Pioneer Natural Resources has reported financial and operating results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2022. Pioneer reported fourth quarter net income attributable to common stockholders of $1.5 billion, or $5.98 per diluted share. These results include the effects of noncash mark-to-market adjustments and certain other unusual items. Excluding these items, non-GAAP adjusted income for the fourth quarter was $1.5 billion, or $5.91 per diluted share. Cash flow from operating activities for the fourth quarter was $2.6 billion. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company reported net income attributable to common stockholders of $7.8 billion, or $31.13 per diluted share. Cash flow from operating activities for the year was $11.3 billion.

Highlights

• Delivered strong fourth quarter and full year free cash flow1 of $1.7 billion and $8.4 billion, respectively
• Declared a quarterly base-plus-variable dividend of $5.58 per share to be paid in March 2023 (based on fourth quarter results)
• Repurchased $400 million of shares during the fourth quarter and $1.65 billion during the full year
• Generated a return on capital employed of 30% during 2022

Chief Executive Officer Scott D. Sheffield stated, 
"Pioneer delivered a strong 2022, executing on our investment framework and providing compelling shareholder returns. Our peer-leading free cash flow per barrel produced, paired with our low reinvestment rate, generated free cash flow of $8.4 billion during the year. This significant free cash flow resulted in nearly $8.0 billion being returned to shareholders through dividends of over $26 per share and $1.65 billion of share repurchases.

"We believe Pioneer is differentiated from our peers based on our decades of low-breakeven, high-return inventory that underpins our ability to deliver attractive corporate returns and durable free cash flow through commodity price cycles. Our best-in-class assets, great people, highly efficient and responsible operations, and commitment to substantial shareholder returns creates significant value for our shareholders. We expect to deliver more strong results during 2023 as we execute on our plan."

Operations Update

Pioneer continued to deliver strong operational performance in the Midland Basin, which led to the Company placing 483 horizontal wells on production during 2022, including 84 horizontal wells placed on production during the fourth quarter.

Pioneer's large and contiguous acreage position provides the opportunity to drive further operational enhancements. The development of wells with lateral lengths in excess of 15,000 feet provides significant capital savings on a per foot basis and generates returns that are on average 20% higher than a 10,000-foot lateral well. The Company is expanding the development of 15,000 foot laterals and expects to place more than 100 of these wells on production in 2023.

Additionally, Pioneer has delivered significant cost and efficiency improvements from the utilization of simulfrac completions. The Company added a third simulfrac fleet in the first quarter of 2023. Consistent with the Company’s commitment to sustainable operations, Pioneer expects 100% of its completions fleets to be either electric or dual-fuel powered by the second half of 2023.

Extended laterals, utilization of simulfrac fleets and the transition of completions fleets from diesel-only fuel are a few examples of the many continuous improvement efforts that the Company's operational teams continue to generate. During 2022, Pioneer’s operational teams delivered a fifth consecutive year of improved drilling and completions efficiencies.

2023 Outlook

The Company expects its 2023 drilling, completions, facilities and water infrastructure capital budget to range between $4.45 billion to $4.75 billion. Additionally, the Company expects its capital budget for exploration, environmental and other capital to range between $150 million to $200 million, principally related to drilling four Barnett/Woodford formation wells in the Midland Basin, additional testing of the Company’s enhanced oil recovery (EOR) project and adding electric power infrastructure for future drilling, completions and production operations. Pioneer expects its capital program to be funded from 2023 cash flow, which is projected to be approximately $9 billion.

During 2023, the Company plans to operate an average of 24 to 26 horizontal drilling rigs in the Midland Basin, including a three-rig average program in the southern Midland Basin joint venture area. The 2023 capital program is expected to place 500 to 530 wells on production. Pioneer expects 2023 oil production of 357 to 372 thousand barrels of oil per day (MBOPD) and total production of 670 to 700 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (MBOEPD).

Proved Reserves

The Company added proved reserves totaling 365 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBOE) during 2022, excluding acquisitions and price revisions. These proved reserve additions equate to a drillbit reserve replacement ratio of 152% when compared to Pioneer's full-year 2022 production of 240 MMBOE, including field fuel. The drillbit finding and development (F&D) cost was $10.82 per BOE in 2022, with a drillbit proved developed F&D cost of $9.83 per BOE.

As of December 31, 2022, the Company's total proved reserves were estimated at 2,377 MMBOE, of which 89% are proved developed.