Morningstar DBRS Assigns a Provisional Credit Rating of BBB (low) With Stable Trend to Veren Inc.'s Senior Unsecured Notes

DBRS Limited (Morningstar DBRS) assigned a provisional credit rating of BBB (low) with a Stable trend to Veren Inc.'s (Veren or the Company) Senior Unsecured Notes (Senior Notes).

The Senior Notes will be direct unsecured obligations of the Issuer and will rank equal in right of payment with all other existing indebtedness of the Company.

Veren will use the issuance proceeds to refinance existing indebtedness.

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE CONSIDERATIONS

ESG Considerations had a relevant effect on the credit analysis.

Environmental (E) Factors
The following Environmental factor(s) had a relevant effect on the credit analysis: Morningstar DBRS considers the impact of both physical and transition risks associated with climate change with the transition risk deemed to be more substantial. Morningstar DBRS considered carbon and GHG costs as a relevant environmental factor for Veren. This factor is relevant because ever-increasing environmental regulations in Canada targeting the reduction of GHG emissions will likely limit the growth potential and add costs for all O&G companies in Canada.

Social (S) Factors
There were no Social factor(s) that had a relevant or significant effect on the credit analysis.

Governance (G) Factors
There were no Governance factor(s) that had a relevant or significant effect on the credit analysis.

A description of how Morningstar DBRS considers ESG factors within the Morningstar DBRS analytical framework can be found in the Morningstar DBRS Criteria: Approach to Environmental, Social, and Governance Risk Factors in Credit Ratings (January 23, 2024) https://dbrs.morningstar.com/research/427030.

BUSINESS RISK ASSESSMENT (BRA) AND FINANCIAL RISK ASSESSMENT (FRA)

(A) Weighting of BRA Factors
In the analysis of Veren, the BRA factors are considered in the order of importance contemplated in the methodology.

(B) Weighting of FRA Factors
In the analysis of Veren, the FRA factors are considered in the order of importance contemplated in the methodology.

(C) Weighting of the BRA and the FRA
In the analysis of Veren, the BRA carries greater weight than the FRA.

Notes:
All figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

Morningstar DBRS applied the following principal methodology:

Global Methodology for Rating Companies in the Oil and Gas and Oilfield Services Industries (April 15, 2024) https://dbrs.morningstar.com/research/431177.

Morningstar DBRS credit ratings may use one or more sections of the Morningstar DBRS Global Corporate Criteria (April 15, 2024), https://dbrs.morningstar.com/research/431186, which covers, for example, topics such as holding companies and parent/subsidiary relationships, guarantees, recovery, and common adjustments to financial ratios.

The following methodology has also been applied:

Morningstar DBRS Criteria: Approach to Environmental, Social, and Governance Risk Factors in Credit Ratings (23 January 2024), https://dbrs.morningstar.com/research/427030.

The credit rating methodologies used in the analysis of this transaction can be found at: https://dbrs.morningstar.com/about/methodologies.

A description of how Morningstar DBRS analyzes corporate finance transactions and how the methodologies are collectively applied can be found at: https://dbrs.morningstar.com/research/431153.

The related regulatory disclosures pursuant to the National Instrument 25-101 Designated Rating Organizations are hereby incorporated by reference and can be found by clicking on the link under Related Documents or by contacting us at info-DBRS@morningstar.com.

A provisional credit rating is not a final credit rating with respect to the above-mentioned security and may change or be different than the final credit rating assigned or may be discontinued. The assignment of a final credit rating on the above-mentioned security is subject to receipt by Morningstar DBRS of all data and/or information and final documentation that Morningstar DBRS deems necessary to finalize the credit rating.

The credit rating was initiated at the request of the rated entity.

The rated entity or its related entities did participate in the credit rating process for this credit rating action.

Morningstar DBRS had access to the accounts, management and other relevant internal documents of the rated entity or its related entities in connection with this credit rating action.

This is a solicited credit rating.

The conditions that lead to the assignment of a Negative or Positive trend are generally resolved within a 12-month period. Morningstar DBRS trends and credit ratings are under regular surveillance.

Information regarding Morningstar DBRS credit ratings, including definitions, policies, and methodologies, is available on dbrs.morningstar.com or contact us at info-DBRS@morningstar.com.

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