Key Developments:
• Announced Yarrow-1 and Sailfin-1 as the 8th and 9th discoveries this year on the Stabroek
Block, offshore Guyana; adds to the previous gross discovered recoverable resource
estimate for the Block of approximately 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe)
• Total cash returned to stockholders in the quarter through share repurchases and
dividends amounted to $265 million; approximately 1.4 million shares of common stock
were repurchased for $150 million in the quarter
Third Quarter Financial and Operational Highlights:
• Net income was $515 million, or $1.67 per common share, compared with net income of
$115 million, or $0.37 per common share, in the third quarter of 2021
• Adjusted net income1
was $583 million or $1.89 per common share, compared with net
income of $86 million, or $0.28 per common share in the prior-year quarter
• Oil and gas net production, excluding Libya, was 351,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day
(boepd), up 32 percent from 265,000 boepd in the third quarter of 2021
• Bakken net production was 166,000 boepd, up 12 percent from 148,000 boepd in the third
quarter of 2021; Guyana net production was 98,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd), compared
with 32,000 bopd in the prior-year quarter
• E&P capital and exploratory expenditures were $701 million compared with $498 million in
the prior-year quarter
• Cash and cash equivalents, excluding Midstream, were $2.38 billion at September 30, 2022
2022 Updated Guidance:
• Net production, excluding Libya, is forecast to be approximately 370,000 boepd in the
fourth quarter and approximately 325,000 boepd for the full year
• Full year E&P capital and exploratory expenditures are expected to be approximately $2.7
billion, unchanged from previous guidance
According to the company’s website press release on October 26, 2022, Hess Corporation (NYSE: HES) reported net income of $515 million, or $1.67 per common share, in the third quarter of 2022, compared with net income of $115 million, or $0.37 per common share, in the third quarter of 2021. On an adjusted basis, the Corporation had net income of $583 million or $1.89 per common share, compared with $86 million, or $0.28 per common share, in the third quarter of 2021. The improvement in adjusted after-tax 1. “Adjusted net income” is a non-GAAP financial measure. The definition of this non-GAAP measure and a reconciliation to its nearest GAAP equivalent measure appears on pages 6 and 7. 1 earnings compared with the prior-year period was primarily due to higher realized selling prices and sales volumes in the third quarter of 2022.
“We continue to successfully execute our strategy and deliver strong operational and ESG performance,” CEO John Hess said. “We offer a unique value proposition – to grow both our intrinsic value and our cash returns by increasing our resource base, delivering a lower cost of supply and generating industry leading cash flow growth. As our portfolio becomes increasingly free cash flow positive, we will continue to prioritize the return of capital to our shareholders through further dividend increases and share repurchases.”
Exploration and Production:
E&P net income was $572 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared with $178 million in the third quarter of 2021. On an adjusted basis, third quarter 2022 E&P net income was $626 million, compared with $149 million in the prior-year quarter. The Corporation’s average realized crude oil selling price, including the effect of hedging, was $85.32 per barrel in the third quarter of 2022, compared with $63.17 per barrel in the prior-year quarter. The average realized natural gas liquids (NGL) selling price in the third quarter of 2022 was $35.44 per barrel, compared with $32.88 per 2 barrel in the prior-year quarter, while the average realized natural gas selling price was $5.85 per mcf, compared with $4.71 per mcf in the third quarter of 2021.
Net production, excluding Libya, was 351,000 boepd in the third quarter of 2022, compared with 265,000 boepd in the third quarter of 2021, due to higher production in Guyana and the Bakken.
Cash operating costs, which include operating costs and expenses, production and severance taxes, and E&P general and administrative expenses, were $13.19 per boe (excluding Libya: $13.64 per boe) in the third quarter of 2022, compared with $12.76 per boe (excluding Libya: $13.45 per boe) in the prior-year quarter. The increase in cash operating costs in the third quarter of this year, compared with the third quarter of last year, reflects higher production and severance taxes in North Dakota due to higher realized selling prices, and increased workover activity in the Gulf of Mexico.
Operational Highlights for the Third Quarter of 2022:
Bakken (Onshore U.S.): Net production from the Bakken was 166,000 boepd compared with 148,000 boepd in the prior-year quarter, primarily due to increased drilling and completion activity and a curtailment of production in the third quarter of 2021 resulting from a planned maintenance turnaround at the Tioga Gas Plant. The Corporation added a third drilling rig in September 2021 and a fourth drilling rig in July 2022. During the third quarter of 2022, the Corporation drilled 20 wells, completed 20 wells, and brought 22 new wells online. Bakken net production is forecast to be in the range of 165,000 boepd to 170,000 boepd in the fourth quarter and approximately 155,000 boepd for the full year 2022.
Gulf of Mexico (Offshore U.S.): Net production from the Gulf of Mexico was 30,000 boepd, compared with 32,000 boepd in the prior-year quarter.
Guyana (Offshore): At the Stabroek Block (Hess – 30%), net production from the Liza Destiny and the Liza Unity floating production, storage and offloading vessels (FPSOs) totaled 98,000 bopd in the third quarter of 2022 compared with 32,000 bopd in the prior-year quarter. Net production from Guyana in the third quarter of 2022 included 7,000 bopd of tax barrels. There were no tax barrels in the third quarter of 2021. The Liza Unity FPSO, which commenced production in February 2022, reached its production capacity of 220,000 gross bopd in July 2022. In the third quarter, we sold eight cargos of crude oil from Guyana compared with three cargos in the prior year quarter. In the fourth quarter of 2022, we expect to sell nine cargos of crude oil. Guyana net production is forecast to be approximately 110,000 bopd in the fourth quarter, which includes approximately 20,000 bopd of tax barrels. For the full year 2022, Guyana net production is forecast to be approximately 77,000 bopd, which includes approximately 7,000 bopd of tax barrels.
The third development, Payara, will utilize the Prosperity FPSO with an expected capacity of 220,000 gross bopd, with first production expected at the end of 2023. The fourth development, Yellowtail, was sanctioned in April 2022 and will utilize the ONE GUYANA FPSO with an expected capacity of 250,000 gross bopd, with first production expected in 2025.
The eighth and ninth discoveries of this year were announced at Yarrow-1 and Sailfin-1, which adds to the previously announced gross discovered recoverable resource estimate for the Stabroek Block of approximately 11 billion boe. The Yarrow-1 well encountered approximately 75 feet of high quality oil bearing sandstone reservoirs. The well was drilled in 3,560 feet of water and is located approximately 9 miles southeast of the Barreleye-1 discovery. The Sailfin-1 well encountered approximately 312 feet of high quality hydrocarbon bearing sandstone reservoirs. The well was drilled in 4,616 feet of water and is located approximately 15 miles southeast of the Turbot-1 discovery.
The Banjo-1 exploration well was drilled during the quarter and did not encounter commercial quantities of hydrocarbons.
Southeast Asia (Offshore): Net production at North Malay Basin and JDA was 57,000 boepd in the third quarter of 2022 compared with 50,000 boepd in the prior-year quarter, primarily due to higher buyer nominations.
Midstream: The Midstream segment had net income of $68 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared with net income of $61 million in the prior-year quarter. Corporate, Interest and
Other: After-tax expense for Corporate, Interest and Other was $125 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared with $124 million in the third quarter of 2021.
Capital and Exploratory Expenditures: E&P capital and exploratory expenditures were $701 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared with $498 million in the prior-year quarter, primarily due to higher drilling and development activities in the Bakken, Malaysia and JDA, Gulf of Mexico and Guyana. Midstream capital expenditures were $60 million in the third quarter of 2022 and $59 million in the prior-year quarter.
Liquidity: Excluding the Midstream segment, Hess Corporation had cash and cash equivalents of $2.38 billion and debt and finance lease obligations totaling $5.60 billion at September 30, 2022. The Midstream segment had cash and cash equivalents of $3 million and total debt of $2.9 billion at 4 September 30, 2022. The Corporation’s debt to capitalization ratio as defined in its debt covenants was 36.8% at September 30, 2022 and 42.3% at December 31, 2021.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,339 million in the third quarter of 2022, up from $615 million in the third quarter of 2021. Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities2 was $1,405 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared with $631 million in the prior-year quarter primarily due to higher realized selling prices and sales volumes.
Total cash returned to stockholders in the third quarter through common stock repurchases and dividends amounted to $265 million. The Corporation repurchased approximately 1.4 million shares of common stock for $150 million during the third quarter and intends to acquire the remaining available Board authorized amount of $310 million in the fourth quarter.
Items Affecting Comparability of Earnings Between Periods:
Third Quarter 2022: E&P results include impairment charges of $28 million ($28 million after
income taxes) that resulted from updates to the Corporation’s estimated abandonment liabilities for non-producing properties in the Gulf of Mexico and $26 million ($26 million after income taxes) related to the Penn State Field in the Gulf of Mexico. Results for Corporate, Interest and Other include a charge of $14 million ($14 million after income taxes) for legal costs related to a former downstream business.
Third Quarter 2021: E&P results include a pre-tax gain of $29 million ($29 million after income
taxes) associated with the sale of the Corporation's interests in Denmark.
Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures:
Hess Corporation will review third quarter financial and operating results and other matters on a
webcast at 10 a.m. today (EDT). For details about the event, refer to the Investor Relations section of our website at www.hess.com.
Hess Corporation is a leading global independent energy company engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas. More information on Hess Corporation is available at
Forward-looking Statements
This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” “predict,” “will,” “target” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which are not historical in nature. Our forward-looking statements may include, without limitation: our future financial and operational results; our business strategy; estimates of our crude oil and natural gas reserves and levels of production; benchmark prices of crude oil, NGL and natural gas and our associated realized price differentials; our projected budget and capital and exploratory expenditures; expected timing and completion of our development projects; and future economic and market conditions in the oil and gas industry. Forward-looking statements are based on our current understanding, assessments, estimates and projections of relevant factors and reasonable assumptions about the future. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our current projections or expectations of future results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The following important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements: fluctuations in market prices of crude oil, NGL and natural gas and competition in the oil and gas exploration and production industry, including as a result of COVID-19; reduced demand for our products, including due to COVID-19, perceptions regarding the oil and gas industry, competing or alternative energy products and political conditions and events; potential failures or delays in increasing oil and gas reserves, including 6 as a result of unsuccessful exploration activity, drilling risks and unforeseen reservoir conditions, and in achieving expected production levels; changes in tax, property, contract and other laws, regulations and governmental actions applicable to our business, including legislative and regulatory initiatives regarding environmental concerns, such as measures to limit greenhouse gas emissions and flaring, fracking bans as well as restrictions on oil and gas leases; operational changes and expenditures due to climate change and sustainability related initiatives; disruption or interruption of our operations due to catastrophic events, such as accidents, severe weather, geological events, shortages of skilled labor, cyberattacks, health measures related to COVID-19, or climate change; the ability of our contractual counterparties to satisfy their obligations to us, including the operation of joint ventures under which we may not control and exposure to decommissioning liabilities for divested assets in the event the current or future owners are unable to perform; unexpected changes in technical requirements for constructing, modifying or operating exploration and production facilities and/or the inability to timely obtain or maintain necessary permits; availability and costs of employees and other personnel, drilling rigs, equipment, supplies and other required services; any limitations on our access to capital or increase in our cost of capital, including as a result of limitations on investment in oil and gas activities or negative outcomes within commodity and financial markets; liability resulting from environmental obligations and litigation, including heightened risks associated with being a general partner of Hess Midstream LP; and other factors described in Item 1A—Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and any additional risks described in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). As and when made, we believe that our forward-looking statements are reasonable. However, given these risks and uncertainties, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements since such statements speak only as of the date when made and there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will occur and actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement we make. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise. Non-GAAP financial measures The Corporation has used non-GAAP financial measures in this earnings release. “Adjusted net income” presented in this release is defined as reported net income attributable to Hess Corporation excluding items identified as affecting comparability of earnings between periods. “Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities” presented in this release is defined as Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities excluding changes in operating assets and liabilities. Management uses adjusted net income to evaluate the Corporation’s operating performance and believes that investors’ understanding of our performance is enhanced by disclosing this measure, which excludes certain items that management believes are not directly related to ongoing operations and are not indicative of future business trends and operations. Management believes that net cash provided by (used in) operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities demonstrates the Corporation’s ability to internally fund capital expenditures, pay dividends and service debt. These measures are not, and should not be viewed as, a substitute for U.S. GAAP net income or net cash provided by (used in) operating activities. A reconciliation of reported net income attributable to Hess Corporation (U.S. GAAP) to adjusted net income, and a reconciliation of net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (U.S. GAAP) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities are provided in the release. Cautionary Note to Investors We use certain terms in this release relating to resources other than proved reserves, such as unproved reserves or resources. Investors are urged to consider closely the oil and gas disclosures in Hess Corporation’s Form 10-K, File No. 1-1204, available from Hess Corporation, 1185 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036 c/o Corporate Secretary and on our website at www.hess.com. You can also obtain this form from the SEC on the EDGAR system. For Hess Corporation Investor Contact: Jay Wilson (212) 536-8940 Media Contacts: Lorrie Hecker (212) 536-8250 Jamie Tully Sard Verbinnen & Co (917) 679-7908
