Chevron Corp. on July 31 reported an $8.3 billion loss in the second quarter on asset writedowns from plummeting fuel prices, a forced exit from Venezuela and expenses tied to thousands of jobs cuts.
Multibillion-dollar asset writedowns have become a prominent part of second-quarter energy results as the COVID-19 pandemic crushed fuel demand and created a massive glut of supply worldwide.
But the writedowns also reflect a growing realization that a deepening economic downturn could depress energy prices for years. Chevron rivals Total, Royal Dutch Shell and Eni each wrote down billions of dollars in assets, while BP has signaled an up to $17.5 billion hit.
Chevron wrote down its oil and gas production properties by $5.6 billion, including its entire investment in crisis-ravaged Venezuela, where it has been the last major U.S. oil company still operating. The Trump administration has directed it to wind down its business there.
The loss also includes $1 billion to cover severance pay for up to 6,700 of its 45,000-person staff to leave their jobs in a global restructuring.
The massive writedowns follow Chevron’s $10 billion writedown of mostly natural gas properties in the fourth quarter of 2019.
The total value of U.S. goods and services produced last quarter fell at a 32.9% annual rate, the deepest decline in economic activity in modern history.
“It will take years for that to recover and the price for our products is tied to economic activity,” Chevron CFO Pierre Breber said in an interview. The company plans to continue to restrain spending on new projects, he said.
The company’s output last quarter fell by about 189,000 barrels of oil and gas per day compared with a year ago, reflecting its efforts to limit losses and earlier property sales.
The writedown of oil and gas properties included non-shale operations in the Permian Basin, the top U.S. oil field, offshore Gulf of Mexico fields and undefined properties outside the United States, he said.
“We would need to see sustained economic recovery and much lower inventory levels before we would add capital back to the Permian or other basins,” said Breber. “We’re in a lower for longer world where demand is down and there’s ample supply.”
Chevron’s cash flow from operations was negative $643 million in the quarter, “and we expect this to weigh on shares in the near term,” said analyst Biraj Borkhataria of RBC Europe Limited.
The writedowns pushed Chevron’s loss to $8.27 billion, or $4.44 a share, compared with a profit of $4.3 billion, or $2.27 a share, a year ago. Adjusted loss was $3 billion, or $1.59 per share, compared with a profit of $3.4 billion, or $1.77 per share, last year, it reported.
The loss reflects an average 65% reduction in the prices received for its petroleum produced last quarter as demand plummeted amid COVID-19 travel restrictions and declining industrial demand for fuels.
Pre-market trading in the company’s stock was indicated 3.6% lower July 31. It closed at $86.27 on July 30, down 29% from the start of the year.
Chevron has resisted leaving Venezuela, arguing its presence was a stabilizing presence and supported local workers. Any exit would hand over its assets to Russian or Chinese oil companies, the company has said. Chevron has operated in the country for nearly 100 years, mostly recently through joint ventures with Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA.
But the Trump administration gave Chevron until December to wind down its business there amid U.S. sanctions designed to oust the government of President Nicolas Maduro. Chevron wrote off the $2.6 billion value of Venezuelan assets, which in June produced 7,000 bbl/d, Breber said.
Recommended Reading
Private Equity: Seeking ‘Scottie Pippen’ Plays, If Not Another Michael Jordan
2024-01-25 - The Permian’s Tier 1 acreage opportunities for startup E&Ps are dwindling. Investors are beginning to look elsewhere.
Some Payne, But Mostly Gain for H&P in Q4 2023
2024-01-31 - Helmerich & Payne’s revenue grew internationally and in North America but declined in the Gulf of Mexico compared to the previous quarter.
Uinta Basin: 50% More Oil for Twice the Proppant
2024-03-06 - The higher-intensity completions are costing an average of 35% fewer dollars spent per barrel of oil equivalent of output, Crescent Energy told investors and analysts on March 5.
In Shooting for the Stars, Kosmos’ Production Soars
2024-02-28 - Kosmos Energy’s fourth quarter continued the operational success seen in its third quarter earnings 2023 report.
Canadian Natural Resources Boosting Production in Oil Sands
2024-03-04 - Canadian Natural Resources will increase its quarterly dividend following record production volumes in the quarter.