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		Page
Prospectus Summary			1
Risk Factors			15
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements			41
Use of Proceeds			42
Dividend Policy			42
Capitalization			43
Price Range of Common Stock			43
Selected Historical Combined Consolidated Financial Data			44
Unaudited Pro forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statement			48
Business			52
Management			74
Related Party Transactions			77

		Page
Principal Stockholders			82
Description of Capital Stock			85
Shares Eligible for Future Sale			88
Material U.S. Federal Income And Estate Tax Considerations for Non-U.S. Holders			90
Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)			94
Legal Matters			98
Experts			98
Where You Can Find More Information			98
Information Incorporated by Reference			99
Glossary of Oil and Natural Gas Terms			A-1
Reserve Report of Ryder Scott Company, l.p.			B-1
Index to Financial Statements			F-1

  

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should read the entire prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated by reference herein that are described under “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Information Incorporated by Reference.” We and the underwriters are only offering to sell, and only seeking offers to buy, our common stock in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted.

The information contained in this prospectus or in any document incorporated in this prospectus is accurate and complete only as of the date hereof or thereof, respectively, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of our common stock by us or the underwriters. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

Dealer Prospectus Delivery Obligation

Until         , 2013 (25 days after the commencement of this offering), all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to unsold allotments or subscriptions.

Industry and Market Data

This prospectus includes industry data and forecasts that we obtained from internal company surveys, publicly available information and industry publications and surveys. Our internal research and forecasts are based on management’s understanding of industry conditions, and such information has not been verified by independent sources. Industry publications and surveys generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable.

Unless the context otherwise requires, the information in this prospectus assumes that the underwriters will not exercise their option to purchase additional shares.

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

Diamondback Energy, Inc., or Diamondback, was incorporated in Delaware on December 30, 2011, and did not conduct any material business operations until October 11, 2012 when Diamondback merged with its parent entity, Diamondback Energy LLC, with Diamondback continuing as the surviving entity. Prior to the merger, Diamondback Energy LLC was a holding company and did not conduct any material business operations other than its ownership of Diamondback’s common stock and the membership interests in Diamondback O&G LLC, or Diamondback O&G (formerly known as Windsor Permian LLC, or Windsor Permian). As a result of the merger, Windsor Permian became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Diamondback. Also on October 11, 2012, Wexford Capital LP, or Wexford, our equity sponsor, caused all of the outstanding equity interests in Windsor UT LLC, or Windsor UT, to be contributed to Windsor Permian prior to the merger in a transaction we refer to as the “Windsor UT Contribution.” In this prospectus, the combined consolidated historical financial information, operational data and reserve information for Diamondback present the assets and liabilities of Diamondback and its subsidiaries, including Windsor UT, as if they were combined for all periods presented. Although the financial and other information is reported on a combined consolidated basis, such presentation is not necessarily indicative of the results that would have been obtained if Diamondback had owned and operated such subsidiaries from their inception. In this prospectus, we refer to Diamondback, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, as “we,” “us,” “our” or “the Company.” This prospectus includes certain terms commonly used in the oil and natural gas industry, which are defined elsewhere in this prospectus in the “Glossary of Oil and Natural Gas Terms.”

Diamondback Energy, Inc.

Overview

We are an independent oil and natural gas company currently focused on the acquisition, development, exploration and exploitation of unconventional, onshore oil and natural gas reserves in the Permian Basin in West Texas. This basin, which is one of the major producing basins in the United States, is characterized by an extensive production history, a favorable operating environment, mature infrastructure, long reserve life, multiple producing horizons, enhanced recovery potential and a large number of operators.

We began operations in December 2007 with our acquisition of 4,174 net acres with production at the time of acquisition of approximately 800 BOE/d from 34 gross (16.8 net) wells in the Permian Basin. Subsequently, we acquired approximately 49,968 additional net acres, which brought our total net acreage position in the Permian Basin to 54,142 net acres at March 31, 2013. We are the operator of approximately 99% of this acreage. As of March 31, 2013, we had drilled 212 gross (193 net) wells, and participated in an additional 18 gross (eight net) non-operated wells, in the Permian Basin. Of these 230 gross (200 net) wells, 216 were completed as producing wells and 14 were in various stages of completion. In the aggregate, as of March 31, 2013, we held interests in 250 gross (221 net) producing wells in the Permian Basin.

Our activities are primarily focused on the Clearfork, Spraberry, Wolfcamp, Cline, Strawn and Atoka formations, which we refer to collectively as the Wolfberry play. The Wolfberry play is characterized by high oil and liquids rich natural gas, multiple vertical and horizontal target horizons, extensive production history, long-lived reserves and high drilling success rates. The Wolfberry play is a modification and extension of the Spraberry play, the majority of which is designated in the Spraberry trend area field. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the Spraberry trend area ranks as the second largest oilfield in the United States, based on 2009 reserves.

As of December 31, 2012, our estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves were 40,210 MBOE based on a reserve report prepared by Ryder Scott Company L.P., or Ryder Scott, our independent reserve engineer. Of these reserves, approximately 29.5% are classified as proved developed producing, or PDP. Proved undeveloped, or PUD, reserves included in this estimate are from 306 vertical gross well locations on 40-acre spacing and four gross horizontal well locations. As of December 31, 2012, these proved reserves were approximately 65% oil, 21% natural gas liquids and 14% natural gas.

We have 878 identified potential vertical drilling locations on 40-acre spacing based on our evaluation of applicable geologic and engineering data as of March 31, 2013, and we have an additional 1,128 identified potential vertical drilling locations based on 20-acre downspacing. We have also identified 745 potential

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horizontal drilling locations in multiple horizons on our acreage. We intend to grow our reserves and production through development drilling, exploitation and exploration activities on this multi-year project inventory of identified potential drilling locations and through acquisitions that meet our strategic and financial objectives, targeting oil-weighted reserves. The gross estimated ultimate recoveries, or EURs, from our future PUD vertical wells on 40-acre spacing, as estimated by Ryder Scott, range from 102 MBOE per well, consisting of 46 MBbls of oil, 151 MMcf of natural gas and 31 MBbls of natural gas liquids, to 158 MBOE per well, consisting of 112 MBbls of oil, 114 MMcf of natural gas and 27 MBbls of natural gas liquids, with an average EUR per well of 133 MBOE, consisting of 91 MBbls of oil, 101 MMcf of natural gas and 25 MBbls of natural gas liquids. We also intend to continue to refine our drilling pattern and completion techniques in an effort to increase our average EUR per well from vertical wells drilled on 40-acre spacing. We currently anticipate a reduction of approximately 20% in our EURs from vertical wells drilled on 20-acre spacing.

The following table summarizes certain operating information of our properties. The information is as of March 31, 2013 except as otherwise noted.

Basin		Net Acreage				Average Working Interest				Identified Potential Drilling Locations(1)								2013 Budget												Estimated Net Proved Reserves at December 31, 2012								Average Daily Production (BOE/d)(3)
										Gross				Net				Gross Wells(2)				Net Wells(2)				Capex (In millions)				MBOE				% Developed
Permian			54,142				88	%			1,623				1,396				74				65			$	290.0 - $320.0				40,210				30.7				6,037

Assuming the completion of this offering, we currently anticipate our 2013 capital budget for drilling and infrastructure will be approximately $290.0 million to $320.0 million. We do not have a specific acquisition budget since the timing and size of acquisitions cannot be accurately forecasted. We intend to allocate these expenditures approximately as follows:

The amount and timing of these capital expenditures are largely discretionary and within our control. We could choose to defer a portion of these planned 2013 capital expenditures depending on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the success of our drilling activities, prevailing and anticipated prices for oil and natural gas, the availability of necessary equipment, infrastructure and capital, the receipt and timing of required regulatory permits and approvals, seasonal conditions, drilling and acquisition costs and the level of participation by other interest owners.

We were using two horizontal drilling rigs as of March 31, 2013. Due to the success of our horizontal drilling program to date, we expect to add two additional horizontal drilling rigs during 2013 which will enable us to drill and complete more wells than we originally contemplated for our 2013 drilling program. As a result of our expected increase in our horizontal drilling activity, and assuming the additional wells we

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complete produce at rates similar to those of our existing wells, we currently anticipate that our full-year 2013 production will be at or above the high end of our previously announced production guidance, with expected production increases weighted towards the second half of 2013. Our ability to achieve our production guidance is forward-looking and subject to numerous assumptions and risks. See “Risk Factors — Drilling for and producing oil and natural gas are high-risk activities with many uncertainties that may result in a total loss of investment and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations” on page 30 of this prospectus.

Our Business Strategy

Our business strategy is to increase stockholder value through the following:

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Our Strengths

We believe that the following strengths will help us achieve our business goals:

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Recent Developments

In 2012, we began testing the horizontal well potential of our acreage. Our first horizontal well was the Janey 16H in Upton County with a 3,842 foot lateral in the Wolfcamp B interval. We are the operator of this well with a 100% working interest. It was completed in June 2012 and had a peak 24-hour initial production, or IP, rate of 618 BOE/d and a peak consecutive 30-day average initial production rate of 486 BOE/d, of which 86% was oil. Through March 31, 2013, the Janey 16H had produced a total of 54 MBbls of oil and 66 MMcf of natural gas. Our second horizontal well was the Kemmer 4209H in Midland County. It is a non-operated well in which we own a 47% working interest. It was completed in September 2012 in the Wolfcamp B interval with a 3,733 foot lateral. The production as reported to us by the operator was a peak 24-hour initial production rate of 892 BOE/d and a peak consecutive 30-day average initial production rate of 712 BOE/d, of which 85% was oil. Through March 31, 2013, the Kemmer 4209H had produced a total of

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53 MBbls of oil and 56 MMcf of natural gas. Based on the decline curve analysis of the current production, we anticipate that the EUR for each of these wells will be in the range of 400 to 500 MBOE.

Subsequent to the Janey 16H and Kemmer 4209H wells, we have drilled or are currently drilling ten horizontal wells as operator and have participated in one additional horizontal well as a non-operator, all of which are Wolfcamp B wells in various stages of development. The table below presents certain data regarding our horizontal wells.

Horizontal Wells: Midland County
Well Name		Lateral Length				Number of Frac Stages				Peak 24-HR IP (BOE/d)				Peak 30 Day IP Rate (BOE/d)				% Oil(a)
Kemmer 4209H(b)			3,733’				15				892				712	(c)			85	%
ST NW 2501H			4,451’				19				1,054				655				90	%
ST NW 2502H			4,351’				16				651				500				88	%
Sarah Ann 3812H(b)			4,830’				18				892				711				88	%
ST W 4301H			7,141’				Well drilled; 29 stage frac completed
ST W 701H			~7,500’				Well drilled; 30 stage frac scheduled to commence May 27, 2013

Horizontal Wells: Upton County

Well Name

Lateral Length

Number of Frac Stages

Peak 24-HR IP (BOE/d)

Peak 30 Day IP Rate (BOE/d)

% Oil(a)

Janey 16H

3,842’

16

618

486

(c)

86

%

Neal A Unit 8-1H

7,441’

32

871

697

(c)

87

%

Janey 3H

4,411’

19

572

488

(c)

82

%

Neal B Unit 8-2H

6,501’

26

1,134

N/A

(d)

88

%

Kendra A Unit 1H

7,411’

Flowback operations underway; ~600 BOE/d

Jacee A Unit 1H

~7,500’

Currently completing 28 stage frac

Janey 2H

4,570’

Well drilled; frac scheduled

The production results from the wells in Midland and Upton Counties, along with geoscience and engineering data that we have gathered and analyzed, give us confidence that our acreage in Midland and Upton Counties is prospective in the Wolfcamp B interval.

Risk Factors

Investing in our common stock involves risks that include the speculative nature of oil and natural gas exploration, competition, volatile oil and natural gas prices and other material factors. You should read carefully the section of this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 15 for an explanation of these risks before investing in our common stock. In particular, the following considerations may offset our competitive strengths or have a negative effect on our strategy or operating activities, which could cause a decrease in the price of our common stock and a loss of all or part of your investment:

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For a discussion of other considerations that could negatively affect us, see “Risk Factors” beginning on page 15 and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” on page 41 of this prospectus.

Our Equity Sponsor

We were formed by our equity sponsor, Wexford Capital LP, or Wexford, which is a Greenwich, Connecticut-based SEC-registered investment advisor with approximately $4.9 billion under management as of December 31, 2012. Wexford has made public and private equity investments in many different sectors and has particular expertise in the energy and natural resources sector. Upon completion of this offering, assuming Wexford or its affiliates make no additional purchases of our common stock, Wexford will beneficially own approximately 40.0% of our common stock (approximately 39.5% if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full). As a result, Wexford will continue to be able to exercise significant control over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, changes to our organizational documents and significant corporate transactions. In connection with our initial public offering in October 2012, we entered into an advisory services agreement with Wexford under which Wexford provides us with financial and strategic advisory services related to our business. We are also party to certain other agreements with Wexford and its affiliates. For a description of the advisory services agreement and other agreements with Wexford and its affiliates, see “Related Party Transactions” beginning on page 77 of this prospectus. Although our management believes that the terms of these related party agreements are reasonable, it is possible that we could have negotiated more favorable terms for such transactions with unrelated third parties. The existence of these related party agreements may give Wexford the ability to further influence and maintain control over many matters affecting us.

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Our History

Diamondback was incorporated in Delaware on December 30, 2011, and did not conduct any material business operations until October 11, 2012 when Diamondback merged with its parent entity, Diamondback Energy LLC, with Diamondback continuing as the surviving entity. Prior to the merger, Diamondback Energy LLC was a holding company and did not conduct any material business operations other than its ownership of Diamondback’s common stock and the membership interests in Windsor Permian LLC, or Windsor Permian. As a result of the merger, Windsor Permian became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Diamondback. Also on October 11, 2012, Wexford, our equity sponsor, caused all of the outstanding equity interests in Windsor UT to be contributed to Windsor Permian prior to the merger in a transaction we refer to as the “Windsor UT Contribution.” The Windsor UT Contribution was treated as a combination of entities under common control with assets and liabilities transferred at their carrying amounts in a manner similar to a pooling of interests. The operations of Windsor Permian and Windsor UT, as limited liability companies, were not subject to federal income taxes. On the date of the merger, a corresponding “first day” tax expense to net income from continuing operations was recorded to establish a net deferred tax liability for differences between the tax and book basis of Diamondback’s assets and liabilities. This charge was $54,142,000. We refer to the historical results of Windsor Permian and Windsor UT prior to October 11, 2012 as our “Predecessors.”

Immediately after the merger on October 11, 2012, we acquired from Gulfport Energy Corporation, or Gulfport, all of Gulfport’s oil and natural gas interests in the Permian Basin, which we refer to as the “Gulfport properties,” in exchange for shares of our common stock and a promissory note, in a transaction we refer to as the “Gulfport transaction.” The Gulfport transaction was treated as a business combination accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting with the identifiable assets and liabilities recognized at fair value on the date of transfer. For more information regarding the Gulfport transaction, see “Related Party Transactions — Gulfport Transaction and Investor Rights Agreement” and “Shares Eligible for Future Sale — Registration Rights” beginning on pages 77 and 89, respectively, of this prospectus.

On October 17, 2012, we completed our initial public offering, or IPO, of 14,375,000 shares of common stock, which included 1,875,000 shares of common stock issued pursuant to the over-allotment option exercised by the underwriters. The stock was priced at $17.50 per share and we received net proceeds of approximately $234.1 million from the sale of these shares of common stock, net of offering expenses and underwriting discounts and commissions.

Emerging Growth Company

We are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. For as long as we are an emerging growth company, we will not be required to comply with certain requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and the exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We intend to take advantage of these reporting exemptions until we are no longer an emerging growth company. For a description of the qualifications and other requirements applicable to emerging growth companies and certain elections that we have made due to our status as an emerging growth company, see “Risk Factors — Risks Related to this Offering and our Common Stock — We are an ‘emerging growth company’ and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our common stock less attractive to investors” on page 38 of this prospectus.

Our Offices

Our principal executive offices are located at 500 West Texas, Suite 1225, Midland, Texas, and our telephone number at that address is (432) 221-7400. We also lease additional office space in Midland and in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Our website address is www.diamondbackenergy.com. Information contained on our website does not constitute part of this prospectus.

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The Offering

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Except as otherwise indicated, all information contained in this prospectus:

Summary Combined Consolidated Historical and Pro Forma Financial Data

The following table sets forth our summary historical combined consolidated financial data as of and for each of the periods indicated. The summary historical combined consolidated financial data as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 and for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 are derived from our historical audited combined consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The summary historical combined consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2010 are derived from our audited consolidated balance sheets of the Predecessors as of that date, which is not included in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The consolidated statements of operations data for the quarters ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012 and the consolidated balance sheet data at March 31, 2013 are derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements appearing in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The consolidated balance sheet data at March 31, 2012 are derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements that are not incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The unaudited pro forma financial data give effect to (a) the Gulfport transaction and (b) the distribution by Windsor Permian to its equity holder of its minority equity interests in Bison Drilling and Field Services LLC, or Bison, and Muskie Holdings LLC, or Muskie, as described under the heading “Related Party Transactions” on page 77 of this prospectus, as if these transactions occurred on January 1, 2012. The unaudited pro forma C Corporation financial data presented give effect to income taxes assuming we operated as a taxable corporation since inception for the 2011 and 2010 historical columns and since December 31, 2011 for the 2012 historical and pro forma columns. Operating results for the periods presented below are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any future periods. You should review this information together with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus and “Selected Historical Combined Consolidated Financial Data” and “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” beginning on pages 44 and 48, respectively, of this prospectus as well as our combined consolidated historical financial statements and their related notes incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the statements of revenues and direct operating expenses of certain property interests of Gulfport and their related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

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		Historical								Pro Forma				Historical
		Three Months Ended March 31,								Year Ended December 31,				Year Ended December 31,
		2013				2012(1)				2012				2012(2)				2011(1)				2010(1)
Statement of Operations Data:
Oil and natural gas revenues		$	28,909,000			$	16,351,000			$	97,455,000			$	74,962,000			$	47,875,000			$	26,442,000
Other revenues			—				—				—				—				1,491,000				811,000
Expenses:
Lease operating expense			5,435,000				2,789,000				23,361,000				16,793,000				10,597,000				4,589,000
Production taxes			1,427,000				797,000				4,804,000				3,691,000				2,366,000				1,347,000
Gathering and transportation			133,000				67,000				523,000				424,000				202,000				106,000
Oil and natural gas services			—				—				—				—				1,733,000				811,000
Depreciation, depletion and amortization			10,738,000				4,757,000				34,205,000				26,273,000				15,601,000				8,145,000
General and administrative			2,471,000				1,184,000				10,376,000				10,376,000				3,655,000				3,036,000
Asset retirement obligation accretion expense			43,000				20,000				122,000				98,000				65,000				38,000
Total expenses			20,247,000				9,614,000				73,391,000				57,655,000				34,219,000				18,072,000
Income from operations			8,662,000				6,737,000				24,064,000				17,307,000				15,147,000				9,181,000
Other income (expense):
Interest income			—				1,000				3,000				3,000				11,000				34,000
Interest expense			(485,000	)			(881,000	)			(3,610,000	)			(3,610,000	)			(2,528,000	)			(836,000	)
Other income			389,000				425,000				2,132,000				2,132,000				—				—
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments			(8,000	)			(4,792,000	)			2,617,000				2,617,000				(13,009,000	)			(148,000	)
Loss from equity investment			—				(13,000	)			—				(67,000	)			(7,000	)			—
Total other income (expense), net			(104,000	)			(5,260,000	)			1,142,000				1,075,000				(15,533,000	)			(950,000	)
Net income (loss) before income taxes			8,558,000				1,477,000				25,206,000				18,382,000				(386,000	)			8,231,000
Provision for income taxes			3,162,000				—				54,903,000				54,903,000				—				—
Net income (loss)		$	5,396,000			$	1,477,000			$	(29,697,000	)		$	(36,521,000	)		$	(386,000	)		$	8,231,000
Earnings per common share
Basic		$	0.15
Diluted		$	0.15
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic			37,059,071
Diluted			37,205,690
Pro Forma C Corporation Data(3):
Net income (loss) before income taxes						$	1,477,000			$	25,206,000			$	18,382,000			$	(386,000	)		$	8,231,000
Pro forma for income taxes							527,000				8,973,000				6,553,000				—				—
Pro forma net income (loss)						$	950,000			$	16,233,000			$	11,829,000			$	(386,000	)		$	8,231,000
Pro forma earnings per common share
Basic						$	0.06			$	0.63	(5)		$	0.60	(4)
Diluted						$	0.06			$	0.63	(5)		$	0.60	(4)
Pro forma weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic							14,697,496				25,856,823	(5)			19,720,734	(4)
Diluted							14,697,496				25,859,863	(5)			19,723,774	(4)

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		Historical								Pro Forma				Historical
		Three Months Ended March 31,								Year Ended December 31,				Year Ended December 31,
		2013				2012(1)				2012				2012(2)				2011(1)				2010(1)
Selected Cash Flow and Other Financial Data:
Net income (loss)		$	5,396,000			$	1,477,000							$	(36,521,000	)		$	(386,000	)		$	8,231,000
Depreciation, depletion and amortization			10,738,000				4,757,000								26,273,000				16,104,000				8,145,000
Other non-cash items			2,467,000				5,219,000								56,390,000				13,845,000				344,000
Change in operating assets and liabilities			(1,746,000	)			8,099,000								3,550,000				1,435,000				(11,528,000	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	16,855,000			$	19,552,000							$	49,692,000			$	30,998,000			$	5,192,000
Net cash used in investing activities		$	(74,094,000	)		$	(33,523,000	)						$	(183,078,000	)		$	(81,108,000	)		$	(55,236,000	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		$	36,397,000			$	16,255,000							$	152,785,000			$	52,950,000			$	51,733,000

		As of March 31,								As of December 31,
		2013				2012(1)				2012(2)				2011(1)				2010(1)
Balance sheet data:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	5,516,000			$	9,243,000			$	26,358,000			$	6,959,000			$	4,119,000
Other current assets			29,000,000				18,547,000				23,917,000				23,853,000				20,947,000
Oil and gas properties, net – using full cost method of accounting			611,048,000				240,788,000				552,640,000				220,465,000				144,552,000
Other property and equipment, net			1,765,000				804,000				1,602,000				684,000				11,059,000
Other assets			1,134,000				11,988,000				2,184,000				11,617,000				638,000
Total assets		$	648,463,000			$	281,370,000			$	606,701,000			$	263,578,000			$	181,315,000
Current liabilities			76,336,000				53,470,000				79,232,000				42,298,000				19,070,000
Note payable-long term			157,000				—				193,000				—				—
Note payable-credit facility-long term			36,500,000				85,000,000				—				85,000,000				44,767,000
Derivative instruments-long term			—				6,926,000				388,000				6,139,000				1,374,000
Asset retirement obligations			2,230,000				1,161,000				2,125,000				1,104,000				742,000
Deferred income taxes			65,206,000				—				62,695,000				—				—
Member’s/stockholders’ equity			468,034,000				134,813,000				462,068,000				129,037,000				115,362,000
Total liabilities and member’s/stockholders’ equity		$	648,463,000			$	281,370,000			$	606,701,000			$	263,578,000			$	181,315,000

		Historical								Pro Forma				Historical
		Three Months Ended March 31,								Year Ended December 31,				Year Ended December 31,
		2013				2012(1)				2012				2012(2)				2011(1)				2010(1)
Other financial data:
Adjusted EBITDA(6)		$	20,290,000			$	12,218,000			$	63,003,000			$	48,223,000			$	31,864,000			$	17,398,000

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Summary Historical Reserve Data

The following table sets forth estimates of our net proved oil and natural gas reserves as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, based on the reserve report prepared by Ryder Scott, and as of December 31, 2010, based on the reserve report prepared by Pinnacle Energy Services, LLC, or Pinnacle. Each reserve report was prepared in accordance with SEC rules and regulations. You should refer to “Risk Factors,” “Business — Oil and Natural Gas Data — Proved Reserves,” “Business — Oil and Natural Gas Production Prices and Production Costs — Production and Price History” beginning on pages 15, 58 and 62, respectively, of this prospectus and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto incorporated by reference into this prospectus in evaluating the material presented below.

		Historical
		Year Ended December 31,
		2012				2011				2010
Estimated proved developed reserves:
Oil (Bbls)			7,189,367				3,949,099				3,371,460
Natural gas (Mcf)			12,864,941				5,285,945				4,336,720
Natural gas liquids (Bbls)			2,999,440				1,263,710				1,126,431
Total (BOE)			12,332,964				6,093,800				5,220,678
Estimated proved undeveloped reserves:
Oil (Bbls)			19,007,492				14,151,337				16,258,700
Natural gas (Mcf)			21,705,207				15,265,522				18,358,360
Natural gas liquids (Bbls)			5,251,989				3,785,849				4,706,536
Total (BOE)			27,877,016				20,481,440				24,024,963
Estimated Net Proved Reserves:
Oil (Bbls)			26,196,859				18,100,436				19,630,160
Natural gas (Mcf)			34,570,148				20,551,467				22,695,080
Natural gas liquids (Bbls)			8,251,429				5,049,559				5,832,967
Total (BOE)(1)			40,209,979				26,575,240				29,245,641
Percent proved developed			30.7	%			22.9	%			17.9	%

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risks and all of the other information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus before deciding to invest in our common stock. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by any of these risks. The risks described below are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks not presently known to us or which we currently consider immaterial also may adversely affect us.

Risks Related to the Oil and Natural Gas Industry and Our Business

Our business is difficult to evaluate because we have a limited operating history.

Diamondback Energy, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware on December 30, 2011. Prior to October 11, 2012, all of our historical oil and natural gas assets, operations and results described in this prospectus were those of Windsor Permian and Windsor UT which, prior to our initial public offering, were entities controlled by our equity sponsor, Wexford. Immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement relating to our initial public offering, Windsor Permian became our wholly-owned subsidiary and we acquired the oil and natural gas assets of Gulfport located in the Permian Basin in the Gulfport transaction. The oil and natural gas properties described in this prospectus have been acquired by Windsor Permian, Gulfport and Windsor UT since December 2007. As a result, there is only limited historical financial and operating information available upon which to base your evaluation of our performance.

We may have difficulty managing growth in our business, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

As a recently-formed company, growth in accordance with our business plan, if achieved, could place a significant strain on our financial, technical, operational and management resources. As we expand our activities and increase the number of projects we are evaluating or in which we participate, there will be additional demands on our financial, technical, operational and management resources. The failure to continue to upgrade our technical, administrative, operating and financial control systems or the occurrences of unexpected expansion difficulties, including the failure to recruit and retain experienced managers, geologists, engineers and other professionals in the oil and natural gas industry, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to timely execute our business plan.

Approximately 84% of our net leasehold acreage is undeveloped, and that acreage may not ultimately be developed or become commercially productive, which could cause us to lose rights under our leases as well as have a material adverse effect on our oil and natural gas reserves and future production and, therefore, our future cash flow and income.

Approximately 84% of our net leasehold acreage is undeveloped, or acreage on which wells have not been drilled or completed to a point that would permit the production of commercial quantities of oil and natural gas regardless of whether such acreage contains proved reserves. In addition, many of our oil and natural gas leases require us to drill wells that are commercially productive, and if we are unsuccessful in drilling such wells, we could lose our rights under such leases. Our future oil and natural gas reserves and production and, therefore, our future cash flow and income are highly dependent on successfully developing our undeveloped leasehold acreage.

Our development and exploration operations require substantial capital and we may be unable to obtain needed capital or financing on satisfactory terms or at all, which could lead to a loss of properties and a decline in our oil and natural gas reserves.

The oil and natural gas industry is capital intensive. We make and expect to continue to make substantial capital expenditures in our business and operations for the exploration for and development, production and acquisition of oil and natural gas reserves. In 2012, our total capital expenditures, including expenditures for leasehold interests and property acquisitions, drilling, seismic and infrastructure, were approximately $111.8 million. Assuming the completion of this offering, our 2013 capital budget for drilling, completion and infrastructure, including investments in water disposal infrastructure and gathering line projects, is estimated to

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be approximately $290.0 million to $320.0 million. To date, we have financed capital expenditures primarily with funding from Wexford, our equity sponsor, borrowings under our revolving credit facility, cash generated by operations and the net proceeds of our initial public offering. However, neither Wexford nor any of its affiliates has made any commitment to provide us additional funding. Notwithstanding prior contributions and loans to us by Wexford or its affiliates, you should not assume that any of them will provide any debt or equity funding to us in the future.

In the near term, we intend to finance our capital expenditures with cash flow from operations, proceeds from this offering and borrowings under our revolving credit facility. Our cash flow from operations and access to capital are subject to a number of variables, including:

We cannot assure you that our operations and other capital resources will provide cash in sufficient amounts to maintain planned or future levels of capital expenditures. Further, our actual capital expenditures in 2013 could exceed our capital expenditure budget. In the event our capital expenditure requirements at any time are greater than the amount of capital we have available, we could be required to seek additional sources of capital, which may include traditional reserve base borrowings, debt financing, joint venture partnerships, production payment financings, sales of assets, offerings of debt or equity securities or other means. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain debt or equity financing on terms favorable to us, or at all.

If we are unable to fund our capital requirements, we may be required to curtail our operations relating to the exploration and development of our prospects, which in turn could lead to a possible loss of properties and a decline in our oil and natural gas reserves, or may be otherwise unable to implement our development plan, complete acquisitions or take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our production, revenues and results of operations. In addition, a delay in or the failure to complete proposed or future infrastructure projects could delay or eliminate potential efficiencies and related cost savings.

Our success depends on finding, developing or acquiring additional reserves.

Our future success depends upon our ability to find, develop or acquire additional oil and natural gas reserves that are economically recoverable. Our proved reserves will generally decline as reserves are depleted, except to the extent that we conduct successful exploration or development activities or acquire properties containing proved reserves, or both. To increase reserves and production, we undertake development, exploration and other replacement activities or use third parties to accomplish these activities. We have made and expect to make in the future substantial capital expenditures in our business and operations for the development, production, exploration and acquisition of oil and natural gas reserves. We may not have sufficient resources to acquire additional reserves or to undertake exploration, development, production or other replacement activities, such activities may not result in significant additional reserves and we may not have success drilling productive wells at low finding and development costs. Furthermore, although our revenues may increase if prevailing oil and natural gas prices increase significantly, our finding costs for additional reserves could also increase.

Our project areas, which are in various stages of development, may not yield oil or natural gas in commercially viable quantities.

Our project areas are in various stages of development, ranging from project areas with current drilling or production activity to project areas that consist of recently acquired leasehold acreage or that have limited drilling or production history. From inception through March 31, 2013, we drilled a total of 212 gross wells and participated in an additional 18 gross non-operated wells, of which 216 wells were completed as producing wells and 14 wells were in various stages of completion. If the wells in the process of being completed do not produce sufficient revenues to return a profit or if we drill dry holes in the future, our business may be materially affected.

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Our identified potential drilling locations, which are part of our anticipated future drilling plans, are susceptible to uncertainties that could materially alter the occurrence or timing of their drilling.

As of March 31, 2013, we had 878 gross (819 net) identified potential vertical drilling locations on our existing acreage based on 40-acre spacing and an additional 1,128 gross (1,034 net) identified potential vertical drilling locations based on 20-acre downspacing. We have also identified 745 gross (577 net) potential horizontal drilling locations in multiple horizons on our acreage. As of December 31, 2012, only 306 of our gross identified potential vertical drilling locations and four of these identified potential horizontal drilling locations were attributed to proved reserves. These drilling locations, including those without proved undeveloped reserves, represent a significant part of our growth strategy. Our ability to drill and develop these locations depends on a number of uncertainties, including the availability of capital, construction of infrastructure, inclement weather, regulatory changes and approvals, oil and natural gas prices, costs, drilling results and the availability of water. Further, our identified potential drilling locations are in various stages of evaluation, ranging from locations that are ready to drill to locations that will require substantial additional interpretation. We cannot predict in advance of drilling and testing whether any particular drilling location will yield oil or natural gas in sufficient quantities to recover drilling or completion costs or to be economically viable or whether wells drilled on 20-acre downspacing will produce at the same rates as those on 40-acre spacing. The use of technologies and the study of producing fields in the same area will not enable us to know conclusively prior to drilling whether oil or natural gas will be present or, if present, whether oil or natural gas will be present in sufficient quantities to be economically viable. Even if sufficient amounts of oil or natural gas exist, we may damage the potentially productive hydrocarbon bearing formation or experience mechanical difficulties while drilling or completing the well, possibly resulting in a reduction in production from the well or abandonment of the well. If we drill additional wells that we identify as dry holes in our current and future drilling locations, our drilling success rate may decline and materially harm our business. While to date we are the operator of or have participated in a total of 13 horizontal wells in Upton and Midland Counties, we have not yet drilled or participated in any horizontal wells on our acreage in Andrews County. We cannot assure you that the analogies we draw from available data from these or other wells, more fully explored locations or producing fields will be applicable to our drilling locations, including but not limited to those in Andrews County. Further, initial production rates reported by us or other operators in the Permian Basin may not be indicative of future or long-term production rates. Because of these uncertainties, we do not know if the potential drilling locations we have identified will ever be drilled or if we will be able to produce oil or natural gas from these or any other potential drilling locations. As such, our actual drilling activities may materially differ from those presently identified, which could adversely affect our business.

Our acreage must be drilled before lease expiration, generally within three to five years, in order to hold the acreage by production. In a highly competitive market for acreage, failure to drill sufficient wells to hold acreage may result in a substantial lease renewal cost, or if renewal is not feasible, loss of our lease and prospective drilling opportunities.

Leases on oil and natural gas properties typically have a term of three to five years, after which they expire unless, prior to expiration, production is established within the spacing units covering the undeveloped acres. As of December 31, 2012, we had leases representing 581 net acres expiring in 2013, 2,157 net acres expiring in 2014, 17,826 net acres expiring in 2015, 6,893 net acres expiring in 2016 and 1,820 net acres expiring in 2017. The cost to renew such leases may increase significantly, and we may not be able to renew such leases on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Any reduction in our current drilling program, either through a reduction in capital expenditures or the unavailability of drilling rigs, could result in the loss of acreage through lease expirations. In addition, in order to hold our current leases expiring in 2014 and 2015, we will need to operate at least a four-rig program. We cannot assure you that we will have the liquidity to deploy these rigs in this time frame, or that commodity prices will warrant operating such a drilling program. Any such losses of leases could materially and adversely affect the growth of our asset basis, cash flows and results of operations.

The volatility of oil and natural gas prices due to factors beyond our control greatly affects our profitability.

Our revenues, operating results, profitability, future rate of growth and the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties depend significantly upon the prevailing prices for oil and natural gas. Historically, oil

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and natural gas prices have been volatile and are subject to fluctuations in response to changes in supply and demand, market uncertainty and a variety of additional factors that are beyond our control, including:

These factors and the volatility of the energy markets make it extremely difficult to predict future oil and natural gas price movements with any certainty. For example, during the past five years, the posted price for West Texas intermediate light sweet crude oil, which we refer to as West Texas Intermediate or WTI, has ranged from a low of $30.28 per barrel, or Bbl, in December 2008 to a high of $145.31 per Bbl in July 2008. The Henry Hub spot market price of natural gas has ranged from a low of $1.82 per million British thermal units, or MMBtu, in April 2012 to a high of $13.31 per MMBtu in July 2008. During 2012, West Texas Intermediate prices ranged from $77.72 to $109.39 per Bbl and the Henry Hub spot market price of natural gas ranged from $1.82 to $3.77 per MMBtu. On May 1, 2013, the West Texas Intermediate posted price for crude oil was $90.74 per Bbl and the Henry Hub spot market price of natural gas was $4.31 per MMBtu. Any substantial decline in the price of oil and natural gas will likely have a material adverse effect on our operations, financial condition and level of expenditures for the development of our oil and natural gas reserves. In addition, lower oil and natural gas prices may reduce the amount of oil and natural gas that we can produce economically. This may result in our having to make substantial downward adjustments to our estimated proved reserves. If this occurs or if our production estimates change or our exploration or development results deteriorate, full cost accounting rules may require us to write down, as a non-cash charge to earnings, the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties.

We have entered into price swap derivatives and may in the future enter into forward sale contracts or additional price swap derivatives for a portion of our production, which may result in our making cash payments or prevent us from receiving the full benefit of increases in prices for oil and natural gas.

We use price swap derivatives to reduce price volatility associated with certain of our oil sales. Under these swap contracts, we receive a fixed price per barrel of oil and pay a floating market price per barrel of oil to the counterparty based on New York Mercantile Exchange Light Sweet Crude Oil pricing. The

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fixed-price payment and the floating-price payment are offset, resulting in a net amount due to or from the counterparty. For the purpose of locking-in the value of a swap, we enter into counter-swaps from time to time. Under the counter-swap, we receive a floating price for the hedged commodity and pay a fixed price to the counterparty. The counter-swap is effective in locking-in the value of a swap since subsequent changes in the market value of the swap are entirely offset by subsequent changes in the market value of the counter-swap.

In December 2007, we placed a swap contract covering 1,680,000 Bbls of crude oil for the period from January 2008 to December 2012 at various fixed prices. In April 2008, we entered into a series of counter-swaps to lock-in the value of certain of these swaps settling 1,188,000 Bbls of crude oil swaps. In June 2009, we entered into an additional series of counter-swaps to lock-in the value of most of the remaining swaps settling 324,000 Bbls of crude oil swaps. Locking in the value of our swaps with counter-swaps, without entering into new swaps, exposes us to commodity price risks on the originally swapped position. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, all of our swap contracts were locked-in with counter swaps. In October 2011, we placed a swap contract covering 1,000 Bbls per day of crude oil for the period from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013 at a fixed price of $78.50 per barrel for 2012 and $80.55 per barrel for 2013. In February 2013, we entered into swap contract at a fixed price of $109.70 per barrel covering 365,000 Bbls of crude oil from May 2013 to April 2014 that will settle against the average of the prompt month Brent Crude futures price. Our current goal is to hedge from 40% to 70% of our production. The contracts described above and any future hedging arrangements may expose us to risk of financial loss in certain circumstances, including instances where production is less than expected or oil prices increase. In addition, these arrangements may limit the benefit to us of increases in the price of oil. Accordingly, our earnings may fluctuate significantly as a result of changes in the fair value of our derivative instruments.

Our hedging transactions expose us to counterparty credit risk.

Our hedging transactions expose us to risk of financial loss if a counterparty fails to perform under a derivative contract. Disruptions in the financial markets could lead to sudden decreases in a counterparty’s liquidity, which could make them unable to perform under the terms of the derivative contract and we may not be able to realize the benefit of the derivative contract.

The inability of one or more of our customers to meet their obligations may adversely affect our financial results.

In addition to credit risk related to receivables from commodity derivative contracts, our principal exposure to credit risk is through receivables from joint interest owners on properties we operate (approximately $6.4 million at March 31, 2013) and receivables from purchasers of our oil and natural gas production (approximately $12.4 million at March 31, 2013). Joint interest receivables arise from billing entities that own partial interests in the wells we operate. These entities participate in our wells primarily based on their ownership in leases on which we wish to drill. We are generally unable to control which co-owners participate in our wells.

We are also subject to credit risk due to the concentration of our oil and natural gas receivables with several significant customers. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, three purchasers accounted for more than 10% of our revenue: Plains Marketing, L.P. (53%); Occidental Energy Marketing, Inc. (15%); and Andrews Oil Buyers Inc. (10%). For the year ended December 31, 2012, three purchasers accounted for more than 10% of our revenue: Plains Marketing, L.P. (53%); Occidental Energy Marketing, Inc. (16%); and Andrews Oil Buyers, Inc. (10%). For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, one purchaser, Windsor Midstream LLC, an entity controlled by Wexford, our equity sponsor, accounted for approximately 79% of our revenue in both periods. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of our revenue during these periods. This concentration of customers may impact our overall credit risk in that these entities may be similarly affected by changes in economic and other conditions. Current economic circumstances may further increase these risks. We do not require our customers to post collateral. The inability or failure of our significant customers or joint working interest owners to meet their obligations to us or their insolvency or liquidation may materially adversely affect our financial results.

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Our method of accounting for investments in oil and natural gas properties may result in impairment of asset value.

We account for our oil and natural gas producing activities using the full cost method of accounting. Accordingly, all costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration and development of proved oil and natural gas properties, including the costs of abandoned properties, dry holes, geophysical costs and annual lease rentals are capitalized. We also capitalize direct operating costs for services performed with internally owned drilling and well servicing equipment. All general and administrative corporate costs unrelated to drilling activities are expensed as incurred. Sales or other dispositions of oil and natural gas properties are accounted for as adjustments to capitalized costs, with no gain or loss recorded unless the ratio of cost to proved reserves would significantly change. Income from services provided to working interest owners of properties in which we also own an interest, to the extent they exceed related costs incurred, are accounted for as reductions of capitalized costs of oil and natural gas properties. Depletion of evaluated oil and natural gas properties is computed on the units of production method, whereby capitalized costs plus estimated future development costs are amortized over total proved reserves. The average depletion rate per barrel equivalent unit of production was $24.50 and $23.22 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The average depletion rate per barrel equivalent unit of production was $23.90, $25.41 and $17.78 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense for oil and natural gas properties for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 were $10.5 million and $4.7 million, respectively. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense for oil and natural gas properties for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $25.8 million, $15.4 million and $7.4 million, respectively.

The net capitalized costs of proved oil and natural gas properties are subject to a full cost ceiling limitation in which the costs are not allowed to exceed their related estimated future net revenues discounted at 10%. To the extent capitalized costs of evaluated oil and natural gas properties, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment, exceed the discounted future net revenues of proved oil and natural gas reserves, the excess capitalized costs are charged to expense. Beginning December 31, 2009, we have used the unweighted arithmetic average first day of the month price for oil and natural gas for the 12-month period preceding the calculation date in estimating discounted future net revenues.

No impairment on proved oil and natural gas properties was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2013 or the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. We may, however, experience ceiling test write downs in the future. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates — Method of accounting for oil and natural gas properties” incorporated by reference into this prospectus for a more detailed description of our method of accounting.

Our estimated reserves are based on many assumptions that may turn out to be inaccurate. Any material inaccuracies in these reserve estimates or underlying assumptions will materially affect the quantities and present value of our reserves.

Oil and natural gas reserve engineering is not an exact science and requires subjective estimates of underground accumulations of oil and natural gas and assumptions concerning future oil and natural gas prices, production levels, ultimate recoveries and operating and development costs. As a result, estimated quantities of proved reserves, projections of future production rates and the timing of development expenditures may be incorrect. Our historical estimates of proved reserves and related valuations as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 are based on reports prepared by Ryder Scott, an independent petroleum engineering firm. Our historical estimates of proved reserves and related valuations as of December 31, 2010 are based on a report prepared by Pinnacle, an independent petroleum engineering firm. Ryder Scott and Pinnacle, as applicable, conducted a well-by-well review of all our properties for the periods covered by their respective reserve reports using information provided by us. Over time, we may make material changes to reserve estimates taking into account the results of actual drilling, testing and production. Also, certain assumptions regarding future oil and natural gas prices, production levels and operating and development costs may prove incorrect. Any significant variance from these assumptions to actual figures could greatly affect our estimates of reserves, the economically recoverable quantities of oil and natural gas attributable to any particular group of properties, the classifications of reserves based on risk of recovery and estimates of future net cash flows. A substantial portion of our reserve estimates are made without the benefit of a lengthy production history, which are less reliable than estimates based on a lengthy production history. Numerous

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changes over time to the assumptions on which our reserve estimates are based, as described above, often result in the actual quantities of oil and natural gas that we ultimately recover being different from our reserve estimates.

The estimates of reserves as of December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 included in this prospectus were prepared using an average price equal to the unweighted arithmetic average of hydrocarbon prices received on a field-by-field basis on the first day of each month within the 12-month periods ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, in accordance with the revised SEC guidelines applicable to reserve estimates for such periods. Reserve estimates do not include any value for probable or possible reserves that may exist, nor do they include any value for unproved undeveloped acreage. The reserve estimates represent our net revenue interest in our properties.

The timing of both our production and our incurrence of costs in connection with the development and production of oil and natural gas properties will affect the timing of actual future net cash flows from proved reserves.

SEC rules that went into effect for fiscal years ending on or after December 31, 2009 could limit our ability to book additional proved undeveloped reserves in the future.

SEC rules that went into effect for fiscal years ending on or after December 31, 2009 require that, subject to limited exceptions, proved undeveloped reserves may only be booked if they relate to wells scheduled to be drilled within five years after the date of booking. This requirement has limited and may continue to limit our ability to book additional proved undeveloped reserves as we pursue our drilling program. Moreover, we may be required to write down our proved undeveloped reserves if we do not drill those wells within the required five-year timeframe.

The development of our proved undeveloped reserves may take longer and may require higher levels of capital expenditures than we currently anticipate.

Approximately 69% of our total estimated proved reserves at December 31, 2012 were proved undeveloped reserves and may not be ultimately developed or produced. Recovery of proved undeveloped reserves requires significant capital expenditures and successful drilling operations. The reserve data included in the reserve reports of our independent petroleum engineers assume that substantial capital expenditures are required to develop such reserves. We cannot be certain that the estimated costs of the development of these reserves are accurate, that development will occur as scheduled or that the results of such development will be as estimated. Delays in the development of our reserves or increases in costs to drill and develop such reserves will reduce the future net revenues of our estimated proved undeveloped reserves and may result in some projects becoming uneconomical. In addition, delays in the development of reserves could force us to reclassify certain of our proved reserves as unproved reserves.

Our producing properties are located in the Permian Basin of West Texas, making us vulnerable to risks associated with operating in a single geographic area. In addition, we have a large amount of proved reserves attributable to a small number of producing horizons within this area.

All of our producing properties are geographically concentrated in the Permian Basin of West Texas. As a result of this concentration, we may be disproportionately exposed to the impact of regional supply and demand factors, delays or interruptions of production from wells in this area caused by governmental regulation, processing or transportation capacity constraints, availability of equipment, facilities, personnel or services market limitations or interruption of the processing or transportation of crude oil, natural gas or natural gas liquids. In addition, the effect of fluctuations on supply and demand may become more pronounced within specific geographic oil and natural gas producing areas such as the Permian Basin, which may cause these conditions to occur with greater frequency or magnify the effects of these conditions. Due to the concentrated nature of our portfolio of properties, a number of our properties could experience any of the same conditions at the same time, resulting in a relatively greater impact on our results of operations than they might have on other companies that have a more diversified portfolio of properties. Such delays or interruptions could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

In addition to the geographic concentration of our producing properties described above, at December 31, 2012, all of our proved reserves were attributable to the Wolfberry play. This concentration of assets within a small number of producing horizons exposes us to additional risks, such as changes in field-wide rules and regulations that could cause us to permanently or temporarily shut-in all of our wells within a field.

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We depend upon several significant purchasers for the sale of most of our oil and natural gas production. The loss of one or more of these purchasers could, among other factors, limit our access to suitable markets for the oil and natural gas we produce.

The availability of a ready market for any oil and/or natural gas we produce depends on numerous factors beyond the control of our management, including but not limited to the extent of domestic production and imports of oil, the proximity and capacity of natural gas pipelines, the availability of skilled labor, materials and equipment, the effect of state and federal regulation of oil and natural gas production and federal regulation of natural gas sold in interstate commerce. In addition, we depend upon several significant purchasers for the sale of most of our oil and natural gas production. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, three purchasers accounted for more than 10% of our revenue: Plains Marketing, L.P. (53%); Occidental Energy Marketing, Inc. (15%); and Andrews Oil Buyers Inc. (10%). For the year ended December 31, 2012, three purchasers accounted for more than 10% of our revenue: Plains Marketing, L.P. (53%); Occidental Energy Marketing, Inc. (16%); and Andrews Oil Buyers, Inc. (10%). For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, one purchaser, Windsor Midstream LLC, an entity controlled by Wexford, our equity sponsor, accounted for approximately 79% of our revenue in both periods. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of our revenue during these periods. We cannot assure you that we will continue to have ready access to suitable markets for our future oil and natural gas production.

The unavailability, high cost or shortages of rigs, equipment, raw materials, supplies or personnel may restrict our operations.

The oil and natural gas industry is cyclical, which can result in shortages of drilling rigs, equipment, raw materials (particularly sand and other proppants), supplies and personnel. When shortages occur, the costs and delivery times of rigs, equipment and supplies increase and demand for, and wage rates of, qualified drilling rig crews also rise with increases in demand. In accordance with customary industry practice, we rely on independent third party service providers to provide most of the services necessary to drill new wells. If we are unable to secure a sufficient number of drilling rigs at reasonable costs, our financial condition and results of operations could suffer, and we may not be able to drill all of our acreage before our leases expire. In addition, we do not have long-term contracts securing the use of our existing rigs, and the operator of those rigs may choose to cease providing services to us. In addition, although we intend to increase the number of rigs we have operating in 2013, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Shortages of drilling rigs, equipment, raw materials (particularly sand and other proppants), supplies, personnel, trucking services, tubulars, fracking and completion services and production equipment could delay or restrict our exploration and development operations, which in turn could impair our financial condition and results of operations.

Our operations are substantially dependent on the availability of water. Restrictions on our ability to obtain water may have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Water is an essential component of deep shale oil and natural gas production during both the drilling and hydraulic fracturing processes. Historically, we have been able to purchase water from local land owners for use in our operations. According to the Lower Colorado River Authority, during 2011, Texas experienced the lowest inflows of water of any year in recorded history. As a result of this severe drought, some local water districts have begun restricting the use of water subject to their jurisdiction for hydraulic fracturing to protect local water supply. If we are unable to obtain water to use in our operations from local sources, we may be unable to economically drill for or produce oil and natural gas, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Declining general economic, business or industry conditions may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.

Concerns over global economic conditions, energy costs, geopolitical issues, inflation, the availability and cost of credit, the European debt crisis, the United States mortgage market and a weak real estate market in the United States have contributed to increased economic uncertainty and diminished expectations for the global economy. These factors, combined with volatile prices of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, declining business and consumer confidence and increased unemployment, have precipitated an economic slowdown and a recession. In addition, continued hostilities in the Middle East and the occurrence or threat of

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terrorist attacks in the United States or other countries could adversely affect the economies of the United States and other countries. Concerns about global economic growth have had a significant adverse impact on global financial markets and commodity prices. If the economic climate in the United States or abroad deteriorates further, worldwide demand for petroleum products could diminish, which could impact the price at which we can sell our oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, affect the ability of our vendors, suppliers and customers to continue operations and ultimately adversely impact our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.

We have incurred losses from operations during certain periods since our inception and may do so in the future.

We incurred a net loss of $36.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. Our development of and participation in an increasingly larger number of drilling locations has required and will continue to require substantial capital expenditures. The uncertainty and risks described in this prospectus may impede our ability to economically find, develop and acquire oil and natural gas reserves. As a result, we may not be able to achieve or sustain profitability or positive cash flows from our operating activities in the future.

Part of our strategy involves drilling in existing or emerging shale plays using the latest available horizontal drilling and completion techniques; therefore, the results of our planned exploratory drilling in these plays are subject to risks associated with drilling and completion techniques and drilling results may not meet our expectations for reserves or production.

Our operations involve utilizing the latest drilling and completion techniques as developed by us and our service providers. Risks that we face while drilling include, but are not limited to, landing our well bore in the desired drilling zone, staying in the desired drilling zone while drilling horizontally through the formation, running our casing the entire length of the well bore and being able to run tools and other equipment consistently through the horizontal well bore. Risks that we face while completing our wells include, but are not limited to, being able to fracture stimulate the planned number of stages, being able to run tools the entire length of the well bore during completion operations and successfully cleaning out the well bore after completion of the final fracture stimulation stage. The results of our drilling in new or emerging formations are more uncertain initially than drilling results in areas that are more developed and have a longer history of established production. Newer or emerging formations and areas often have limited or no production history and consequently we are less able to predict future drilling results in these areas.

Ultimately, the success of these drilling and completion techniques can only be evaluated over time as more wells are drilled and production profiles are established over a sufficiently long time period. If our drilling results are less than anticipated or we are unable to execute our drilling program because of capital constraints, lease expirations, access to gathering systems, and/or declines in natural gas and oil prices, the return on our investment in these areas may not be as attractive as we anticipate. Further, as a result of any of these developments we could incur material write-downs of our oil and natural gas properties and the value of our undeveloped acreage could decline in the future.

Conservation measures and technological advances could reduce demand for oil and natural gas.

Fuel conservation measures, alternative fuel requirements, increasing consumer demand for alternatives to oil and natural gas, technological advances in fuel economy and energy generation devices could reduce demand for oil and natural gas. The impact of the changing demand for oil and natural gas services and products may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The marketability of our production is dependent upon transportation and other facilities, certain of which we do not control. If these facilities are unavailable, our operations could be interrupted and our revenues reduced.

The marketability of our oil and natural gas production depends in part upon the availability, proximity and capacity of transportation facilities owned by third parties. Our oil production is transported from the wellhead to our tank batteries by our gathering system. Our purchasers then transport the oil by truck to a pipeline for

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transportation. Our natural gas production is generally transported by our gathering lines from the wellhead to an interconnection point with the purchaser. We do not control these trucks and other third party transportation facilities and our access to them may be limited or denied. Insufficient production from our wells to support the construction of pipeline facilities by our purchasers or a significant disruption in the availability of our or third party transportation facilities or other production facilities could adversely impact our ability to deliver to market or produce our oil and natural gas and thereby cause a significant interruption in our operations. If, in the future, we are unable, for any sustained period, to implement acceptable delivery or transportation arrangements or encounter production related difficulties, we may be required to shut in or curtail production. Any such shut in or curtailment, or an inability to obtain favorable terms for delivery of the oil and natural gas produced from our fields, would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Our operations are subject to various governmental laws and regulations which require compliance that can be burdensome and expensive.

Our oil and natural gas operations are subject to various federal, state and local governmental regulations that may be changed from time to time in response to economic and political conditions. Matters subject to regulation include discharge permits for drilling operations, drilling bonds, reports concerning operations, the spacing of wells, unitization and pooling of properties and taxation. From time to time, regulatory agencies have imposed price controls and limitations on production by restricting the rate of flow of oil and natural gas wells below actual production capacity to conserve supplies of oil and gas. In addition, the production, handling, storage, transportation, remediation, emission and disposal of oil and natural gas, by-products thereof and other substances and materials produced or used in connection with oil and natural gas operations are subject to regulation under federal, state and local laws and regulations primarily relating to protection of human health and the environment. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of sanctions, including administrative, civil or criminal penalties, permit revocations, requirements for additional pollution controls and injunctions limiting or prohibiting some or all of our operations. Moreover, these laws and regulations have continually imposed increasingly strict requirements for water and air pollution control and solid waste management. Significant expenditures may be required to comply with governmental laws and regulations applicable to us. We believe the trend of more expansive and stricter environmental legislation and regulations will continue. See “Business — Regulation” beginning on page 65 of this prospectus for a description of the laws and regulations that affect us.

Federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing could result in increased costs and additional operating restrictions or delays.

Hydraulic fracturing is an important common practice that is used to stimulate production of hydrocarbons, particularly natural gas, from tight formations, including shales. The process involves the injection of water, sand and chemicals under pressure into formations to fracture the surrounding rock and stimulate production. The federal Safe Drinking Water Act, or SDWA, regulates the underground injection of substances through the Underground Injection Control, or UIC, program. Hydraulic fracturing is generally exempt from regulation under the UIC program, and the hydraulic fracturing process is typically regulated by state oil and natural gas commissions. The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, however, has recently taken the position that hydraulic fracturing with fluids containing diesel fuel is subject to regulation under the UIC program, specifically as “Class II” UIC wells. At the same time, the White House Council on Environmental Quality is conducting an administration-wide review of hydraulic fracturing practices and the EPA has commenced a study of the potential environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing activities. Moreover, the EPA announced on October 20, 2011 that it is also launching a study regarding wastewater resulting from hydraulic fracturing activities and currently plans to propose standards by 2014 that such wastewater must meet before being transported to a treatment plant. As part of these studies, the EPA has requested that certain companies provide them with information concerning the chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process. These studies, depending on their results, could spur initiatives to regulate hydraulic fracturing under the SDWA or otherwise.

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Legislation to amend the SDWA to repeal the exemption for hydraulic fracturing from the definition of “underground injection” and require federal permitting and regulatory control of hydraulic fracturing, as well as legislative proposals to require disclosure of the chemical constituents of the fluids used in the fracturing process, were proposed in recent sessions of Congress. The U.S. Congress continues to consider legislation to amend the SDWA.

On August 16, 2012, the EPA published final regulations under the federal Clean Air Act that establish new air emission controls for oil and natural gas production and natural gas processing operations. Specifically, the EPA’s rule package includes New Source Performance Standards to address emissions of sulfur dioxide and volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, and a separate set of emission standards to address hazardous air pollutants frequently associated with oil and natural gas production and processing activities. The final rule seeks to achieve a 95% reduction in VOCs emitted by requiring the use of reduced emission completions or “green completions” on all hydraulically-fractured wells constructed or refractured after January 1, 2015. The rules also establish specific new requirements regarding emissions from compressors, controllers, dehydrators, storage tanks and other production equipment. These rules will require a number of modifications to our operations, including the installation of new equipment to control emissions from our wells by January 1, 2015. The EPA received numerous requests for reconsideration of these rules from both industry and the environmental community, and court challenges to the rules were also filed. The EPA intends to issue revised rules in 2013 that are likely responsive to some of these requests. The final revised rules could require modifications to our operations or increase our capital and operating costs without being offset by increased product capture. At this point, we cannot predict the final regulatory requirements or the cost to comply with such requirements with any certainty. The U.S. Department of the Interior has also announced its intention to propose a new rule regulation hydraulic fracturing activities on federal lands, including requirements for disclosure, well bore integrity and handling of flowback water.

In addition, there are certain governmental reviews either underway or being proposed that focus on environmental aspects of hydraulic fracturing practices. The federal government is currently undertaking several studies of hydraulic fracturing’s potential impacts, the results of which are expected between later in 2013 and 2014.

These ongoing or proposed studies, depending on their degree of pursuit and whether any meaningful results are obtained, could spur initiatives to further regulate hydraulic fracturing under the SDWA or other regulatory authorities. The U.S. Department of Energy has conducted an investigation into practices the agency could recommend to better protect the environment from drilling using hydraulic-fracturing completion methods. Additionally, certain members of Congress have called upon the U.S. Government Accountability Office to investigate how hydraulic fracturing might adversely affect water resources, the SEC to investigate the natural gas industry and any possible misleading of investors or the public regarding the economic feasibility of pursuing natural gas deposits in shale formations by means of hydraulic fracturing, and the U.S. Energy Information Administration to provide a better understanding of that agency’s estimates regarding natural gas reserves, including reserves from shale formations, as well as uncertainties associated with those estimates.

Several states, including Texas, have adopted or are considering adopting regulations that could restrict or prohibit hydraulic fracturing in certain circumstances and/or require the disclosure of the composition of hydraulic fracturing fluids. The Texas Railroad Commission recently adopted rules and regulations requiring that well operators disclose the list of chemical ingredients subject to the requirements of federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, or OSHA, to state regulators and on a public internet website. We plan to use hydraulic fracturing extensively in connection with the development and production of certain of our oil and natural gas properties and any increased federal, state, local, foreign or international regulation of hydraulic fracturing could reduce the volumes of oil and natural gas that we can economically recover, which could materially and adversely affect our revenues and results of operations.

There has been increasing public controversy regarding hydraulic fracturing with regard to the use of fracturing fluids, impacts on drinking water supplies, use of water and the potential for impacts to surface water, groundwater and the environment generally. A number of lawsuits and enforcement actions have been initiated across the country implicating hydraulic fracturing practices. If new laws or regulations are adopted that significantly restrict hydraulic fracturing, such laws could make it more difficult or costly for us to

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perform fracturing to stimulate production from tight formations as well as make it easier for third parties opposing the hydraulic fracturing process to initiate legal proceedings based on allegations that specific chemicals used in the fracturing process could adversely affect groundwater. In addition, if hydraulic fracturing is further regulated at the federal or state level, our fracturing activities could become subject to additional permitting and financial assurance requirements, more stringent construction specifications, increased monitoring, reporting and recordkeeping obligations, plugging and abandonment requirements and also to attendant permitting delays and potential increases in costs. Such legislative changes could cause us to incur substantial compliance costs, and compliance or the consequences of any failure to comply by us could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. At this time, it is not possible to estimate the impact on our business of newly enacted or potential federal or state legislation governing hydraulic fracturing.

Our operations may be exposed to significant delays, costs and liabilities as a result of environmental, health and safety requirements applicable to our business activities.

We may incur significant delays, costs and liabilities as a result of federal, state and local environmental, health and safety requirements applicable to our exploration, development and production activities. These laws and regulations may, among other things: (i) require us to obtain a variety of permits or other authorizations governing our air emissions, water discharges, waste disposal or other environmental impacts associated with drilling, producing and other operations; (ii) regulate the sourcing and disposal of water used in the drilling, fracturing and completion processes; (iii) limit or prohibit drilling activities in certain areas and on certain lands lying within wilderness, wetlands, frontier and other protected areas; (iv) require remedial action to prevent or mitigate pollution from former operations such as plugging abandoned wells or closing earthen pits; and/or (v) impose substantial liabilities for spills, pollution or failure to comply with regulatory filings. In addition, these laws and regulations may restrict the rate of oil or natural gas production. These laws and regulations are complex, change frequently and have tended to become increasingly stringent over time. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, imposition of cleanup and site restoration costs and liens, the suspension or revocation of necessary permits, licenses and authorizations, the requirement that additional pollution controls be installed and, in some instances, issuance of orders or injunctions limiting or requiring discontinuation of certain operations. Under certain environmental laws that impose strict as well as joint and several liability, we may be required to remediate contaminated properties currently or formerly operated by us or facilities of third parties that received waste generated by our operations regardless of whether such contamination resulted from the conduct of others or from consequences of our own actions that were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time those actions were taken. In addition, claims for damages to persons or property, including natural resources, may result from the environmental, health and safety impacts of our operations. In addition, the risk of accidental and/or unpermitted spills or releases from our operations could expose us to significant liabilities, penalties and other sanctions under applicable laws. Moreover, public interest in the protection of the environment has increased dramatically in recent years. The trend of more expansive and stringent environmental legislation and regulations applied to the crude oil and natural gas industry could continue, resulting in increased costs of doing business and consequently affecting profitability. To the extent laws are enacted or other governmental action is taken that restricts drilling or imposes more stringent and costly operating, waste handling, disposal and cleanup requirements, our business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Restrictions on drilling activities intended to protect certain species of wildlife may adversely affect our ability to conduct drilling activities in some of the areas where we operate.

Oil and natural gas operations in our operating areas can be adversely affected by seasonal or permanent restrictions on drilling activities designed to protect various wildlife. Seasonal restrictions may limit our ability to operate in protected areas and can intensify competition for drilling rigs, oilfield equipment, services, supplies and qualified personnel, which may lead to periodic shortages when drilling is allowed. These constraints and the resulting shortages or high costs could delay our operations and materially increase our operating and capital costs. Permanent restrictions imposed to protect endangered species could prohibit drilling in certain areas or require the implementation of expensive mitigation measures. The designation of previously unprotected species in areas where we operate as threatened or endangered could cause us to incur

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increased costs arising from species protection measures or could result in limitations on our exploration and production activities that could have an adverse impact on our ability to develop and produce our reserves.

The adoption of derivatives legislation by the U.S. Congress could have an adverse effect on our ability to use derivative instruments to reduce the effect of commodity price, interest rate and other risks associated with our business.

The adoption of derivatives legislation by the U.S. Congress could have an adverse effect on our ability to use derivative instruments to reduce the effect of commodity price, interest rate and other risks associated with our business. The U.S. Congress adopted the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (HR 4173), which, among other provisions, establishes federal oversight and regulation of the over-the-counter derivatives market and entities that participate in that market. The legislation was signed into law by the President on July 21, 2010. In its rulemaking under the legislation, the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC, has issued a final rule on position limits for certain futures and option contracts in the major energy markets and for swaps that are their economic equivalents (with exemptions for certain bona fide hedging transactions). The CFTC’s final rule was set aside by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on September 28, 2012 and remanded to the CFTC to resolve ambiguity as to whether statutory requirements for such limits to be determined necessary and appropriate were satisfied. As a result, the rule has not yet taken effect, although the CFTC has indicated that it intends to appeal the court’s decision and that it believes the Dodd-Frank Act requires it to impose position limits. The impact of such regulations upon our business is not yet clear. Certain of our hedging and trading activities and those of our counterparties may be subject to the position limits, which may reduce our ability to enter into hedging transactions.

In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act does not explicitly exempt end users (such as us) from the requirement to use cleared exchanges, rather than hedging over-the-counter, and the requirements to post margin in connection with hedging activities. While it is not possible at this time to predict when the CFTC will finalize certain other related rules and regulations, the Dodd-Frank Act and related regulations may require us to comply with margin requirements and with certain clearing and trade-execution requirements in connection with our derivative activities, although whether these requirements will apply to our business is uncertain at this time. If the regulations ultimately adopted require that we post margin for our hedging activities or require our counterparties to hold margin or maintain capital levels, the cost of which could be passed through to us, or impose other requirements that are more burdensome than current regulations, our hedging would become more expensive and we may decide to alter our hedging strategy. The financial reform legislation may also require us to comply with margin requirements and with certain clearing and trade-execution requirements in connection with our existing or future derivative activities, although the application of those provisions to us is uncertain at this time. The financial reform legislation may also require the counterparties to our derivative instruments to spin off some of their derivatives activities to separate entities, which may not be as creditworthy as the current counterparties. The new legislation and any new regulations could significantly increase the cost of derivative contracts (including through requirements to post collateral which could adversely affect our available liquidity), materially alter the terms of derivative contracts, reduce the availability of derivatives to protect against risks we encounter, reduce our ability to monetize or restructure our derivative contracts in existence at that time, and increase our exposure to less creditworthy counterparties. If we reduce or change the way we use derivative instruments as a result of the legislation and regulations, our results of operations may become more volatile and our cash flows may be less predictable, which could adversely affect our ability to plan for and fund capital expenditures. Finally, the legislation was intended, in part, to reduce the volatility of oil and natural gas prices, which some legislators attributed to speculative trading in derivatives and commodity instruments related to oil and natural gas. Our revenues could therefore be adversely affected if a consequence of the legislation and regulations is to lower commodity prices. Any of these consequences could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Proposed changes to U.S. tax laws, if adopted, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The U.S. President’s Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Proposal includes provisions that would, if enacted, make significant changes to U.S. tax laws. These changes include, but are not limited to, (i) eliminating the immediate deduction for intangible drilling and development costs, (ii) eliminating the deduction from income

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for domestic production activities relating to oil and natural gas exploration and development, (iii) the repeal of the percentage depletion allowance for oil and natural gas properties, (iv) an extension of the amortization period for certain geological and geophysical expenditures and (iv) implementing certain international tax reforms. These proposed changes in the U.S. tax laws, if adopted, or other similar changes that reduce or eliminate deductions currently available with respect to oil and natural gas exploration and development, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The adoption of climate change legislation by Congress could result in increased operating costs and reduced demand for the oil and natural gas we produce.

In December 2009, the EPA issued an Endangerment Finding that determined that emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other GHGs present an endangerment to public health and the environment because, according to the EPA, emissions of such gases contribute to warming of the earth’s atmosphere and other climatic changes. These findings by the EPA allowed the agency to proceed with the adoption and implementation of regulations that would restrict emissions of GHGs under existing provisions of the federal Clean Air Act. Subsequently, the EPA adopted two sets of related rules, one of which purports to regulate emissions of GHGs from motor vehicles and the other of which regulates emissions of GHGs from certain large stationary sources of emissions such as power plants or industrial facilities. The EPA finalized the motor vehicle rule, which purports to limit emissions of GHGs from motor vehicles manufactured in model years 2012 – 2016, in April 2010 and it became effective in January 2011. A recent rulemaking proposal by the EPA and the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration seeks to expand the motor vehicle rule to include vehicles manufactured in model years 2017 – 2025. The EPA adopted the stationary source rule, also known as the “Tailoring Rule,” in May 2010, and it also became effective in January 2011. The Tailoring Rule establishes new GHG emissions thresholds that determine when stationary sources must obtain permits under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration, or PSD, and Title V programs of the Clean Air Act. Facilities required to obtain PSD permits for their GHG emissions also will be required to meet “best available control technology” standards, which will be established by the states or, in some instances, by the EPA on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, in September 2009, the EPA issued a final rule requiring the reporting of GHG emissions from specified large GHG emission sources in the U.S., including natural gas liquids fractionators and local natural gas/distribution companies, beginning in 2011 for emissions occurring in 2010. In November 2010, the EPA expanded its existing GHG reporting rule to include onshore and offshore oil and natural gas production and onshore processing, transmission, storage and distribution facilities, which may include certain of our facilities, beginning in 2012 for emissions occurring in 2011.

The EPA has continued to adopt GHG regulations of other industries, such as the March 2012 proposed GHG rule restricting future development of coal-fired power plants. The proposed rule underwent an extended public comment process, which concluded on June 25, 2012. The EPA is also under a legal obligation pursuant to a consent decree with certain environmental groups to issue new source performance standards for refineries. The EPA is also considering additional regulation of greenhouse gases as “air pollutants.” As a result of this continued regulatory focus, future GHG regulations of the oil and gas industry remain a possibility. In addition, the U.S. Congress has from time to time considered adopting legislation to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and almost one-half of the states have already taken legal measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases primarily through the planned development of greenhouse gas emission inventories and/or regional greenhouse gas cap and trade programs. Although the U.S. Congress has not adopted such legislation at this time, it may do so in the future and many states continue to pursue regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Most of these cap and trade programs work by requiring major sources of emissions, such as electric power plants, or major producers of fuels, such as refineries and gas processing plants, to acquire and surrender emission allowances corresponding with their annual emissions of GHGs. The number of allowances available for purchase is reduced each year until the overall GHG emission reduction goal is achieved. As the number of GHG emission allowances declines each year, the cost or value of allowances is expected to escalate significantly.

Restrictions on emissions of methane or carbon dioxide that may be imposed in various states could adversely affect the oil and natural gas industry. Currently, while we are subject to certain federal GHG monitoring and reporting requirements, our operations are not adversely impacted by existing federal, state

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and local climate change initiatives and, at this time, it is not possible to accurately estimate how potential future laws or regulations addressing greenhouse gas emissions would impact our business.

In addition, there has been public discussion that climate change may be associated with extreme weather conditions such as more intense hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornados and snow or ice storms, as well as rising sea levels. Another possible consequence of climate change is increased volatility in seasonal temperatures. Some studies indicate that climate change could cause some areas to experience temperatures substantially colder than their historical averages. Extreme weather conditions can interfere with our production and increase our costs and damage resulting from extreme weather may not be fully insured. However, at this time, we are unable to determine the extent to which climate change may lead to increased storm or weather hazards affecting our operations.

A change in the jurisdictional characterization of some of our assets by federal, state or local regulatory agencies or a change in policy by those agencies may result in increased regulation of our assets, which may cause our revenues to decline and operating expenses to increase.

Section 1(b) of the Natural Gas Act of 1938, or the NGA, exempts natural gas gathering facilities from regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC. We believe that the natural gas pipelines in our gathering systems meet the traditional tests FERC has used to establish whether a pipeline performs a gathering function and therefore is exempt from FERC’s jurisdiction under the NGA. However, the distinction between FERC — regulated transmission services and federally unregulated gathering services is a fact-based determination. The classification of facilities as unregulated gathering is the subject of ongoing litigation, so the classification and regulation of our gathering facilities are subject to change based on future determinations by FERC, the courts or Congress, which could cause our revenues to decline and operating expenses to increase and may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, FERC has adopted regulations that may subject certain of our otherwise non-FERC jurisdictional facilities to FERC annual reporting and daily scheduled flow and capacity posting requirements. Additional rules and legislation pertaining to those and other matters may be considered or adopted by FERC from time to time. Failure to comply with those regulations in the future could subject us to civil penalty liability, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We rely on a few key employees whose absence or loss could adversely affect our business.

Many key responsibilities within our business have been assigned to a small number of employees. The loss of their services could adversely affect our business. In particular, the loss of the services of one or more members of our executive team, including our Chief Executive Officer, Travis D. Stice, could disrupt our operations. We have employment agreements with these executives which contain restrictions on competition with us in the event they cease to be employed by us. However, as a practical matter, such employment agreements may not assure the retention of our employees. Further, we do not maintain “key person” life insurance policies on any of our employees. As a result, we are not insured against any losses resulting from the death of our key employees.

A significant reduction by Wexford of its ownership interest in us could adversely affect us

Prior to October 11, 2012, Wexford beneficially owned 100% of our equity interests. Upon completion of our initial public offering, Wexford beneficially owned approximately 44.4% of our common stock. Upon completion of this offering, assuming Wexford or its affiliates make no additional purchases of our common stock, Wexford will beneficially own approximately 40.0% of our common stock (approximately 39.5% if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full). Further, several individuals who serve as our directors are affiliates of Wexford. We believe that Wexford’s substantial ownership interest in us provides Wexford with an economic incentive to assist us to be successful. Upon the expiration of the lock-up restrictions on transfers or sales of our securities by or on behalf of DB Energy Holdings LLC, or DB Holdings, imposed in connection with our initial public offering, Wexford will not be subject to any obligation to maintain its ownership interest in us and may elect at any time thereafter to sell all or a substantial portion of or otherwise reduce its ownership interest in us. If Wexford sells all or a substantial portion of its ownership interest in us, Wexford may have less incentive to assist in our success and its affiliate(s) that serve as members of our board of directors may resign. Such actions could adversely affect our

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ability to successfully implement our business strategies which could adversely affect our cash flows or results of operations. We also receive certain services, including drilling services from entities controlled by Wexford. These service contracts may generally be terminated on 30-days notice. In the event Wexford ceases to own a significant ownership interest in us, such services may not be available to us on terms acceptable to us, if at all.

Drilling for and producing oil and natural gas are high-risk activities with many uncertainties that may result in a total loss of investment and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Our drilling activities are subject to many risks. For example, we cannot assure you that new wells drilled by us will be productive or that we will recover all or any portion of our investment in such wells. Drilling for oil and natural gas often involves unprofitable efforts, not only from dry wells but also from wells that are productive but do not produce sufficient oil or natural gas to return a profit at then realized prices after deducting drilling, operating and other costs. The seismic data and other technologies we use do not allow us to know conclusively prior to drilling a well that oil or natural gas is present or that it can be produced economically. The costs of exploration, exploitation and development activities are subject to numerous uncertainties beyond our control, and increases in those costs can adversely affect the economics of a project. Further, our drilling and producing operations may be curtailed, delayed, canceled or otherwise negatively impacted as a result of other factors, including:

Any of these risks can cause substantial losses, including personal injury or loss of life, damage to or destruction of property, natural resources and equipment, pollution, environmental contamination or loss of wells and other regulatory penalties.

Our development and exploratory drilling efforts and our well operations may not be profitable or achieve our targeted returns.

Historically, we have acquired significant amounts of unproved property in order to further our development efforts and expect to continue to undertake acquisitions in the future. Development and exploratory drilling and production activities are subject to many risks, including the risk that no commercially productive reservoirs will be discovered. We acquire unproved properties and lease undeveloped acreage that we believe will enhance our growth potential and increase our earnings over time. However, we cannot assure you that all prospects will be economically viable or that we will not abandon our investments. Additionally, we cannot assure you that unproved property acquired by us or undeveloped acreage leased by us will be profitably developed, that new wells drilled by us in prospects that we pursue will be productive or that we will recover all or any portion of our investment in such unproved property or wells.

Drilling for oil and natural gas may involve unprofitable efforts, not only from dry wells but also from wells that are productive but do not produce sufficient commercial quantities to cover the drilling, operating and other costs. The cost of drilling, completing and operating a well is often uncertain, and many factors can adversely affect the economics of a well or property. Drilling operations may be curtailed, delayed or canceled as a result of unexpected drilling conditions, equipment failures or accidents, shortages of equipment or personnel, environmental issues and for other reasons. In addition, wells that are profitable may not meet our

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internal return targets, which are dependent upon the current and expected future market prices for oil and natural gas, expected costs associated with producing oil and natural gas and our ability to add reserves at an acceptable cost.

Operating hazards and uninsured risks may result in substantial losses and could prevent us from realizing profits.

Our operations are subject to all of the hazards and operating risks associated with drilling for and production of oil and natural gas, including the risk of fire, explosions, blowouts, surface cratering, uncontrollable flows of natural gas, oil and formation water, pipe or pipeline failures, abnormally pressured formations, casing collapses and environmental hazards such as oil spills, gas leaks and ruptures or discharges of toxic gases. In addition, our operations are subject to risks associated with hydraulic fracturing, including any mishandling, surface spillage or potential underground migration of fracturing fluids, including chemical additives. The occurrence of any of these events could result in substantial losses to us due to injury or loss of life, severe damage to or destruction of property, natural resources and equipment, pollution or other environmental damage, clean-up responsibilities, regulatory investigations and penalties, suspension of operations and repairs required to resume operations.

We endeavor to contractually allocate potential liabilities and risks between us and the parties that provide us with services and goods, which include pressure pumping and hydraulic fracturing, drilling and cementing services and tubular goods for surface, intermediate and production casing. Under our agreements with our vendors, to the extent responsibility for environmental liability is allocated between the parties, (i) our vendors generally assume all responsibility for control and removal of pollution or contamination which originates above the surface of the land and is directly associated with such vendors’ equipment while in their control and (ii) we generally assume the responsibility for control and removal of all other pollution or contamination which may occur during our operations, including pre-existing pollution and pollution which may result from fire, blowout, cratering, seepage or any other uncontrolled flow of oil, gas or other substances, as well as the use or disposition of all drilling fluids. In addition, we generally agree to indemnify our vendors for loss or destruction of vendor-owned property that occurs in the well hole (except for damage that occurs when a vendor is performing work on a footage, rather than day work, basis) or as a result of the use of equipment, certain corrosive fluids, additives, chemicals or proppants. However, despite this general allocation of risk, we might not succeed in enforcing such contractual allocation, might incur an unforeseen liability falling outside the scope of such allocation or may be required to enter into contractual arrangements with terms that vary from the above allocations of risk. As a result, we may incur substantial losses which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operation.

In accordance with what we believe to be customary industry practice, we historically have maintained insurance against some, but not all, of our business risks. Our insurance may not be adequate to cover any losses or liabilities we may suffer. Also, insurance may no longer be available to us or, if it is, its availability may be at premium levels that do not justify its purchase. The occurrence of a significant uninsured claim, a claim in excess of the insurance coverage limits maintained by us or a claim at a time when we are not able to obtain liability insurance could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct normal business operations and on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flow. In addition, we may not be able to secure additional insurance or bonding that might be required by new governmental regulations. This may cause us to restrict our operations, which might severely impact our financial position. We may also be liable for environmental damage caused by previous owners of properties purchased by us, which liabilities may not be covered by insurance.

Since hydraulic fracturing activities are part of our operations, they are covered by our insurance against claims made for bodily injury, property damage and clean-up costs stemming from a sudden and accidental pollution event. However, we may not have coverage if we are unaware of the pollution event and unable to report the “occurrence” to our insurance company within the time frame required under our insurance policy. We have no coverage for gradual, long-term pollution events. In addition, these policies do not provide coverage for all liabilities, and we cannot assure you that the insurance coverage will be adequate to cover claims that may arise, or that we will be able to maintain adequate insurance at rates we consider reasonable. A loss not fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

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Our failure to successfully identify, complete and integrate future acquisitions of properties or businesses could reduce our earnings and slow our growth.

There is intense competition for acquisition opportunities in our industry. Competition for acquisitions may increase the cost of, or cause us to refrain from, completing acquisitions. Our ability to complete acquisitions is dependent upon, among other things, our ability to obtain debt and equity financing and, in some cases, regulatory approvals. Further, these acquisitions may be in geographic regions in which we do not currently operate, which could result in unforeseen operating difficulties and difficulties in coordinating geographically dispersed operations, personnel and facilities. In addition, if we enter into new geographic markets, we may be subject to additional and unfamiliar legal and regulatory requirements. Compliance with regulatory requirements may impose substantial additional obligations on us and our management, cause us to expend additional time and resources in compliance activities and increase our exposure to penalties or fines for non-compliance with such additional legal requirements. Completed acquisitions could require us to invest further in operational, financial and management information systems and to attract, retain, motivate and effectively manage additional employees. The inability to effectively manage the integration of acquisitions could reduce our focus on subsequent acquisitions and current operations, which, in turn, could negatively impact our earnings and growth. Our financial position and results of operations may fluctuate significantly from period to period, based on whether or not significant acquisitions are completed in particular periods.

Properties we acquire may not produce as projected, and we may be unable to determine reserve potential, identify liabilities associated with the properties that we acquire or obtain protection from sellers against such liabilities.

Acquiring oil and natural gas properties requires us to assess reservoir and infrastructure characteristics, including recoverable reserves, development and operating costs and potential environmental and other liabilities. Such assessments are inexact and inherently uncertain. In connection with the assessments, we perform a review of the subject properties, but such a review will not necessarily reveal all existing or potential problems. In the course of our due diligence, we may not inspect every well or pipeline. We cannot necessarily observe structural and environmental problems, such as pipe corrosion, when an inspection is made. We may not be able to obtain contractual indemnities from the seller for liabilities created prior to our purchase of the property. We may be required to assume the risk of the physical condition of the properties in addition to the risk that the properties may not perform in accordance with our expectations.

We may incur losses as a result of title defects in the properties in which we invest.

It is our practice in acquiring oil and natural gas leases or interests not to incur the expense of retaining lawyers to examine the title to the mineral interest. Rather, we rely upon the judgment of oil and gas lease brokers or landmen who perform the fieldwork in examining records in the appropriate governmental office before attempting to acquire a lease in a specific mineral interest.

Prior to the drilling of an oil or natural gas well, however, it is the normal practice in our industry for the person or company acting as the operator of the well to obtain a preliminary title review to ensure there are no obvious defects in title to the well. Frequently, as a result of such examinations, certain curative work must be done to correct defects in the marketability of the title, and such curative work entails expense. Our failure to cure any title defects may delay or prevent us from utilizing the associated mineral interest, which may adversely impact our ability in the future to increase production and reserves. Additionally, undeveloped acreage has greater risk of title defects than developed acreage. If there are any title defects or defects in the assignment of leasehold rights in properties in which we hold an interest, we will suffer a financial loss.

Competition in the oil and natural gas industry is intense, which may adversely affect our ability to succeed.

The oil and natural gas industry is intensely competitive, and we compete with other companies that have greater resources than us. Many of these companies not only explore for and produce oil and natural gas, but also carry on midstream and refining operations and market petroleum and other products on a regional, national or worldwide basis. These companies may be able to pay more for productive oil and natural gas properties and exploratory prospects or define, evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties

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and prospects than our financial or human resources permit. In addition, these companies may have a greater ability to continue exploration activities during periods of low oil and natural gas market prices. Our larger competitors may be able to absorb the burden of present and future federal, state, local and other laws and regulations more easily than we can, which would adversely affect our competitive position. Our ability to acquire additional properties and to discover reserves in the future will be dependent upon our ability to evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment. In addition, because we have fewer financial and human resources than many companies in our industry, we may be at a disadvantage in bidding for exploratory prospects and producing oil and natural gas properties.

Our use of 2-D and 3-D seismic data is subject to interpretation and may not accurately identify the presence of oil and natural gas, which could adversely affect the results of our drilling operations.

Even when properly used and interpreted, 2-D and 3-D seismic data and visualization techniques are only tools used to assist geoscientists in identifying subsurface structures and hydrocarbon indicators and do not enable the interpreter to know whether hydrocarbons are, in fact, present in those structures. In addition, the use of 3-D seismic and other advanced technologies requires greater predrilling expenditures than traditional drilling strategies, and we could incur losses as a result of such expenditures. As a result, our drilling activities may not be successful or economical.

We will be subject to certain requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. If we are unable to timely comply with Section 404 or if the costs related to compliance are significant, our profitability, stock price and results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

We will be required to comply with certain provisions of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 as of December 31, 2013. Section 404 requires that we document and test our internal control over financial reporting and issue management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting. This section also requires that our independent registered public accounting firm opine on those internal controls if and when we become a large accelerated filer, as defined in the SEC rules, or if we otherwise cease to qualify for an exemption from the requirement to provide auditors’ attestation on internal controls afforded to emerging growth companies under the “Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act” enacted by the U.S. Congress in April 2012. We are currently evaluating our existing controls against the standards adopted by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. During the course of our ongoing evaluation and integration of our internal control over financial reporting, we may identify areas requiring improvement, and we may have to design enhanced processes and controls to address issues identified through this review.

We believe that the out-of-pocket costs, the diversion of management’s attention from running the day-to-day operations and operational changes caused by the need to comply with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could be significant. If the time and costs associated with such compliance exceed our current expectations, our results of operations could be adversely affected.

We cannot be certain at this time that we will be able to successfully complete the procedures, certification and attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or that we or our auditors will not identify material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to comply with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or if we or our auditors identify and report such material weaknesses, the accuracy and timeliness of the filing of our annual and quarterly reports may be materially adversely affected and could cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock. In addition, a material weakness in the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting could result in an increased chance of fraud and the loss of customers, reduce our ability to obtain financing and require additional expenditures to comply with these requirements, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Increased costs of capital could adversely affect our business.

Our business and operating results could be harmed by factors such as the availability, terms and cost of capital, increases in interest rates or a reduction in our credit rating. Changes in any one or more of these factors could cause our cost of doing business to increase, limit our access to capital, limit our ability to

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pursue acquisition opportunities, reduce our cash flows available for drilling and place us at a competitive disadvantage. Continuing disruptions and volatility in the global financial markets may lead to an increase in interest rates or a contraction in credit availability impacting our ability to finance our operations. We require continued access to capital. A significant reduction in the availability of credit could materially and adversely affect our ability to achieve our planned growth and operating results.

We recorded stock-based compensation expense in 2012 and the first quarter of 2013 and we may incur substantial additional compensation expense related to our future grants of stock compensation which may have a material negative impact on our operating results for the foreseeable future.

As a result of outstanding stock-based compensation awards, we recorded $6.3 million of compensation expense in 2012 and $0.7 million of compensation expense in the first quarter of 2013. In addition, our compensation expenses may increase in the future as compared to our historical expenses because of the costs associated with our existing and possible future incentive plans. These additional expenses could adversely affect our net income. The future expense will be dependent upon the number of share-based awards issued and the fair value of the options or shares of common stock at the date of the grant; however, they may be significant. We will recognize expenses for restricted stock awards and stock options generally over the vesting period of awards made to recipients.

Our level of indebtedness may increase and reduce our financial flexibility.

As of May 6, 2013, we had $44.0 million of borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit facility. In the future, we may incur significant additional indebtedness in order to make acquisitions, to develop our properties or for other purposes.

Our level of indebtedness could affect our operations in several ways, including the following:

A high level of indebtedness increases the risk that we may default on our debt obligations. Our ability to meet our debt obligations and to reduce our level of indebtedness depends on our future performance. General economic conditions, oil and natural gas prices and financial, business and other factors affect our operations and our future performance. Many of these factors are beyond our control. We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows to pay the interest on our debt, and future working capital, borrowings or equity financing may not be available to pay or refinance such debt. Factors that will affect our ability to raise cash through an offering of our capital stock or a refinancing of our debt include financial market conditions, the value of our assets and our performance at the time we need capital.

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Our revolving credit facility contains restrictive covenants that may limit our ability to respond to changes in market conditions or pursue business opportunities.

Our revolving credit facility contains restrictive covenants that limit our ability to, among other things:

In addition, our revolving credit facility requires us to maintain certain financial ratios and tests. The requirement that we comply with these provisions may materially adversely affect our ability to react to changes in market conditions, take advantage of business opportunities we believe to be desirable, obtain future financing, fund needed capital expenditures or withstand a continuing or future downturn in our business.

If we are unable to comply with the restrictions and covenants in our revolving credit facility, there could be an event of default under the terms of our revolving credit facility, which could result in an acceleration of repayment.

If we are unable to comply with the restrictions and covenants in our revolving credit facility, there could be an event of default under the terms of this facility. Our ability to comply with these restrictions and covenants, including meeting the financial ratios and tests under our revolving credit facility, may be affected by events beyond our control. As a result, we cannot assure that we will be able to comply with these restrictions and covenants or meet such financial ratios and tests. In the event of a default under our revolving credit facility, the lenders under such facility could terminate their commitments to lend or accelerate the loans and declare all amounts borrowed due and payable. If any of these events occur, our assets might not be sufficient to repay in full all of our outstanding indebtedness and we may be unable to find alternative financing. Even if we could obtain alternative financing, it might not be on terms that are favorable or acceptable to us. Additionally, we may not be able to amend our revolving credit facility or obtain needed waivers on satisfactory terms.

Our borrowings under our revolving credit facility expose us to interest rate risk.

Our earnings are exposed to interest rate risk associated with borrowings under our revolving credit facility, which bear interest at a rate elected by us that is based on the prime, LIBOR or federal funds rate plus margins ranging from 1.25% to 3.50% depending on the base rate used and the amount of the loan outstanding in relation to the borrowing base. As of March 31, 2013, the weighted average interest rate on such borrowings was 3.71%. If interest rates increase, so will our interest costs, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Any significant reduction in our borrowing base under our revolving credit facility as a result of the periodic borrowing base redeterminations or otherwise may negatively impact our ability to fund our operations.

Under our revolving credit facility, which currently provides for a $180.0 million borrowing base, we are subject to semi-annual and other elective collateral borrowing base redeterminations based on our oil and natural gas reserves. Any significant reduction in our borrowing base as a result of such borrowing base redeterminations or otherwise may negatively impact our liquidity and our ability to fund our operations and, as a result, may have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operation and cash flow.

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Loss of our information and computer systems could adversely affect our business.

We are heavily dependent on our information systems and computer based programs, including our well operations information, seismic data, electronic data processing and accounting data. If any of such programs or systems were to fail or create erroneous information in our hardware or software network infrastructure, possible consequences include our loss of communication links, inability to find, produce, process and sell oil and natural gas and inability to automatically process commercial transactions or engage in similar automated or computerized business activities. Any such consequence could have a material adverse effect on our business.

A terrorist attack or armed conflict could harm our business.

Terrorist activities, anti-terrorist efforts and other armed conflicts involving the United States or other countries may adversely affect the United States and global economies and could prevent us from meeting our financial and other obligations. If any of these events occur, the resulting political instability and societal disruption could reduce overall demand for oil and natural gas, potentially putting downward pressure on demand for our services and causing a reduction in our revenues. Oil and natural gas related facilities could be direct targets of terrorist attacks, and our operations could be adversely impacted if infrastructure integral to our customers’ operations is destroyed or damaged. Costs for insurance and other security may increase as a result of these threats, and some insurance coverage may become more difficult to obtain, if available at all.

Risks Related to this Offering and Our Common Stock

Our two largest stockholders control a significant percentage of our common stock, and their interests may conflict with those of our other stockholders.

Upon completion of this offering, Wexford and Gulfport (assuming neither Wexford nor Gulfport or any of their respective affiliates makes any additional purchases of our common stock) will beneficially own approximately 40.0% and 19.3%, respectively, of our common stock or 39.5% and 19.0%, respectively, if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full. See “Principal Stockholders” on page 82 of this prospectus. In addition, individuals affiliated with Wexford and Gulfport serve on our Board of Directors, and Gulfport has the right to designate one individual as a nominee for election to our Board of Directors so long as it continues to beneficially own more than 10% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, Wexford and Gulfport, together, are able to control, and Wexford alone will continue to be able to exercise significant influence over, matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, changes to our organizational documents and significant corporate transactions. This concentration of ownership makes it unlikely that any other holder or group of holders of our common stock will be able to affect the way we are managed or the direction of our business. The interests of Wexford and Gulfport with respect to matters potentially or actually involving or affecting us, such as future acquisitions, financings and other corporate opportunities and attempts to acquire us, may conflict with the interests of our other stockholders. This continued concentrated ownership will make it impossible for another company to acquire us and for you to receive any related takeover premium for your shares unless Wexford approves the acquisition.

The corporate opportunity provisions in our certificate of incorporation could enable Wexford, our equity sponsor, or other affiliates of ours to benefit from corporate opportunities that might otherwise be available to us.

Subject to the limitations of applicable law, our certificate of incorporation, among other things:

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These provisions create the possibility that a corporate opportunity that would otherwise be available to us may be used for the benefit of one of our affiliates.

We have engaged in transactions with our affiliates and expect to do so in the future. The terms of such transactions and the resolution of any conflicts that may arise may not always be in our or our stockholders’ best interests.

We have engaged in transactions and expect to continue to engage in transactions with affiliated companies. As described under the caption “Related Party Transactions” beginning on page 77 of this prospectus, these transactions include, among others, drilling services provided to us by Bison Drilling and Field Services, LLC, real property leased by us from Fasken Midland, LLC and certain administrative services provided to us by Everest Operations Management LLC. Each of these entities is either controlled by or affiliated with Wexford, and the resolution of any conflicts that may arise in connection with such related party transactions, including pricing, duration or other terms of service, may not always be in our or our stockholders’ best interests because Wexford may have the ability to influence the outcome of these conflicts. For a discussion of potential conflicts, see “— Risks Related to this Offering and our Common Stock — Our two largest stockholders control a significant percentage of our common stock, and their interests may conflict with those of our other stockholders” on page 36 of this prospectus.

We incur increased costs as a result of being a public company, which may significantly affect our financial condition.

We completed our initial public offering in October 2012. As a public company, we incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. We also incur costs associated with our public company reporting requirements and with corporate governance requirements, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules implemented by the SEC and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. These rules and regulations will increase our legal and financial compliance costs and make some activities more time-consuming and costly, and we expect that these costs may increase further after we are no longer an “emerging growth company.” These rules and regulations make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers.

However, for as long as we remain an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We intend to take advantage of these reporting exemptions until we are no longer an “emerging growth company.”

We will remain an “emerging growth company” for up to five years, although if the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of any June 30 before that time, we would cease to be an “emerging growth company” as of the following December 31.

After we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” we expect to incur significant additional expenses and devote substantial management effort toward ensuring compliance with those requirements applicable to companies that are not “emerging growth companies,” including Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. See “— Risks Related to the Oil and Natural Gas Industry and Our Business — We will be subject to certain requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. If we are unable to timely comply with Section 404 or if

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the costs related to compliance are significant, our profitability, stock price and results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected” on page 33 of this prospectus.

We are an “emerging growth company” and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our common stock less attractive to investors.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart our Business Startups Act of 2012, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies, including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. Investors may find our common stock less attractive because we rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.

Under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, “emerging growth companies” can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves to this exemption from new or revised accounting standards and, therefore, we will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies.”

If the price of our common stock fluctuates significantly, your investment could lose value.

Although our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Select Global Market, we cannot assure you that an active public market will continue for our common stock. If an active public market for our common stock does not continue, the trading price and liquidity of our common stock will be materially and adversely affected. If there is a thin trading market or “float” for our stock, the market price for our common stock may fluctuate significantly more than the stock market as a whole. Without a large float, our common stock would be less liquid than the stock of companies with broader public ownership and, as a result, the trading prices of our common stock may be more volatile. In addition, in the absence of an active public trading market, investors may be unable to liquidate their investment in us. Furthermore, the stock market is subject to significant price and volume fluctuations, and the price of our common stock could fluctuate widely in response to several factors, including:

The stock market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations in recent years that have significantly affected the quoted prices of the securities of many companies, including companies in our industry. The changes often appear to occur without regard to specific operating performance. The price of our common stock could fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with our company and these fluctuations could materially reduce our stock price.

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Future sales of our common stock, or the perception that such future sales may occur, may cause our stock price to decline.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales may occur, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. See “Shares Eligible for Future Sale” beginning on page 88 of this prospectus. In addition, the sale of these shares could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional common or preferred stock. Except for any shares purchased by our affiliates, all of the shares sold in our initial public offering are, and all of the shares sold in this offering will be, freely tradable. Our directors and executive officers and DB Holdings are subject to agreements that limit their ability to sell our common stock held by them. These holders cannot sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of our common stock for a period of at least 90 days, or 60 days with respect to DB Holdings, after the date of this prospectus, which period may be extended under limited circumstances, without the prior written approval of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC. However, these lock-up agreements are subject to certain specific exceptions, including transfers of common stock as a bona fide gift or by will or intestate succession and transfers to such person’s immediate family or to a trust or to an entity controlled by such holder, provided that the recipient of the shares agrees to be bound by the same restrictions on sales and, in the case of our executive officers and directors, the right of such individuals to sell up to 150,000 shares in the aggregate. We have also granted DB Holdings and Gulfport certain registration rights obligating us to register with the SEC their shares of our common stock. In the event that one or more of our stockholders sells a substantial amount of our common stock in the public market, or the market perceives that such sales may occur, the price of our stock could decline.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our stock or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline.

The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline. Moreover, if one or more of the analysts who cover our company downgrade our stock or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline.

We may issue preferred stock whose terms could adversely affect the voting power or value of our common stock.

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue, without the approval of our stockholders, one or more classes or series of preferred stock having such designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights, including preferences over our common stock respecting dividends and distributions, as our board of directors may determine. The terms of one or more classes or series of preferred stock could adversely impact the voting power or value of our common stock. For example, we might grant holders of preferred stock the right to elect some number of our directors in all events or on the happening of specified events or the right to veto specified transactions. Similarly, the repurchase or redemption rights or liquidation preferences we might assign to holders of preferred stock could affect the residual value of the common stock.

Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law make it more difficult to effect a change in control of the company, which could adversely affect the price of our common stock.

The existence of some provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware corporate law could delay or prevent a change in control of our company, even if that change would be beneficial to our stockholders. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that may make acquiring control of our company difficult, including:

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These provisions also could discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for you and other stockholders to elect directors and take other corporate actions. As a result, these provisions could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would benefit our stockholders, which may limit the price that investors are willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.

We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future, and therefore only appreciation of the price of our common stock will provide a return to our stockholders.

We currently anticipate that we will retain all future earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business. We do not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination as to the declaration and payment of cash dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our financial condition, results of operations, contractual restrictions, capital requirements, business prospects and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. In addition, the terms of our revolving credit facility prohibit us from paying dividends and making other distributions. As a result, only appreciation of the price of our common stock, which may not occur, will provide a return to our stockholders.

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference, contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which may include statements about our:

All of these types of statements, other than statements of historical fact included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may be found in the “Prospectus Summary,” “Risk Factors” and “Business” beginning on pages 1, 15 and 52, respectively, in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2012 incorporated by reference herein and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2013 incorporated by reference herein and elsewhere in this prospectus and the documents incorporated herein. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “project,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “pursue,” “target,” “seek,” “objective” or “continue,” the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology.

The forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus are largely based on our expectations, which reflect estimates and assumptions made by our management. These estimates and assumptions reflect our best judgment based on currently known market conditions and other factors. Although we believe such estimates and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently uncertain and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are beyond our control. In addition, our management’s assumptions about future events may prove to be inaccurate. Our management cautions all readers that the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are not guarantees of future performance, and we cannot assure any reader that such statements will be realized or the forward-looking events and circumstances will occur. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements due to the many factors including those described under “Risk Factors” herein and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 incorporated by reference herein and elsewhere in this prospectus. All forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus or included in a document incorporated by reference herein speak only as of the date hereof or thereof, respectively. We do not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. These cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Our net proceeds from the sale of 4,000,000 shares of common stock in this offering are estimated to be approximately $109.3 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, based on an assumed public offering price of $28.66 per share (the last sales price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on May 13, 2013). The net proceeds would be approximately $125.7 million if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full. Following the closing of this offering, we intend to use the net proceeds to repay in full all borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit facility, which as of May 6, 2013 were $44.0 million, and to fund a portion of our exploration and development activities and for general corporate purposes, which may include leasehold interest and property acquisitions and working capital.

All borrowings under our revolving credit facility are due and payable on October 15, 2014. As of December 31, 2012, we had no borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit facility. At May 6, 2013, we had $44.0 million of borrowings outstanding under this facility which bore interest at a weighted average rate of 2.45% per annum. These borrowings were used to fund a portion of our exploration and development activities and for general corporate purposes.

DIVIDEND POLICY

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination as to the declaration and payment of dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on then-existing conditions, including our financial condition, results of operations, contractual restrictions, capital requirements, business prospects and other factors that our board of directors considers relevant. In addition, the terms of our revolving credit facility restrict the payment of dividends to the holders of our common stock and any other equity holders.

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of March 31, 2013:

You should read the following table in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our combined consolidated financial statements and related notes which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

		As of March 31, 2013
		Actual				As Adjusted
Cash and cash equivalents		$	5,516,000			$	78,283,800
Debt:
Revolving credit facility(1)		$	36,500,000			$	—
Note payable			302,000				302,000
Total debt			36,802,000				302,000
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, par value $0.01; 100,000,000 shares authorized and 36,986,532 shares issued and outstanding actual; and 100,000,000 shares authorized and 40,986,532 shares issued and outstanding as adjusted			370,000				410,000
Additional paid-in capital			514,342,000				623,569,800
Accumulated deficit			(46,678,000 )				(46,678,000 )
Total stockholders’ equity			468,034,000				577,301,800
Total capitalization		$	504,836,000			$	577,603,800

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

Our common stock is listed and traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “FANG”. Our common stock began trading on October 12, 2012 at an initial public offering price of $17.50 per share.

The following table sets forth the range of high and low sales prices of our common stock for the periods presented:

Year		Quarter				High				Low
2012			4th Quarter	(1)		$	19.89			$	15.65
2013			1st Quarter			$	27.21			$	18.60
2013			2nd Quarter	(2)		$	29.75			$	23.83

The closing price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on May 13, 2013 was $28.66 per share. Immediately prior to this offering, we had issued and outstanding 36,986,532 shares of common stock, which were held by six holders of record. This number does not include owners for whom common stock may be held in “street” name or whose common stock is restricted.

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SELECTED HISTORICAL COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected historical combined consolidated financial data as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012 are derived from our audited combined consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The selected combined consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2010 and the selected historical combined consolidated financial data for 2009 and 2008 are derived from our audited financial statements of the Predecessors not included in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The consolidated statements of operations data for the quarters ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012 and the consolidated balance sheet data at March 31, 2013 are derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements appearing in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The consolidated balance sheet data at March 31, 2012 are derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements that are not incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The unaudited pro forma C Corporation financial data presented give effect to income taxes assuming we operated as a taxable corporation since inception for the 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008 columns and since December 31, 2011 for the 2012 columns. Operating results for the periods presented below are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any future periods. You should review this information together with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our historical combined consolidated financial statements and related notes which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

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		Three Months Ended March 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2013				2012(1)				2012(2)				2011(1)				2010(1)				2009				2008
Statement of Operations Data:
Oil and natural gas revenues		$	28,909,000			$	16,351,000			$	74,962,000			$	47,875,000			$	26,442,000			$	12,716,000			$	18,239,000
Other revenues			—				—				—				1,491,000				811,000				—				—
Expenses:
Lease operating expense			5,435,000				2,789,000				16,793,000				10,597,000				4,589,000				2,366,000				3,375,000
Production taxes			1,427,000				797,000				3,691,000				2,366,000				1,347,000				663,000				1,009,000
Gathering and transportation			133,000				67,000				424,000				202,000				106,000				42,000				53,000
Oil and natural gas services			—				—				—				1,733,000				811,000				—				—
Depreciation, depletion and amortization			10,738,000				4,757,000				26,273,000				15,601,000				8,145,000				3,216,000				10,200,000
Impairment of oil and gas properties			—				—				—				—				—				—				83,164,000
General and administrative			2,471,000				1,184,000				10,376,000				3,655,000				3,036,000				5,063,000				5,460,000
Asset retirement obligation accretion expense			43,000				20,000				98,000				65,000				38,000				28,000				24,000
Total expenses			20,247,000				9,614,000				57,655,000				34,219,000				18,072,000				11,378,000				103,285,000
Income (loss) from operations			8,662,000				6,737,000				17,307,000				15,147,000				9,181,000				1,338,000				(85,046,000	)
Other income (expense):
Interest income			—				1,000				3,000				11,000				34,000				35,000				625,000
Interest expense			(485,000	)			(881,000	)			(3,610,000	)			(2,528,000	)			(836,000	)			(11,000	)			—
Other income			389,000				425,000				2,132,000				—				—				—				—
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments			(8,000	)			(4,792,000	)			2,617,000				(13,009,000	)			(148,000	)			(4,068,000	)			(9,528,000	)
Loss from equity investment			—				(13,000	)			(67,000	)			(7,000	)			—				—				—
Total other income (expense), net			(104,000	)			(5,260,000	)			1,075,000				(15,533,000	)			(950,000	)			(4,044,000	)			(8,903,000	)
Net income (loss) before income taxes			8,558,000				1,477,000				18,382,000				(386,000	)			8,231,000				(2,706,000	)			(93,949,000	)
Provision for income taxes			3,162,000				—				54,903,000				—				—				—				—
Net income (loss)		$	5,396,000			$	1,477,000			$	(36,521,000	)		$	(386,000	)		$	8,231,000			$	(2,706,000	)		$	(93,949,000	)
Earnings per common share
Basic		$	0.15
Diluted		$	0.15
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic			37,059,071
Diluted			37,205,690
Pro Forma C Corporation Data(3):
Net income (loss) before income taxes						$	1,477,000			$	18,382,000			$	(386,000	)		$	8,231,000			$	(2,706,000	)		$	(93,949,000	)
Pro forma for income taxes							527,000				6,553,000				—				—				—				—
Pro forma net income (loss)						$	950,000			$	11,829,000			$	(386,000	)		$	8,231,000			$	(2,706,000	)		$	(93,949,000	)
Pro forma earnings per common share(4)
Basic						$	0.06			$	0.60
Diluted						$	0.06			$	0.60
Weighted average shares outstanding(4)
Basic							14,697,496				19,720,734
Diluted							14,697,496				19,723,774

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		Three Months Ended March 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2013				2012(1)				2012(2)				2011(1)				2010(1)				2009				2008
Selected Cash Flow and Other Financial Data:
Net income (loss)		$	5,396,000			$	1,477,000			$	(36,521,000	)		$	(386,000	)		$	8,231,000			$	(2,706,000	)		$	(93,949,000	)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization			10,738,000				4,757,000				26,273,000				16,104,000				8,145,000				3,216,000				10,200,000
Other non-cash items			2,467,000				5,219,000				56,390,000				13,845,000				344,000				4,109,000				92,715,000
Change in operating assets and liabilities			(1,746,000	)			8,099,000				3,550,000				1,435,000				(11,528,000	)			(1,917,000	)			3,076,000
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	16,855,000			$	19,552,000			$	49,692,000			$	30,998,000			$	5,192,000			$	2,702,000			$	12,042,000
Net cash used in investing activities		$	(74,094,000	)		$	(33,523,000	)		$	(183,078,000	)		$	(81,108,000	)		$	(55,236,000	)		$	(32,150,000	)		$	(84,197,000	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		$	36,397,000			$	16,255,000			$	152,785,000			$	52,950,000			$	51,733,000			$	23,849,000			$	80,183,000

		Three Months Ended March 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2013				2012(1)				2012(2)				2011(1)				2010(1)				2009				2008
Balance sheet data:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	5,516,000			$	9,243,000			$	26,358,000			$	6,959,000			$	4,119,000			$	2,430,000			$	8,029,000
Other current assets			29,000,000				18,547,000				23,917,000				23,853,000				20,947,000				2,263,000				1,390,000
Oil and gas properties, net – using full cost method of accounting			611,048,000				240,788,000				552,640,000				220,465,000				144,552,000				89,778,000				73,786,000
Well equipment to be used in development of oil and gas properties			—				—				—				—				—				5,413,000				8,503,000
Other property and equipment, net			1,765,000				804,000				1,602,000				684,000				11,059,000				106,000				161,000
Other assets			1,134,000				11,988,000				2,184,000				11,617,000				638,000				83,000				—
Total assets		$	648,463,000			$	281,370,000			$	606,701,000			$	263,578,000			$	181,315,000			$	100,073,000			$	91,869,000
Current liabilities		$	76,336,000			$	53,470,000			$	79,232,000			$	42,298,000			$	19,070,000			$	13,973,000			$	18,012,000
Note payable-long term			157,000				—				193,000				—				—				—				—
Note payable credit facility-long term			36,500,000				85,000,000				—				85,000,000				44,767,000				—				—
Derivative instruments-long term			—				6,926,000				388,000				6,139,000				1,374,000				1,416,000				2,868,000
Asset retirement obligations			2,230,000				1,161,000				2,125,000				1,104,000				742,000				482,000				374,000
Deferred income taxes			65,206,000				—				62,695,000				—				—				—				—
Stockholders’ equity			468,034,000				134,813,000				462,068,000				129,037,000				115,362,000				84,202,000				70,615,000
Total liabilities and member’s/stockholders’ equity		$	648,463,000			$	281,370,000			$	606,701,000			$	263,578,000			$	181,315,000			$	100,073,000			$	91,869,000

		Three Months Ended March 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2013				2012(1)				2012(2)				2011(1)				2010(1)				2009				2008
Other financial data:
Adjusted EBITDA(5)		$	20,290,000			$	12,218,000			$	48,223,000			$	31,864,000			$	17,398,000			$	4,617,000			$	8,967,000

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The following presents a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure of Adjusted EBITDA to the GAAP financial measure of net income (loss).

		Three Months Ended March 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2013				2012(1)				2012				2011				2010				2009				2008
Net income (loss):		$	5,396,000			$	1,477,000			$	(36,521,000	)		$	(386,000	)		$	8,231,000			$	(2,706,000	)		$	(93,949,000	)
(Gain) loss on derivative instruments			8,000				4,792,000				(2,617,000	)			13,009,000				148,000				4,068,000				9,528,000
Interest expense			485,000				881,000				3,610,000				2,528,000				836,000				11,000				—
Depreciation, depletion and amortization			10,738,000				4,757,000				26,273,000				16,104,000				8,145,000				3,216,000				10,200,000
Impairment of oil and gas properties			—				—				—				—				—				—				83,164,000
Non-cash equity based compensation expense			458,000				291,000				2,477,000				544,000				—				—				—
Asset retirement obligation accretion expense			43,000				20,000				98,000				65,000				38,000				28,000				24,000
Deferred income tax provision			3,162,000				—				54,903,000				—				—				—				—
Adjusted EBITDA		$	20,290,000			$	12,218,000			$	48,223,000			$	31,864,000			$	17,398,000			$	4,617,000			$	8,967,000

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Diamondback Energy, Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statement
Introduction

The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations and related notes of the Company have been prepared to show the effect of the Gulfport transaction and the distribution by Windsor Permian to its equity holders of its minority equity interests in Bison and Muskie. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations should be read together with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2013 and the historical Statements of Revenues and Direct Operating Expenses of certain property interests of Gulfport Energy Corporation included in this prospectus. The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations is based on assumptions and include adjustments as explained in the accompanying notes.

The acquisition of certain property interests of Gulfport Energy Corporation (the Gulfport properties) was treated as a business combination accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting with the identifiable assets recognized at fair value on the date of transfer.

The pro forma data presented reflect events directly attributable to the described transactions and certain assumptions the Company believes are reasonable. The pro forma data are not necessarily indicative of financial results that would have been attained had the described transactions occurred on the dates indicated below. The pro forma data also necessarily exclude various operation expenses related to the Gulfport properties and the statement of operations should not be viewed as indicative of operations in future periods. As the current operator of the properties acquired by the Company upon completion of the Gulfport transaction, the Company does not expect any material impact from these transactions on its existing employees or infrastructure.

The Gulfport transaction was completed on October 11, 2012, and the distribution of the equity interests in Bison and Muskie occurred in June 2012.

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 assumes that the described transactions occurred on January 1, 2012.

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Diamondback Energy, Inc.
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2012

		Diamondback Energy, Inc. Historical				Gulfport Properties Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 Historical				Pro Forma Adjustments				Pro Forma
Revenues:
Oil and natural gas revenues		$	74,962,000			$	21,217,000			$	1,276,000	(a)		$	97,455,000
Costs and expenses:
Lease operating expenses			16,793,000				6,359,000				209,000	(a)			23,361,000
Production taxes			3,691,000				1,119,000				(6,000	)(a)			4,804,000
Gathering and transportation			424,000				—				99,000	(a)			523,000
Depreciation, depletion and amortization			26,273,000				—				7,932,000	(c)			34,205,000
General and administrative			10,376,000				—				—				10,376,000
Asset retirement obligation accretion expense			98,000				—				24,000	(b)			122,000
Total costs and expenses			57,655,000				7,478,000				8,258,000				73,391,000
Income (loss) from operations			17,307,000				13,739,000				(6,982,000	)			24,064,000
Other income (expense)
Interest income			3,000				—				—				3,000
Interest expense			(3,610,000	)			—				—				(3,610,000	)
Other income			2,132,000				—				—				2,132,000
Gain on derivative instruments			2,617,000				—				—				2,617,000
Loss from equity investment			(67,000	)			—				67,000	(d)			—
Total other income (expense), net			1,075,000				—				67,000				1,142,000
Income (loss) before income taxes			18,382,000				13,739,000				(6,915,000	)			25,206,000
Provision for income taxes
Deferred income tax provision			54,903,000				—				—				54,903,000
Net income (loss)		$	(36,521,000	)		$	13,739,000			$	(6,915,000	)		$	(29,697,000	)
Pro forma loss per common share(e)
Basic														$	(1.15	)
Diluted														$	(1.15	)
Pro forma weighted average common shares outstanding(e)
Basic															25,856,823
Diluted															25,859,863