Oil
Chevron Announces $36.7 Billion Capital and Exploratory Budget for 2013
By Joseph BAMIDELE
SAN RAMON– Chevron Corporation has announced a $36.7 billion capital and exploratory investment program for 2013. Included in the 2013 program are $3.3 billion of planned expenditures by affiliates, which do not require cash outlays by Chevron.
“Consistent with long-stated strategies, we’re investing in a portfolio of very attractive oil and gas projects that will deliver volume growth and real value to our stockholders,” said Chairman and CEO John Watson. “Next year’s program supports several projects currently under construction, including our Australian LNG projects and United States deep water developments. As these and other projects come online, we anticipate production will reach our 2017 goal of 3.3 million barrels per day. With our strong balance sheet and industry-leading producing margins, I further expect to continue our pattern of significant stockholder distributions.”
Approximately 90 percent of the 2013 spending program is budgeted for upstream crude oil and natural gas exploration and production projects. Another 7 percent is associated with the company’s downstream businesses that manufacture, transport and sell gasoline, diesel fuel and other refined products, fuel and lubricant additives, and petrochemicals.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2013 CAPITAL AND EXPLORATORY SPENDING PROGRAM
| Chevron 2013 Planned Capital and Exploratory Expenditures | Billions | |||
| U.S. Upstream | $ | 7.5 | ||
| International Upstream | 25.5 | |||
| Total Upstream | 33.0 | |||
| U.S. Downstream | 1.4 | |||
| International Downstream | 1.3 | |||
| Total Downstream | 2.7 | |||
| Other | 1.0 | |||
| TOTAL (Including Chevron’s Share of Expenditures by Affiliated Companies) | $ | 36.7 | ||
| Expenditures by Affiliated Companies | (3.3 | ) | ||
| Cash Expenditures by Chevron Consolidated Companies | $ | 33.4 | ||
Upstream
Investment of $33 billion is planned for exploration and production activities, including major natural gas-related projects. Notable major capital investments include developments in Australia, Nigeria, the U.S. deepwater Gulf of Mexico, Kazakhstan, Angola and the Republic of Congo. Planned capital spending also is directed toward improving crude oil and natural gas recovery and reducing natural field declines for existing producing assets throughout the world.
In Australia, the Gorgon three-train LNG foundation project on Barrow Island has been under construction for three years and is approximately 55 percent complete.
A cost and schedule review has been completed, and the total cost estimate for the foundation project has increased from AU$43 billion (US$37 billion) to AU$52 billion (US$52 billion). Plant startup is planned for late 2014, leading to the first LNG cargo in the first quarter 2015. The factors contributing to the increased costs and schedule impacts include labor costs and productivity associated with Barrow Island site infrastructure, logistics challenges and weather delays. In addition, currency impacts due to the strengthened Australian dollar and changes in the mix of currencies since project sanction account for approximately one-third of the projected increase in U.S. dollar outlays.
“Gorgon project economics are attractive,” said Vice Chairman George Kirkland. “While investment requirements have grown, oil prices, which directly impact the overall revenue stream, have increased by approximately 80 percent over the same time period. In addition, the LNG nameplate capacity has increased by 4 percent to 15.6 million tons per year.”
Kirkland added, “Our exploration program continues to discover additional gas resources that could support future expansions of our Australian LNG developments. The Wheatstone LNG project is currently 7 percent complete and is on budget and on schedule.”
In the Gulf of Mexico, projects under development include Jack/St. Malo, Big Foot and Tubular Bells. The Jack/St. Malo and Big Foot projects are approximately 55 and 65 percent complete, respectively, and are on budget. First production for both of these projects is expected in 2014.
Upstream spending in 2013 for major capital projects in other regions includes:
- Nigeria – further development of the Usan and Agbami deepwater fields and construction and plant commissioning of the Escravos gas-to-liquids facility
- Angola/Republic of Congo – startup and ramp up of Angola LNG and development of Mafumeira Sul (Angola) and Moho Nord (Republic of Congo)
- Kazakhstan/Russia – advancement of the Tengiz Future Growth Project (Kazakhstan) and the Caspian Pipeline expansion (Kazakhstan, Russia)
- Brazil – advancement of the Papa-Terra deepwater project
- Canada – Hebron offshore development
- United Kingdom – advancement of the Clair Ridge project and the Rosebank deepwater field
- China – development of the Chuandongbei natural gas project
Global exploration funding is expected to be $3.4 billion in 2013. This planned spending includes initial appraisal of new acreage acquired over the past two years, including Suriname, the Kurdistan region of Iraq and Sierra Leone. The program also supports continued exploration and appraisal activity in Western Australia, the Gulf of Mexico, West Africa, and in several shale gas regions around the world.
About 30 percent of the upstream capital program is targeted to support maintenance activities and mitigation of field declines, as well as highly profitable projects related to currently producing assets. Highlights of the 2013 base program include an increase in activity across several producing regions of North America as well as an increase in expenditures in Thailand and Indonesia.
Downstream
Capital spending of $2.7 billion in 2013 is budgeted for downstream operations. Expenditures in refining are geared toward enhancing reliability and energy efficiency, feedstock flexibility and production of cleaner transportation fuels. Planned capital spending also is directed toward producing premium base oil in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and to expanding Oronite additives production in Singapore.
Additional investments are expected to be funded by Chevron affiliates, including refining projects managed by the company’s 50 percent-owned GS Caltex affiliate and additional chemicals projects associated with the company’s 50 percent-owned Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC.
All Other
Expenditures of approximately $1 billion in 2013 are budgeted for technology, power generation and other corporate activities.
Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies, with subsidiaries that conduct business worldwide. The company is involved in virtually every facet of the energy industry. Chevron explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and lubricants; manufactures and sells petrochemical products; generates power and produces geothermal energy; provides energy efficiency solutions; and develops the energy resources of the future, including biofuels. Chevron is based in San Ramon, California.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has unveiled a bold strategy to reduce methane emissions in the oil and gas sector by 60% by 2031, with an ultimate goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.
This announcement reinforces Nigeria’s leadership role under the Global Methane Pledge initiative and its commitment to tackling climate change.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Mele Kyari, disclosed these plans during a meeting on Thursday with Robert Leahman, the U.S. State Department’s Global Methane Program Manager, and a delegation from Deloitte.
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The discussions, held at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, focused on collaborative efforts to reduce methane emissions through innovative and sustainable practices.
“Reducing methane emissions is not just an environmental necessity but also a strategic imperative for Nigeria’s energy transition. We are leveraging partnerships to adopt global best practices and innovative solutions,” Kyari stated.
Key among these efforts is a pilot project in the Niger Delta, aimed at establishing emissions baselines, mitigating methane leaks, and promoting sustainable operations across Nigeria’s energy sector.
The project, a partnership between NNPC, Deloitte, and the U.S. Bureau of Energy Resources, will utilize data-driven methodologies to pinpoint and address methane hotspots.
Robert Leahman commended Nigeria’s proactive stance, describing it as a benchmark for other nations on the continent.
“Nigeria’s leadership under the Global Methane Pledge sets a standard for the continent. These initiatives will not only help reduce emissions but also drive sustainable development in the energy sector,” he said.
Kyari highlighted the broader benefits of addressing methane emissions, noting its significance for both environmental protection and economic efficiency.
“This collaboration is a game-changer. By addressing methane leaks, we’re reducing waste, saving costs, and protecting the environment. It’s a win-win for our economy and the planet,” he added.
In a strategic move to revitalize Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, the Federal Government has unveiled two key fiscal incentives aimed at attracting investment and enhancing energy security.
The announcement was made by Mr. Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy on Wednesday.
The first initiative, the Value Added Tax (VAT) Modification Order 2024, introduces critical exemptions for essential energy products and infrastructure, including Diesel, Feed Gas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Electric Vehicles, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure, and Clean Cooking Equipment.
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These exemptions are designed to reduce living costs for Nigerians, promote energy security, and accelerate the transition to cleaner energy alternatives.
The second initiative, the Notice of Tax Incentives for Deep Offshore Oil & Gas Production, offers new tax relief options for deep offshore exploration projects.
This measure aims to position Nigeria’s deep offshore basin as a premier destination for international oil and gas investments, boosting the country’s appeal to foreign investors.
These reforms are part of a broader set of policy initiatives, known as Policy Directives 40-42, endorsed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The directives reflect the administration’s commitment to fostering sustainable development in the energy sector and enhancing Nigeria’s competitive edge in the global oil and gas market.
By Yemie Adeoye
NIGERIA’s President Bola Tinubu has announced that the protracted ExxonMobil-Seplat upstream oil divestment will be formally approved by the Minister of petroleum within a matter of days, just as he announced his government’s intention to expand the Compress natural Gas, CNG buses initiative.
The President who stated this during his Independence day nationwide broadcast stated that the move is in line with his administration’s commitment to free enterprise, free entry and free exit in investments which is the hallmark of his administration investment policy.
“Fellow compatriots, our administration is committed to free enterprise, free entry, and free exit in investments while maintaining the sanctity and efficacy of our regulatory processes. This principle guides the divestment transactions in our upstream petroleum sector, where we are committed to changing the fortune positively. As such, the ExxonMobil Seplat divestment will receive ministerial approval in a matter of days, having been concluded by the regulator, NUPRC, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA. This was done in the same manner as other qualified divestments approved in the sector.”
The President also seized the opportunity to plead with Nigerians to be patient with his administration’s reform policies. “As your President, I assure you that we are committed to finding sustainable solutions to alleviate the suffering of our citizens. Once again, I plead for your patience as the reforms we are implementing show positive signs, and we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel”.
“Our energy transition programme is on course. We are expanding the adoption of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas for mass transit with private sector players. The Federal Government is ready to assist the thirty-six States and FCT in acquiring CNG buses for cheaper public transportation.
Fellow Nigerians, while we are working to stabilise the economy and secure the country, we also seek to foster national unity and build social harmony and cohesion. Our economy can only thrive when there is peace”. he enthused.
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