Shareholder's payout target was increased by 50% after the largest U.S. independent oil producer surpass Wall Street's earnings estimates on growing energy prices, said Houston-based ConocoPhillips Co. on Aug. 4.
Due to Western sanctions on major producer Russia throttling energy supply amid a rebound in demand from pandemic lows, oil and gas prices have soared. Crude has been trading more than 25% higher since the start of the year and results also benefited from high natural gas prices.
Meanwhile, shares were down a fraction, to $91.03, in early trading but are up about 26% year to date.
Its production outlook for the year was reduced by approximately 1% on disruptions to output in Libya, and ConocoPhillips said while inflation was growing its costs, the year's capital budget would rest at around $7.8 billion.
ConocoPhillips stated, that the average price obtained for a barrel of oil and gas accelerated 77% from a year earlier to $88.57. The company acknowledges that it has not hedged any of its oil and gas sales to make the most of higher market prices.
The capacity of 1.69 million boe/d was in line with Wall Street estimates, however, the company expected the current quarter's output would be between 1.71 million and 1.76 million boe/d.
ConocoPhillips anticipates returning $15 billion to shareholders this year by means of dividends and share buybacks, joining Chevron Corp. and others in rising payouts after years of pressure on producers to restrict spending and boost returns.
The company, which kept its spending forecast intact, insignificantly decreased its full-year capacity outlook on uncertainty in Libya. ConocoPhillips hoped that the production would be about 1.74 million boe/d for the year.
The company's second-quarter adjusted earnings of $3.91 per share overcame Wall Street estimates of $3.80 per share, as Refintiv IBES data says.
ConocoPhillips safely transports oil and natural gas using pipelines, tankers, trucks and rail to connect energy supply to demand. The method the company chooses depends on the project, location, economics, accessibility and environmental considerations. All four methods are proven, efficient and economical ways of getting energy to market.
Working with a leading environmental, social and governance (ESG) consultancy firm the company is designing a Net-Zero Governance Framework, with the goal of identifying how to leverage and optimize our process, system, organizational and governance structure to align and drive the company along a net-zero pathway.
In its Gulf Coast business unit, a project is underway to remove the need for pneumatic-powered scavenger injection pumps at each well pad through the installation of scavenger towers at each central facility location. The project could reduce emissions by around 11,250 metric tons per year.
