- Announced enhanced shareholder return framework including a new $3.0 billion share repurchase authorization and 38% increase to common dividend
- Completed $3.0 billion share repurchase program with $562 million of repurchases in the fourth quarter, bringing total year repurchases to 47.7 million shares
- Repaid $1.1 billion of debt and retired $450 million of interest rate swaps during the fourth quarter, with total year debt repayments of over $10.5 billion, representing 37% of total outstanding principal
- OxyChem exceeded guidance with pre-tax earnings of $457 million, establishing record year pre-tax earnings of $2.5 billion
- Cash flow from continuing operations of $4.0 billion and cash flow from continuing operations before working capital of $4.1 billion
- Capital spending of $1.5 billion, resulting in quarterly free cash flow before working capital of $2.6 billion
- Earnings per diluted share of $1.74 and adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.61
- Worldwide year-end proved reserves of 3.8 billion BOE, with reserves replacement of 172% and finding and development costs of $6.60 per BOE
According to the company’s website press release on February 27, 2023, Occidental (NYSE: OXY) announced net income attributable to common stockholders for the fourth quarter of 2022 of $1.7 billion, or $1.74 per diluted share, and adjusted income attributable to common stockholders of $1.6 billion, or $1.61 per diluted share. Fourth quarter after-tax items affecting comparability of $127 million included a non-cash tax benefit adjustment of $123 million related to a post-Anadarko acquisition reorganization of legal entities.
"Our fourth quarter of 2022 performance capped a year of strong results, in which we set operational records across our U.S. Onshore, Gulf of Mexico and International oil and gas businesses, while OxyChem delivered record earnings,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Vicki Hollub. "Our operational success drove the financial achievements that enabled us to complete our $3.0 billion share repurchase program and deliver substantial balance sheet improvements. Our teams are well positioned to maintain this operational success, as we continue to focus on delivering value for our shareholders in 2023 through our recently authorized $3.0 billion share repurchase program and a 38% increase to our sustainable dividend."
QUARTERLY RESULTS
Oil and Gas
Oil and gas pre-tax income on continuing operations for the fourth quarter was $2.5 billion, compared to pre-tax income of $3.3 billion for the third quarter of 2022. The fourth quarter results included $46 million of gains on sales of assets. Excluding items affecting comparability, fourth quarter oil and gas income declined due to lower worldwide crude oil and natural gas liquids (NGL) and domestic natural gas prices and higher exploration expenses, partially offset by higher crude oil sales volumes. For the fourth quarter of 2022, average WTI and Brent marker prices were $82.65 per barrel and $88.68 per barrel, respectively. Average worldwide realized crude oil prices decreased by approximately 12% from the prior quarter to $83.64 per barrel. Average worldwide realized natural gas liquids (NGL) prices decreased by approximately 25% from the prior quarter to $26.35 per barrel. Average domestic realized gas prices decreased by approximately 37% from the prior quarter to $4.45 per Mcf.
Total average global production from continuing operations of 1,227 thousand of barrels of oil equivalent per day (Mboed) for the fourth quarter came within the midpoint of guidance. Permian, Rockies & Other Domestic, Gulf of Mexico and International average daily production volumes all came within guidance at 565 Mboed, 272 Mboed, 150 Mboed and 240 Mboed, respectively.
Oil and Gas Proved Reserves
As of December 31, 2022, Occidental's worldwide proved reserves totaled 3.8 billion barrels of oil equivalent (BOE), compared to 3.5 billion BOE for the same period in the prior year. Proved reserve additions were mainly driven by positive revisions associated to infill development projects of 335 million BOE, primarily in the Permian and DJ Basins, and extensions and discoveries of 176 million BOE, mostly in the Delaware Basin, along with improved recovery of 89 million BOE, mostly in the Permian EOR business. Other revisions of 139 million BOE are primarily related to positive price revisions.
OxyChem
Chemical pre-tax income of $457 million for the fourth quarter exceeded guidance. Compared to prior quarter income of $580 million, fourth quarter results reflected declining polyvinyl (PVC) prices and lower volumes across most product lines, partially offset by favorable raw materials costs, primarily for ethylene and energy.
Midstream and Marketing
Midstream and marketing pre-tax loss for the fourth quarter was $45 million, compared to income of $104 million for the third quarter of 2022. The fourth quarter results included $73 million of derivative losses and $36 million of gains on sales of assets. WES equity income for the fourth quarter was $169 million. Excluding items affecting comparability, the decrease in midstream and marketing pre-tax fourth quarter results reflected the timing impact of crude oil sales in the marketing business and the seasonal impact of the power business, partially offset by higher gas marketing margins from transportation capacity optimization.
Supplemental Non-GAAP Measures
This press release refers to adjusted income (loss), cash flow from continuing operations before working capital and free cash flow, which are supplemental measures not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP). These Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to the comparable GAAP financial measures. Definitions of adjusted income (loss) and a reconciliation to net income (loss), along with cash flow from continuing operations before working capital and free cash flow and a reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measures, are included in the financial schedules of this press release. Occidental’s definition of adjusted income (loss), cash flow from continuing operations before working capital and free cash flow may differ from similarly titled measures provided by other companies in our industry and as a result may not be comparable.
This press release also refers to finding and development costs (F&D Costs) and reserves replacement ratio, which are non-GAAP measures that Occidental believes are widely used in our industry, as well as by analysts and investors, to measure and evaluate the cost of replacing annual production and adding proved reserves. Occidental's definitions of these non-GAAP measures may differ from similarly titled measures provided by other companies and as a result may not be comparable. F&D Costs - All-In is calculated by dividing total costs incurred for the year as defined by GAAP by the sum of proved reserves revisions, improved recovery, extensions and discoveries and purchases of minerals in place for the year. F&D Costs - Organic is F&D Costs - All-In excluding both the property acquisition costs and purchase of minerals in place, and F&D Costs - Program Additions further excludes price and other revisions that are not infills. Reserves Replacement - All-In is calculated by dividing the sum of proved reserves revisions, improved recovery, extensions and discoveries and purchases and sales of minerals in place for the year by current year production. Reserves Replacement - Organic is Reserves Replacement - All-In, excluding purchases and sales of minerals in place for the year. Reserves Replacement - Program Additions further excludes price and other revisions that are not infills.
About Occidental
Occidental is an international energy company with assets primarily in the United States, the Middle East and North Africa. We are one of the largest oil producers in the U.S., including a leading producer in the Permian and DJ basins, and offshore Gulf of Mexico. Our midstream and marketing segment provides flow assurance and maximizes the value of our oil and gas. Our chemical subsidiary OxyChem manufactures the building blocks for life-enhancing products. Our Oxy Low Carbon Ventures subsidiary is advancing leading-edge technologies and business solutions that economically grow our business while reducing emissions. We are committed to using our global leadership in carbon management to advance a lower-carbon world. Visit oxy.com for more information.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to statements about Occidental’s expectations, beliefs, plans or forecasts. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws, and they include, but are not limited to: any projections of earnings, revenue or other financial items or future financial position or sources of financing; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations, business strategy or financial position; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; any statements of belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “expect,” “aim,” “goal,” “target,” “objective,” "commit," "advance," “likely” or similar expressions that convey the prospective nature of events or outcomes are generally indicative of forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Unless legally required, Occidental does not undertake any obligation to update, modify or withdraw any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Although Occidental believes that the expectations reflected in any of its forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results may differ from anticipated results, sometimes materially. In addition, historical, current and forward-looking sustainability-related statements may be based on standards for measuring progress that are still developing, internal controls and processes that continue to evolve and assumptions that are subject to change in the future. Factors that could cause results to differ from those projected or assumed in any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions, including slowdowns and recessions, domestically or internationally; Occidental’s indebtedness and other payment obligations, including the need to generate sufficient cash flows to fund operations; Occidental’s ability to successfully monetize select assets and repay or refinance debt and the impact of changes in Occidental’s credit ratings; the scope and duration of the global or regional health pandemics or epidemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing actions taken by governmental authorities and other third parties in response to the pandemic; assumptions about energy markets; global and local commodity and commodity-futures pricing fluctuations and volatility; supply and demand considerations for, and the prices of, Occidental’s products and services; actions by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC oil producing countries; results from operations and competitive conditions; future impairments of Occidental's proved and unproved oil and gas properties or equity investments, or write-downs of productive assets, causing charges to earnings; unexpected changes in costs; inflation, its impact on markets and economic activity and related monetary policy actions by governments in response to inflation; availability of capital resources, levels of capital expenditures and contractual obligations; the regulatory approval environment, including Occidental's ability to timely obtain or maintain permits or other governmental approvals, including those necessary for drilling and/or development projects; Occidental's ability to successfully complete, or any material delay of, field developments, expansion projects, capital expenditures, efficiency projects, acquisitions or dispositions; risks associated with acquisitions, mergers and joint ventures, such as difficulties integrating businesses, uncertainty associated with financial projections, projected synergies, restructuring, increased costs and adverse tax consequences; uncertainties and liabilities associated with acquired and divested properties and businesses; uncertainties about the estimated quantities of oil, NGL and natural gas reserves; lower-than-expected production from development projects or acquisitions; Occidental’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits from prior or future streamlining actions to reduce fixed costs, simplify or improve processes and improve Occidental’s competitiveness; exploration, drilling and other operational risks; disruptions to, capacity constraints in, or other limitations on the pipeline systems that deliver Occidental’s oil and natural gas and other processing and transportation considerations; volatility in the securities, capital or credit markets; governmental actions, war (including the Russia-Ukraine war) and political conditions and events; environmental risks and liability under federal, regional, state, provincial, tribal, local and international environmental laws, and regulations, and litigation (including the potential liability for remedial actions or assessments under existing or future laws, regulations and litigation); legislative or regulatory changes, including changes relating to hydraulic fracturing or other oil and natural gas operations, retroactive royalty or production tax regimes, deep-water and onshore drilling and permitting regulations and environmental regulations (including regulations related to climate change); Occidental's ability to recognize intended benefits from its business strategies and initiatives, such as Occidental's low carbon ventures businesses or announced greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets or net-zero goals; potential liability resulting from pending or future litigation; disruption or interruption of production or manufacturing or facility damage due to accidents, chemical releases, labor unrest, weather, power outages, natural disasters, cyber-attacks, terrorist acts or insurgent activity; the creditworthiness and performance of Occidental's counterparties, including financial institutions, operating partners and other parties; failure of risk management; Occidental’s ability to retain and hire key personnel; supply, transportation, and labor constraints; reorganization or restructuring of Occidental’s operations; changes in state, federal or international tax rates; and actions by third parties that are beyond Occidental's control.
Additional information concerning these and other factors that may cause Occidental's results of operations and financial position to differ from expectations can be found in Occidental’s other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Occidental’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.
