S-3ASR 1 tm2531646-1_s3asr.htm S-3ASR tm2531646-1_s3asr - none - 3.2696789s
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 21, 2025
Registration No. 333-     
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Diamondback Energy, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
45-4502447
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
500 West Texas Ave., Suite 100
Midland, Texas 79701
(432) 221-7400
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Jere W. Thompson III
Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President
500 West Texas Ave., Suite 100
Midland, Texas 79701
(432) 221-7400
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Zachary S. Podolsky
Nick S. Dhesi
Latham & Watkins LLP
1271 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10020
(212) 906-1200
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:   From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. ☐
Exact name of co-registrant
as specified in its charter(1)
Co-Registrant
State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization
I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number
Diamondback E&P LLC
Delaware
36-4728559
(1)
The address of the Co-Registrant’s principal executive offices is c/o Diamondback Energy, Inc., 500 West Texas Ave., Suite 100, Midland, Texas 79701 and the telephone number for the Co-Registrant is (432) 221-7400. The name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of the agent for service for the Co-Registrant is Jere W. Thompson III, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Diamondback Energy, Inc., 500 West Texas Ave., Suite 100, Midland, Texas 79701, telephone (432) 221-7400.

PROSPECTUS
[MISSING IMAGE: lg_diamondback-4clr.jpg]
Diamondback Energy, Inc.
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
We may offer and sell the securities identified above from time to time in one or more offerings. Diamondback E&P LLC and any of our other existing or future subsidiaries may jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guarantee our payment obligations under any series of debt securities offered by this prospectus. Unless otherwise stated herein, we refer to our debt securities and the guarantees of our debt securities that may be offered pursuant to this prospectus collectively as the “debt securities.” This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities.
Each time we offer and sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the offering and the amounts, prices and terms of the securities. The supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. You should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement before you invest in any of our securities.
We may offer and sell the securities described in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, or through a combination of these methods. If any underwriters, dealers or agents are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. See the sections of this prospectus entitled “About this Prospectus” and “Plan of Distribution” for more information. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.
INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS. SEE THE “RISK FACTORS” ON PAGE 7 OF THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY SIMILAR SECTION CONTAINED IN THE APPLICABLE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT CONCERNING FACTORS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES.
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “FANG.” On November 19, 2025 the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market was $148.69 per share.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is November 21, 2025.

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), using a “shelf” registration process. By using a shelf registration statement, we may sell securities from time to time and in one or more offerings as described in this prospectus. Each time that we offer and sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the securities being offered and sold and the specific terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus with respect to that offering. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, you should rely on the prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, as applicable. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement (and any applicable free writing prospectuses), together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.”
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We will not make an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement to this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on its respective cover, that the information appearing in any applicable free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date of that free writing prospectus, and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. This prospectus incorporates by reference, and any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus may contain and incorporate by reference, market data and industry statistics and forecasts that are based on independent industry publications and other publicly available information. Although we believe these sources are reliable, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information and we have not independently verified this information. In addition, the market and industry data and forecasts that may be included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any applicable free writing prospectus may involve estimates, assumptions and other risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this information.
When we refer to “Diamondback Energy,” “we,” “our,” “us” and the “Company” in this prospectus, we mean Diamondback Energy, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified. When we refer to “you,” we mean the potential holders of the applicable series of securities.
 
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, including documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our: future performance; business strategy; future operations (including drilling plans and capital plans); estimates and projections of revenues, losses, costs, expenses, returns, cash flow and financial position; reserve estimates and our ability to replace or increase reserves; anticipated benefits or other effects of strategic transactions (including the Company’s acquisition of Endeavor Parent, LLC (“Endeavor” and such acquisition, the “Endeavor Acquisition”), the Company’s acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding interests of DE Permian, LLC, DE IV Combo, LLC and DE IV Operating, LLC, each of which were wholly owned subsidiaries of Double Eagle IV Midco, LLC (the “Double Eagle Acquisition”), the divestment of all of the issued and outstanding equity interests in 1979 Royalties, LP and 1979 Royalties GP, LLC held by the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Endeavor Energy Resources, LP to Viper Energy, Inc., a publicly-traded subsidiary of the Company (the “2025 Drop Down”), and the recently completed acquisition of Sitio Royalties Corp., Sitio Royalties Operating Partnership, LP and their respective subsidiaries by Viper Energy, Inc. (the “Sitio Acquisition”)); and plans and objectives of management (including plans for future cash flow from operations and for executing environmental strategies) are forward-looking statements. When used in this prospectus or in documents incorporated by reference herein, the words “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “future,” “guidance,” “intend,” “may,” “model,” “outlook,” “plan,” “positioned,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions (including the negative of such terms) as they relate to the Company are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. Although we believe that the expectations and assumptions reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, they involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and, in many cases, beyond our control. In particular, the factors discussed and detailed under Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025 and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, could affect our actual results and cause our actual results to differ materially from expectations, estimates or assumptions expressed, forecasted or implied in such forward-looking statements.
Factors that could cause our outcomes to differ materially include (but are not limited to) the following:

changes in supply and demand levels for oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids and the resulting impact on the price for those commodities;

the impact of public health crises, including epidemic or pandemic diseases and any related company or government policies or actions;

actions taken by the members of OPEC and Russia affecting the production and pricing of oil, as well as other domestic and global political, economic or diplomatic developments;

changes in general economic, business or industry conditions, including changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and inflation rates, and instability in the financial sector;

regional supply and demand factors, including delays, curtailment delays or interruptions of production, or governmental orders, rules or regulations that impose production limits;

federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing, including the effect of existing and future laws and governmental regulations;

physical and transition risks relating to climate change;

restrictions on the use of water, including limits on the use of produced water and a moratorium on new produced water well permits recently imposed by the Texas Railroad Commission in an effort to control induced seismicity in the Permian Basin;

significant declines in prices for oil, natural gas, or natural gas liquids, which could require recognition of significant impairment charges;
 
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changes in U.S. energy, environmental, monetary and trade policies, including with respect to tariffs or other trade barriers and any resulting trade tensions;

conditions in the capital, financial and credit markets, including the availability and pricing of capital for drilling and development operations and our environmental and social responsibility projects;

challenges with employee retention and an increasingly competitive labor market;

changes in availability or cost of rigs, equipment, raw materials, supplies and oilfield services;

changes in safety, health, environmental, tax and other regulations or requirements (including those addressing air emissions, water management or the impact of global climate change);

security threats, including cybersecurity threats and disruptions to our business and operations from breaches of our information technology systems, or from breaches of information technology systems of third parties with whom we transact business;

lack of, or disruption in, access to adequate and reliable transportation, processing, storage and other facilities for our oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids;

failures or delays in achieving expected reserve or production levels from existing and future oil and natural gas developments, including due to operating hazards, drilling risks or the inherent uncertainties in predicting reserve and reservoir performance;

difficulty in obtaining necessary approvals and permits;

severe weather conditions and natural disasters;

acts of war or terrorist acts and the governmental or military response thereto;

changes in the financial strength of counterparties to our credit facilities and hedging contracts;

changes in our credit rating;

risks related to the recently completed Endeavor Acquisition, Double Eagle Acquisition, 2025 Drop Down and Sitio Acquisition; and

other risks and factors disclosed under Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025 and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
In light of these factors, the events anticipated by our forward-looking statements may not occur at the time anticipated or at all. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment and new risks emerge from time to time. We cannot predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by any forward-looking statements we may make. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus or, if earlier, as of the date they were made. We do not intend to, and disclaim any obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements unless required by applicable law.
 
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Available Information
We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information about issuers, such as us, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov.
Our web site address is www.diamondbackenergy.com. The information on our web site, however, is not, and should not be deemed to be, a part of this prospectus.
This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC and do not contain all of the information in the registration statement. The full registration statement may be obtained from the SEC or us, as provided below. Forms of the indenture and other documents establishing the terms of the offered securities are or may be filed as exhibits to the registration statement or documents incorporated by reference in the registration statement. Statements in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement about these documents are summaries and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You should refer to the actual documents for a more complete description of the relevant matters. You may inspect a copy of the registration statement through the SEC’s website, as provided above.
Incorporation by Reference
The SEC’s rules allow us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, and subsequent information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information. Any statement contained in this prospectus or a previously filed document incorporated by reference will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or a subsequently filed document incorporated by reference modifies or replaces that statement.
This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that have previously been filed with the SEC:


The information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 10, 2025.

Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2025, June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2025, filed with the SEC on May 7, 2025, August 6, 2025 and November 5, 2025, respectively.

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K and Amended Current Reports on Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on February 3, 2025, February 18, 2025, February 20, 2025, March 10, 2025, March 20, 2025, March 21, 2025, April 7, 2025, May 21, 2025, June 4, 2025 and June 12, 2025 (in each case other than documents or portions of those documents deemed to be furnished but not filed).

The description of our common stock included in Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2025 and any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating the description.
In addition, we incorporate by reference into this prospectus (i) the audited consolidated financial statements of Endeavor as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on April 8, 2024 and (ii) the unaudited consolidated financial statements of Endeavor as of June 30, 2024 and for the six month periods ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A, filed with the SEC on September 19, 2024.
 
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All reports and other documents we subsequently file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the termination of this offering but excluding any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, will also be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and deemed to be part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.
You may request a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
Diamondback Energy, Inc.
500 West Texas Ave., Suite 100
Midland, Texas 79701
Attention: Corporate Secretary
(432) 221-7400
Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have specifically been incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.
 
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THE COMPANY
We are an independent oil and natural gas company focused on the acquisition, development, exploration and exploitation of unconventional, onshore oil and natural gas reserves primarily in the Permian Basin in West Texas. This basin, which is one of the major producing basins in the United States, is characterized by an extensive production history, a favorable operating environment, mature infrastructure, long reserve life, multiple producing horizons, enhanced recovery potential and a large number of operators. We report operations in one reportable segment, the upstream segment.
We filed our certificate of incorporation with the Secretary of State of Delaware on December 30, 2011.
Our principal executive offices are located at 500 West Texas Ave., Suite 100, Midland, Texas 79701 and our telephone number is (432) 221-7400. Our common stock is listed on Nasdaq under the trading symbol “FANG.” Our website address is www.diamondbackenergy.com. Information contained on our website does not constitute part of this prospectus.
THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS
Diamondback E&P LLC and any of our other existing or future subsidiaries specified in a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part may jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guarantee our payment obligations under any series of debt securities offered by this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. Financial information concerning our guarantor subsidiaries and non-guarantor subsidiaries, if any, is or will be included, as applicable, in our periodic reports filed pursuant to the Exchange Act, to the extent required by the rules and regulations of the SEC.
 
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RISK FACTORS
Investment in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement involves risks. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K, and all other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act, and the risk factors and other information contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered securities. There may be other unknown or unpredictable economic, business, competitive, regulatory or other factors that could have material adverse effects on our future results. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be seriously harmed. This could cause the trading price of our securities to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment. Please also carefully read the section entitled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K.
 
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USE OF PROCEEDS
We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
 
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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The following description of our capital stock is not complete and may not contain all the information you should consider before investing in our capital stock. This description is summarized from, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, our certificate of incorporation, which has been publicly filed with the SEC. See “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.”
Our authorized capital stock consists of:

800,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share; and

10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share.
Common Stock
Holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Shares of common stock do not have cumulative voting rights. Our certificate of incorporation does not grant stockholders any preemptive rights to acquire or subscribe for any stock, obligation, warrant or other securities of ours. Holders of shares of our common stock have no redemption or conversion rights nor are they entitled to the benefits of any sinking fund provisions.
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of shares of common stock shall be entitled to receive, pro rata, all the remaining assets of our company available for distribution to our stockholders after payment of our debts and after there shall have been paid to or set aside for the holders of capital stock ranking senior to common stock in respect of rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up the full preferential amounts to which they are respectively entitled.
Holders of record of shares of common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and if declared by the board of directors out of any assets legally available for such dividends, subject to both the rights of all outstanding shares of capital stock ranking senior to the common stock in respect of dividends and to any dividend restrictions contained in debt agreements. As of November 19, 2025, there were 286,395,319 shares of our common stock outstanding.
Preferred Stock
Our board of directors is authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series. The board of directors may fix for each series:

the distinctive serial designation and number of shares of the series;

the voting powers and the right, if any, to elect a director or directors;

the terms of office of any directors the holders of preferred shares are entitled to elect;

the dividend rights, if any;

the terms of redemption, and the amount of and provisions regarding any sinking fund for the purchase or redemption thereof;

the liquidation preferences and the amounts payable on dissolution or liquidation;

the terms and conditions under which shares of the series may or shall be converted into any other series or class of stock or debt of the Company; and

any other terms or provisions which the board of directors is legally authorized to fix or alter.
We currently have no outstanding preferred stock and have no present plans to issue any shares of preferred stock. However, we do not need stockholder approval to issue or fix the terms of the preferred stock, and the actual effect of the authorization of the preferred stock upon your rights as holders of common stock is unknown until our board of directors determines the specific rights of owners of any series of preferred stock. Depending upon the rights granted to any series of preferred stock, your voting power, liquidation preference or other rights could be adversely affected. Preferred stock may be issued in acquisitions or for other corporate purposes. Issuance in connection with a stockholder rights plan or other takeover
 
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defense could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from acquiring, control of our company.
Related Party Transactions and Corporate Opportunities
Subject to the limitations of applicable law, our certificate of incorporation, among other things:

permits us to enter into transactions with entities in which one or more of our officers or directors are financially or otherwise interested so long as it has been approved by our board of directors in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”);

permits our non-employee directors and their affiliates to conduct business that competes with us and to make investments in any kind of property in which we may make investments; and

provides that if any of our non-employee directors or their affiliates become aware of a potential business opportunity, transaction or other matter (other than one expressly offered to that director or his or her affiliate solely in his or her capacity as our director), that director will have no duty to communicate or offer that opportunity to us, and will be permitted to communicate or offer that opportunity to any other entity or individual and that director or officer will not be deemed to have (i) acted in a manner inconsistent with his or her fiduciary duty to us or our stockholders regarding the opportunity or (ii) acted in bad faith or in a manner inconsistent with our best interests.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Our Bylaws
Some provisions of our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws contain provisions that could make it more difficult to acquire us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, or to remove our incumbent officers and directors. These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging such proposals because negotiation of such proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.
Undesignated preferred stock.   The ability to authorize and issue undesignated preferred stock may enable our board of directors to render more difficult or discourage an attempt to change control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. For example, if in the due exercise of its fiduciary obligations, the board of directors were to determine that a takeover proposal is not in our best interest, the board of directors could cause shares of preferred stock to be issued without stockholder approval in one or more private offerings or other transactions that might dilute the voting or other rights of the proposed acquirer or insurgent stockholder or stockholder group.
Stockholder meetings.   Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called by (i) our Chairman of the Board, our Chief Executive Officer, or our board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of our board of directors, assuming there are no vacancies; or (ii) by our Chairman of the Board or our board following receipt by our Secretary of the written request (which request must comply with the requirements and procedures set forth in our bylaws) of one or more of our stockholders (acting on their own behalf and not by assigning or delegating their rights to any other person or entity) that together have continuously held, for their own accounts, beneficial ownership of at least 25% aggregate “net long position” ​(as such term is defined therein) in our issued and outstanding voting stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors for at least one year prior to the date such request is delivered to us and at the special meeting date. Special meetings of our stockholders may not be called by any other person or persons.
Requirements for advance notification of stockholder nominations and proposals.   Our bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the board of directors.
Stockholder action by written consent.   Our certificate of incorporation provides that, except as may otherwise be provided with respect to the rights of the holders of preferred stock, no action that is required
 
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or permitted to be taken by our stockholders at any annual or special meeting may be effected by written consent of stockholders in lieu of a meeting of stockholders, unless the action to be effected by written consent of stockholders and the taking of such action by such written consent have expressly been approved in advance by our board.
Amendment of the bylaws.   Under Delaware law, the power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws is conferred upon the stockholders. A corporation may, however, in its certificate of incorporation also confer upon the board of directors the power to adopt, amend or repeal its bylaws. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws grant our board the power to adopt, amend and repeal our bylaws at any regular or special meeting of the board on the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors, assuming there are no vacancies. Our stockholders may adopt, amend or repeal our bylaws but only at any regular or special meeting of stockholders by an affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
Additionally, an increase in the number of authorized shares of our common stock could be used to make it more difficult to, or discourage an attempt to, obtain control of our company by means of a takeover bid that our board of directors determines is not in our best interests or the best interests of our stockholders.
The provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could have the effect of discouraging others from attempting hostile takeovers and, as a consequence, they may also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that often result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in our management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions which stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.
Choice of Forum
Our certificate of incorporation provides that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will 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 or other employees to us or our stockholders; (iii) any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our certificate of incorporation or bylaws; or (iv) any action asserting a claim against us pertaining to internal affairs of our corporation. Our certificate of incorporation also provides that any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock will be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to this choice of forum provision.
Our bylaws provide that federal courts shall be the exclusive forum for claims under the Securities Act, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum. Our bylaws also provide that any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock will be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to this choice of forum provision.
It is possible that a court of law could rule that the choice of forum provision contained in our certificate of incorporation and/or our bylaws is inapplicable or unenforceable if it is challenged in a proceeding or otherwise.
Listing
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “FANG.”
Transfer Agent
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.
 
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The debt securities that we may offer by this prospectus consist of notes, guarantees or other evidences of indebtedness of Diamondback Energy and one or more of its subsidiaries. We may issue debt securities in one or more series under an indenture (the “Base Indenture”), between us and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), which Base Indenture may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental thereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Base Indenture, including, for all purposes of the Base Indenture and any such supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”) that are deemed to be a part of and govern the Base Indenture and any such supplemental indenture (collectively with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”). The term “Indenture” shall also include the terms of any particular series or specific debt securities within a series established as contemplated by the Indenture. A form of the Base Indenture, which has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, is incorporated herein by reference. Except as otherwise defined in this prospectus, capitalized terms used in this prospectus have the meanings given to them in the Base Indenture. For purposes of this Description of Debt Securities, references to “Diamondback Energy,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer only to Diamondback Energy, Inc. and not to its subsidiaries.
The provisions of the Base Indenture will generally be applicable to all of the debt securities. Selected provisions of the Base Indenture are described in this prospectus. Additional or different provisions that are applicable to a particular series of debt securities will, if material, be described in a prospectus supplement relating to the offering of debt securities of that series. These provisions may include, among other things and to the extent applicable, the following:

the title of the debt securities;

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

the person to whom any interest on a debt security will be payable, if other than the registered holder thereof on the regular record date therefor;

the date or dates on which the principal of the debt securities will be payable or the method of determination thereof and the amount of principal that will be payable;

the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the debt securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or contingent interest, if any, or the formula, method or provision pursuant to which such rate or rates are determined, and the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue or the method of determination thereof;

the dates on which interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates;

the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities will be payable and the manner in which any payment may be made;

our option, if any, to redeem or prepay the debt securities, in whole or in part, the period or periods within which, and the price or prices at which, such redemption or prepayment may occur, and the other terms and conditions of any such redemptions or prepayments;

our obligation, if any, whether pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise, to redeem, purchase, repurchase, or offer to purchase or repurchase, the debt securities, in whole or in part, the period or periods within which, and the price or prices at which, such redemption, purchase or repurchase must occur, and the other terms and conditions of any such redemptions, purchases and repurchases;

the denominations in which the debt securities will be issuable, if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;

if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

if other than the currency of the United States of America, the currency, currencies, composite currency, composite currencies or currency units in which the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities shall be payable, or shall at the election of the Company or the holder thereof
 
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be payable, and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in the currency of the United States of America for any purpose, including for the purposes of making payment in the currency of the United States of America and determining the outstanding amount of debt securities, and, in the case of an election, the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amount so payable (or the manner in which such amount shall be determined);

if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any debt securities that will be payable upon acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities pursuant to an event of default;

if the principal amount payable at the maturity of any debt securities will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the stated maturity, the amount that shall be deemed to be the principal amount of such debt securities as of any such date, including the principal amount thereof that shall be due and payable upon any maturity other than the stated maturity or that shall be deemed to be outstanding as of any date prior to the stated maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount shall be determined);

if applicable, that the debt securities, in whole or any specified part, shall not be defeasible, and, if such Securities may be defeased, in whole or in part, any provisions to permit a pledge of obligations other than U.S. government obligations (or the establishment of other arrangements) to satisfy the requirements for defeasance of such debt securities and, if other than by a board resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to defease such debt securities shall be evidenced;

if applicable, that any debt securities shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities and, in such case, the respective depositaries for such global securities, the form of any legend or legends that shall be borne by any such global security in lieu of that set forth in the Base Indenture, any addition to, elimination of or other change in the circumstances in which any such global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities registered, and any transfer of such global security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of persons other than the depositary for such global security or a nominee thereof and any other provisions governing exchanges or transfers of any such global security;

any addition to, elimination of or other change in the events of default that apply to any debt securities, any changes in the applicable notice or cure periods (which may be no period), and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite holders of such debt securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable, or the automatic acceleration of such principal amount;

any addition to, elimination of or other change in the covenants set forth in the Base Indenture that applies to any debt securities;

if applicable, that persons other than those specified in the Base Indenture shall have such benefits, rights, remedies and claims with respect to such debt securities, as and to the extent provided for such debt securities;

any change in the actions permitted or required to be taken by or on behalf of the holders of any debt securities, including any such change that permits or requires any or all such actions to be taken by or on behalf of the holders of any specific debt securities rather than or in addition to the holders of all debt securities;

any provisions for subordination of any debt securities to other obligations of the Company or any guarantor (including other debt securities issued under the Indenture);

whether payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on any debt securities shall be without deduction for taxes, assessments or governmental charges paid by holders of such debt securities;

if and as applicable, that any debt securities shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities and, in such case, the depositary or depositaries for such global security or global securities and any circumstances other than those set forth in the Base Indenture in which any such global security may be transferred to, and registered and exchanged for debt securities registered
 
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in the name of, a person other than the depositary for such global security or a nominee thereof and in which any such transfer may be registered;

whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay additional amounts on any debt securities held by a person who is not a U.S. person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay such additional amounts;

if any debt securities are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

whether any debt securities are to be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or any other security or property, including, without limitation, securities of another person held by the Company or its affiliates, and, if so, the terms thereof;

any provisions necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance, payment or conversion of any debt securities that may be converted into securities or other property other than debt securities of the same series and of like tenor, whether in addition to, or in lieu of, any payment of principal or other amount and whether at the option of the Company or otherwise;

whether any debt securities will be guaranteed, and, if so, the terms and conditions of such guarantees, if such terms differ from those set forth in the Base Indenture, and the names of, or the method of determination or identification of, the guarantors, and any deletions from, or modifications or additions to, the provisions of the Base Indenture in connection with the guarantees of the debt securities of the series;

if other than the Trustee, the identity of the initial security registrar and any initial paying agent; and

any other terms of the debt securities and any guarantees of the debt securities.
The debt securities may have the benefit of guarantees (each, a “guarantee”) by one or more of our existing or future subsidiaries, including Diamondback E&P LLC, specified as a “guarantor” ​(each, a “guarantor”) in the prospectus supplement for the series of such debt securities. Unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires, as used in this section, the term “guaranteed debt securities” means debt securities that, as described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto, are guaranteed by one or more guarantors pursuant to the applicable supplemental indenture.
We may issue debt securities at a discount from their stated principal amount. Federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any debt security issued with original issue discount (an “original issue discount security”) may be described in an applicable prospectus supplement.
If the purchase price of any series of the debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currency unit or if the principal of or any premium or interest on any series of the debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currency unit, the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms, and other information with respect to the debt securities and the applicable foreign currency or currency unit will be set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement.
Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement:

the debt securities will be issued only in fully registered form (without coupons) in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof; and

payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities will be payable, and the exchange, conversion, and transfer of debt securities will be registrable, at our office or agency maintained for those purposes and at any other office or agency maintained for those purposes. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of the debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.
 
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Form of Debt Securities
We will issue each debt security only in registered form, without coupons, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. In addition, we will issue each debt security in global (i.e., book-entry) form only, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. Debt securities in book-entry form will be represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary, which will be the holder of all the debt securities represented by the global security. Those who own beneficial interests in a global debt security will do so through participants in the depositary’s securities clearance system, and the rights of these indirect owners will be governed solely by the applicable procedures of the depositary and its participants. References to “holders” in this description mean those who own debt securities registered in their own names, on the books that we or the Trustee maintain for this purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in debt securities registered in street name or in debt securities issued in book-entry form through one or more depositaries.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following is a summary of the depositary arrangements applicable to debt securities issued in global form and for which The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) acts as depositary.
Each global debt security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC, as depositary, or its nominee, and registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. Except under the limited circumstances described below, global debt securities are not exchangeable for definitive certificated debt securities.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global debt security is limited to institutions that have accounts with DTC or its nominee, or persons that may hold interests through those participants. In addition, ownership of beneficial interests by participants in a global debt security will be evidenced only by, and the transfer of that ownership interest will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee for a global debt security.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global debt security by persons that hold those interests through participants will be evidenced only by, and the transfer of that ownership interest within that participant will be effected only through, records maintained by that participant. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the debt securities. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase, but beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the participants through which the beneficial owners entered the transaction. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities they purchase in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global debt security.
We will make payment of principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, debt securities represented by a global debt security registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner and holder of the global debt security representing those debt securities. DTC has advised us that upon receipt of any payment of principal of, or interest and premium, if any, on, a global debt security, DTC will immediately credit accounts of participants on its book-entry registration and transfer system with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective interests in the principal amount of that global debt security, as shown in the records of DTC. Payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global debt security held through those participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, and will be the sole responsibility of those participants, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements that may be in effect from time to time.
Neither we, any guarantor, any trustee nor any of our respective agents will be responsible for any aspect of the records of DTC, any nominee or any participant relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a global debt security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of the records of DTC, any nominee or any participant relating to such beneficial interests.
 
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A global debt security is exchangeable for definitive certificated debt securities registered in the name of, and a transfer of a global debt security may be registered to, any person other than DTC or its nominee, only if:

DTC notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security or has ceased to be a registered clearing agency and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 90 days; or

we notify the Trustee that we wish to exchange that global security in whole.
Any global debt security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence will be exchangeable in whole for definitive certificated debt securities in registered form, of like tenor and of an equal aggregate principal amount as the global debt security, in denominations specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, if other than $2,000 and multiples of $1,000. The definitive debt securities will be registered by the registrar in the name or names instructed by DTC. We expect that these instructions may be based upon directions received by DTC from its participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global debt security.
Except as provided above or in the applicable prospectus supplement, owners of the beneficial interests in a global debt security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of debt securities in definitive certificated form and will not be considered the holders of debt securities for any purpose under the Indenture. Except as provided above, no global debt security shall be exchangeable except for another global debt security of like denomination and tenor to be registered in the name of DTC or its nominee. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global debt security must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which that person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the global debt security or the Indenture.
We understand that, under existing industry practices, in the event that we request any action of holders, or an owner of a beneficial interest in a global debt security desires to take any action that a holder is entitled to take under the debt securities or the Indenture, DTC would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to take that action. Additionally, those participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through those participants to take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.
DTC has advised us that it is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities of its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions among its participants in securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants. By doing so, DTC eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is owned by a number of its participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. and NYSE Amex Equities. Access to DTC’s book-entry system is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers, and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.
Investors may hold interests in the debt securities outside the U.S. through the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”) or Clearstream Banking (“Clearstream”) if they are participants in those systems, or indirectly through organizations which are participants in those systems. Euroclear and Clearstream will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in Euroclear’s and Clearstream’s names on the books of their respective depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers’ securities accounts in the depositaries’ names on the books of DTC. All securities in Euroclear or Clearstream are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts.
Euroclear advises that it was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of Euroclear (“Euroclear Participants”) and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear Participants through simultaneous
 
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electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash.
Euroclear includes various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. Euroclear is operated by the Euroclear S.A./N.V. (the “Euroclear Operator”), under contract with Euroclear Clearance Systems S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation (the “Cooperative”). All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not the Cooperative. The Cooperative establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear Participants. Euroclear Participants include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers, and other professional financial intermediaries and may include underwriters of debt securities offered by this prospectus. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear Participant, either directly or indirectly.
Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear, the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System, and applicable Belgian law (collectively, the “Terms and Conditions”). The Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear Participants and has no record of or relationship with persons holding through Euroclear Participants.
Distributions with respect to debt securities held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear Participants in accordance with the Terms and Conditions, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Euroclear.
Clearstream advises that it is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depositary. Clearstream holds securities for its participating organizations (“Clearstream Participants”) and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Clearstream Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Clearstream Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream provides to Clearstream Participants, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance, and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. As a professional depositary, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Monetary Institute. Clearstream Participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including agents, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations and may include underwriters of debt securities offered by this prospectus. Indirect access to Clearstream is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers, and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream Participant either directly or indirectly.
Distributions with respect to debt securities held beneficially through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream Participants in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Clearstream.
We have provided the descriptions herein of the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream and are subject to change by them from time to time. We believe that the sources from which the information in this section and elsewhere in this prospectus concerning DTC, Euroclear, Euroclear SA/NV, Euroclear Clearance Systems S.C., Euroclear’s system, Clearstream and Clearstream’s system has been obtained are reliable, but neither we, any underwriters nor the trustee takes any responsibility for the accuracy of the information.
Initial settlement for the securities will be made in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC’s rules and will be settled in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between Euroclear participants and Clearstream participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating
 
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procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream, as applicable, and will be settled using the procedures applicable to conventional eurobonds in immediately available funds.
Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Euroclear or Clearstream participants, on the other, will be effected within DTC in accordance with DTC’s rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by its U.S. depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its U.S. depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving securities in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear participants and Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. depositaries.
Because of time-zone differences, credits of securities received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of a transaction with a DTC participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. Such credits, or any transactions in securities settled during such processing, will be reported to the relevant Euroclear participants or Clearstream participants on the following business day. Cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of sales of debt securities by or through a Euroclear participant or a Clearstream participant to a DTC participant will be received with value on the business day of settlement in DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC.
Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of securities among participants of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and they may discontinue the procedures at any time.
Certain Covenants
Maintenance of Office or Agency
We will be required to maintain an office or agency in each place of payment for each series of debt securities, for notice and demand purposes and for the purposes of presenting or surrendering debt securities for payment, registration of transfer, conversion or exchange.
Paying Agents
If we act as our own paying agent with respect to any series of debt securities, on or before each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any of the debt securities of that series, we will be required to segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the persons entitled to such payment a sum sufficient to pay the amount due until such sum is paid to such persons or otherwise disposed of as provided in the Indenture and to notify the Trustee promptly of our action or failure to act. If we have one or more paying agents for any series of debt securities, on each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities of that series, we will be required to deposit with a paying agent a sum sufficient to pay the amount due and, unless the paying agent is the Trustee, to promptly notify the Trustee of our action or failure to act. Any money deposited with a paying agent or the Trustee for the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities that remains unclaimed for two years after the principal or any premium or interest has become due and payable may be repaid to us, subject to applicable escheatment laws, and thereafter the holder of those debt securities may look only to us for payment thereof.
Consolidation, Merger, Sale, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease
The Company will not, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, consolidate with or merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets on a consolidated basis to, any person, unless:
 
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(1)
the resulting, surviving or transferee person (the “Successor Company”) will be a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust or other entity organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia;
(2)
the Successor Company (if not the Company) will expressly assume, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on all the debt securities and the performance or observance of every covenant of the Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed and, for each debt security that by its terms provides for conversion, shall have provided for the right to convert such debt security in accordance with its terms;
(3)
immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the Company or any subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Company or such subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no event of default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(4)
the Company has delivered to the Trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture, comply with this covenant and that all conditions precedent provided for in the Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.
Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company with or into, or any sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company on a consolidated basis to, any person, in each case in accordance with the foregoing covenant, the Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under the Indenture with the same effect as if the Successor Company had been named as the Company in the Indenture, and thereafter the predecessor Company shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the debt securities, except in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company on a consolidated basis, in which case the predecessor Company shall not be released from the obligation to pay the principal of, any premium on, and interest on the debt securities.
Events of Default
The following are events of default under the Indenture with respect to debt securities of any series:
(1)
default in any payment of interest on any debt security of that series when due and payable, continued for 30 days;
(2)
default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on any debt security of that series when due and payable at its stated maturity, upon optional redemption, upon acceleration or otherwise;
(3)
failure by the Company to comply for 180 days after notice as provided below with the covenant related to financial reporting contained in the Indenture;
(4)
failure by the Company to comply for 90 days after notice as provided below with its agreements (other than the agreements that are the subjects of clauses (1) – (3) above) contained in the Indenture;
(5)
specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization involving the Company; and
(6)
any guarantee of the debt securities of that series ceases to be in full force and effect (except as contemplated by the terms of the Indenture) or is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding or the guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under the Indenture or its guarantee of debt securities of that series, in each case unless the guarantee of debt securities of that series has been released pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.
The Trustee is required to give to the holders of the debt securities of that series notice of all defaults or events of default known to it within 90 days of the occurrence thereof, except that other than in the case
 
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of a default of the character contemplated in clause (1) or (2) above, the Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that the withholding of notice is in the interests of the holders of the debt securities of that series.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, default under clause (3) or (4) above will not constitute an event of default with respect to a given series of debt securities until the Trustee or the holders of at least 33% in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series notify the Company in writing of the default and the Company does not cure such default within the applicable time specified in clause (3) or (4) above after receipt of such notice. Such notice must specify the default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “Notice of Default;” provided that no Notice of Default may be given with respect to any action taken, and reported publicly, more than two years prior to such Notice of Default. The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of a default under clause (3) or (4) above unless a responsible officer of the Trustee obtains actual knowledge thereof or the Trustee receives written notice of any event which is in fact such a default.
If an event of default (other than an event of default described in clause (5) above) with respect to the then outstanding debt securities of a series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by written notice to the Company, or holders of at least 33% in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of such series by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may, and the Trustee at the request of holders of at least 33% in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series shall, declare the principal, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable. Such notice must specify the event of default and state that such notice is a “Notice of Acceleration.” Upon such a declaration, such principal, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest in respect of the debt securities of that series will be due and payable immediately.
If an event of default described in clause (5) above occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the debt securities will become immediately due and payable automatically without any declaration or other action on the part of the Trustee or any holder.
At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to the debt securities of a series, but before a judgment or decree for the payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee, holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may by notice to the Company, any guarantor of the debt securities of that series and the Trustee (including, without limitation, waivers and consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, debt securities) waive all past defaults (except with respect to nonpayment of principal, premium, if any, or interest) and rescind any such acceleration with respect to the debt securities of that series and its consequences if rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction.
Subject to the duty of the Trustee to act with the requisite standard of care during an event of default, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any holders of debt securities of any series unless such holders have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest when due, no holder may institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture unless:
(1)
such holder has previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series;
(2)
holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series have requested in writing that the Trustee institute proceedings in respect of such event of default;
(3)
such holders have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against any costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(4)
the Trustee has failed to institute any such proceeding within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and
 
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(5)
the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series have not given the Trustee a direction that is inconsistent with such request within such 60 day period.
Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Indenture provides that in the event an event of default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will be required in the exercise of its rights and powers to use the degree of care and skill that a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of its own affairs. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that the Trustee determines in good faith would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the Indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to security or indemnification reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with any request or direction.
Any additional events of default with respect to any series of debt securities, and any variations from the foregoing events of default applicable to any series of debt securities, will be described in an applicable prospectus supplement.
An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series issued under the Indenture.
Amendment, Supplement and Waivers
Subject to certain exceptions, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture (as it relates to the debt securities of any series and any guarantee) and the debt securities with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities affected by such amendment or supplement then outstanding voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, such debt securities) and any past default or compliance with any provisions of the Indenture (as it relates to the debt securities of any series and any guarantees) and the debt securities may be waived with the consent of holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities affected by such waiver then outstanding voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, such debt securities).
In addition, without the consent of any holder, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture as it relates to any series of debt securities (including any guarantee) and the debt securities of any series to:

cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

provide for the assumption by a successor entity of the obligations of the Company under the Indenture (as it relates to the debt securities) or the debt securities in accordance with the Indenture;

provide for or facilitate the issuance of uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities (provided that the uncertificated debt securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code);

add guarantees with respect to the debt securities of any series, evidence the release of a guarantor from its guarantee or provide for the assumption by a successor entity of the obligations of a guarantor in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture;

secure the debt securities of any series or any guarantee thereof;

add covenants of the Company or other obligor for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities under the Indenture (as it relates to such debt securities) or such debt securities, as the case may be, or events of default for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities or to make other changes that would provide additional rights to the holders of all or any series of debt securities or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company or other such obligor;
 
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make any change that does not adversely affect the legal or contractual rights of any holder of debt securities of a series under the Indenture (as it relates to such debt securities) or such debt securities;

evidence and provide for the acceptance of an appointment under the Indenture (as it relates to the debt securities) of a successor trustee; provided that the successor trustee is otherwise qualified and eligible to act as such under the terms of the Indenture (as it relates to the debt securities);

provide for the issuance of additional debt securities permitted to be issued under the Indenture (as it relates to the debt securities);

comply with the rules of any applicable securities depositary; or

conform the text of the Indenture (as it relates to the debt securities and any guarantee), the debt securities or any guarantee to any provision of the section of the accompanying base prospectus entitled “Description of Debt Securities” or the section (or comparable section) in any offering memorandum, prospectus or prospectus supplement of the Company prepared from time to time with respect to the offer and sale of debt securities of any series entitled “Description of Notes” to the extent that such provision in the “Description of Notes” or the “Description of Debt Securities” was intended to be a complete description or summary of a provision of the Indenture (as it relates to the debt securities or any guarantee), the debt securities or any guarantee, which intent shall be established by an officer’s certificate (other than to the extent superseded by the “Description of Debt Securities” ​(or comparable section) in any offering memorandum, prospectus or prospectus supplement of the Company prepared form time to time with respect to the offer and sale of debt securities).
However, without the consent of each holder of an outstanding debt security affected thereby, no amendment, supplement or waiver may (with respect to any debt securities held by any non-consenting holder):

reduce the principal amount of debt securities of any series whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

reduce the stated rate of interest or extend the stated time for payment of interest on any debt security;

reduce the principal of or extend the maturity of any debt security;

waive a default or event of default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities (except a rescission of acceleration of any debt securities by holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities with respect to a nonpayment default and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any debt security or change the time at which any debt security may be redeemed, whether through an amendment or waiver of the provisions of the Indenture governing redemption, related definitions or otherwise;

make any debt security payable in money other than that stated in the debt security;

impair the right of any holder to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on such holder’s debt securities on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder’s debt securities;

modify any guarantee of the debt securities in any manner adverse to the holders of the debt securities; or

make any change in the amendment or waiver provisions of the Indenture that require each holder’s consent.
The consent of the holders will not be necessary under the Indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver. It will be sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment, supplement or waiver. A consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver under the Indenture by any holder of debt securities given in connection with a tender of such holder’s debt securities will not be rendered invalid by such tender.
 
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Defeasance
The Company at any time may terminate all of its and any guarantor’s obligations under the debt securities of any series and the Indenture (“legal defeasance”), except for certain obligations, including those respecting the defeasance trust and obligations to register the transfer or exchange of such debt securities, to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities and to maintain a registrar and paying agent in respect of the debt securities of any series.
The Company may at any time terminate its and any guarantor’s obligations to comply with certain covenants described above under “— Certain Covenants” and certain covenants of any outstanding series of debt securities that may be contained in any applicable prospectus supplement, and may omit to comply with such covenants without creating an event of default (“covenant defeasance”). The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.
In order to exercise either defeasance option, the Company must irrevocably deposit in trust (the “defeasance trust”) with the Trustee money or U.S. government obligations for the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities of any series to redemption or maturity, as the case may be, and must comply with certain other conditions, including, without limitation, delivery to the Trustee of an opinion of counsel (subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) to the effect that holders of such series will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred. In the case of legal defeasance only, such opinion of counsel must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or other change in applicable Federal income tax law.
Upon the effectiveness of a legal defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to any series of guaranteed debt securities, each guarantor of the debt securities of such series shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged from all of its obligations under its guarantee of the debt securities of such series and all of its other obligations under the applicable indenture in respect of the debt securities of that series, without any action by us, any guarantor or the trustee, and without the consent of the holders of any debt securities.
Satisfaction and Discharge
The Indenture shall upon request of the Company cease to be of further effect with respect to the debt securities of any series and any guarantees of such debt securities (except as to any surviving rights of conversion, registration of transfer or exchange of any such debt security expressly provided for in the Indenture or in the terms of such debt security), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture with respect to such debt securities, when:
(1)
either:
(A)
all such debt securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) debt securities that have been destroyed, lost or wrongfully taken and that have been replaced or paid and (ii) debt securities for the payment of which money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(B)
all such debt securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation
(i)
have become due and payable, or
(ii)
will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year, or
(iii)
are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,
and the Company or a guarantor in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) of subsection (B) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose
 
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money in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such debt securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and any premium and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of debt securities that have become due and payable) or to the stated maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;
(2)
the Company and the guarantors (if any) have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable under the Indenture by the Company and the guarantors (if any) with respect to such debt securities; and
(3)
the Company has delivered to the Trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel (which opinion of counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions), each stating that all conditions precedent in the Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture with respect to such debt securities have been satisfied.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture with respect to debt securities of any series, certain obligations of the Company and the Trustee listed in the Indenture shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.
Payments
We will pay interest, principal and other amounts payable with respect to the debt securities of any series to the holders of record of those debt securities as of the record dates and otherwise in the manner specified below or in the prospectus supplement for that series.
We will make payments on a global debt security in accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary as in effect from time to time. Under those policies, we will pay directly to the depositary, or its nominee, and not to any indirect owners who own beneficial interests in the global debt security. An indirect owner’s right to receive those payments will be governed by the rules and practices of the depositary and its participants.
We will make payments on a debt security in non-global, registered form as follows. We will pay interest that is due on an interest payment date by check mailed on the interest payment date to the holder at his or her address shown on the Trustee’s records as of the close of business on the regular record date. We will make all other payments by check at the paying agent described below, against surrender of the debt security. All payments by check will be made in next-day funds (i.e., funds that become available on the day after the check is cashed).
Alternatively, if a non-global debt security has a face amount of at least $1,000,000 and the holder asks us to do so, we will pay any amount that becomes due on the debt security by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account at a bank in the United States of America, on the due date. To request wire payment, the holder must give the paying agent appropriate wire transfer instructions at least five business days before the requested wire payment is due. In the case of any interest payment due on an interest payment date, the instructions must be given by the person or entity who is the holder on the relevant regular record date. In the case of any other payment, payment will be made only after the debt security is surrendered to the paying agent. Any wire instructions, once properly given, will remain in effect unless and until new instructions are given in the manner described above.
Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive payments on their debt securities.
Certain Waivers and Limitations
No past, present or future director, officer, employee, manager, member, partner, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any guarantor, or any employee or agent of any affiliate or the Company or any guarantor who has been seconded to the Company or any guarantor or any of their respective subsidiaries, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any guarantor under the debt securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of debt securities by accepting a debt security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the debt securities. The waiver
 
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may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws. The only payment provisions, representations and warranties, covenants, events of default, guarantee provisions and other obligations applicable to the Company and any guarantor are those expressly set forth in the Indenture and, by acceptance of any Note, each holder waives and expressly disclaims to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law any implied covenant and other similar provision that may exist in law or in equity and that may be applicable to the Company or any guarantor and each holder agrees that it will not participate in any cause of action with respect to, alleging the existing or breach of, or seeking to enforce any such implied covenant or similar provision. In addition, the “integrated transaction doctrine” any similar legal doctrine or theory is expressly waived by each holder by acceptance of any Note. Without limiting the foregoing, each holder agrees by acceptance of any Note that (a) any series of related transactions shall be permitted by the Indenture if each individual transaction would be permitted, and (b) any series of related transactions that are consummate substantially concurrently may be deemed to be consummated in any order determined by the Company that complies with the Indenture with permissibility of each transaction evaluated in light of such order.
Governing Law
The Indenture is, and the debt securities (and any guarantees thereof) will be, governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
Guarantees
The debt securities of any series may be guaranteed by one or more of our existing or future subsidiaries, including Diamondback E&P LLC. However, the Indenture will not require that any of our existing or future subsidiaries be a guarantor of any series of debt securities and will permit the guarantors of any series of guaranteed debt securities to differ from the guarantors of any other series of guaranteed debt securities. If we issue a series of guaranteed debt securities, the identity of the specific guarantors of the debt securities of that series will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.
If we issue a series of guaranteed debt securities, a description of some of the terms of guarantees of those debt securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of guaranteed debt securities, each guarantor of the debt securities of such series will fully and unconditionally guarantee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on each debt security of such series, all in accordance with the terms of such debt securities and the Indenture.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of guaranteed debt securities, the Indenture will contain provisions intended to limit the obligations of each guarantor under its guarantees and the Indenture to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such guarantor, result in the obligations of such guarantor under such guarantees and such indenture not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law. However, there can be no assurance that, notwithstanding such limitation, a court would not determine that a guarantee constituted a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law. If that were to occur, the court could void the applicable guarantor’s obligations under that guarantee, subordinate that guarantee to other debt and other liabilities of that guarantor or take other action detrimental to holders of the debt securities of the applicable series, including directing the holders to return any payments received from the applicable guarantor.
Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of guaranteed debt securities, the Indenture will (i) provide that each guarantor will be released and discharged automatically and unconditionally from all its obligations under the Indenture and its guarantee with respect to a series of debt securities, and will cease to be a guarantor with respect to such debt securities, without any further action required on the part of the Trustee or any holder, (a) in the case of a guarantor that is a subsidiary of the Company, in the event the guarantor is sold or disposed of (whether by merger, consolidation, the sale of a sufficient amount of its (or an intermediate holding company’s) capital stock so that it no longer constitutes a “subsidiary” of ours or the sale of all or substantially all of its properties and assets on a consolidated basis (other than by lease)), and whether or not the guarantor is the surviving entity in such transaction, to a person that is not (and does not thereupon become) the Company or a subsidiary of the
 
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Company, (b) in connection with any covenant defeasance, legal defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of the debt securities of that series, or (c) if no Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing, upon the liquidation or dissolution of the guarantor and (ii) permit us to cause the guarantee of any guarantor of such debt securities to be released at any time if we satisfy such conditions, if any, as are specified in the prospectus supplement for such debt securities.
The applicable prospectus supplement relating to any series of guaranteed debt securities will specify other terms of the applicable guarantees.
If the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a series of our debt securities provides that those debt securities will have the benefit of a guarantee by any or all of our existing or future subsidiaries, unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, each such guarantee will be the unsubordinated and unsecured obligation of the applicable guarantor and will rank equally in right of payment with all of the unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of such guarantor.
Regarding the Trustee
The Indenture provides that there may be more than one trustee under the Indenture, each with respect to one or more series of debt securities. If there are different trustees for different series of debt securities, each trustee will be a trustee of a trust under the Indenture separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee under the Indenture. Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, any action permitted to be taken by a trustee may be taken by such trustee only with respect to the one or more series of debt securities for which it is the trustee under the Indenture. Any trustee under the Indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of debt securities. Except as provided above under the heading “Payments” or as otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, all payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, and all registration, transfer, exchange, authentication and delivery (including authentication and delivery on original issuance of the debt securities) of, the debt securities of a series will be effected by the trustee with respect to that series at an office designated by the trustee, which is initially the corporate trust office of the Trustee in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The Indenture does not prohibit the Trustee from serving as trustee under any other indenture to which we may be a party from time to time or from engaging in other transactions with us. If the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act and there is an event of default with respect to any series of debt securities, the Trustee must eliminate the conflict or resign.
 
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DESCRIPTION OF OTHER SECURITIES
We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement a description of any warrants issued by us that may be offered and sold pursuant to this prospectus.
 
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GLOBAL SECURITIES
Book-Entry, Delivery and Form
Unless we indicate differently in any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, the securities initially will be issued in book-entry form and represented by one or more global notes or global securities, or, collectively, global securities. The global securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, as depositary, or DTC, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC. Unless and until it is exchanged for individual certificates evidencing securities under the limited circumstances described below, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to its nominee or by the nominee to the depositary, or by the depositary or its nominee to a successor depositary or to a nominee of the successor depositary.
DTC has advised us that it is:

a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law;

a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law;

a member of the Federal Reserve System;

a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code; and

a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act.
DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among its participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. “Direct participants” in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, including underwriters, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, or DTCC. DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others, which we sometimes refer to as indirect participants, that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.
Purchases of securities under the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of the actual purchaser of a security, which we sometimes refer to as a beneficial owner, is in turn recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records. Beneficial owners of securities will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases. However, beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of their transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which they purchased securities. Transfers of ownership interests in global securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the global securities, except under the limited circumstances described below.
To facilitate subsequent transfers, all global securities deposited by direct participants with DTC will be registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other nominee will not change the beneficial ownership of the securities. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the securities. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts the securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants are responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
So long as the securities are in book-entry form, you will receive payments and may transfer securities only through the facilities of the depositary and its direct and indirect participants. We will maintain an office or agency in the location specified in the prospectus supplement for the applicable securities, where notices and demands in respect of the securities and the indenture may be delivered to us and where certificated securities may be surrendered for payment, registration of transfer or exchange.
 
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Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any legal requirements in effect from time to time.
Redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of the securities of a particular series are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant in the securities of such series to be redeemed.
Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (or such other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to the securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC will mail an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns the consenting or voting rights of Cede & Co. to those direct participants to whose accounts the securities of such series are credited on the record date, identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy.
So long as securities are in book-entry form, we will make payments on those securities to the depositary or its nominee, as the registered owner of such securities, by wire transfer of immediately available funds. If securities are issued in definitive certificated form under the limited circumstances described below and unless if otherwise provided in the description of the applicable securities herein or in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will have the option of making payments by check mailed to the addresses of the persons entitled to payment or by wire transfer to bank accounts in the United States designated in writing to the applicable trustee or other designated party at least 15 days before the applicable payment date by the persons entitled to payment, unless a shorter period is satisfactory to the applicable trustee or other designated party.
Redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments on the securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” Those payments will be the responsibility of participants and not of DTC or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC, is our responsibility, disbursement of payments to direct participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of payments to the beneficial owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.
Except under the limited circumstances described below, purchasers of securities will not be entitled to have securities registered in their names and will not receive physical delivery of securities. Accordingly, each beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of DTC and its participants to exercise any rights under the securities and the indenture.
The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. Those laws may impair the ability to transfer or pledge beneficial interests in securities.
DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary with respect to the securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to us. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depositary is not obtained, securities certificates are required to be printed and delivered.
As noted above, beneficial owners of a particular series of securities generally will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in those securities. However, if:

DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary for the global security or securities representing such series of securities or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act at a time when it is required to be registered and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days of the notification to us or of our becoming aware of DTC’s ceasing to be so registered, as the case may be;
 
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we determine, in our sole discretion, not to have such securities represented by one or more global securities; or

an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series of securities,
we will prepare and deliver certificates for such securities in exchange for beneficial interests in the global securities. Any beneficial interest in a global security that is exchangeable under the circumstances described in the preceding sentence will be exchangeable for securities in definitive certificated form registered in the names that the depositary directs. It is expected that these directions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from its participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global securities.
Euroclear and Clearstream
If so provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, you may hold interests in a global security through Clearstream Banking S.A., which we refer to as “Clearstream,” or Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, which we refer to as “Euroclear,” either directly if you are a participant in Clearstream or Euroclear or indirectly through organizations which are participants in Clearstream or Euroclear. Clearstream and Euroclear will hold interests on behalf of their respective participants through customers’ securities accounts in the names of Clearstream and Euroclear, respectively, on the books of their respective U.S. depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers’ securities accounts in such depositaries’ names on DTC’s books.
Clearstream and Euroclear are securities clearance systems in Europe. Clearstream and Euroclear hold securities for their respective participating organizations and facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between those participants through electronic book-entry changes in their accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates.
Payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other matters relating to beneficial interests in global securities owned through Euroclear or Clearstream must comply with the rules and procedures of those systems. Transactions between participants in Euroclear or Clearstream, on one hand, and other participants in DTC, on the other hand, are also subject to DTC’s rules and procedures.
Investors will be able to make and receive through Euroclear and Clearstream payments, deliveries, transfers and other transactions involving any beneficial interests in global securities held through those systems only on days when those systems are open for business. Those systems may not be open for business on days when banks, brokers and other institutions are open for business in the United States.
Cross-market transfers between participants in DTC, on the one hand, and participants in Euroclear or Clearstream, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with the DTC’s rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by their respective U.S. depositaries; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (European time) of such system. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its U.S. depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the global securities through DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day fund settlement. Participants in Euroclear or Clearstream may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. depositaries.
Due to time zone differences, the securities accounts of a participant in Euroclear or Clearstream purchasing an interest in a global security from a direct participant in DTC will be credited, and any such crediting will be reported to the relevant participant in Euroclear or Clearstream, during the securities settlement processing day (which must be a business day for Euroclear or Clearstream) immediately following the settlement date of DTC. Cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of sales of interests in a global security by or through a participant in Euroclear or Clearstream to a direct participant in DTC will be received with value on the settlement date of DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream following DTC’s settlement date.
 
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Other
The information in this section of this prospectus concerning DTC, Clearstream, Euroclear and their respective book-entry systems has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we do not take responsibility for this information. This information has been provided solely as a matter of convenience. The rules and procedures of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear are solely within the control of those organizations and could change at any time. Neither we nor the trustee nor any agent of ours or of the trustee has any control over those entities and none of us takes any responsibility for their activities. You are urged to contact DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear or their respective participants directly to discuss those matters. In addition, although we expect that DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear will perform the foregoing procedures, none of them is under any obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither we nor any agent of ours will have any responsibility for the performance or nonperformance by DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear or their respective participants of these or any other rules or procedures governing their respective operations.
 
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the offered securities from time to time:

through underwriters or dealers;

through agents;

directly to one or more purchasers; or

through a combination of any of these methods of sale.
We will identify the specific plan of distribution, including any underwriters, dealers, agents or direct purchasers and their compensation in the applicable prospectus supplement.
 
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LEGAL MATTERS
Latham & Watkins LLP will pass upon certain legal matters relating to the issuance and sale of the securities offered hereby on behalf of Diamondback Energy, Inc. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.
EXPERTS
The audited financial statements of Diamondback Energy, Inc. and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The audited financial statements of Endeavor Parent, LLC incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of Grant Thornton LLP, independent certified public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
Information incorporated by reference in this prospectus regarding estimated quantities of proved reserves, future production and income attributable to certain leasehold and royalty interests of Diamondback Energy, Inc. is based upon estimates of such reserves, future production and income audited by Ryder Scott Company, L.P., an independent petroleum engineering firm, as of December 31, 2024. This information is incorporated by reference in this prospectus in reliance upon the authority of such firm as experts in these matters.
Information incorporated by reference in this prospectus regarding estimated quantities of proved reserves, future production and income attributable to certain royalty interests of Viper Energy, Inc., a subsidiary of Diamondback Energy, Inc., is based upon estimates of such reserves, future production and income audited by Ryder Scott Company, L.P., an independent petroleum engineering firm, as of December 31, 2024. This information is incorporated by reference in this prospectus in reliance upon the authority of such firm as experts in these matters.
Information incorporated by reference in this prospectus regarding estimated quantities of proved reserves, future production and income attributable to certain leasehold and royalty interests of Endeavor Energy Resources, LP is based upon estimates of such reserves, future production and income prepared by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. as of December 31, 2023, an independent petroleum engineering firm. This information is incorporated by reference in this prospectus in reliance upon the authority of such firm as experts in these matters.
 
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14.   Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following is an estimate of the expenses (all of which are to be paid by the registrant) that we may incur in connection with the securities being registered hereby.
SEC registration fee
$         (1)
Rating agency fees
(2)
FINRA filing fee
(2)
Printing expenses
(2)
Legal fees and expenses
(2)
Accounting fees and expenses
(2)
Blue Sky, qualification fees and expenses
(2)
Transfer agent fees and expenses
(2)
Trustee fees and expenses
(2)
Warrant agent fees and expenses
(2)
Miscellaneous
(2)
Total
(2)
(1)
Pursuant to Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the SEC registration fee will be paid at the time of any particular offering of securities under the registration statement, and is therefore not currently determinable.
(2)
These fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time.
Item 15.   Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Limitation of Liability
Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, permits a corporation, in its certificate of incorporation, to limit or eliminate, subject to certain statutory limitations, the liability of directors or officer to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of fiduciary duty, except for liability:

for any breach of the director’s or officer’s duty of loyalty to the company or its stockholders;

for acts or omissions by a director or officer not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

a director in respect of certain unlawful dividend payments or stock redemptions or repurchases;

a director or officer for any transaction from which the director or officer derives an improper personal benefit; and

an officer in any action by or in the right of the corporation.
In accordance with Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, Section 9.1 of our certificate of incorporation, as amended by subsequent amendments and collectively referred to herein as our certificate of incorporation, provides that, to the fullest extent that the DGCL or any other law of the State of Delaware allows, no director or officer shall be personally liable to us for any of our stockholders for monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary duty as director or officer.
The effect of this provision of our certificate of incorporation is to eliminate our rights and those of our stockholders (through stockholders’ derivative suits on our behalf) to recover monetary damages against
 
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a director or officer for breach of the fiduciary duty of care as a director, including breaches resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior, except, as restricted by Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL.
However, this provision does not limit or eliminate our rights or the rights of any stockholder to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission, in the event of a breach of a director’s duty of care, or against any officer in any action by or in the right of the corporation.
If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the liability of directors and officers, then, in accordance with our certificate of incorporation, the liability of our directors and officers to us or our stockholders will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as so amended. Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our certificate of incorporation limiting or eliminating the liability of directors or officers, whether by our stockholders or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to further limit or eliminate the liability of directors or officers on a retrospective basis.
Indemnification under Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Section 145 of the DGCL permits a corporation, under specified circumstances, to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlements actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought by third parties by reason of the fact that they were or are directors, officers, employees or agents of the corporation, if such directors, officers, employees or agents acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. In a derivative action, i.e., one by or in the right of the corporation, indemnification may be made only for expenses actually and reasonably incurred by directors, officers, employees or agents in connection with the defense or settlement of an action or suit, and only with respect to a matter as to which they shall have acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made if such person shall have been adjudged liable to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that the defendant directors, officers, employees or agents are fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses despite such adjudication of liability.
Our certificate of incorporation provides that we will, to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by applicable law, indemnify our current and former directors and officers, as well as those persons who, while directors or officers of our corporation, are or were serving as directors, officers, employees or agents of another entity, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, in connection with any threatened, pending or completed proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, against all expense, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorney’s fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by any such person in connection with any such proceeding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person eligible for indemnification pursuant to our certificate of incorporation will be indemnified by us in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if such proceeding was authorized by our board of directors, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses.
The right to indemnification conferred by our certificate of incorporation is a contract right that includes the right to be paid by us the expenses incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding referenced above in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses shall be made only upon delivery to us of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it is ultimately determined by final judicial decision that such person is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under our certificate of incorporation or otherwise.
The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses will not be deemed exclusive of any other rights which any person covered by our certificate of incorporation may have or hereafter acquire under law, our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws, an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.
 
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Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our certificate of incorporation affecting indemnification rights, whether by our stockholders or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis, and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision. Our certificate of incorporation also permits us, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than those specifically covered by our certificate of incorporation.
Our bylaws include the provisions relating to advancement of expenses and indemnification rights consistent with those set forth in our certificate of incorporation. In addition, our bylaws provide for a right of indemnitee to bring a suit in the event a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses is not paid in full by us within a specified period of time. Our bylaws also permit us to purchase and maintain insurance, at our expense, to protect us and/or any director, officer, employee or agent of our corporation or another entity, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not we would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.
Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our bylaws affecting indemnification rights, whether by our board of directors, stockholders or by changes in applicable law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis, and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing thereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.
Indemnification by Subsidiary Guarantor Co-Registrant
Diamondback E&P LLC is organized in the State of Delaware. Section 18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act provides that, subject to the standards and restrictions, if any, as are set forth in its limited liability company agreement, a Delaware limited liability company may, and shall have the power to, indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever. The limited liability company agreement of Diamondback E&P LLC provides for the indemnification of its members, managers and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law, including, but not limited to, indemnification of a member, manager or officer for expenses, attorneys’ fees, court costs, judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and other losses incurred because such member, manager or officer is or was a member, manager or officer of Diamondback E&P LLC, as well as for advancement and reimbursement of expenses incurred by them in connection therewith.
Indemnification Agreements with Our Directors and Executive Officers
We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our current directors and executive officers. These agreements require us to indemnify these individuals to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law against liabilities that may arise by reason of their service to us, and to advance expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified. We also intend to enter into indemnification agreements with future directors and executive officers.
 
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Item 16.   Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
Description
1.1* Form of Underwriting Agreement.
3.1 Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Diamondback Energy, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 8-K, File No. 001-35700, filed by Diamondback Energy, Inc. with the SEC on June 14, 2023).
3.2 Certificate of Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Diamondback Energy, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 8-K, File No. 001-35700, filed by Diamondback Energy, Inc. with the SEC on September 10, 2024).
3.3 Sixth Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, adopted as of October 31, 2025 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Form 10-Q, File No. 001-35700, filed by the Company with the SEC on November 5, 2025).
4.1 Specimen certificate for shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Diamondback Energy, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed by Diamondback Energy, Inc. with the SEC on August 20, 2012).
4.2* Form of Specimen Certificate Representing Preferred Stock.
4.3 Indenture, dated as of December 5, 2019, between Diamondback Energy, Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as successor trustee to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form 8-K, File No. 001-35700, filed by the Company with the SEC on December 5, 2019).
4.4 First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 5, 2019, among Diamondback Energy, Inc., Diamondback E&P LLC, as successor by merger to Diamondback O&G LLC, and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as successor trustee to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (including the forms of 3.250% Senior Notes due 2026 and 3.500% Senior Notes due 2029) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Form 8-K, File No. 001-35700, filed by the Company with the SEC on December 5, 2019).
4.5 Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 24, 2021, among Diamondback Energy, Inc., Diamondback E&P LLC, as successor by merger to Diamondback O&G LLC, and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as successor trustee to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (including the forms of 3.125% Senior Notes due 2031 and 4.400% Senior Notes due 2051) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Form 8-K, File No. 001-35700, filed by the Company with the SEC on March 24, 2021).
4.6 Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 30, 2021, among Diamondback Energy, Inc., Diamondback E&P LLC and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as successor trustee to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Form 10-Q, File No. 001-35700, filed by the Company with the SEC on August 5, 2021).
4.7 Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 17, 2022, among Diamondback Energy, Inc., Diamondback E&P LLC and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (including the form of 4.250% Senior Notes due 2052) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Form 8-K, File No. 001-35700, filed by the Company with the SEC on March 17, 2022).
4.8 Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 28, 2022, among Diamondback Energy, Inc., Diamondback E&P LLC and Computershare Trust Company, National Association (including the form of 6.250% Senior Notes due 2033) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Form 8-K, File No. 001-35700, filed by the Company with the SEC on October 28, 2022).
4.9 Indenture, dated as of October 16, 2019, among Viper Energy Partners LP, as issuer, Viper Energy Partners LLC, as guarantor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (including the form of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2027) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K of Viper Energy, Inc., as successor issuer to Viper Energy Partners LP (File 001-36505) filed on October 17, 2019).
 
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Exhibit
Number
Description
4.10 First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 13, 2023, among Viper Energy, Inc., as successor issuer to Viper Energy Partners LP, and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, relating to 5.375% Senior Notes due 2027 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Viper Energy, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File 001-36505) filed on November 17, 2023).
4.11 Indenture, dated as of October 19, 2023, among Viper Energy Partners LP, as issuer, Viper Energy Partners LLC, as guarantor and Computershare Trust Company National Association, as trustee (including the form of Viper Energy Partners LP’s 7.375% Senior Notes due 2031) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K of Viper Energy, Inc., as successor issuer to Viper Energy Partners LP, (File 001-36505), filed on October 25, 2023).
4.12 First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 13, 2023, by and between Viper Energy, Inc., as the successor issuer to Viper Energy Partners LP, and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, relating to 7.375% Senior Notes due 2031 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Viper Energy, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File 001-36505) filed on November 17, 2023).
4.13 Subordinated Promissory Note, dated as of October 16, 2019, made by Viper Energy Partners LLC in favor of Viper Energy Partners LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Viper Energy Partners LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File 001-36505) filed on October 17, 2019).
4.14 Subordinated Promissory Note, dated as of October 19, 2023, made by Viper Energy Partners LLC in favor of Viper Energy Partners LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K of Viper Energy, Inc., as successor issuer to Viper Energy Partners LP (File 001-36505), filed on October 25, 2023).
4.15 Form of Indenture, dated September 1, 1996, between Energen Corporation and The Bank of New York as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(i) to Energen Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-11239), filed with the SEC on August 30, 1996).
4.16 Amended and Restated Officers’ Certificate, dated as of February 27, 1998, between Energen Corporation and The Bank of New York as trustee, relating to the Medium-Term Notes, Series B, due 2028 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(d)(iii) to the Form 10-K, File No. 001-7810, filed by Energen Corporation with the SEC on February 28, 2018).
4.17 Indenture, dated as of March 1, 2012, between QEP Resources, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to QEP Resources Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2012).
4.18 Officer’s Certificate, dated as of March 1, 2012 (including the form of the 5.375% Notes due 2022) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to QEP Resources, Inc.’s. Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2012).
4.19 Officer’s Certificate, dated as of September 12, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to QEP Resources, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on September 14, 2012).
4.20 Officer’s Certificate, dated as of November 21, 2017 (including the form of the 5.625% Senior Notes due 2026) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to QEP Resources, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on November 21, 2017).
4.21 First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 23, 2021, among QEP Resources, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Form 8-K, File No. 001-35700, filed by the Company with the SEC on March 24, 2021).
4.22 Indenture, dated as of December 13, 2022, between Diamondback Energy, Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form 8-K, File No. 001-35700, filed by the Company with the SEC on December 13, 2022).
 
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Exhibit
Number
Description
4.23 First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 13, 2022, among Diamondback Energy, Inc., Diamondback E&P LLC and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (including the form of 6.250% Senior Notes due 2053) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Form 8-K, File No. 001-35700, filed by the Company with the SEC on December 13, 2022).
4.24 Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 18, 2024, by and among Diamondback Energy, Inc., Diamondback E&P LLC and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee (including forms of 5.200% Senior Notes due 2027, 5.150% Senior Notes due 2030, 5.400% Senior Notes due 2034, 5.750% Senior Notes due 2054 and 5.900% Senior Notes due 2064) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Form 8-K, File no. 001-35700, filed by the Company with the SEC on April 18, 2024).
4.25 Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 20, 2025, between Diamondback Energy, Inc., Diamondback E&P LLC and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Form 8-K, File No. 001-35700, filed by the Company with the SEC on March 20, 2025).
4.26 Stockholders Agreement, by and among the Company and the initial stockholders named therein, dated September 10, 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K, File No. 001-35700, filed by the Company with the SEC on September 10, 2024).
4.27 Indenture, dated as of July 23, 2025, between Viper Energy Partners LLC and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K (file No. 001-36505) filed by Former Viper on July 23, 2025).
4.28 First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 23, 2025, by and among Viper Energy Partners LLC, Viper Energy, Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee (including the form of the Notes) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36505) filed by Viper Energy, Inc. on July 23, 2025).
4.29 Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 19, 2025, by and among Viper Energy Partners LLC, Viper Energy, Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 of the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-42807) filed by Viper Energy, Inc. on August 19, 2025).
4.30 Form of Indenture between Diamondback Energy, Inc., any guarantors party thereto and Computershare Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (including form of Debt Security).
4.31* Form of Warrant.
4.32* Form of Warrant Agreement.
5.1 Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP.
22.1 List of Issuers and Subsidiary Guarantors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 22.1 to the Form 10-Q, File No. 001-35700, filed by the Company with the SEC on August 5, 2021).
23.1 Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2 Consent of Grant Thornton LLP with respect to Diamondback Energy, Inc.’s audited financial statements.
23.3 Consent of Grant Thornton LLP with respect to Endeavor Parent, LLC’s audited financial statements.
23.4 Consent of Ryder Scott, L.P. with respect to the audit of Diamondback Energy, Inc.’s estimated reserves.
23.5 Consent of Ryder Scott, L.P. with respect to the audit of Viper Energy, Inc.’s estimated reserves.
23.6 Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. with respect to the Endeavor Parent, LLC reserve report.
24.1 Powers of Attorney (incorporated by reference to the signature page hereto).
 
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Exhibit
Number
Description
25.1
107.1
*
To be filed by amendment or incorporated by reference in connection with the offering of the securities.
Item 17.
Undertakings
(a)   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)   To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i)   To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii)   To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; and
(iii)   To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), and (a)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is a part of the registration statement.
(2)   That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3)   To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4)   That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(A)   Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(B)   Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by
 
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reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(6)   That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:
The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i)   Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii)   Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii)   The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv)   Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(b)   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(h)   Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
II-8

 
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Midland, Texas, on the 21st day of November, 2025.
DIAMONDBACK ENERGY, INC.
By:
/s/ Kaes Van’t Hof
Name:
Kaes Van’t Hof
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
 
II-9

 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each of the undersigned officers and directors of the registrant hereby severally constitutes and appoints Kaes Van’t Hof, Jere W. Thompson III, Teresa L. Dick and Matt Zmigrosky, and each of them singly (with full power to each of them to act alone), as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution in each of them, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, and in any and all capacities, to file and sign any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this registration statement and any other registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power of attorney shall be governed by and construed with the laws of the State of Delaware and applicable federal securities laws.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE
TITLE
DATE
/s/ Kaes Van’t Hof
Kaes Van’t Hof
Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
November 21, 2025
/s/ Jere W. Thompson III
Jere W. Thompson III
Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President (Principal Financial Officer)
November 21, 2025
/s/ Teresa L. Dick
Teresa L. Dick
Chief Accounting Officer, Executive Vice President and Assistant Secretary (Principal Accounting Officer)
November 21, 2025
/s/ Travis D. Stice
Travis D. Stice
Executive Chairman of the Board
November 21, 2025
/s/ Vincent K. Brooks
Vincent K. Brooks
Director
November 21, 2025
/s/ Darin G. Holderness
Darin G. Holderness
Director
November 21, 2025
/s/ Rebecca A. Klein
Rebecca A. Klein
Director
November 21, 2025
/s/ Stephanie K. Mains
Stephanie K. Mains
Director
November 21, 2025
/s/ Charles A. Meloy
Charles A. Meloy
Director
November 21, 2025
/s/ Mark L. Plaumann
Mark L. Plaumann
Director
November 21, 2025
 
II-10

 
SIGNATURE
TITLE
DATE
/s/ Robert K. Reeves
Robert K. Reeves
Director
November 21, 2025
/s/ Lance W. Robertson
Lance W. Robertson
Director
November 21, 2025
/s/ Melanie M. Trent
Melanie M. Trent
Director
November 21, 2025
/s/ Frank D. Tsuru
Frank D. Tsuru
Director
November 21, 2025
/s/ Steven E. West
Steven E. West
Director
November 21, 2025
 
II-11

 
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the co-registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Midland, Texas, on the 21st day of November, 2025.
DIAMONDBACK E&P LLC
By:
/s/ Kaes Van’t Hof
Name:
Kaes Van’t Hof
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
 
II-12

 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each of the undersigned officers and directors of the co-registrant hereby severally constitutes and appoints Kaes Van’t Hof, Jere W. Thompson III, Teresa L. Dick and Matt Zmigrosky, and each of them singly (with full power to each of them to act alone), as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution in each of them, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, and in any and all capacities, to file and sign any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this registration statement and any other registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power of attorney shall be governed by and construed with the laws of the State of Delaware and applicable federal securities laws.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE
TITLE
DATE
/s/ Kaes Van’t Hof
Kaes Van’t Hof
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
November 21, 2025
/s/ Jere W. Thompson III
Jere W. Thompson III
Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President (Principal Financial Officer)
November 21, 2025
/s/ Teresa L. Dick
Teresa L. Dick
Chief Accounting Officer, Executive Vice President and Assistant Secretary (Principal Accounting Officer)
November 21, 2025
NAME
TITLE
DIAMONDBACK ENERGY, INC.
Sole Member of Diamondback E&P LLC
/s/ Kaes Van’t Hof
Kaes Van’t Hof,
Chief Executive Officer
 
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