Vitesse Energy, Inc. VTS has completed an acquisition of non-operated oil and gas assets in Colorado’s Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin, adding production and further strengthening its position in a key U.S. oil and gas region. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to several per-share financial metrics while maintaining the company’s focus on disciplined, low-risk acquisitions.
Vitesse Energy Adds Chevron-Operated DJ Basin Assets
Vitesse Energy paid an initial unadjusted purchase price of $26 million for the assets, with customary purchase price adjustments still applicable. The cash consideration was funded through a combination of cash on hand and borrowings under Vitesse Energy’s revolving credit facility.
The acquired properties are located primarily in Weld County, CO, and are operated entirely by Chevron Corporation CVX. Vitesse Energy expects the assets to generate approximately 900 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) per day over the next 12 months, with oil accounting for 28% of production on a two-stream basis.
The acquisition closed on Sept. 15, 2026, with an effective date of June 1, 2026.
Deal Expected to Boost Key Financial Metrics
The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive on a per-share basis to earnings, operating cash flow, free cash flow and net asset value. This reflects Vitesse Energy’s strategy of targeting non-operated assets that can generate durable returns without requiring the company to directly operate the properties.
Vitesse Energy has also entered into commodity derivative contracts covering a significant portion of the acquired production through 2030. The hedges are designed to support the company’s underwritten returns and provide greater visibility into cash flows from the newly acquired assets.
Chevron’s DJ Basin Position Adds Strategic Appeal
The acquired assets benefit from being operated by Chevron, which has a substantial presence in Colorado’s DJ Basin. Chevron’s development program spans roughly 580,000 net acres and uses multi-well pads, horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing to develop its acreage efficiently.
Chevron’s Colorado operations averaged about 125,000 barrels per day of crude oil, 100,000 barrels per day of Natural Gas Liquids and 945 million cubic feet per day of natural gas in 2025. Management has indicated that DJ Basin production is around 400,000 BOE per day, highlighting the basin’s importance to Chevron’s U.S. unconventional portfolio.
Acquisition Fits VTS’ Disciplined Growth Strategy
The deal expands Vitesse Energy’s exposure to a mature U.S. oil-producing region while adding predominantly proved developed producing assets. According to management, the transaction aligns with the company’s disciplined acquisition strategy and is intended to deliver durable, low-risk returns to stockholders.
With production growth, expected per-share accretion and hedges extending through 2030, the acquisition gives Vitesse Energy an opportunity to strengthen cash-flow generation while limiting some commodity-price exposure on the acquired volumes.
VTS’ Zacks Rank & Key Picks
Vitesse Energy is an independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, development and production of non-operated oil and natural gas properties principally in the United States. Currently, VTS carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
Investors interested in the energy sector may consider some top-ranked stocks like Forum Energy Technologies, Inc. FET and PBF Energy Inc. PBF, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Forum Energy Technologies is a global oilfield products company, serving the subsea, drilling, completion, production and infrastructure sectors of the oil and natural gas industry. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FET’s 2026 earnings indicates 536.5% year-over-year growth.
PBF Energy is a leading independent crude oil refiner that produces unbranded transportation fuels, heating oil, petrochemical feedstocks, lubricants and other petroleum products. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PBF’s 2026 earnings indicates 481.1% year-over-year growth.
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