RISK FACTORS

Investing in our Class A common stock involves risks. The information in this prospectus should be considered carefully, including the matters addressed under “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” and the following risks before making an investment decision. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also materially affect our business. The occurrence of any of the following risks or additional risks and uncertainties that are currently immaterial or unknown could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, cash flows or prospects. The trading price of our Class A common stock could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Business

Natural gas prices are volatile. A reduction or sustained decline in prices may adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations and our ability to meet our financial commitments.

Prevailing natural gas prices heavily influence our revenue, profitability, access to capital, growth rate and value of our properties. Further, although we do not produce oil, to the extent oil prices rise considerably, the cost of services we incur may also increase. As a commodity, gas prices are subject to wide fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in supply and demand. Historically, the natural gas market has been volatile. Prices for domestic natural gas have been pressured. Our revenue, profitability and future growth are highly dependent on the prices we receive for our natural gas production, and the levels of our production, depend on numerous factors beyond our control. These factors include the following:

If commodity prices decrease or we experience widening of basis differentials, our cash flows and refinancing ability will be reduced. We may be unable to obtain needed capital or financing on satisfactory terms,

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which could lead to a decline in our reserves as existing reserves are depleted. Lower commodity prices may also reduce the amount of natural gas that we can produce economically. Additionally, a significant portion of our projects could become uneconomic and require us to abandon or postpone our planned drilling, which could result in downward adjustments to our estimated proved reserves. As a result, a reduction or sustained decline in natural gas prices may materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and our ability to finance CapEx.

Our business and operations have been adversely affected by, and are expected to continue to be adversely affected by, the COVID-19 pandemic, and may be adversely affected by other similar outbreaks.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic or other adverse public health developments, including voluntary and mandatory quarantines, travel restrictions, and other restrictions, our operations, and those of our subcontractors and customers, have and are anticipated to continue to experience delays or disruptions and temporary suspensions of operations. In addition, our financial condition and results of operations have been and are likely to continue to be adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The rapid development and fluidity of this situation precludes any prediction as to the ultimate adverse impact of COVID-19 on our business, which will depend on numerous evolving factors and future developments that we are not able to predict, including the length of time that the pandemic continues, its effect on the demand for natural gas, the response of the overall economy and the financial markets as well as the effect of governmental actions taken in response to the pandemic.

The timeline and potential magnitude of the COVID-19 outbreak are currently unknown. The continuation or amplification of this virus could continue to more broadly affect the United States and global economy, including our business and operations, and the demand for oil and gas. For example, the outbreak of coronavirus has resulted in a widespread health crisis that will adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn that may affect our operating results. Other contagious diseases in the human population could have similar adverse effects. In addition, the effects of COVID-19 and concerns regarding its global spread have negatively impacted the domestic and international demand for crude oil and natural gas, which has contributed to price volatility. As the potential impact from COVID-19 is difficult to predict, the extent to which it will negatively affect our operating results, or the duration of any potential business disruption is uncertain. The magnitude and duration of any impact will depend on future developments and new information that may emerge regarding the severity and duration of COVID-19 and the actions taken by authorities to contain it or treat its impact, all of which are beyond our control.

We may be unable to obtain required capital or financing on satisfactory terms, which could lead to a decline in our production and natural gas reserves.

Our industry is capital intensive, requiring substantial CapEx to develop and acquire natural gas reserves. The actual amount and timing of our future CapEx may differ materially from our estimates as a result of, among other things, natural gas prices, actual drilling results, the availability of drilling rigs and other services and equipment, and regulatory, technological and competitive developments. A reduction or sustained decline in natural gas prices from current levels may force us to reduce our CapEx, which would negatively impact our ability to grow production. We intend to finance our CapEx through cash flow from operations and through available capacity under our New RBL; however, our financing needs may require us to alter or increase our capitalization substantially through the issuance of debt or equity securities or the sale of assets. The issuance of additional indebtedness requires compliance with the terms of our existing indebtedness and would require us to incur additional interest and principal, which may affect our ability to fund working capital, CapEx and acquisitions.

Our cash flow from operations and access to capital are subject to many factors, including:

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If our cash flow decreases as a result of lower natural gas prices, operating difficulties, declines in reserves or for any other reason, we may have limited ability to fund our planned CapEx or operations. If additional capital is needed, we may not be able to obtain financing on terms acceptable to us, if at all.

Our business strategy includes continued use of advancements in horizontal D&C techniques, which involve risks and uncertainties in their application.

Our current and future operations involve utilizing some of the latest D&C techniques. While developing our wells, we face risks associated with:

In addition, some of the techniques may cause irregularities or interruptions in existing production due to offset wells being shut in. If our actual results are less than anticipated, it may trigger reduced cash flow and impairment of our properties.

Our industry requires us to navigate many uncertainties that could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Our financial condition and results of operations depend on the success of our development and acquisition activities, which are subject to numerous risks beyond our control, including the risk that development will not result in commercially viable production or uneconomic results or that various characteristics of the drilling process or the well will cause us to abandon the well prior to fully producing commercially viable quantities.

Our decisions to purchase, explore or develop properties will depend in part on the evaluation of data obtained through geophysical and geological analyses, production data and engineering studies, the results of which are often inconclusive or subject to varying interpretations. “—Reserve estimates depend on many assumptions that may turn out to be inaccurate” contains additional information regarding this risk. In addition, our actual development cost for a well could significantly exceed planned levels.

Further, many factors may curtail, disrupt, delay or cancel our scheduled drilling projects and ongoing operations, including the following:

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

Our operations are concentrated in the Haynesville Basin of Northwest Louisiana, making us vulnerable to risks associated with operating in a limited geographic area.

All of our producing properties are geographically concentrated in the north western Haynesville Basin. As a result, we may be disproportionately exposed to various factors, including, among others: (i) the impact of regional supply and demand factors, (ii) delays or interruptions of production from wells in such areas caused by governmental regulation, (iii) processing or transportation capacity constraints, (iv) market limitations, (v) availability of equipment and personnel, (vi) water shortages or other drought related conditions or (vii) interruption of the processing or transportation natural gas. This concentration in a limited geographic area also increases our exposure to changes in local laws and regulations, certain lease stipulations designed to protect wildlife and unexpected events that may occur in the regions such as natural disasters, seismic events, industrial accidents or labor difficulties. Any one of these factors has the potential to cause producing wells to be shut-in, delay operations, decrease cash flows, increase operating and capital costs and prevent development of lease inventory before expirations. Any of the risks described above could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

Our revenue will ultimately depend on our ability to transport our gas to various sales points.

We do not own or control third-party transportation facilities (i.e. gas transport pipelines) and our access to them may be limited or denied, because we do not have contracts for firm transportation. We currently sell our gas at the tailgate of our gatherer’s treating plants. The purchasers of our gas are typically parties who hold firm transportation and who, after taking possession of our gas, use it to fulfill their volume commitments. Today, there is ample transportation capacity, and there are ample holders of firm transportation who are willing to engage in the types of arrangements we use. If demand for transportation surged or if parties holding firm transport satisfied volume commitments with their own or others’ gas, we may be unable to sell our gas, which would materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

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We may be unable to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness and financial commitments.

Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our indebtedness and financial commitments depends on our financial condition and operating performance, which are subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions including financial, business and other factors beyond our control. We may be unable to generate sufficient cash flow to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness.

If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund debt and other obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay CapEx, sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure our indebtedness. Our ability to restructure or refinance indebtedness will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of indebtedness could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our operations. The terms of existing or future debt instruments may restrict us from adopting some of these alternatives. In addition, any failure to service our debt would likely result in a reduction of our credit rating, which could harm our ability to incur additional indebtedness. If we face substantial liquidity problems, we might be required to sell assets to meet debt and other obligations. Our debt restricts our ability to dispose of assets and dictates our use of the proceeds from such disposition. We may not be able to consummate dispositions, and the proceeds of any such disposition may be inadequate to meet obligations.

We may be unable to access adequate funding as a result of a decrease in borrowing base due to an unwillingness or inability on the part of lending counterparties to meet their funding obligations and the inability of other lenders to provide additional funding to cover a defaulting lender’s portion. As a result, we may be unable to execute our development plan, make acquisitions or otherwise conduct operations, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Restrictions associated with our debt agreements could limit our growth and our ability to engage in certain activities.

Our debt agreements contain a number of significant covenants that may limit our ability to, among other things:

In addition, our RBL and our Second Lien Credit Facility requires us and our New RBL will require us to maintain certain financial ratios. We may also be prevented from taking advantage of business opportunities that arise because of the limitations that the restrictive covenants impose on us.

If we fail to comply with the restrictions and covenants in our debt agreements, there could be an event of default under the terms of such agreements, which could result in an acceleration of payment.

A breach of any representation, warranty or covenant in any of our debt agreements would result in a default under the applicable agreement after any applicable grace periods. A default could result in acceleration of the

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indebtedness which would have a material adverse effect on us. If an acceleration occurs, it would likely accelerate all of our indebtedness through cross-default provisions and we would likely be unable to make all of the required payments to refinance such indebtedness. Even if new financing were available at that time, it may not be on terms that are acceptable to us.

Reserve estimates depend on many assumptions that may turn out to be inaccurate.

The process of estimating natural gas reserves is complex. It requires interpretations of available technical data and many assumptions, including assumptions relating to current and future economic conditions and commodity prices. Any significant inaccuracies in these interpretations or assumptions could materially affect the estimated quantities and present value of our reserves.

In order to prepare reserve estimates, we project production rates, timing and pace of development. We must also analyze available geological, geophysical, production and engineering data. The extent, quality and reliability of this data can vary. The process also requires economic assumptions about matters such as D&C costs, operating costs, and production and ad valorem taxes.

Actual future production revenue, taxes, development costs and operating expenses will vary from our estimates. In addition, we may adjust reserve estimates to reflect production history, changes in existing commodity prices and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.

We do not believe that the present value of future net revenue from our reserves calculated in accordance with the method prescribed by the SEC is the current market value of our reserves. We generally base the estimated value of our properties on prices and costs on the date of the estimate. Actual future prices and costs may differ materially from those used in current estimates.

Our drilling locations are scheduled out over many years, making them susceptible to uncertainties regarding the timing or likelihood of their development. In addition, we may lack sufficient capital necessary to develop our drilling locations.

We have a multi-year development plan. These to-be-developed drilling locations represent a significant part of our growth strategy. Our ability to develop these drilling locations depends on a number of uncertainties, including natural gas prices, the availability and cost of capital, drilling and production costs, availability of services and equipment, gathering system and pipeline transportation constraints, regulatory approvals and other factors. In addition, we will require significant capital over a prolonged period in order to develop these drilling locations, and we may not be able to raise, generate or maintain the capital required to do so. Because of these uncertainties, we cannot be certain that all drilling locations may be developed successfully.

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

The existence of a material title deficiency can render a lease worthless. In the course of acquiring the rights to develop natural gas, we typically execute a lease agreement with payment to the lessor subject to title verification. In many cases, we incur the expense of retaining lawyers to verify the rightful owners of the gas interests prior to payment of such lease bonus to the lessor. There is no certainty, however, that a lessor has valid title to their lease’s gas interests. In those cases, such leases are generally voided and payment is not remitted to the lessor. As such, title failures may result in fewer net acres to us. Prior to the drilling of a 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. Accordingly, undeveloped acreage has greater risk of title defects than developed acreage. If there are any title defects or defects in assignment of leasehold rights in properties in which we hold an interest, we will suffer a financial loss.

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Unless we replace our reserves with new reserves, our production will decline, which would adversely affect our future cash flows and results of operations.

Developed natural gas reservoirs generally are characterized by declining production rates that vary depending upon reservoir characteristics and other factors. We must conduct ongoing development activities to avoid declines in our proved reserves and production. Our future natural gas reserves and production, and therefore our future cash flow and results of operations, are highly dependent on our success in efficiently developing and exploiting our current reserves and economically finding or acquiring additional recoverable reserves. We may not be able to develop, find or acquire sufficient additional reserves to replace our current and future production. If we are unable to replace our current and future production, the value of our reserves will decrease, and our business, financial condition and results of operations would be adversely affected.

The credit risk of financial institutions could adversely affect us.

We have entered into transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including commercial banks, investment banks, insurance companies and other institutions. These transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of default of our counterparty. Deterioration in the credit markets may impact the credit ratings of our current and potential counterparties and affect their ability to fulfill their existing obligations to us and their willingness to enter into future transactions with us. If any lender under the RBL or the New RBL is unable to fund its commitment, our liquidity will be reduced by an amount up to the aggregate amount of such lender’s commitment under the RBL or the New RBL, respectively.

The failure of our hedge counterparties, significant customers or working interest holders to meet their obligations to us may adversely affect our financial results.

Our hedging transactions expose us to the risk that 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. Any default by the counterparty to these derivative contracts when they become due would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We also face credit risk through joint interest receivables and the sale of our natural gas production. Joint interest receivables arise from billing entities who own partial interest in the wells we operate. We are also subject to credit risk due to concentration of our natural gas receivables with several significant customers. We do not require our customers to post collateral. The inability or failure of our significant customers or working interest holders to meet their obligations to us or their insolvency or liquidation may adversely affect our financial results.

We may not be able to enter into commodity derivatives on favorable terms or at all.

We enter into financial commodity derivative contracts to mitigate financial risk caused by changes to market factors. This helps reduce potential negative effects of reductions in gas prices but also reduces our ability to benefit from increases in gas prices. Moreover, our Second Lien Term Loan requires us to have 70% of our total expected production hedged 24 months forward. However, we currently rely on fewer than ten counterparties with whom we have negotiated operative hedging documents. We have, at times, been unable to secure sufficient capacity with these counterparties, even when markets reached a level at which we would have been willing to transact. If we are unable to maintain sufficient hedging capacity with our counterparties, we could have greater exposure to changes in commodity prices and interest rates, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Increased attention to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) matters may impact our business.

Increasing attention to climate change, increasing societal expectations on companies to address climate change, increasing investor and societal expectations regarding voluntary ESG disclosures, and potential

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increasing consumer demand for alternative forms of energy may result in increased costs, reduced demand for our products, reduced profits, increased investigations and litigation, and negative impacts on our access to capital markets. Increasing attention to climate change, for example, may result in demand shifts for oil and natural gas products and additional governmental investigations and private litigation against the company. To the extent that societal pressures or political or other factors are involved, it is possible that such liability could be imposed without regard to the company’s causation of or contribution to the asserted damage, or to other mitigating factors.

In addition, organizations that provide information to investors on corporate governance and related matters have developed ratings processes for evaluating companies on their approach to ESG matters. Such ratings are used by some investors to inform their investment and voting decisions. Unfavorable ESG ratings and recent activism directed at shifting funding away from companies with energy-related assets could lead to increased negative investor sentiment toward the company and our industry and to the diversion of investment to other industries, which could have a negative impact on our stock price and our access to and costs of capital. Also, institutional lenders may, of their own accord, elect not to provide funding for fossil fuel energy companies based on climate change related concerns, which could affect our access to capital for potential growth projects.

Our operations are subject to stringent environmental laws and regulations that may expose us to significant costs and liabilities that could exceed current expectations.

Our operations are subject to stringent and complex federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the release, disposal or discharge of materials into the environment, health and safety aspects of our operations, or otherwise relating to environmental protection. These laws and regulations may impose numerous obligations applicable to our operations including the acquisition of a permit before conducting regulated development activities; the restriction of types, quantities and concentration of materials that can be released into the environment; the limitation or prohibition of drilling activities on certain lands lying within wilderness, wetlands, habitat of protected species, and other protected areas; the application of specific health and safety criteria addressing worker protection; and the imposition of substantial liabilities for pollution resulting from the ownership or operation of our oil and gas properties. Numerous governmental authorities have the power to enforce compliance with these laws and regulations and the permits issued under them. Such enforcement actions often involve taking difficult and costly compliance measures or corrective actions. We may be required to make significant capital and operating expenditures or perform remedial or other corrective actions at our wells and properties to comply with the requirements of these environmental laws and regulations or the terms or conditions of permits issued pursuant to such requirements. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of sanctions, including administrative, civil or criminal penalties, the imposition of investigatory or remedial obligations, and the issuance of orders limiting or prohibiting some or all of our operations. In addition, we may experience delays in obtaining or be unable to obtain required permits, which may delay or interrupt our operations and limit our growth and revenue. “Business—Regulation of Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health Matters” contains further description of the laws and regulations that affect us.

There is inherent risk of incurring significant environmental costs and liabilities in the performance of our operations due to our handling of petroleum hydrocarbons and other hazardous substances and wastes, as a result of air emissions and wastewater discharges related to our operations, and because of historical operations and waste disposal practices. Spills or other releases of regulated substances, including such spills and releases that occur in the future, could expose us to material losses, expenditures and liabilities under applicable environmental laws and regulations. Under certain of such laws and regulations, we could be held strictly liable for the removal or remediation of previously released hazardous materials or property contamination, regardless of whether we were responsible for the release or contamination and even if our operations met previous standards in the industry at the time they were conducted. In connection with certain acquisitions, we could acquire, or be required to provide indemnification against, environmental liabilities that could expose us to material losses. In addition, claims for damages to persons or property, including natural resources, may result

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from the environmental, health and safety impacts of our operations. Our insurance may not cover all environmental risks and costs or may not provide sufficient coverage if an environmental claim is made against us. 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. Changes in environmental laws and regulations occur frequently, and any changes that result in more stringent or costly well drilling, construction, completion or water management activities or waste handling, storage, transport, disposal or cleanup requirements could require us to make significant expenditures to attain and maintain compliance and may otherwise have a material adverse effect on our industry in general in addition to our own results of operations, competitive position or financial condition. To the extent laws are enacted or other governmental action is taken that restricts development 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.

Federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives regarding hydraulic fracturing and related activities, as well as governmental reviews of such activities, could increase our costs of doing business, result in additional operating restrictions or delays, limit the areas in which we can operate and reduce our natural gas production, which could adversely impact our production and business.

Hydraulic fracturing is an important and common practice that we use to stimulate production of natural gas. Hydraulic fracturing involves the injection of water, sand and chemicals under pressure to fracture the surrounding rock and stimulate production. There has been increased public concern regarding an alleged potential for hydraulic fracturing to adversely affect drinking water supplies and increase seismicity, and proposals have been made to enact separate federal, state and local legislation that would increase the regulatory burden imposed on hydraulic fracturing.

At present, hydraulic fracturing is regulated primarily at the state level, typically by state agencies. Along with several other states, Louisiana (where we conduct operations) has adopted laws and proposed regulations that require oil and natural gas operators to disclose chemical ingredients and water volumes used to hydraulically fracture wells, in addition to more stringent well construction and monitoring requirements. In addition, local governments may adopt ordinances within their jurisdictions regulating the time, place and manner of drilling activities in general or hydraulic fracturing activities in particular or prohibit the performance of well drilling in general or hydraulic fracturing in particular. At the federal level, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) has conducted investigations that focus on potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources and asserted federal regulatory authority over various activities associated with hydraulic fracturing by issuing various guidance, notices, rules and regulations.

In addition, hydraulic fracturing operations require the use of a significant amount of water. The inability to locate sufficient amounts of water, or dispose of or recycle water used in drilling and production operations, could adversely impact our operations. Moreover, new environmental initiatives and regulations could include restrictions on the ability to conduct certain operations such as hydraulic fracturing or disposal of waste, including, but not limited to, produced water, drilling fluids and other wastes associated with the development or production of natural gas.

Finally, in some instances, the operation of underground injection wells for the disposal of waste has been alleged to cause earthquakes. In Oklahoma, for example, such issues have led to orders prohibiting continued injection or the suspension of drilling in certain wells identified as possible sources of seismic activity. Such concerns also have resulted in stricter regulatory requirements in some jurisdictions relating to the location and operation of underground injection wells. Although our operations are not located in those jurisdictions, any future orders or regulations addressing concerns about seismic activity from well injection in jurisdictions where we operate could affect our operations.

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If new or more stringent federal, state, or local legal restrictions relating to the hydraulic fracturing process and disposal activities are adopted in areas where we operate, we could incur potentially significant added costs or permitting requirements to comply with such requirements, experience delays or curtailment in the pursuit of exploration, development, or production activities, and perhaps even be precluded from drilling wells. “Business—Regulation of Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health Matters—Hydraulic Fracturing” contains further description of the laws and regulations relating to hydraulic fracturing that affect us.

Federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to pipeline safety could subject us to increased operational delays and costs or reduced prices.

Pursuant to federal legislative authority governing pipeline safety matters, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“PHMSA”) has promulgated regulations requiring pipeline operators to develop and implement integrity management programs for certain gas and hazardous liquid pipelines that may impact operators of pipelines downstream from the sales points for our product.

In addition, states have adopted regulations similar to existing PHMSA regulations for certain intrastate gas and hazardous liquid pipelines which may be more stringent than the federal requirements. These federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to pipeline safety could subject us to increased operational delays and transportation costs due to constraints on available pipeline capacity, or reduce the price purchasers are willing to pay for our product.

We are subject to risks associated with climate change.

Climate change continues to attract considerable public and scientific attention. As a result, numerous proposals have been made and are likely to continue to be made at the international, national, regional and state levels of government to monitor and limit emissions of greenhouse gases (“GHGs”). These efforts have included consideration of cap-and-trade programs, carbon taxes, GHG reporting and tracking programs, and regulations that directly limit GHG emissions from certain sources. At the federal level, no comprehensive climate change legislation has been implemented to date. The EPA has, however, adopted rules that establish permitting reviews for GHG emissions from potential major sources of certain principal pollutant emissions, which reviews could require meeting “best available control technology” standards for air emissions, as well as monitoring and annual reporting of GHG emissions from certain petroleum and natural gas system sources and, together with the National Highways Transportation Safety Administration, implement GHG emissions limits on vehicles manufactured for operation in the United States. The regulation of methane emissions from the oil and gas sector has been subject to uncertainty in recent years. Prior standards were rescinded during the Trump Administration; however, the current administration has called for the reinstatement or issuance of methane emissions standards for new, modified, and existing oil and gas facilities. On an international level, the United States was one of 175 countries to sign the Paris Agreement, which requires member countries to set their own GHG emission reduction goals beginning in 2020. Although the United States had withdrawn from the Paris Agreement, the current administration has recommitted the United States to the agreement and directed the federal government to begin formulating the United States’ nationally determined emissions reduction goal under the agreement. The impacts of this order, and any legislation or regulation promulgated to fulfill the United States’ commitments under the Paris Agreement, are uncertain.

Forced emissions reductions could increase our operating costs and CapEx. Such programs could also adversely affect the demand for natural gas by increasing the cost of consuming natural gas. Additionally, on January 27, 2021, the current administration called for substantial action on climate change, including, among other things, the increased use of zero-emissions vehicles by the federal government, the elimination of subsidies provided to the fossil fuel industry, and increased emphasis on climate-related risks across agencies and economic sectors. Incentives to conserve energy or use alternative energy sources as a means of addressing climate change could also adversely affect the demand for natural gas. Additionally, various state and local governments have brought suit against various oil and natural gas companies alleging damages related

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to climate change or failure to properly disclose adverse climate impacts to their investors and consumers. Moreover, parties concerned about the potential effects of climate change have directed their attention at sources of funding for energy companies, which has resulted in certain financial institutions, funds and other sources of capital, restricting or eliminating their investment in oil and natural gas activities. There is also a risk that financial institutions will be required to adopt policies that have the effect of gradually curtailing the funding provided to the fossil fuel sector. Recently, the Federal Reserve announced that it has joined the Network for Greening the Financial System, a consortium of financial regulators focused on addressing climate-related risks in the financial sector. Consequently, legislation, regulation, market changes, and/or future litigation related to climate change could have an adverse effect on our business. Further, most scientists have concluded that increasing concentrations of GHGs in the Earth’s atmosphere may produce climate changes that have significant physical effects, such as increased frequency and severity of hurricanes, storms, floods and other climatic events. If any such effects were to occur, they could adversely affect or delay demand for the natural gas we produce or cause us to incur significant costs in preparing for or responding to those effects. “Business— Regulation of Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health Matters—Climate Change” contains further description of the risks associated with climate change.

We may incur substantial losses and be subject to substantial liability claims as a result of our operations. Additionally, we may not be insured for, or our insurance may be inadequate to protect us against, these risks.

Our operations are subject to risks associated with the energy industry, including the possibility of:

Any of these risks could adversely affect our operations and result in substantial loss to us for:

In accordance with what we believe to be customary industry practice, we maintain 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, and if it is, its availability may be at premium costs that do not justify its purchase. The occurrence of a significant uninsured claim or a claim in excess of the insurance coverage limits we maintain could have an adverse effect on our ability to conduct normal business operations and on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. 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 condition. We may also be liable for environmental damage caused by previous owners of properties purchased by us that are not covered by insurance.

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We may elect not to obtain insurance for any or all of these risks if we believe that the cost of available insurance is excessive relative to the risks presented. In addition, pollution and environmental risks generally are not fully insurable. The occurrence of an event that is not fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Properties that we decide to drill may not yield natural gas in commercially viable quantities.

Although we believe that the vast majority of our drilling locations are technically proved, any inability to develop commercially viable quantities will adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. The use of seismic data and other technologies and the study of producing fields in the same area will not enable us to know conclusively prior to drilling whether natural gas will be present in commercial quantities. We can provide no assurance that the analogies we draw from available data from other wells, more fully explored prospects or producing fields will be applicable to our drilling prospects.

In the future, we may make acquisitions that we believe complement or expand our current business. We may not be able to identify attractive acquisition opportunities or complete any such acquisition on commercially acceptable terms.

The success of any completed acquisition will depend on our ability to integrate effectively the acquisition into our existing operations. The process of integrating acquisitions may involve unforeseen difficulties and may require a disproportionate amount of our managerial and financial resources. In addition, possible future acquisitions may be larger and for purchase prices significantly higher than those paid for earlier acquisitions.

We can provide no assurance that we will be able to identify additional suitable acquisition opportunities, negotiate acceptable terms, obtain financing for acquisitions on acceptable terms or successfully acquire identified targets. Our failure to achieve consolidation savings, to integrate the acquisitions into our existing operations successfully or to minimize any unforeseen operational difficulties could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, our debt agreements impose certain limitations on our ability to enter into mergers or combination transactions and limit our ability to incur certain indebtedness, which could indirectly limit our ability to engage in acquisitions.

The unavailability or high cost of additional drilling rigs, equipment, supplies, personnel and oilfield services could adversely affect our ability to execute our exploration and development plans within our budget and on a timely basis.

The demand for qualified and experienced field and technical personnel to conduct our operations can fluctuate significantly, often in correlation with hydrocarbon prices. We cannot predict whether periods of high demand will exist in the future or their timing and duration. Furthermore, it is possible that oil prices may increase without a corresponding increase in natural gas prices, which could lead to increased demand and prices for supplies and personnel, and necessary equipment and services may become unavailable to us at economical prices. Any shortages in available human capital could delay or cause us to incur significant expenditures that are not provided for in our capital budget, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Competition in the natural gas industry is intense, making it more difficult for us to acquire properties, market natural gas and secure trained personnel.

Our ability to acquire additional prospects and to find and develop reserves in the future will depend on our ability to evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment for acquiring properties, marketing natural gas and securing trained personnel. Also, there is

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substantial competition for capital available for investment in our industry. Many of our competitors possess and employ financial, technical and personnel resources substantially greater than ours. Those companies may be able to pay more for productive natural gas properties and exploratory prospects and to evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties and prospects than our financial or personnel resources permit. In addition, other companies may be able to offer better compensation packages to attract and retain qualified personnel than we are able to offer. The cost to attract and retain qualified personnel has increased may increase substantially in the future. We may not be able to compete successfully in the future in acquiring prospective reserves, developing reserves, marketing hydrocarbons, attracting and retaining quality personnel and raising additional capital, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

The loss of senior management or technical personnel could adversely affect operations.

We depend on the services of our senior management and technical personnel. We do not maintain, nor do we plan to obtain, any insurance against the loss of any of these individuals. The loss of the services of our senior management or technical personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Events of force majeure may limit our ability to operate our business and could adversely affect our operating results.

The weather, unforeseen events, or other events of force majeure in the areas in which we operate could cause disruptions or suspension of our operations. This suspension could result from a direct impact to our properties or result from an indirect impact by a disruption or suspension of the operations of those upon whom we rely for gathering and transportation. If disruption or suspension were to persist for a long period, our results of operations would be materially impacted.

Increases in interest rates could adversely affect our business.

We require continued access to capital. Our business and operating results can be harmed by factors such as the availability, terms of and cost of capital, increases in interest rates or a reduction in credit rating. These changes could cause our cost of doing business to increase, limit our ability to pursue acquisition opportunities, reduce cash flow used for drilling and place us at a competitive disadvantage. Recent and continuing disruptions and volatility in the global energy capital markets may lead to a contraction in credit availability impacting our ability to finance our operations. A significant reduction in cash flows from operations or the availability of credit could materially and adversely affect our ability to achieve our planned growth and operating results.

If commodity prices decrease and our assets’ fair value is less than their carrying value, we will recognize impairments.

We periodically review the carrying value of our assets for possible impairment. Natural gas prices are a critical component to our fair value estimate of our natural gas properties. If these prices decline, we will record an impairment, which is a non-cash charge to earnings, if we determine that an asset’s carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value. Impairment expense may have a material adverse effect on our earnings.

The enactment of derivatives legislation and related regulations could have an adverse effect on our ability to use derivatives to hedge risks associated with our business.

Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act established federal oversight and regulation of the derivatives market and of companies like us that participate in that market. The Dodd-Frank Act requires the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) to promulgate rules and regulations implementing mandates of the Dodd-Frank Act with respect to over-the-counter derivatives of the types we use to hedge our exposure to commodity price volatility. Although the CFTC has issued final regulations in certain areas, in other areas, final regulations and the scope of relevant definitions and/or exemptions still remain to be finalized.

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The CFTC issued a final rule on October 15, 2020, imposing position limits for certain futures and option contracts in various commodities (including oil and natural gas) and for swaps that are their economic equivalents. The compliance dates for these limits are delayed until January 1, 2022 and in some cases, January 1, 2023. Under this rule, certain types of hedging transactions are exempt from these limits on the size of positions that may be held, provided that such hedging transactions satisfy the CFTC’s requirements for certain enumerated “bona fide hedging” transactions or positions.

The CFTC has also adopted a final rule regarding aggregation of positions, under which a party that controls the trading of, or owns 10% or more of the equity interests in, another party will have to aggregate the positions of the controlled or owned party with its own positions for purposes of determining compliance with position limits unless an exemption applies. The CFTC’s aggregation rules are now in effect, though CFTC staff have granted relief—until August 12, 2022—from various conditions and requirements in the final aggregation rules. With the implementation of the final aggregation rules and upon the effectiveness of the final CFTC position limits rule, our ability to execute our hedging strategies described herein could be limited.”

On January 24, 2020, U.S. banking regulators published a new approach for calculating the quantum of exposure of derivative contracts under their regulatory capital rules. This approach to measuring exposure is referred to as the standardized approach for counterparty credit risk or SA-CCR. It requires certain financial institutions to comply with significantly increased capital requirements for over-the-counter commodity derivatives beginning on January 1, 2022. In addition, on September 15, 2020, the CFTC issued a final rule regarding the capital a swap dealer or major swap participant is required to set aside with respect to its swap business, which has a compliance date of October 6, 2021. These two sets of regulations and the increased capital requirements they place on certain financial institutions may reduce the number of products and counterparties in the over-the-counter derivatives market available to us and could result in significant additional costs being passed through to end-users like us.

The Volcker Rule provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act may require banks that engage in financial derivative transactions to spin off some of their derivatives activities to separate entities that may not be as creditworthy as our current bank counterparties. Other banks may elect to cease their business as hedge providers, thereby reducing the liquidity of the financial derivatives and the ability of entities like us, as commercial end-users, to hedge or mitigate our exposure to commodity price volatility using over-the-counter financial derivatives.

The legislation and regulations specifically noted above and others yet to be introduced could increase our costs or reduce our opportunities with respect to the use of derivative transactions to hedge or mitigate our exposure to commodity price volatility and other commercial risks affecting our business, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our hedging activities could result in financial losses or reduce our income.

To achieve a more predictable cash flow and to reduce our exposure to adverse fluctuations in the prices of natural gas, as well as interest rates, we have, and may in the future, enter into derivative arrangements for a portion of our natural gas production and our debt that could result in both realized and unrealized hedging losses. We typically utilize financial instruments to hedge commodity price exposure to declining prices on our natural gas.

Our Second Lien Term Loan requires that we hedge 70% of our production for the next 24 months. By virtue of this hedging requirement, we are impacted less by gas price volatility during this time frame than future periods where a smaller percentage of our production is subject to derivative contracts.

Our production may be significantly higher or lower than we estimate at the time we enter into hedging transactions for such period. If the actual amount is higher than we estimate, we will have greater commodity

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price exposure than we intended. If the actual amount is lower than the nominal amount that is subject to our derivative financial instruments, we might be forced to satisfy all or a portion of our derivative transactions without the benefit of the cash flow from our sale or purchase of the underlying physical commodity, resulting in a substantial diminution of our liquidity. As a result of these factors, our hedging activities may not be as effective as we intend in reducing the volatility of our cash flows, and in certain circumstances may actually increase the volatility of our cash flows.

Our business could be negatively affected by security threats, including cybersecurity threats and other disruptions.

As an oil and gas producer, we face various security threats, including cybersecurity threats to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or to render data or systems unusable; threats to the security of our facilities and infrastructure or third-party facilities and infrastructure, such as processing plants and pipelines; and threats from terrorist acts. The potential for such security threats has subjected our operations to increased risks that could have a material adverse effect on our business. In particular, our implementation of various procedures and controls to monitor and mitigate security threats and to increase security for our information facilities and infrastructure may result in increased capital and operating costs. Moreover, there can be no assurance that such procedures and controls will be sufficient to prevent security breaches from occurring. If any of these security breaches were to occur, they could lead to losses of sensitive information, critical infrastructure or capabilities essential to our operations and could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Cybersecurity attacks in particular are becoming more sophisticated and include, but are not limited to, malicious software, attempts to gain unauthorized access to data and systems and other electronic security breaches that could lead to disruptions in critical systems, unauthorized release of confidential or otherwise protected information, and corruption of data. These events could lead to financial losses from remedial actions, loss of business or potential liability.

Changes to applicable U.S. tax laws and regulations or exposure to additional income tax liabilities could adversely affect our business and future profitability.

We will have no material assets other than our equity interest in Vine Holdings, which holds, directly or indirectly, all of the operating assets of our business. Vine Holdings generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, but may be subject to certain U.S. state and local taxes. We are a domestic corporation that will be subject to U.S. corporate income tax on our earnings, including our allocable share of the income of Vine Holdings. Existing U.S. tax laws and regulations could be interpreted, changed or modified, including possibly with retroactive effect, in a manner that would be adverse to us. Further, new U.S. laws and policy relating to taxes could have an adverse effect on our business and future profitability.

For example, the new administration has set forth several tax proposals that would, if enacted, make significant changes to U.S. tax laws. Such proposals include, but are not limited to, (i) an increase in the U.S. income tax rate applicable to corporations (including us) from 21% to 28%, (ii) the elimination of certain subsidies current tax law grants to oil and gas producers, (iii) an increase in the maximum U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to individuals and (iv) an increase in the U.S. federal income tax rate for long term capital gain for certain taxpayers with income in excess of a threshold amount. Congress may consider, and could include, some or all of these proposals in connection with tax reform to be undertaken by the current administration. It is unclear whether these or similar changes will be enacted and, if enacted, how soon any such changes could take effect. The passage of any legislation as a result of these proposals and other similar changes in U.S. federal income tax laws could adversely affect our business and future profitability or the liquidity of our Class A common stock.

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Risks Related to the Offering and our Class A Common Stock

We are a holding company. Our sole material asset after completion of this offering will be our equity interest in Vine Holdings and we are accordingly dependent upon distributions from Vine Holdings to pay taxes, make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement and cover our corporate and other overhead expenses.

We are a holding company and will have no material assets other than our equity interest in Vine Holdings. “Corporate Reorganization” contains more information. We have no independent means of generating revenue. To the extent Vine Holdings has available cash, we intend to cause Vine Holdings (i) to generally make pro rata distributions to its unitholders, including us, in an amount at least sufficient to allow us to pay our taxes and make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement, and (ii) to reimburse us for our corporate and other overhead expenses through non-pro rata payments that are not treated as distributions under the VEH LLC Agreement. To the extent that we are unable to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement for any reason, such payments will be deferred and will accrue interest until paid. We are limited, however, in our ability to cause Vine Holdings and its subsidiaries to make these and other distributions to us due to the restrictions under our credit facilities. To the extent that we need funds and Vine Holdings or its subsidiaries are restricted from making such distributions under applicable law or regulation or under the terms of their financing arrangements, or are otherwise unable to provide such funds, it could materially adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition.

The requirements of being a public company, including compliance with the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the requirements of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act (“SOX”), may strain our resources, increase our costs and distract management, and we may be unable to comply with these requirements in a timely or cost-effective manner.

As a public company, we will need to comply with new laws, regulations and requirements, certain corporate governance provisions of SOX, related regulations of the SEC and the requirements of the NYSE, with which we were not required to comply as a private company. Complying with these statutes, regulations and requirements will occupy a significant amount of our time and will significantly increase our costs and expenses. We will need to:

Furthermore, while we generally must comply with Section 404 of the SOX, we are not required to have our independent registered public accounting firm attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls until our first annual report subsequent to our ceasing to be an “emerging growth company.” We may not be required to have our independent registered public accounting firm attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls until as late as our annual report for the year ending December 31, 2027. At any time, we may conclude that our internal controls, once tested, are not operating as designed or that the system of internal controls does not address all relevant financial statement risks. Once required to attest to control effectiveness, our independent registered public accounting firm may issue a report that concludes it does not believe our internal controls over financial reporting are effective. Compliance with SOX requirements may strain our resources, increase our costs and distract management; and we may be unable to comply with these requirements in a timely or cost-effective manner.

There is no existing market for our Class A common stock, and we do not know if one will develop.

Prior to this offering, there has not been a public market for our Class A common stock. We cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in our company will lead to the development of an active trading market on

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the stock exchange on which we list our Class A common stock or otherwise or how liquid that market might become. If an active trading market does not develop, anyone purchasing our Class A common stock may have difficulty selling it. The initial public offering price for the Class A common stock was determined by negotiations between us and the representatives of the underwriters and may not be indicative of prices that will prevail in the open market following this offering. Consequently, purchasers of our Class A common stock may be unable to sell it at prices equal to or greater than the price paid.

The stock markets in general have experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our Class A common stock. Securities class action litigation has often been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in the overall market and in the market price of a company’s securities. Such litigation, if instituted against us, could result in very substantial costs, divert our management’s attention and resources and harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

The Vine Energy Investment Vehicles and the Vine Energy Investment II Vehicles will collectively hold a substantial majority of our common stock.

Holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will vote together as a single class on all matters presented to our shareholders for their vote or approval, except as otherwise required by applicable law or our certificate of incorporation. Upon completion of this offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares), the Vine Energy Investment Vehicles will own approximately    % of our Class A common stock and 100% of our Class B common stock and the Vine Energy Investment II Vehicles will own approximately     % of our Class A common stock (representing    % of our combined economic interest and voting power).

Although the Existing Owners, through their ownership in the Vine Energy Investment Vehicles and the Vine Energy Investment II Vehicles, are entitled to act separately in their own respective interests with respect to their stock in us, the Existing Owners will together have the ability to elect all of the members of our board of directors, and thereby to control our management and affairs. In addition, they will be able to determine the outcome of all matters requiring shareholder approval, including mergers and other material transactions, and will be able to cause or prevent a change in the composition of our board of directors or a change of control of our company that could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their Class A common stock as part of a sale of our company. The existence of significant shareholders may also have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers, delaying or preventing changes in control or changes in management, or limiting the ability of our other shareholders to approve transactions that they may deem to be in the best interests of our company.

So long as the Existing Owners continue to control a significant amount of our common stock, the Existing Owners will, through their ownership interests in the Vine Energy Investment Vehicles and the Vine Energy Investment II Vehicles, be able to strongly influence all matters requiring stockholder approval, regardless of whether or not other stockholders believe that a potential transaction is in their own best interests. In any of these matters, the interests of the Existing Owners may differ or conflict with the interests of our other stockholders. Moreover, this concentration of stock ownership may also adversely affect the trading price of our Class A common stock to the extent investors perceive a disadvantage in owning stock of a company with a controlling stockholder.

Conflicts of interest could arise in the future between us and Blackstone and its affiliates, including their portfolio companies concerning conflicts over our operations or business opportunities.

Blackstone is a private equity investment fund, and has investments in other companies in the energy industry. As a result, Blackstone may, from time to time, acquire interests in businesses that directly or indirectly compete with our business, as well as businesses that are our customers or suppliers. As such, Blackstone or its

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portfolio companies may acquire or seek to acquire the same assets that we seek to acquire and, as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us or may be more expensive for us to pursue. Any actual or perceived conflicts of interest with respect to the foregoing could have an adverse impact on the trading price of our Class A common stock. For additional discussion of potential conflicts of interest of which our stockholders should be aware and a discussion of our related party transactions policy, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

Certain of our directors have significant duties with, and spend significant time serving, entities that may compete with us in seeking acquisitions and business opportunities and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in allocating time or pursuing business opportunities.

Certain of our directors, who are responsible for managing the direction of our operations and acquisition activities, hold positions of responsibility with other entities (including Vine-affiliated entities) that are in the business of identifying and acquiring oil and natural gas properties. The existing positions held by these directors may give rise to fiduciary or other duties that are in conflict with the duties they owe to us. These directors may become aware of business opportunities that may be appropriate for presentation to us as well as to the other entities with which they are or may become affiliated. Due to these existing and potential future affiliations, they may present potential business opportunities to other entities prior to presenting them to us, which could cause additional conflicts of interest. They may also decide that certain opportunities are more appropriate for other entities with which they are affiliated, and as a result, they may elect not to present those opportunities to us. These conflicts may not be resolved in our favor. For additional discussion of our management’s business affiliations and the potential conflicts of interest of which our stockholders should be aware, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, as well as Delaware law, contain provisions that could discourage acquisition bids or merger proposals, which may adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval. If our board of directors elects to issue preferred stock, it could be more difficult for a third party to acquire us. In addition, some provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us, even if the change of control would be beneficial to our stockholders, including:

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In addition, certain change of control events have the effect of accelerating the payment due under our Tax Receivable Agreement, which could be substantial and accordingly serve as a disincentive to a potential acquirer of our company. “—In certain cases, payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement may be accelerated and/or significantly exceed the actual benefits, if any, we realize in respect of the tax attributes subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement” contains more information.

Investors in this offering will experience immediate and substantial dilution of $                 per share.

Based on an assumed initial public offering price of $                 per share (the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover of this prospectus), purchasers of our Class A common stock in this offering will experience an immediate and substantial dilution of $                 per share in the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of Class A common stock from the initial public offering price, and our as adjusted net tangible book value as of December 31, 2020 on a pro forma basis would be $                 per share. This dilution is due in large part to earlier investors having paid substantially less than the initial public offering price when they purchased their shares. “Dilution” contains additional information.

We do not intend to pay dividends on our Class A common stock and our debt instruments place certain restrictions on our ability to do so.

We do not plan to declare dividends on shares of our Class A common stock in the foreseeable future.

Additionally, our debt agreements place certain restrictions on our ability to pay cash dividends. Consequently, to achieve a return on any investment in us, it might require a sale of our Class A common stock at a price greater than cost. There is no guarantee that the price of our Class A common stock that will prevail in the market will ever exceed the price paid in this offering.

Future sales of our Class A common stock in the public market could reduce our stock price, and any additional capital raised by us through the sale of equity or convertible securities may dilute your ownership in us.

Subject to certain limitations and exceptions, the Vine Unit Holders may exchange their Vine Units (together with shares of Class B common stock) for shares of Class A common stock (on a one-for-one basis, subject to conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassification and other similar transactions) and then sell those shares of Class A common stock. Additionally, we may issue additional shares of Class A common stock or convertible securities in subsequent public offerings. After the completion of this offering, we will have                 outstanding shares of Class A common stock and                 outstanding shares of Class B common stock. This number includes                 shares of Class A common stock that we are selling in this offering and the                 shares of Class A common stock that we may sell in this offering if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is fully exercised, which may be resold immediately in the public market. Following the completion of this offering, the Existing Owners, through the Vine Energy Investment Vehicles and the Vine Energy Investment II Vehicles, will own                 shares of Class A common stock and                 shares of Class B common stock, representing approximately     % (or    % if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full) of our total outstanding common stock. All such shares are restricted from immediate resale under the federal securities laws and are subject to the lock-up agreements between such parties and the underwriters described in “Underwriting” but may be sold into the market in the future.

The Vine Energy Investment Vehicles and the Vine Energy Investment II Vehicles will be party to a registration rights agreement with us that will require us to effect the registration of their shares in certain circumstances no earlier than the expiration of the lock-up period contained in the underwriting agreement entered into in connection with this offering. “Shares Eligible for Future Sale” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Registration Rights Agreement” contain more information.

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We cannot predict the size of future issuances of our common stock or securities convertible into common stock or the effect, if any, that future issuances and sales of shares of our Class A common stock will have on the market price of our Class A common stock. Sales of substantial amounts of our Class A common stock (including shares issued in connection with an acquisition), or the perception that such sales could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices of our Class A common stock.

The representatives of the underwriters of this offering may waive or release parties to the lock-up agreements entered into in connection with this offering, which could adversely affect the price of our Class A common stock.

We, the Vine Energy Investment Vehicles, the Vine Energy Investment II Vehicles and all of our directors and executive officers have entered into lock-up agreements with respect to their Class A common stock, pursuant to which we and they are subject to certain resale restrictions for a period of 180 days following the effectiveness date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The representatives of the underwriters, at any time and without notice, may release all or any portion of the Class A common stock subject to the foregoing lock-up agreements. If the restrictions under the lock-up agreements are waived, then Class A common stock will be available for sale into the public markets, which could cause the market price of our Class A common stock to decline and impair our ability to raise capital. “Underwriting” provides additional information regarding the lock-up agreements.

We will be required to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement for certain tax benefits we may claim, and the amounts of such payments could be significant.

We will enter into a Tax Receivable Agreement with Vine Investment, Brix Investment, Harvest Investment, Vine Investment II, Brix Investment II and Harvest Investment II. This agreement generally provides for the payment by us to Vine Investment, Brix Investment, Harvest Investment, Vine Investment II, Brix Investment II and Harvest Investment II, respectively, of 85% of the net cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income tax that Vine Energy (a) actually realizes with respect to taxable periods ending after December 31, 2025 or (b) is deemed to realize in the event of a change of control (as defined under the Tax Receivable Agreement, which includes certain mergers, asset sales and other forms of business combinations and certain changes to the composition of the Vine Energy board) or the Tax Receivable Agreement terminates early (at our election or as a result of our breach) with respect to any taxable periods ending on or after such change of control or early termination event, in each case, as a result of (i) the tax basis increases resulting from the exchange of Vine Units and the corresponding surrender of an equivalent number of shares of Class B common stock by Vine Investment, Brix Investment and Harvest Investment, respectively, for a number of shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis or, at our option, the receipt of an equivalent amount of cash pursuant to the exchange agreement, (ii) certain existing net operating loss carryforwards, disallowed interest expense carryforwards under Section 163(j) of the Code, and tax credit carryforwards attributable to the Blocker Entities previously owned by certain of the Existing Owners, and (iii) imputed interest deemed to be paid by us as a result of, and additional tax basis arising from, any payments we make under the Tax Receivable Agreement. Vine Energy will retain the benefit of the remaining 15% of these cash savings, if any. If we experience a change of control or the Tax Receivable Agreement terminates early, we could be required to make a substantial, immediate lump-sum payment. “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Tax Receivable Agreement” contains more information.

The payment obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement are our obligations and not obligations of Vine Holdings. For purposes of the Tax Receivable Agreement, cash savings in tax generally are calculated by comparing our actual tax liability to the amount we would have been required to pay had we not been able to utilize any of the tax benefits subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement. The amounts payable, as well as the timing of any payments, under the Tax Receivable Agreement are dependent upon future events and assumptions, including the timing of the exchanges of Vine Units along with surrendering a corresponding number of our Class B common stock, the price of our Class A common stock at the time of each exchange, the extent to which such exchanges are taxable transactions, the amount of the exchanging Vine Unit Holder’s tax

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basis in its Vine Units at the time of the relevant exchange, the depreciation, depletion and amortization periods that apply to the increase in tax basis, the amount and timing of taxable income we generate in the future, the U.S. federal income tax rate then applicable, and the portion of Vine Energy’s payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement that constitute imputed interest or give rise to depreciable, depletable or amortizable tax basis. The term of the Tax Receivable Agreement will commence upon the completion of this offering and will continue until all such tax benefits have been utilized or expired and all required payments are made, unless we exercise our right to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreement (or the Tax Receivable Agreement is terminated due to other circumstances, including our breach of a material obligation thereunder or certain mergers or other changes of control) by making the termination payment specified in the agreement. In the event that the Tax Receivable Agreement is not terminated, the payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement are anticipated to commence in                  (with respect to the tax year                ) and to continue for approximately                  years.

The actual increase in tax basis, as well as the amount and timing of any payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement, will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the timing of the exchanges of Vine Units, the price of Class A common stock at the time of each exchange, the extent to which such exchanges are taxable, the amount and timing of the taxable income we generate in the future and the tax rate then applicable, and the portion of our payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement constituting imputed interest or depreciable, depletable or amortizable tax basis. We expect that the payments that we will be required to make under the Tax Receivable Agreement could be substantial.

The payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement will not be conditioned upon a holder of rights under the Tax Receivable Agreement having a continued ownership interest in us or Vine Holdings. In addition, certain rights under the Tax Receivable Agreement (including the right to receive payments) will be transferable in connection with transfers permitted thereunder. “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Tax Receivable Agreement” contains more information.

In certain cases, payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement may be accelerated and/or significantly exceed the actual benefits we realize, if any, in respect of the tax attributes subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement.

If we experience a change of control (as defined under the Tax Receivable Agreement, which includes certain mergers, asset sales and other forms of business combinations and certain changes to the composition of the Vine Energy board) or the Tax Receivable Agreement terminates early (at our election or as a result of our breach), we could be required to make a substantial, immediate lump-sum payment. This payment would equal the present value of hypothetical future payments that could be required under the Tax Receivable Agreement. The calculation of the hypothetical future payments will be based upon certain assumptions and deemed events set forth in the Tax Receivable Agreement, including (i) the sufficiency of taxable income to fully utilize the tax benefits, (ii) any Vine Units (other than those held by us) outstanding on the termination date are exchanged on the termination date and (iii) the utilization of certain loss carryovers. Our ability to generate net taxable income is subject to substantial uncertainty. Accordingly, as a result of the assumptions, the required lump-sum payment may be significantly in advance of, and could materially exceed, the realized future tax benefits to which the payment relates.

As a result of either an early termination or a change of control, we could be required to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement that exceed our actual cash tax savings under the Tax Receivable Agreement. Consequently, our obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement could have a substantial negative impact on our liquidity and could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing certain mergers, asset sales, other forms of business combinations or other changes of control. For example, assuming no material changes in the relevant tax law, we expect that if we experienced a change of control or the Tax Receivable Agreement were terminated immediately after this offering, the estimated lump-sum payment would be approximately $                 million (calculated using a discount rate equal to a per annum rate of LIBOR plus 100 basis points, applied against an undiscounted liability of approximately $                 million). There can be no assurance that we will be able to finance our obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement.

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In the event that our payment obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement are accelerated upon certain mergers, other forms of business combinations or other changes of control, the consideration payable to holders of our Class A common stock could be substantially reduced.

If we experience a change of control (as defined under the Tax Receivable Agreement), our obligation to make a substantial, immediate lump-sum payment could result in holders of our Class A common stock receiving substantially less consideration in connection with a change of control transaction than they would receive in the absence of such obligation. Further, holders of rights under the Tax Receivable Agreement may not have an equity interest in us or Vine Holdings. Accordingly, the interests of holders of rights under the Tax Receivable Agreement may conflict with those of the holders of our Class A common stock. Please read “Risk Factors—In certain cases, payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement may be accelerated and/or significantly exceed the actual benefits we realize, if any, in respect of the tax attributes subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Tax Receivable Agreement.”

We will not be reimbursed for any payments made under the Tax Receivable Agreement in the event that any tax benefits are subsequently disallowed.

Payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement will be based on the tax reporting positions that we will determine, and the IRS or another tax authority may challenge all or part of the tax basis increases upon which payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement are based, as well as other related tax positions that we take, and a court could sustain such challenge. The holders of rights under the Tax Receivable Agreement will not reimburse us for any payments previously made under the Tax Receivable Agreement if such basis increases or other benefits are subsequently disallowed, except that excess payments made to any such holder will be netted against payments otherwise to be made, if any, to such holder after our determination of such excess. As a result, in such circumstances, we could make payments that are greater than our actual cash tax savings, if any, and may not be able to recoup those payments, which could adversely affect our liquidity.

If Vine Holdings were to become a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we and Vine Holdings might be subject to potentially significant tax inefficiencies, and we would not be able to recover payments previously made by us under the Tax Receivable Agreement even if the corresponding tax benefits were subsequently determined to have been unavailable due to such status.

We intend to operate such that Vine Holdings does not become a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A “publicly traded partnership” is a partnership the interests of which are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof. Under certain circumstances, exchanges of Vine Units pursuant to the Exchange Right or other transfers of Vine Units could cause Vine Holdings to be treated as a publicly traded partnership. Applicable U.S. Treasury regulations provide for certain safe harbors from treatment as a publicly traded partnership, and we intend to operate such that exchanges or other transfers of Vine Units qualify for one or more such safe harbors.

If Vine Holdings were to become a publicly traded partnership, significant tax inefficiencies might result for us and for Vine Holdings, including as a result of our inability to file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return with Vine Holdings. In addition, we would no longer have the benefit of certain increases in tax basis covered under the Tax Receivable Agreement, and we would not be able to recover any payments previously made by us under the Tax Receivable Agreement, even if the corresponding tax benefits (including any claimed increase in the tax basis of Vine Holdings’ assets) were subsequently determined to have been unavailable.

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In certain circumstances, Vine Holdings will be required to make tax distributions to us and the Vine Unit Holders, and the tax distributions that Vine Holdings will be required to make may be substantial.

Vine Holdings will be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, as such, is not subject to U.S. federal income tax. Instead, taxable income will be allocated to the Vine Unit Holders, and us. Pursuant to the VEH LLC Agreement, Vine Holdings will generally make pro rata cash distributions, or tax distributions, to us and the Vine Unit Holders, calculated using our estimated effective tax rate and taking into account our payment obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement.

Funds used by Vine Holdings to satisfy its tax distribution obligations will not be available for reinvestment in our business. Moreover, the tax distributions that Vine Holdings will be required to make may be substantial, and may exceed (as a percentage of Vine Holdings’ income) the overall effective tax rate applicable to a similarly situated corporate taxpayer.

We expect to be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NYSE rules and, as a result, will qualify for and could rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements.

Upon completion of this offering, the Vine Energy Investment Vehicles and the Vine Energy Investment II Vehicles will collectively beneficially control a majority of the combined voting power of all classes of our outstanding voting stock. In connection with the completion of this offering, we will enter into a stockholders’ agreement, pursuant to which Blackstone, through its ownership interests in the Vine Energy Investment Vehicles and the Vine Energy Investment II Vehicles, will have certain rights with respect to the election of directors. “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Stockholders’ Agreement” contains additional information regarding these risks. As a result, we expect to be a controlled company within the meaning of the NYSE corporate governance standards. Under the NYSE rules, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by another person or group of persons acting together is a controlled company and may elect not to comply with certain NYSE corporate governance requirements, including the requirements that:

These requirements will not apply to us as long as we remain a controlled company. Following this offering, we may utilize some or all of these exemptions. Accordingly, you may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of the NYSE. “Management” contains additional information regarding these risks.

For as long as we are an emerging growth company, we will not be required to comply with certain reporting requirements, including disclosure about our executive compensation, that apply to other public companies.

We are classified as an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act. In addition, we have reduced SOX compliance requirements, as discussed elsewhere, for as long as we are an emerging growth company, which may be up to five full fiscal years. Unlike other public companies, we will not be required to, among other things, (i) comply with any new requirements adopted by the PCAOB requiring mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report in which the auditor would be required to provide additional information about the audit and the financial statements of the issuer, (ii) provide certain disclosure regarding executive compensation required of larger public companies or (iii) hold nonbinding advisory votes on executive compensation.

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

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

The trading market for our Class A 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 downgrades our Class A common stock or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline.

Because we have elected to take advantage of the extended transition period pursuant to Section 107 of the JOBS Act, our financial statements may not be comparable to those of other public companies.

Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can use the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. This permits an emerging growth company to delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We are choosing to take advantage of this extended transition period and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for private companies. Accordingly, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates, and our stockholders and potential investors may have difficulty in analyzing our operating results by comparing us to such companies.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will designate the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or agents.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers, employees or agents to us or our stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each such case subject to such Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under U.S. federal securities laws, including the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. This choice of forum may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes

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with us or our directors, officers, employees or agents, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and such persons. Alternatively, if a court were to find these provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations.

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