Vitesse Energy Announces Full Year 2023 Results and Declares $0.50 Quarterly Cash Dividend

CENTENNIAL, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Vitesse Energy, Inc. (NYSE: VTS) (“we,” “our,” “Vitesse,” or “the Company”) today announced the Company’s 2023 financial and operating results and declared a quarterly cash dividend.


HIGHLIGHTS

  • Declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per common share to be paid on March 29, 2024
  • Net loss of $19.7 million and Adjusted Net Income(1) of $53.6 million
  • Adjusted EBITDA(1) of $157.0 million
  • Cash flow from operations of $141.9 million and Free Cash Flow(1) of $60.7 million
  • Production of 11,889 barrels of oil equivalent (“Boe”) per day (68% oil), an increase of 15% from 2022, and fourth quarter 2023 production of 13,652 Boe per day (72% oil)
  • Total cash development capital expenditures and acquisition costs of $120.5 million
  • Total debt of $81.0 million and Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio(1) of 0.51

(1) Non-GAAP financial measure; see reconciliation schedules at the end of this release

MANAGEMENT COMMENTS

Bob Gerrity, Vitesse’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer commented, “During our first year as a publicly traded company, we followed through on our strategy of returning capital to stockholders by paying a $2.00 per share fixed dividend. Our allocation of capital to the highest return opportunities also resulted in production growth during the year, while maintaining our conservative leverage profile. Going forward, we believe our significant inventory of organic development locations and access to attractive self-sourced deal flow position us to both continue the return of capital strategy and pursue accretive growth opportunities.”

STOCKHOLDER RETURNS

Vitesse’s Board of Directors declared its first quarter 2024 cash dividend for Vitesse’s common stock of $0.50 per share for stockholders of record as of March 15, 2024, which will be paid on March 29, 2024.

On December 29, 2023, the Company paid its fourth quarter cash dividend of $0.50 per share to common stockholders of record as of December 15, 2023.

FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS

Net loss for 2023 was $19.7 million and Adjusted Net Income was $53.6 million. Adjusted EBITDA was $157.0 million. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.

Oil and natural gas production during 2023 averaged 11,889 Boe per day. For the fourth quarter, oil and natural gas production averaged 13,652 Boe per day. Sequentially this represents 24% growth over third quarter 2023, reflecting the impact of the Company’s acquisition of additional oil and natural gas interests previously announced in October 2023. Oil represented 68% of production and 93% of total oil and natural gas revenue for the year. Total revenue, including the effects of realized hedges, for 2023 was $235.1 million.

Vitesse’s average realized oil and natural gas prices before hedging were $73.59 per Bbl and $1.88 per Mcf, respectively, during 2023. For the year, the Company had hedges covering 49% of oil production and its realized oil price with hedging was $73.99 per Bbl.

Lease operating expenses in 2023 were $39.5 million, or $9.11 per Boe. General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses for 2023 totaled $23.9 million, or $5.52 per Boe, which included $6.8 million of costs related to the spin-off from Jefferies Financial Group Inc. on January 13, 2023 (the “Spin-Off”). Excluding these costs, G&A would have been $3.94 per Boe.

RESERVES

Proved developed reserves at December 31, 2023 increased 5% from December 31, 2022 to 28.5 million Boe. Total proved reserves decreased 7% to 40.6 million Boe (70% proved developed). The decrease in proved reserves was attributable to the removal of undeveloped drilling locations related to the pace of development in North Dakota. To comply with SEC guidelines, proved undeveloped reserves are limited to those locations that are reasonably certain to be developed over the next five years. A portion of the increase in proved developed reserves was the result of Vitesse adding 1.5 million Boe of reserves that were not classified as proved undeveloped at December 31, 2022, but were part of its unproven inventory of drilling locations.

Total proved reserves at December 31, 2023 had an associated Standardized Measure of $575.7 million and PV-10 value of $682.1 million (79% proved developed). The decrease in Standardized Measure and PV-10 from 2022 is primarily related to the reduction in the benchmark oil and natural gas prices used in accordance with the SEC’s rules regarding reserve reporting from $94.14/Bbl to $78.21/Bbl for oil and $6.36/MMBtu to $2.64/MMBtu for natural gas, along with a decrease in NGL prices that contributed to the reduction in realized natural gas price from $7.98/Mcf in 2022 to $1.71/Mcf. These benchmark prices represent an average price equal to the 12-month unweighted arithmetic average of the first day of the month prices for each of the preceding 12 months and are adjusted for location and quality differentials, unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements, excluding escalations based on future conditions (“SEC Pricing”). Vitesse’s Standardized Measure, PV-10 and proved reserves at year-end 2022 did not include the reserves of Vitesse Oil, LLC (“Vitesse Oil”), which was acquired as part of the Spin-Off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEC PRICING PROVED RESERVES (1)

 

RESERVES VOLUMES

 

 

 

PV-10 (3)

RESERVE CATEGORY

OIL

(MBbls)

 

NATURAL

GAS

(MMcf)

 

TOTAL

(MBoe) (2)

 

%

 

AMOUNT

(in thousands)

 

%

PDP Properties

17,981

 

58,911

 

27,799

 

68%

 

$ 521,494

 

77%

PDNP Properties

459

 

1,292

 

675

 

2%

 

15,108

 

2%

PUD Properties

9,303

 

16,907

 

12,121

 

30%

 

145,468

 

21%

Total

27,743

 

77,110

 

40,595

 

100%

 

$ 682,070

 

100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Oil and natural gas reserve quantities and related discounted future net cash flows are valued as of December 31, 2023 based on an average WTI price of $78.21 per barrel of oil and Henry Hub price of $2.64 per MMBtu of natural gas. Under SEC guidelines, these prices represent the average prices per barrel of oil and per MMBtu of natural gas at the beginning of each month in the twelve-month period prior to the end of the reporting period, which are adjusted for location and differentials.

(2)

MBoe are computed based on a conversion ratio of one Boe for each barrel of oil and one Boe for every 6 Mcf of natural gas.

(3)

PV-10 is a non-GAAP financial measure that does not include the effects of income taxes on future net revenues, and is not intended to represent fair market value of our oil and natural gas properties. For a definition of and reconciliation of PV-10 to its nearest GAAP financial measure, see the reconciliation schedule at the end of this release.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

As of December 31, 2023, Vitesse had $0.6 million in cash and $81.0 million of borrowings outstanding on its revolving credit facility, which had a borrowing base of $245.0 million with an aggregate elected commitment of $180.0 million. Vitesse had total liquidity of $99.6 million as of December 31, 2023, consisting of cash and committed borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility. On January 17, 2024, the Company increased the elected commitments to $210.0 million and added a fifth lender to the syndicate of banks.

During 2023, Vitesse spent $84.8 million on development capital expenditures and $35.7 million on acquisitions of oil and gas properties, primarily in North Dakota.

OPERATIONS UPDATE

As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned an interest in 256 gross (6.7 net) wells that were either drilling or in the completion phase, and another 421 gross (9.9 net) locations that had been permitted for development at the end of the year.

2024 ANNUAL GUIDANCE

Vitesse reaffirms its preliminary 2024 outlook, which is set forth below.

 

2024 Guidance

Annual Production (Boe per day)

12,500 – 13,500

Oil as a Percentage of Annual Production

67% – 71%

Total Cash Capital Expenditures ($ in millions)

$90 -$110

 

FULL YEAR 2023 RESULTS

Vitesse Energy, LLC is the “predecessor” of Vitesse for financial reporting purposes. As a result, unless otherwise indicated, the 2022 financial and operating data presented or referred to in this release are those of Vitesse Energy, LLC and do not include the financial and operating data of Vitesse Oil, which was acquired as part of the Spin-Off. The following table sets forth selected financial and operating data for the periods indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,

 

INCREASE

(DECREASE)

($ in thousands, except per unit data)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

AMOUNT

 

PERCENT

Financial and Operating Results:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil

$

218,396

 

$

233,622

 

 

$

(15,226

)

 

(7

%)

Natural gas

 

15,509

 

 

48,268

 

 

 

(32,759

)

 

(68

%)

Total revenue

$

233,905

 

$

281,890

 

 

$

(47,985

)

 

(17

%)

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease operating expense

$

39,514

 

$

31,133

 

 

$

8,381

 

 

27

%

Production taxes

 

21,625

 

 

24,092

 

 

 

(2,467

)

 

(10

%)

General and administrative

 

23,934

 

 

19,833

 

 

 

4,101

 

 

21

%

Depletion, depreciation, amortization, and accretion

 

81,745

 

 

63,732

 

 

 

18,013

 

 

28

%

Equity-based compensation

 

32,233

 

 

(10,766

)

 

 

42,999

 

 

*nm

Interest Expense

$

5,276

 

$

4,153

 

 

$

1,123

 

 

27

%

Income Tax Expense

$

61,946

 

$

 

 

$

61,946

 

 

*nm

Commodity Derivative Gain (Loss)

$

12,484

 

$

(30,830

)

 

$

43,314

 

 

140

%

Production Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil (MBbls)

 

2,968

 

 

2,575

 

 

 

393

 

 

15

%

Natural gas (MMcf)

 

8,232

 

 

7,274

 

 

 

958

 

 

13

%

Combined volumes (MBoe)

 

4,340

 

 

3,787

 

 

 

553

 

 

15

%

Daily combined volumes (Boe/d)

 

11,889

 

 

10,376

 

 

 

1,513

 

 

15

%

Average Realized Prices before Hedging:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil (per Bbl)

$

73.59

 

$

90.73

 

 

$

(17.14

)

 

(19

%)

Natural gas (per Mcf)

 

1.88

 

 

6.64

 

 

 

(4.76

)

 

(72

%)

Combined (per Boe)

 

53.90

 

 

74.43

 

 

 

(20.53

)

 

(28

%)

Average Realized Prices with Hedging:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil (per Bbl)

$

73.99

 

$

72.66

 

 

$

1.33

 

 

2

%

Natural gas (per Mcf)

 

1.88

 

 

6.56

 

 

 

(4.68

)

 

(71

%)

Combined (per Boe)

 

54.17

 

 

61.99

 

 

 

(7.82

)

 

(13

%)

Average Costs (per Boe):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease operating expense

$

9.11

 

$

8.22

 

 

$

0.89

 

 

11

%

Production taxes

 

4.98

 

 

6.36

 

 

 

(1.38

)

 

(22

%)

General and administrative

 

5.52

 

 

5.24

 

 

 

0.28

 

 

5

%

Depletion, depreciation, amortization, and accretion

 

18.84

 

 

16.83

 

 

 

2.01

 

 

12

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMODITY HEDGING

Vitesse hedges a portion of its expected annual oil production volumes to increase the predictability and certainty of its cash flow and to help maintain a strong financial position to support our dividend. Vitesse does not currently have hedges in place on its expected natural gas production volumes. Vitesse has 42% of its 2024 oil production hedged at the midpoint of guidance at a weighted average price of $78.86/Bbl. The following table summarizes Vitesse’s open oil commodity derivative swap contracts scheduled to settle after December 31, 2023, including those entered into in February 2024.

 

 

 

 

SETTLEMENT PERIOD

OIL (Bbls)

 

WEIGHTED

AVERAGE

PRICE $

Swaps-Crude Oil

 

 

 

2024:

 

 

 

Q1

402,498

 

$

79.03

Q2

382,500

 

$

79.13

Q3

327,500

 

$

78.50

Q4

280,000

 

$

78.65

2025:

 

 

 

Q1

195,000

 

$

73.49

Q2

90,000

 

$

75.30

 

 

 

 

The following table presents Vitesse’s settlements on commodity derivative instruments and unsettled gains and losses on open commodity derivative instruments for the periods presented:

 

 

 

 

 

YEAR END

DECEMBER 31,

(in thousands)

2023

 

2022

Realized gain (loss) on commodity derivatives (1)

$

1,166

 

$

(47,124

)

Unrealized gain (loss) on commodity derivatives (1)

 

11,318

 

16,294

 

Total commodity derivative gain (loss)

$

12,484

 

$

(30,830

)

 

 

 

 

(1)

Realized and unrealized gains and losses on commodity derivatives are presented herein as separate line items but are combined for a total commodity derivative gain (loss) in the consolidated statements of operations included below. Management believes the separate presentation of the realized and unrealized commodity derivative gains and losses is useful because the realized cash settlement portion provides a better understanding of Vitesse’s hedge position.

 

2023 EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

In conjunction with Vitesse’s release of its financial and operating results, investors, analysts and other interested parties are invited to listen to a conference call with management on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

An updated corporate slide presentation that may be referenced on the conference call will be posted prior to the conference call on Vitesse’s website, www.vitesse-vts.com, in the “Investor Relations” section of the site, under “News & Events,” sub-tab “Presentations.”

Those wishing to listen to the conference call may do so via the Company’s website or by phone as follows:

Website: https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=1s51nvgu

Dial-In Number: 877-407-0778 (US/Canada) and 201-689-8565 (International)

Conference ID: 13744289 – Vitesse Energy Fourth Quarter 2023 Earnings Call

Replay Dial-In Number: 877-660-6853 (US/Canada) 201-612-7415 (International)

Replay Access Code: 13744289 – Replay will be available through March 5, 2024

UPCOMING INVESTOR EVENTS

Vitesse management will be participating in the Roth Conference in Dana Point, CA, March 17 – 19, 2024.

ABOUT VITESSE ENERGY, INC.

Vitesse Energy, Inc. is focused on returning capital to stockholders through owning financial interests as a non-operator in oil and gas wells drilled by leading US operators.

More information about Vitesse can be found at www.vitesse-vts.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and future results that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this release regarding Vitesse’s financial position, operating and financial performance, business strategy, dividend plans and practices, guidance, plans and objectives of management for future operations, and industry conditions are forward-looking statements. When used in this release, forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by terms or phrases such as “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “believe,” “expect,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “target,” “could,” “plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “goal,” “will,” “should,” “may” or other words and similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Items contemplating or making assumptions about actual or potential future production and sales, market size, collaborations, and trends or operating results also constitute such forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and important factors (many of which are beyond Vitesse’s control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements, including the following: changes in oil and natural gas prices; the pace of drilling and completions activity on Vitesse’s properties; Vitesse’s ability to acquire additional development opportunities; potential acquisition transactions; integration and benefits of property acquisitions, or the effects of such acquisitions on Vitesse’s cash position and levels of indebtedness; changes in Vitesse’s reserves estimates or the value thereof; disruptions to Vitesse’s business due to acquisitions and other significant transactions; infrastructure constraints and related factors affecting Vitesse’s properties; cost inflation or supply chain disruption; ongoing legal disputes over and potential shutdown of the Dakota Access Pipeline; the impact of general economic or industry conditions, nationally and/or in the communities in which Vitesse conducts business, including central bank policy actions, bank failures and associated liquidity risks; changes in the interest rate environment, legislation or regulatory requirements; conditions of the securities markets; Vitesse’s ability to raise or access capital; cyber-related risks; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines; and financial or political instability, health-related epidemics, acts of war (including the armed conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine) or terrorism, and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technical factors affecting Vitesse’s operations, products and prices. Additional information concerning potential factors that could affect future results is included in the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and other sections of Vitesse’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as updated from time to time in amendments and subsequent reports filed with the SEC, which describe factors that could cause Vitesse’s actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward looking statements.

Vitesse has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and assumptions about future events. While management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond Vitesse’s control. Vitesse does not undertake any duty to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by the federal securities laws.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Vitesse Energy, LLC is the “predecessor” of Vitesse for financial reporting purposes. As a result, unless otherwise indicated, the 2022 financial and operating data presented or referred to in this release are those of Vitesse Energy, LLC and do not include the financial and operating data of Vitesse Oil, which was acquired as part of the Spin-Off.

 

VITESSE ENERGY, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

 

FOR THE YEARS ENDED

DECEMBER 31,

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

2023

 

 

 

2022

 

Revenue

 

 

 

Oil

$

218,396

 

 

$

233,622

 

Natural gas

 

15,509

 

 

 

48,268

 

Total revenue

 

233,905

 

 

 

281,890

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

Lease operating expense

 

39,514

 

 

 

31,133

 

Production taxes

 

21,625

 

 

 

24,092

 

General and administrative

 

23,934

 

 

 

19,833

 

Depletion, depreciation, amortization, and accretion

 

81,745

 

 

 

63,732

 

Equity-based compensation

 

32,233

 

 

 

(10,766

)

Total operating expenses

 

199,051

 

 

 

128,024

 

Operating Income

 

34,854

 

 

 

153,866

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

 

 

Commodity derivative gain (loss), net

 

12,484

 

 

 

(30,830

)

Interest expense

 

(5,276

)

 

 

(4,153

)

Other income

 

140

 

 

 

20

 

Total other income (expense)

 

7,348

 

 

 

(34,963

)

 

 

 

 

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

$

42,202

 

 

$

118,903

 

 

 

 

 

(Provision for) Benefit from Income Taxes

 

(61,946

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (Loss) Income

$

(19,744

)

 

$

118,903

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Predecessor common unit holders

 

1,832

 

 

 

118,903

 

Net Loss Attributable to Vitesse Energy, Inc.

$

(21,576

)

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares / Predecessor common unit outstanding – basic

 

29,556,967

 

 

 

438,625,000

 

Weighted average common shares / Predecessor common unit outstanding – diluted

 

29,556,967

 

 

 

438,625,000

 

Net (loss) income per common share / Predecessor common unit – basic

$

(0.73

)

 

$

0.26

 

Net (loss) income per common share / Predecessor common unit – diluted

$

(0.73

)

 

$

0.26

 

Net loss per Predecessor non-founder MIUs classified as temporary equity–basic and diluted

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

VITESSE ENERGY, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

AT DECEMBER 31,

(in thousands except units and shares)

 

2023

 

 

 

2022

 

Assets

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

Cash

$

552

 

 

$

10,007

 

Revenue receivable

 

44,915

 

 

 

41,393

 

Commodity derivatives

 

10,038

 

 

 

2,112

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

2,841

 

 

 

841

 

Total current assets

 

58,346

 

 

 

54,353

 

Oil and Gas Properties-Using the successful efforts method of accounting

 

 

 

Proved oil and gas properties

 

1,168,378

 

 

 

985,751

 

Less accumulated DD&A and impairment

 

(464,036

)

 

 

(382,974

)

Total oil and gas properties

 

704,342

 

 

 

602,777

 

Other Property and Equipment—Net

 

189

 

 

 

114

 

Other Assets

 

 

 

Commodity derivatives

 

1,109

 

 

 

1,155

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

1,984

 

 

 

2,085

 

Total other assets

 

3,093

 

 

 

3,240

 

Total assets

$

765,970

 

 

$

660,484

 

Liabilities, Redeemable Units and Equity

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

27,692

 

 

$

7,207

 

Accrued liabilities

 

32,507

 

 

 

25,849

 

Commodity derivatives

 

 

 

 

3,439

 

Other current liabilities

 

204

 

 

 

184

 

Total current liabilities

 

60,403

 

 

 

36,679

 

Long-term Liabilities

 

 

 

Revolving credit facility

 

81,000

 

 

 

48,000

 

Deferred tax liability

 

64,329

 

 

 

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

8,353

 

 

 

6,823

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

5,479

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

219,564

 

 

 

91,502

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

Redeemable Management Incentive Units

 

 

 

 

4,559

 

Equity

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued at December 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 95,000,000 shares authorized; 32,812,007 shares issued at December 31, 2023

 

328

 

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

567,654

 

 

 

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(21,576

)

 

 

 

Predecessor members’ equity-common units-450,000,000 units outstanding

 

 

 

 

564,423

 

Total liabilities, redeemable units, and equity

$

765,970

 

 

$

660,484

 

 

 

 

 

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Vitesse defines Adjusted Net Income (Loss) as net income (loss) before (i) non-cash gains and losses on unsettled derivative instruments, (ii) non-cash unit-based compensation, and (iii) certain other items such as non-cash oil and natural gas property impairments and material general and administrative costs related to the Spin-Off; reduced by the estimated impact of income tax expense.

Net Debt is calculated by deducting cash on hand from the amount outstanding on our revolving credit facility as of the balance sheet or measurement date.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before expenses for interest, income taxes, depletion, depreciation, amortization and accretion, and excludes non-cash unit-based compensation and non-cash gains and losses on unsettled derivative instruments in addition to certain other items such as non-cash oil and natural gas property impairments and material general and administrative costs related to the Spin-Off.

Vitesse defines Free Cash Flow as cash flow from operations, adding back changes in operating assets and liabilities, less development of oil and gas properties.

“PV-10” is the present value of estimated future oil and gas revenues, net of estimated direct expenses, discounted at an annual discount rate of 10% to estimate the present value of proved oil and natural gas reserves. PV-10 is a non-GAAP financial measure and is derived from the Standardized Measure, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure for proved reserves calculated using SEC Pricing. PV-10 is a computation of the Standardized Measure on a pre-tax basis. PV-10 is equal to the Standardized Measure at the applicable date, before deducting future income taxes discounted at 10%.

Management believes the use of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors to gain an overall understanding of financial performance. Specifically, management believes the non-GAAP financial measures included herein provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain items that management believes are not indicative of Vitesse’s core operating results. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are used by management for budgeting and forecasting as well as subsequently measuring Vitesse’s performance, and management believes it is providing investors with financial measures that most closely align to its internal measurement processes.

Contacts

INVESTOR AND MEDIA CONTACT
Ben Messier, CFA

Director – Investor Relations and Business Development

(720) 532-8232

[email protected]

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