CVX Chevron Corporation

By Bradley Olson 

HOUSTON -- The world's largest Western oil companies shrugged off a plunge in oil prices in the final months of 2018 and posted some of their biggest annual profits in years.

The strong fourth-quarter earnings Friday by Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp., following similar results by Royal Dutch Shell PLC Thursday, demonstrated that the big oil companies are seeing benefits from a more disciplined strategy focused on returns and profitability over growing production. The companies have restructured their businesses, sold off assets and positioned themselves to thrive even when crude prices swing up and down wildly.

Global crude prices fell by 38% at the end of the fourth quarter, but Exxon still generated $6 billion in net income in the period -- lower than the year before, which was boosted by the U.S. tax overhaul, but still better than analysts had expected. Chevron said net income was $3.73 billion, up 19% from the same time a year ago. Both companies substantially increased U.S. shale production in the booming Permian Basin in West Texas and New Mexico.

Even with global crude prices averaging about $71 a barrel last year, about a third lower than in 2014, the five biggest companies -- Exxon, Chevron, Shell, BP PLC and France's Total SA -- are on track to post combined annual profits of about $84 billion, 13% higher than four years ago, when oil sold for more than $100 a barrel before falling, according to FactSet data.

"These companies have figured out how to operate in this new environment, and they have adjusted well" to lower prices, said Brian Youngberg, an analyst at Edward Jones in St. Louis. "The key going forward will be maintaining discipline. This is now a low-growth industry, so you've got to invest well."

Shell, Exxon and Chevron shares have rallied. Chevron's board authorized a $25 billion share repurchase program, signaling to investors that returns continue to be a priority.

On Thursday, Shell said it nearly doubled profits in 2018 from the previous year, posting net income of about $23 billion. Production at Exxon rose above 4 million barrels a day of oil and gas for the first time since early 2017.

Exxon Chief Executive Darren Woods has embarked on a $230 billion plan to revitalize the oil giant, targeting drilling opportunities around the world that he has said are the most attractive he's seen in decades. Those include shale wells in West Texas, natural gas export facilities in Papua New Guinea, a string of giant discoveries in the South American nation of Guyana and developments in Mozambique and Brazil.

While many analysts consider those projects to be extremely attractive, they aren't set to pay off in a big way for a few more years. Exxon's shares fell about 15% in 2018, including dividends, the worst performance for the company in at least 20 years, according to FactSet data.

Mr. Woods said the company's ability to produce massive amounts of oil and gas while also having the logistics and refining capability to process barrels into fuel and other products was a critical bulwark in 2018.

"The price environment in 2018 was unpredictable, which once again demonstrated the value of our integrated business model," Mr. Woods said. That vertical integration "allowed us to avoid the impact of market dislocations and thus capture the full value of our barrels," he added.

Mr. Woods also signaled that Exxon is set to step up asset sales in its exploration and production business, which he plans to reorganize into three new companies beginning in April. The company recorded a $429 million impairment charge in the quarter, much of which was from assets in North America "with limited development potential." Total revenue and other income rose 8.1% to $72 billion.

Chevron Chief Executive Mike Wirth said the company has been in discussions with U.S. officials related to its operations in Venezuela and believes they will continue operating in a safe and stable way for the foreseeable future. Chevron was among the companies that received an exemption from U.S. sanctions imposed this week against Venezuela's oil industry. The exemption is set to expire in later this year, but it is possible several companies may continue to receive waivers, according to analysts.

Chevron plans to continue buying back significant quantities of shares, and the company is set to purchase a Texas refinery. That will allow the company to step up how much light crude it can process as it ramps up production in the Permian Basin. Like Exxon, Chevron nearly doubled its output in the region in 2018.

"We continue to maintain our commitment to capital discipline," Mr. Wirth said. "We intend to win in any environment."

Total revenues at Chevron rose 13% to $42 billion, and production of oil and gas rose 7% to the equivalent of 2.93 million barrels a day. Excluding asset sales, the company said it expects production to grow by 4% to 7% in 2019.

Allison Prang and Kimberly Chin contributed to this article.

Write to Bradley Olson at Bradley.Olson@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 01, 2019 12:57 ET (17:57 GMT)

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