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ExxonMobil Earns $16.2 Billion in 2015; $2.8 Billion During Fourth Quarter

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8 years ago

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Gbenga KOSOKO

LAGOS-Exxon Mobil Corporation  announced estimated 2015 earnings of $16.2 billion compared with $32.5 billion a year earlier. Higher Downstream and Chemical earnings were offset by sharply lower commodity prices in the Upstream.

“While our financial results reflect the challenging environment, we remain focused on the business fundamentals, including project execution and effective cost management,” said Rex W. Tillerson, chairman and chief executive officer. “The scale and diversity of our cash flows, along with our financial strength, provide us with the confidence to invest through the cycle to create long-term shareholder value.”

ExxonMobil completed six major Upstream projects during the year and achieved its full-year plan to produce 4.1 million oil-equivalent barrels per day. These new developments in Canada, Indonesia, Norway, the United States and West Africa added 300,000 oil-equivalent barrels per day of working interest production capacity.

Fourth quarter earnings were $2.8 billion, or $0.67 per diluted share, down from $6.6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2014. Lower commodity prices in the Upstream were partly offset by higher Downstream earnings.

During 2015, the corporation distributed $15.1 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends and share purchases to reduce shares outstanding.

Fourth Quarter Highlights

  • dollars+2_4Earnings of $2.8 billion decreased $3.8 billion, or 58 percent, from the fourth quarter of 2014.
  • Earnings per share, assuming dilution, were $0.67, a decrease of 57 percent.
  • Capital and exploration expenditures were $7.4 billion, down 29 percent from the fourth quarter of 2014.
  • Oil-equivalent production increased 4.8 percent from the fourth quarter of 2014, with liquids up 14 percent and natural gas down 5.6 percent.
  • Cash flow from operations and asset sales was $5.1 billion, including proceeds associated with asset sales of $785 million.
  • The corporation distributed $3.6 billion to shareholders in the fourth quarter of 2015, including $500 million in share purchases to reduce shares outstanding.
  • Dividends per share of $0.73 increased 5.8 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2014.
  • ExxonMobil successfully started the onshore central processing facility at the Banyu Urip field in Indonesia, which helped production reach more than 130,000 gross barrels of oil per day in the fourth quarter. The field is currently ramping up to full capacity and is expected to produce 450 million gross barrels of oil over its lifetime.
  • The company is beginning a production pilot program on the La Invernada and Bajo del Choique blocks in the Neuquén province of Argentina. This program includes drilling five wells, as well as constructing a production facility and gas pipeline.

Fourth Quarter 2015 vs. Fourth Quarter 2014

Upstream earnings were $857 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, down $4.6 billion from the fourth quarter of 2014. Lower liquids and gas realizations decreased earnings by $3.7 billion, while volume and mix effects increased earnings by $100 million, benefiting from new developments. All other items, including the absence of both the prior year U.S. deferred income tax effects and recognition of a favorable arbitration ruling for expropriated Venezuela assets, decreased earnings by $960 million.

On an oil-equivalent basis, production increased 4.8 percent from the fourth quarter of 2014. Liquids production totaled 2.5 million barrels per day, up 299,000 barrels per day. Project ramp-up, work programs and entitlement effects were partly offset by field decline. Natural gas production was 10.6 billion cubic feet per day, down 631 million cubic feet per day from 2014 due to regulatory restrictions in the Netherlands and field decline, partly offset by entitlement effects.

U.S. Upstream earnings declined $2 billion from the fourth quarter of 2014 to a loss of $538 million in the fourth quarter of 2015. Non-U.S. Upstream earnings were $1.4 billion, down $2.6 billion from the prior year.

Downstream earnings were $1.4 billion, up $854 million from the fourth quarter of 2014. Stronger margins and favorable volume and mix effects increased earnings by $610 million and $70 million, respectively. All other items increased earnings by $170 million, including lower maintenance expenses and favorable foreign exchange and tax effects, partly offset by unfavorable inventory impacts. Petroleum product sales of 5.7 million barrels per day were 166,000 barrels per day lower than the prior year.

Earnings from the U.S. Downstream were $435 million, up $436 million from the fourth quarter of 2014. Non-U.S. Downstream earnings of $916 million were $418 million higher than last year.

Chemical earnings of $963 million were $264 million lower than the fourth quarter of 2014. Margins decreased earnings by $210 million driven by declining realizations. Volume and mix effects increased earnings by $170 million. All other items decreased earnings by $230 million, largely due to unfavorable foreign exchange, tax and inventory effects. Fourth quarter prime product sales of 6.5 million metric tons were 765,000 metric tons higher than the prior year’s fourth quarter.

Corporate and financing expenses were $391 million for the fourth quarter of 2015, compared to $622 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, with the decrease due mainly to net favorable tax-related impacts.

During the fourth quarter of 2015, ExxonMobil purchased 9.4 million shares of its common stock for the treasury at a gross cost of $754 million. These purchases included $500 million to reduce the number of shares outstanding, with the balance used to acquire shares to offset dilution in conjunction with the company’s benefit plans and programs. In the first quarter of 2016, the corporation will continue to acquire shares to offset dilution in conjunction with its benefit plans and programs, but does not plan on making purchases to reduce shares outstanding.

Full Year 2015 Highlights

  • Earnings of $16.2 billion decreased 50 percent from $32.5 billion in 2014.
  • Earnings per share, assuming dilution, decreased 49 percent to $3.85.
  • Capital and exploration expenditures were $31.1 billion, down 19 percent from 2014. The company anticipates further reductions in 2016, with capital and exploration expenditures of $23.2 billion, a decrease of 25 percent from 2015.
  • Oil-equivalent production increased 3.2 percent from 2014, with liquids up 11 percent and natural gas down 5.7 percent.
  • Cash flow from operations and asset sales was $32.7 billion, including proceeds associated with asset sales of $2.4 billion.
  • The corporation distributed $15.1 billion to shareholders in 2015 through dividends and share purchases to reduce shares outstanding.

Full Year 2015 vs. Full Year 2014

Upstream earnings were $7.1 billion, down $20.4 billion from 2014. Lower realizations decreased earnings by $18.8 billion. Favorable volume and mix effects increased earnings by $810 million, including contributions from new developments. All other items decreased earnings by $2.4 billion, primarily due to lower asset management gains and the absence of prior year deferred income tax effects.

On an oil-equivalent basis, production of 4.1 million barrels per day was up 3.2 percent compared to 2014. Liquids production of 2.3 million barrels per day increased 234,000 barrels per day, with project ramp-up and entitlement effects partly offset by field decline. Natural gas production of 10.5 billion cubic feet per day decreased 630 million cubic feet per day from 2014 as regulatory restrictions in the Netherlands and field decline were partly offset by project ramp-up, work programs and entitlement effects.

U.S. Upstream earnings declined $6.3 billion from 2014 to a loss of $1.1 billion in 2015. Earnings outside the U.S. were $8.2 billion, down $14.2 billion from the prior year.

Downstream earnings of $6.6 billion increased $3.5 billion from 2014. Stronger margins increased earnings by $4.1 billion, while volume and mix effects decreased earnings by $200 million. All other items decreased earnings by $420 million, reflecting higher maintenance expense and unfavorable inventory impacts, partly offset by favorable foreign exchange effects. Petroleum product sales of 5.8 million barrels per day were 121,000 barrels per day lower than 2014.

U.S. Downstream earnings were $1.9 billion, an increase of $283 million from 2014. Non-U.S. Downstream earnings were $4.7 billion, up $3.2 billion from the prior year.

Chemical earnings of $4.4 billion increased $103 million from 2014. Stronger margins increased earnings by $590 million. Favorable volume and mix effects increased earnings by $220 million. All other items decreased earnings by $710 million, reflecting unfavorable foreign exchange, tax and inventory effects, partly offset by asset management gains. Prime product sales of 24.7 million metric tons were up 478,000 metric tons from 2014.

Corporate and financing expenses were $1.9 billion in 2015 compared to $2.4 billion in 2014, with the decrease due mainly to net favorable tax-related items.

During 2015, ExxonMobil purchased 48 million shares of its common stock for the treasury at a gross cost of $4 billion. These purchases included $3 billion to reduce the number of shares outstanding, with the balance used to acquire shares to offset dilution in conjunction with the company’s benefit plans and programs.

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NNPC Discovers Over 4,800 Illegal Pipeline Connections

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5 months ago

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December 9, 2023

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited  has revealed the detection of more than 4,800 unauthorized connections on oil pipelines within the country, painting a troubling image of the nation’s primary source of revenue.

Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, communicated this information to the Senate Committee on Appropriations last Friday.

He said, “We have over 4,800 illegal connections on our pipelines. That means in some lines, within 100 kilometres of pipelines, you have as much as 300 insertions.

“Therefore, even when you produce the oil, you cannot deliver them at the required pressure and therefore the volume will also be less.”

As per the NNPC Ltd chief, individuals from various regions enter the Niger Delta, inserting unauthorized connections on pipelines in Nigeria’s oil-producing area.

This recent revelation follows a prior discovery of 295 illegal connections to the pipelines by the firm a year ago, underscoring the escalating issue of crude oil theft in Nigeria.

Two years earlier, Kyari had highlighted the country’s daily loss of 200,000 barrels of oil, amounting to $13 million due to theft and vandalism.

He further stated “We have two sets of losses, one coming from our products and the other coming from crude oil. In terms of crude losses, it is still going on. On the average, we are losing 200,000 barrels of crude every day.”

After the discovery, Nigeria’s security forces pledged to enhance security around the country’s pipelines.

To bolster this, the Federal Government granted a multi-billion naira pipelines surveillance contract to Tantita Security Services, headed by former militant leader Government Ekpemepulo, also known as Tompolo.

Despite facing criticism for this decision, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum, remains convinced that it was the appropriate course of action.

In August, following a tour of oil facilities in the Niger Delta, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri expressed gratitude to Tantita, commissioned by NNPC Ltd, for their ongoing work.

He also hinted at plans for further extensive endeavors in the future.

In 2021, after extensive debate and delays, the Petroleum Industry Bill was finally passed to attract increased foreign investment into the oil sector through amendments to regulations, royalties, and taxes.

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Dangote Refinery Set To Begin Fuel Production With First Crude Arrival

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5 months ago

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December 7, 2023

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Nigeria’s colossal $19 billion Dangote Refinery, after encountering several setbacks, is on the verge of kickstarting fuel production.

This achievement is heralded by the arrival of the first crude shipment, transported by the OTIS tanker carrying 950,000 barrels of Nigeria’s Agbami crude.

S&P Global, citing industry sources and tanker tracking data on spglobal.com, reported the tanker’s departure on December 6, en route to Lekki, the nearest land port to Dangote’s offshore crude receiving terminal.

Scheduled to reach its destination around 8 PM on December 7, the arrival of this shipment signifies the commencement of crude supplies for the refinery’s operations.

Chartered by the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), the Suezmax tanker is an emblem of the initial crude supply to Dangote’s cutting-edge refinery, as disclosed by a West African oil trader familiar with the matter in the S&P report.

Even though the refinery was officially completed in May, the absence of domestic crude feedstock had hindered oil product manufacturing.

To address this, the NNPC, holding a 20% stake in the refinery, struck an agreement to provide 6 million barrels of crude oil as feedstock to the Dangote refinery in December.

This move aims to jumpstart operations and overcome the previous impediments.

Agbami, operated by Chevron, holds a prominent position among Nigeria’s major deepwater developments, producing around 100,000 barrels per day in the central Niger Delta.

Known for its light sweet crude qualities, with a specific gravity of 47.9 API and a low sulfur content of 0.04%, Agbami produces substantial amounts of naphtha and kerosene.

NNPC has chartered additional shipments from different Nigerian offshore fields to the refinery, marking the start of a sequence of planned crude supplies for the month, as mentioned by the oil trader.

Located on the outskirts of Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, the Dangote Refinery encountered repeated delays since its 2013 announcement, despite significant installation progress in 2019.

The refinery, designed to handle multiple crudes simultaneously, targets three Nigerian crude grades—Escravos, Bonny Light, and Forcados. When operating at full capacity, it aims to produce 327,000 barrels per day (b/d) of gasoline, 244,000 b/d of gasoil/diesel, 56,000 b/d of jet fuel/kerosene, and 290,000 metric tons per year of propane/LPG.

Dangote’s operations starting signify Nigeria’s hopes to lessen its reliance on gasoline imports, addressing the deficiencies of its existing refineries undergoing repairs. This shift is poised to reshape Nigeria’s oil industry, potentially leading to gasoline self-sufficiency by the 2040s.

Dangote officials anticipate an initial output of 370,000 barrels per day (b/d), emphasizing jet fuel and diesel production.

Industry analysts, however, project the refinery to reach its full operational capacity by mid-2025, although potential delays remain a looming concern.

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NNPCL Sets Dec 2024 Terminal Date For Fuel Importation

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5 months ago

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November 24, 2023

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has announced intentions to cease importing refined petroleum products by December 2024, anticipating full operational functionality for all national refineries by that time.

Group CEO, NNPC Ltd, Mele Kyari, shared this at a meeting with Speaker Tajudeen Abbas of the House of Representatives, who advocated for the privatisation of Nigeria’s refineries on Thursday.

Projections indicated the national oil firm’s revenue could climb to N4.5 trillion by the conclusion of 2023. Moreover, the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refining Company, managed by NNPCL, was slated for completion by December of the current year.

Meanwhile, Oil marketers verified on Thursday that the Port Harcourt refinery is set for operations, potentially starting in January 2024. They emphasized that once operational, this refinery could notably reduce the prices of refined petroleum products.

During the meeting in Abuja, Kyari asserted Nigeria’s intention to cease importing refined petroleum products by 2024, envisioning the country’s emergence as a net exporter of these commodities within the same year.

He outlined the plans for launching operations at the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries.

Kyari reiterated that all refineries would operate at full capacity, ultimately paving the way for Nigeria to transition into a net exporter of petroleum products by the conclusion of 2024.

He attributed the inactivity of Nigeria’s refineries over the years to the petroleum subsidy, emphasizing that the removal of this subsidy was drawing significant private-sector investments into the sector.

Kyari said “I can confirm to you that by the end of December this year, we will start the Port Harcourt refinery; early in the first quarter of 2024, we will start the Warri refinery and by the end of 2024, Kaduna refinery will come into operation.

“This is the commitment we are giving today and you can hold us accountable for this. In 2024, many of the initiatives including the rehabilitation of our refineries and also the efforts of small-scale refineries, and the upcoming Dangote refinery, will make Nigeria a net exporter of petroleum products in 2024.

“We will no longer be talking about fuel importation by the end of 2024. I am very optimistic that this will crystallise.

Kyari promised that by the conclusion of 2023, the government’s anticipated revenue from the company would reach N4.5 trillion, emphasizing NNPCL’s adherence to the Petroleum Industry Act and its commitment to delivering value to shareholders.

Recall that in October 2023, it was reported that Nigeria’s monthly spending on the importation of Premium Motor Spirit, known as petrol, had reached approximately N843 billion due to NNPCL’s cessation of oil swaps.

In July of this year, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority reported that during the post-deregulation period, spanning June 1 to June 28, 2023, the country’s total petrol consumption amounted to 1.36 billion litres, with an average daily consumption of 48.43 million litres.

The average ex-depot price of petrol, sourced solely from NNPCL as the importer, stands at about N580 per litre.

However, both NNPCL and oil marketers declared on Thursday that this substantial oil import expenditure would soon diminish.

They anticipated a drop once the Port Harcourt refinery commences production of refined petroleum products from January 2024, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

 

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