ConocoPhillips has reported second-quarter 2023 earnings and adjusted earnings of $2.2 billion, or $1.84 per share, compared with second-quarter 2022 earnings of $5.1 billion, or $3.96 per share, and second-quarter 2022 adjusted earnings of $5.1 billion, or $3.91 per share.

“The second quarter demonstrated our strong underlying performance and commitment to advancing the returns-focused value proposition we shared at our Analyst & Investor Meeting in April,” said Ryan Lance, chairman and chief executive officer. “We achieved record production and increased our full-year production guidance for the second consecutive quarter. We executed an agreement to purchase the remaining 50% interest in Surmont and further progressed our global LNG strategy. Our full-year distribution target of $11 billion remains unchanged. Looking ahead, we remain constructive on the second half of the year as well as the long-term outlook for the sector. By continuing to enhance our deep, durable and diversified asset base, we are well positioned to generate competitive cash flow and returns for decades.”

Second-Quarter Highlights and Recent Announcements

• Delivered record company and Lower 48 production of 1,805 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (MBOED) and 1,063 MBOED, respectively.
• Executed agreement to purchase the remaining 50% interest in Surmont, subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.
• Completed acquisition of an equity interest in Qatar’s North Field South project.
• Signed 20-year offtake agreements at the Saguaro LNG export facility on the west coast of Mexico for approximately 2.2 million tonnes per annum, subject to Mexico Pacific reaching final investment decision. 
• Generated cash provided by operating activities of $3.9 billion and cash from operations (CFO) of $4.7 billion.
• Distributed $2.7 billion to shareholders through a three-tier framework, including $1.4 billion through the ordinary dividend and variable return of cash (VROC) and $1.3 billion through share repurchases.
• Ended the quarter with cash and short-term investments of $7.1 billion.
• Quarterly Dividend and Variable Return of Cash

ConocoPhillips announced a quarterly ordinary dividend of $0.51 per share, payable September 1, 2023, to stockholders of record at the close of business on August 16, 2023. In addition, the company announced a VROC of $0.60 per share, payable October 16, 2023, to stockholders of record at the close of business on September 28, 2023.

Second-Quarter Review

Production for the second quarter of 2023 was 1,805 MBOED, an increase of 113 MBOED from the same period a year ago. After adjusting for impacts from closed acquisitions and dispositions, second-quarter 2023 production increased 100 MBOED or 6% from the same period a year ago. Organic growth from Lower 48 and other development programs more than offset decline and downtime.

Lower 48 delivered record production of 1,063 MBOED, including 709 MBOED from the Permian, 235 MBOED from the Eagle Ford and 104 MBOED from the Bakken. Turnarounds were successfully completed in Norway and Qatar.

Earnings and adjusted earnings decreased from the second quarter of 2022 primarily due to lower prices partially offset by increased volumes. The company’s total average realized price was $54.50 per BOE, 38% lower than the $88.57 per BOE realized in the second quarter of 2022.

For the quarter, cash provided by operating activities was $3.9 billion. Excluding a $0.8 billion change in working capital, ConocoPhillips generated CFO of $4.7 billion and received $0.2 billion primarily related to a prior year disposition. The company funded $2.9 billion of capital expenditures and investments. In addition, the company paid $1.4 billion in ordinary dividends and VROC and repurchased $1.3 billion of shares.

Six-Month Review

ConocoPhillips’ six-month 2023 earnings and adjusted earnings were $5.2 billion, or $4.22 per share, compared with six-month 2022 earnings of $10.9 billion, or $8.36 per share, and six-month 2022 adjusted earnings of $9.4 billion, or $7.18 per share.

Production for the first six months of 2023 was 1,798 MBOED, an increase of 78 MBOED from the same period a year ago. After adjusting for impacts from closed acquisitions and dispositions, production increased 82 MBOED or 5% from the same period a year ago. Organic growth from Lower 48 and other development programs more than offset decline and downtime.

The company’s total realized price during this period was $57.63 per BOE, 30% lower than the $82.70 per BOE realized in the first six months of 2022.

In the first six months of 2023, cash provided by operating activities was $9.3 billion. Excluding a $1.1 billion change in working capital, ConocoPhillips generated CFO of $10.4 billion and received disposition proceeds of $0.4 billion. The company funded $5.8 billion of capital expenditures and investments, repurchased $3.0 billion of shares and paid $2.8 billion in ordinary dividends and VROC.

Outlook

Third-quarter 2023 production is expected to be 1.78 to 1.82 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (MMBOED). Full-year production is now expected to be 1.80 to 1.81 MMBOED, as compared to prior guidance of 1.78 to 1.80 MMBOED.

Consistent with raising full-year production guidance for two consecutive quarters, the company updated its 2023 adjusted operating cost guidance to $8.3 billion versus the prior guidance of $8.2 billion and updated full-year guidance for depreciation, depletion and amortization to $8.2 billion versus the prior guidance of $8.1 billion. Full-year guidance for adjusted corporate segment net loss has been lowered to $0.8 billion from $0.9 billion driven by lower net interest expense. On capital, the guidance range has been narrowed to $10.8 to $11.2 billion from $10.7 to $11.3 billion, reflecting ongoing progress on the company’s development plans.

KeyFacts Energy: ConocoPhillips US country profile