience further cost increases for our operations, including oilfield services, labor costs and equipment. Higher oil and natural gas prices may cause the costs of materials and services to continue to rise. We cannot predict any future trends in the rate of inflation, any subsequent monetary policy changes, and a significant increase in inflation, to the extent we are unable to recover higher costs through higher oil and natural gas prices and revenues, would negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. See Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors—"Risks related to the oil and natural gas industry—Inflationary issues and associated changes in monetary policy previously have resulted in and such issues,

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as well as certain proposed tariffs, may in the future result in additional increases to the cost of our goods, services and personnel, which in turn cause our capital expenditures and operating costs to rise."

Capital market transactions

Vital Exchange Offer

On January 2, 2026, in connection with the Vital Energy Merger, Crescent Energy Finance LLC completed its previously announced offers to eligible holders to exchange (the “Exchange Offers”) (i) any and all of the 7.750% senior notes due 2029 (the “Vital 2029 Notes”) of Crescent Energy Finance LLC, as successor in interest to Vital, for up to approximately $298.2 million aggregate principal amount of new 7.750% senior notes due 2029 of Crescent Energy Finance LLC (the “Crescent 2029 Notes”); and (ii) any and all of the 9.750% senior notes due 2030 (the “Vital 2030 Notes”) of Crescent Energy Finance LLC, as successor in interest to Vital, for up to approximately $302.4 million aggregate principal amount of new 9.750% senior notes due 2030 issued by Crescent Energy Finance LLC (the “Crescent 2030 Notes”). Following the settlement of the Exchange Offers, $2.9 million aggregate principal amount of the Vital 2029 Notes, $294.8 million aggregate principal amount of the Crescent 2029 Notes, $65.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Vital 2030 Notes and $237.2 million aggregate principal amount of the Crescent 2030 Notes remain outstanding, respectively.

2025 Senior Notes Offerings

In June 2025, we commenced a cash tender offer (the "Tender Offer") to purchase a portion of our outstanding 9.250% Senior Notes due 2028 (the "2028 Notes"), pursuant to which approximately $306.1 million aggregate principal amount of 2028 Notes were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to July 22, 2025, the final tender date. In addition to the Tender Offer, we elected to redeem (the "2028 Notes Redemption") an aggregate principal amount of the 2028 Notes equal to $193.9 million, at a price of 104.625% of the unpaid principal amount of the 2028 Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, July 25, 2025, the redemption date. After giving effect to the 2028 Notes Redemption and the Tender Offer, the aggregate principal amount of the 2028 Notes outstanding is $500.0 million. Combined, we purchased the 2028 Notes at a blended price of 104.472% of par and incurred a loss on the extinguishment of debt of approximately $29.2 million, including the write-off of associated deferred financing costs, during the year ended December 31, 2025.

In July 2025, we issued $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.375% senior notes due 2034 (the "2034 Notes") at par (the "2034 Notes Offering"). The 2034 Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 8.375%, which is payable on January 15 and July 15 of each year, and mature on January 15, 2034. The proceeds from the 2034 Notes Offering were approximately $588.1 million after deducting the initial purchasers' discount and offering expenses. We used the net proceeds to finance the consideration of the Tender Offer and the 2028 Notes Redemption and to repay a portion of our outstanding balance under our Revolving Credit Facility.

Corporate Simplification

In April 2025, we announced that our corporate structure had been simplified through the elimination of the Company’s Up-C structure through the exercise by the holders of all remaining shares of Class B Common Stock of their redemption rights with respect to all of their OpCo Units (the “Corporate Simplification”). Prior to the Corporate Simplification, the Up-C structure provided for holders of Crescent’s then-outstanding Class B Common Stock, which had voting (but no economic) rights with respect to Crescent, to hold a corresponding amount of economic, non-voting units of OpCo (“OpCo Units”), which were generally redeemable or exchangeable for Class A Common Stock on the terms and conditions set forth in the OpCo LLC Agreement. Pursuant to the aforementioned exercise of such right in the Corporate Simplification, all OpCo Units (other than those held by Crescent) were exchanged for an equivalent number of shares of Class A Common Stock and all outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock were cancelled. As a result of the Corporate Simplification, all of the Company’s common stockholders now hold Class A Common Stock. See NOTE 14 – Related Party Transactions for more information.

2025 Equity Transactions

In March 2025, Independence Energy Aggregator L.P., the entity through which certain private investors in affiliated KKR entities held their interests in us, exercised its redemption right with respect to 2.9 million OpCo Units, and such OpCo Units were exchanged for an equivalent number of shares of Class A Common Stock and a corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock were cancelled (the "2025 Class A Redemption"). The shares of Class A Common Stock were sold by Indepen

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