HOUSTON, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Summit Midstream Corporation (NYSE:SMC) (“Summit”, “SMC” or the “Company”) announced today its financial and operating results for fourth quarter and full-year 2025, Permian and Rockies segment growth update, and provided full-year 2026 financial guidance.
Highlights
- Fourth quarter net loss of $7.3 million, Adjusted EBITDA of $58.5 million, cash flow available for distributions (“Distributable Cash Flow” or “DCF”) of $33.7 million and free cash flow (“FCF”) of $17.0 million
- Recently signed three 10+-year firm take-or-pay contracts on Double E that are expected to drive Permian Segment Adjusted EBITDA from $34 million in 2025 to approximately $60 million in 2029
- Launched a binding open season on Double E to secure market commitments to support a mainline compression project to increase firm capacity by up to 50% from 1.6 Bcf/d to approximately 2.4 Bcf/d
- Refinanced Double E capital structure1 with a new term loan that will fund Double E capital projects (including the mainline compression project) and provide an $85 million one-time distribution to Summit to pay down debt and repay $45 million of arrears on its corporate Series A Preferred Stock
- Executed a new 10-year crude oil gathering agreement covering more than 200,000 acres in the Williston
- Active customer base with seven rigs running, approximately 90 DUCs and 116 to 126 wells expected in 2026
- Provided 2026 full-year financial guidance range of $225 million to $265 million in Adjusted EBITDA and total capital expenditures of $85 million to $105 million, including $35 million attributable to Double E
Management Commentary
Heath Deneke, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, commented, “We are pleased with the commercial and financial progress achieved over the past two quarters, which underscore the strategic value of our infrastructure, embedded growth opportunities, and our continued focus on execution with financial discipline. With the signing of major long-term agreements on the Double E Pipeline and in the Williston Basin, we are building on strong commercial momentum in our Permian and Rockies segments, while maintaining steady operational performance, strengthening our balance sheet and allocating capital prudently. We’re also further advancing Double E’s growth with a new open season to support a mainline compression project that could expand pipeline capacity by 50% by the end of 2028. Additionally, the Double E refinancing underscores Summit’s financial flexibility and ability to execute on important growth initiatives while continuing to maintain focus on reaching long-term corporate leverage targets. The planned repayment of the arrears on the Series A Preferred Stock further simplifies Summit’s balance sheet and is also an important step towards enabling a sustainable return of capital program for our shareholders in the future.
Operationally, despite the earlier oil price headwinds, we maintained an active customer base with seven rigs currently running behind our systems, approximately 90 DUCs and between 116 to 126 wells expected to be turned in line in 2026. Our 2026 outlook reflects sustained activity across our systems and incremental investment in high-return growth projects, which we expect will drive EBITDA growth in 2027 and beyond. Furthermore, given the mid-$60 oil price assumption embedded in our 2026 guidance, we are optimistic that customer activity levels could further increase in the second half of the year if the recent spike in oil prices continues to lift the backend of the forward price curve.”
Double E Commercial Update
Producers Midstream II reached a final investment decision on Train II of its Dude processing plant in Lea County, New Mexico, which was a condition precedent to the commencement of the previously announced 10-year, 100 MMcf/d firm transportation agreement. The new contract is expected to commence service in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Double E Pipeline entered into a new 11-year take-or-pay natural gas firm transportation agreement with a large, investment-grade shipper for 210 MMcf/d of capacity, including 80 MMcf/d expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026 and an additional 130 MMcf/d expected to commence in the second half of 2028. These commitments also expand Double E’s downstream connectivity with new delivery points into the Transwestern Central Pool, the Hugh Brinson Pipeline and a planned future connection with the Desert Southwest Pipeline. The new delivery points will significantly broaden Double E Shipper’s access to diverse and growing end use markets in addition to the multiple interconnects with downstream egress pipelines connecting the Waha Hub to Gulf Coast markets.
Double E Pipeline also entered into a new 11+ year natural gas transportation agreement with an undisclosed shipper for 230 MMcf/d of firm capacity, with 100 MMcf/d expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2027, 80 MMcf/d in the fourth quarter of 2028, and an additional 50 MMcfd in the second quarter of 2029. The agreement is contingent upon satisfaction of certain customary conditions precedent and is subject to shipper providing notice of its final investment decision to construct an expansion of its processing facility prior to October 1, 2026.
With the additional contracts, Summit expects its 70% interest in Double E to generate approximately $60 million of Segment Adjusted EBITDA in 2029, representing an approximate 76% increase to the $34 million of Segment Adjusted EBITDA generated in 2025. These projects are expected to cost approximately $50 million, net to Summit’s 70% interest, with approximately $35 million expected in 2026 and the remainder in 2027. These capital requirements are expected to be fully funded with the new term loan at Summit Permian Transmission which is non-recourse to Summit. Further, Double E has launched a binding open season to secure market commitments to support a mainline compression project to expand the pipeline’s capacity from approximately 1.6 Bcf/d to over 2.4 Bcf/d by the end of 2028. The compression expansion remains subject to additional commercial support via incremental long-term take-or-pay agreements and FERC and other regulatory approvals.
Double E Refinancing Transaction
Subsequent to quarter-end, Summit refinanced the Summit Permian Transmission, LLC and Summit Permian Transmission Holdco, LLC capital structure with a new $440 million term loan facility, including a $340 million borrowing at closing, $50 million committed delayed draw facility used to fund the Producers Midstream and other expansion projects, as well as a $50 million uncommitted accordion to fund the expected mainline compression expansion project. Proceeds from the new facility were used to refinance the $112.7 million Summit Permian Transmission term loan, $141.9 million Summit Permian Transmission Holdco’s preferred units2, an $85 million one-time distribution to Summit, and pay other fees and expenses. Summit intends to use the $85 million one-time distribution to pay down approximately $45 million of accrued and unpaid dividends on its Series A Preferred Stock and approximately $40 million of ABL borrowings. Repayment of the accrued and unpaid dividends represents a critical step of Summit’s objective to resume dividend payments on its common stock once Summit achieves its long-term leverage target of 3.5x. In addition, the $40 million ABL repayment reduces Summit’s leverage by approximately 0.2x, aligning with its continued focus on corporate de-levering.
Pro Forma Capitalization
|
($ in millions) |
31-Dec-25 |
|
|
As Reported |
Pro Forma |
|
|
Cash |
$ 9 |
$ 9 |
|
ABL Revolving Credit Facility (Due July 2029) |
113 |
73 |
|
8.625% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes (Due Oct 2029) |
825 |
825 |
|
Total Debt |
$ 938 |
$ 898 |
|
Total Debt, net of Cash |
$ 929 |
$ 889 |
|
Series A Preferred Stock |
110 |
66 |
|
Recourse Obligations, net of Cash |
$ 1,039 |
$ 954 |
|
Selected Credit Metrics: |
||
|
1st Lien Leverage Ratio |
0.5x |
0.3x |
|
Total Leverage Ratio3 |
4.1x |
3.9x |
|
Double E Related: |
||
|
Subsidiary Series A Preferred Units |
$ 141 |
$ — |
|
Permian Transmission Credit Facility (Due Jan 2028) |
117 |
— |
|
NEW Permian Transmission Term Loan Facility (Due Mar 2031) |
— |
340 |
|
______________ |
|
|
1 |
Includes the Summit Permian Transmission, LLC Term Loan and Summit Permian Transmission Holdco, LLC subsidiary Series A Preferred Equity |
|
2 |
Permian Holdco had 93,039 Subsidiary Series A Preferred Units outstanding as of December 31, 2025. If the Subsidiary Series A Preferred Units were redeemed on December 31, 2025, the redemption amount would be $141.9 million, when considering the applicable multiple of invested capital metric and make-whole amount provisions. The redemption amount at closing on March 16, 2025 was $143.2 million. |
|
3 |
Total leverage ratio excludes the potential earnout liability in connection with the Tall Oak Acquisition. |
Williston Commercial Update
During the fourth quarter, Summit executed a new 10-year crude gathering agreement with a Bakken producer, anchored by a large Area of Dedication covering more than 200,000 acres across its existing footprint in Divide County, North Dakota. The first new pad — consisting of four 3-mile laterals — is expected to be turned in line in the first quarter of 2026. This agreement meaningfully expands Summit’s dedicated acreage and long-term economic inventory supporting its infrastructure, while positioning the Company to pursue additional development opportunities across northern Williams and southern Divide Counties. With the efficiency gains associated with 3-mile laterals, these areas have become economically attractive in the current oil price environment. As Bakken producers continue expanding activity in the northern and western portions of the basin, Summit expects increasing commercial momentum and growth around its Polar and Divide systems.
Fourth Quarter 2025 Business Highlights
SMC’s average daily natural gas throughput on its wholly owned operated systems decreased 3.4% to 894 MMcf/d, while liquids volumes decreased 8.3% to 66 Mbbl/d, relative to the third quarter of 2025. Double E pipeline transported an average of 861 MMcf/d and contributed $8.7 million in Adjusted EBITDA, net to SMC, for the fourth quarter of 2025.
Natural gas price-driven segments:
- Natural gas price-driven segments generated $31.5 million in combined Segment Adjusted EBITDA, a $4.6 million decrease relative to the third quarter and combined capital expenditures of $9.2 million.
- Mid-Con Segment Adjusted EBITDA totaled $21.5 million, a decrease of $2.1 million relative to the third quarter of 2025, primarily due to a decrease in volume throughput on the system. Volume throughput on the system decreased by 3.7% primarily due to natural production declines partially offset by six new well connections in the Arkoma. Subsequent to quarter end, six new wells were connected in the Arkoma. There is currently one rig running in the Arkoma, with 21 DUCs behind the system, including 17 DUCs in the Barnett, which are all expected to come online in 2026.
- Piceance Segment Adjusted EBITDA totaled $10.0 million, a decrease of $2.5 million relative to the third quarter of 2025, primarily due to realization of previously deferred revenue in the third quarter and a 5.4% decrease in volume throughput. There were no new wells connected to the system during the fourth quarter.
Oil price-driven segments:
- Oil price-driven segments generated $36.6 million of combined Segment Adjusted EBITDA, representing a $1.1 million decrease relative to the third quarter of 2025, and had combined capital expenditures of $9.0 million.
- Rockies Segment Adjusted EBITDA totaled $27.8 million, a decrease of $1.2 million relative to the third quarter of 2025, primarily driven by a 8.3% decrease in liquids volume throughput, partially offset by a 1.3% increase in natural gas volume throughput, relative to the third quarter of 2025. The decrease in liquids volumes was primarily driven by natural production declines and no new well connections in the Williston Basin during the quarter. Natural gas volume growth was supported by 33 new well connections in the DJ Basin, which are expected to reach peak production in the second quarter of 2026. There are currently six rigs running and approximately 65 DUCs behind the system.
- Permian Segment Adjusted EBITDA totaled $8.8 million, an increase of $0.1 million relative to the third quarter of 2025, primarily due to a 20.9% increase in volumes shipped on the Double E Pipeline leading to an increase in proportionate Adjusted EBITDA from our Double E joint venture.
The following table presents average daily throughput by reportable segment for the periods indicated:
|
Three Months Ended December 31, |
Year Ended December 31, |
||||||
|
2025 |
2024 |
2025 |
2024 |
||||
|
Average daily throughput (MMcf/d): |
|||||||
|
Northeast (1) |
— |
— |
— |
202 |
|||
|
Rockies |
160 |
131 |
149 |
128 |
|||
|
Piceance |
245 |
277 |
258 |
291 |
|||
|
Mid-Con |
489 |
329 |
497 |
241 |
|||
|
Aggregate average daily throughput |
894 |
737 |
904 |
862 |
|||
|
Average daily throughput (Mbbl/d): |
|||||||
|
Rockies |
66 |
68 |
73 |
72 |
|||
|
Aggregate average daily throughput |
66 |
68 |
73 |
72 |
|||
|
Ohio Gathering average daily throughput (MMcf/d) (2) |
— |
— |
— |
212 |
|||
|
Double E average daily throughput (MMcf/d) (3) |
861 |
613 |
730 |
573 |
|||
|
__________ |
|
(1) Exclusive of Ohio Gathering due to equity method accounting. |
|
(2) Gross basis, represents 100% of volume throughput for Ohio Gathering, subject to a one-month lag. |
|
(3) Gross basis, represents 100% of volume throughput for Double E. |
The following table presents Adjusted EBITDA by reportable segment for the periods indicated:
|
December 31, |
Year Ended December 31, |
||||||
|
2025 |
2024 |
2025 |
2024 |
||||
|
(In thousands) |
(In thousands) |
||||||
|
Reportable Segment Adjusted EBITDA (1): |
|||||||
|
Northeast (2) |
$ — |
$ — |
$ — |
$ 30,634 |
|||
|
Rockies |
27,832 |
23,245 |
106,935 |
93,827 |
|||
|
Permian (3) |
8,735 |
7,793 |
33,980 |
31,227 |
|||
|
Piceance |
10,005 |
11,792 |
44,774 |
52,704 |
|||
|
Mid-Con |
21,464 |
12,847 |
92,377 |
30,645 |
|||
|
Total |
$ 68,036 |
$ 55,677 |
$ 278,066 |
$ 239,037 |
|||
|
Less: Corporate and Other (4) |
9,519 |
9,498 |
35,451 |
34,413 |
|||
|
Adjusted EBITDA (5) |
$ 58,517 |
$ 46,179 |
$ 242,615 |
$ 204,624 |
|||
|
__________ |
|
|
(1) |
Segment Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. We define Segment Adjusted EBITDA as total revenues less total costs and expenses, plus (i) other income (excluding interest income), (ii) our Proportional Adjusted EBITDA for equity method investees, (iii) depreciation and amortization, (iv) adjustments related to minimum volume commitments (“MVC”) shortfall payments, (v) adjustments related to capital reimbursement activity, (vi) unit-based and noncash compensation, (vii) impairments and (viii) other noncash expenses or losses, less other noncash income or gains. |
|
(2) |
Includes our proportional share of Segment Adjusted EBITDA for Ohio Gathering. Summit records financial results of its investment in Ohio Gathering on a one-month lag and is based on the financial information available to us during the reporting period. With the divestiture of Ohio Gathering in March 2024, Proportional Adjusted EBITDA includes financial results from December 1, 2023 through March 22, 2024. We define Proportional Adjusted EBITDA for our equity method investees as the product of (i) total revenues less total expenses, excluding impairments and other noncash income or expense items and (ii) amortization for deferred contract costs; multiplied by our ownership interest during the respective period. |
|
(3) |
Includes our proportional share of Segment Adjusted EBITDA for Double E. |
|
(4) |
Corporate and Other represents those results that are not specifically attributable to a reportable segment or that have not been allocated to our reportable segments, including certain general and administrative expense items and transaction costs. |
|
(5) |
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. |
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures totaled $19.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, inclusive of maintenance capital expenditures of $4.0 million. Capital expenditures in the fourth quarter of 2025 were primarily related to pad connections in the Rockies and Mid-Con segments.
|
Year Ended December 31, |
||||
|
2025 |
2024 |
|||
|
(In thousands) |
||||
|
Cash paid for capital expenditures (1): |
||||
|
Northeast |
$ — |
$ 2,980 |
||
|
Rockies |
39,713 |
44,092 |
||
|
Permian |
— |
— |
||
|
Piceance |
1,774 |
2,361 |
||
|
Mid-Con |
44,202 |
1,312 |
||
|
Total reportable segment capital expenditures |
$ 85,689 |
$ 50,745 |
||
|
Corporate and Other |
3,353 |
2,866 |
||
|
Total cash paid for capital expenditures |
$ 89,042 |
$ 53,611 |
||
|
__________ |
|
(1) Excludes cash paid for capital expenditures by Ohio Gathering and Double E due to equity method accounting. |
2026 Guidance
SMC is releasing guidance for 2026, which is summarized in the table below. These projections are subject to risks and uncertainties as described in the “Forward-Looking Statements” section at the end of this release.
SMC’s guidance range is anchored by recent drilling and completion schedules provided by its customers and is reflective of the current commodity price environment. The Company’s approach to its 2026 guidance is consistent with the framework used for its 2025 guidance range. If SMC’s producer customers hit their production targets and timing of planned well connects, the Company would expect to be near the high end of the 2026 guidance range. The midpoint of the guidance range reflects a conservative, yet appropriate, level of risking to the most recent drill schedules and volume forecasts provided by its customers. The low end of the guidance range reflects additional delays to customer drilling and completion schedules and planned well connects.
SMC expects approximately 116 to 126 well connections in 2026. Of the expected well connections in 2026, approximately 20% are natural gas-oriented wells and approximately 80% are crude oil-oriented wells. Customers are currently running seven rigs behind SMC systems, with approximately 90 DUCs, providing line of sight to the 2026 estimated well connections and associated volume growth.
SMC expects its natural gas gathering system throughput to range from 875 MMcf/d to 920 MMcf/d. Double E existing take-or-pay contracts of 1,115 MMcf/d is expected to increase to 1,285 MMcf/d when the Producers Midstream II and other projects are placed into service, as early as the fourth quarter of 2026. Liquids volumes are expected to range from 65 Mbbl/d to 90 Mbbl/d.
The guidance outlook also reflects a reduction in MVC shortfall payments in the Piceance from $16.9 million in 2025 to approximately $13.0 million in 2026, and excludes approximately $2 million of deferred revenue that benefited 2025 results.
The midpoint of the guidance range assumes strip commodity prices as of February 19, 2026, implying an average 2026 Henry Hub price of approximately $3.40 per MMBtu and WTI of approximately $64 per barrel.
Adjusted EBITDA is expected to range from $225 million to $265 million. SMC’s 2026 capital expenditure guidance of $50 million to $70 million, excluding Double E, includes capital reimbursements related to specific development projects with certain customers. The Company’s full year 2026 growth capex guidance range is primarily related to new pad connections in the Rockies and Mid-Con segments. Included in this range is approximately $15 million to $20 million of maintenance capex. Double E capital expenditures for 2026 are expected to be approximately $35 million, net to SMC, primarily related to a new plant connection and downstream connections associated with the recently announced shipper contracts.
|
($ in millions) |
2026 Guidance Range |
|||||
|
Low |
High |
|||||
|
Well Connections |
||||||
|
Piceance |
— |
— |
||||
|
Mid-Con |
26 |
26 |
||||
|
Rockies |
90 |
100 |
||||
|
Total |
116 |
126 |
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