Vitesse Energy, Inc.VTS
Vitesse Energy, Inc. Fair Value Disclosure
Fair Value Measurements
Accounting standards require certain assets and liabilities be reported at fair value in the consolidated financial statements and provide a framework for establishing that fair value. The framework for determining fair value is based on a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value.
Fair values determined by Level 1 inputs use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access.
Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs use other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly. These Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and other inputs, such as interest rates, yield curves, and forward commodity price curves, that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.
Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs, including inputs that are available in situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the related asset or liability. These Level 3 fair value measurements are based primarily on management’s own estimates using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques taking into account the characteristics of the asset or liability. Significant Level 3 inputs include estimated future cash flows used in determining the fair value of purchased oil and gas properties.
In instances where inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels in the above fair value hierarchy, fair value measurements in their entirety are categorized based on the lowest level input that is significant to the valuation. The Company’s assessment of the significance of particular inputs to these fair value measurements requires judgment and considers factors specific to each asset or liability.
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
As of December 31, 2025, the Company’s derivative financial instruments are composed of commodity swaps and collars. The fair value of the swap and collar agreements is determined under the income valuation technique using a discounted cash flow model. The valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, published forward commodity prices, volatilities for options, and discount rates, as appropriate. The Company’s estimates of fair value of derivatives include consideration of the counterparty’s creditworthiness, the Company’s creditworthiness, and the time value of money. The consideration of these factors results in an estimated exit price for each derivative asset or liability under a marketplace participant’s view. All of the significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly; therefore, the Company’s commodity derivative instruments are included within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. See Note 6 (“Derivative Instruments”).
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
Business Combinations
The fair value of the oil and gas properties was determined using the income approach, relying on discounted future net cash flows generated from the properties' reserve reports. The valuation inputs primarily consisted of unobservable inputs, which fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as defined by ASC 820. Key inputs included estimates of future production volumes from the proved reserves, future commodity prices based on forward strip price curves (adjusted for basis differentials), estimates of lease operating, development and abandonment costs, and the application of a discount rate. The discount rates were adjusted to reflect the risk profile associated with the category of reserves being valued (e.g., proved developed, proved undeveloped).
Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company uses the income valuation technique to estimate the fair value of asset retirement obligations, at initial recognition, arising from the development of proved properties using the amounts and timing of expected future dismantlement costs and credit-adjusted risk-free rates. Accordingly, the fair value is based on unobservable inputs and, therefore, is included within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The significant unobservable inputs include the gross cost of abandoning oil and gas wells; the economic lives of the properties; the inflation rate; and the credit-adjusted risk-free rate of the Company.
Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value
The carrying amounts of the majority of the Company’s financial instruments, namely cash, receivables, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities, approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The Company’s credit facility as a recorded value
that approximates fair market value, as it bears interest at a floating rate that approximates a current market rate. See Note 5 (“Credit Facility”).
Historical Timeline
| Fiscal Year | Filed | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 2, 2026 | Showing above |
| 2024 | Mar 12, 2025 | |
| 2023 | Feb 26, 2024 | |
| 2022 | Feb 16, 2023 | |
About Fair Value Disclosures
Fair value disclosures classify all assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a three-level hierarchy: Level 1 (quoted market prices), Level 2 (observable inputs like yield curves), and Level 3 (unobservable inputs requiring management estimates). The proportion of Level 3 assets directly reflects how much of the balance sheet depends on internal models rather than market evidence.
Key signals: a growing Level 3 balance relative to total fair-value assets increases valuation uncertainty and earnings volatility risk. Watch for transfers between levels — assets moving from Level 2 to Level 3 often signal deteriorating market liquidity. Unrealized gains and losses on Level 3 positions flow through earnings or other comprehensive income, so large swings deserve scrutiny. For financial institutions, examine the sensitivity disclosures that show how Level 3 valuations change under alternative assumptions. Compare the fair value of debt against its carrying amount to gauge hidden leverage.