Key Development:

• On October 23rd the Corporation entered into an agreement to merge with Chevron. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2024

Third Quarter Financial and Operational Highlights:

• Net income was $504 million, or $1.64 per share, compared with net income of $515 million, or $1.67 per share, in the third quarter of 2022; adjusted net income(1) in the third quarter of 2022 was $583 million, or $1.89 per share
• Oil and gas net production was 395,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), up 13% from 351,000 boepd, proforma for asset sold, in the third quarter of 2022
• Bakken net production was 190,000 boepd, up 14% from 166,000 boepd in the third quarter of 2022; Guyana net production was 108,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd), compared with 98,000 bopd in the prior-year quarter
• E&P capital and exploratory expenditures were $998 million, compared with $701 million in the prior-year quarter

Updated 2023 Full Year Guidance:

• Net production is now forecast to be approximately 390,000 boepd, which is at the upper end of the previous guidance range of 385,000 boepd to 390,000 boepd
• E&P capital and exploratory expenditures are expected to be approximately $4.1 billion, up from previous guidance of $3.7 billion, reflecting the decision to purchase the Liza Unity floating production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) in the fourth quarter of 2023 instead of the first quarter of 2024

(1) “Adjusted net income” is a non-GAAP financial measure

Hess Corporation today reported net income of $504 million, or $1.64 per share, in the third quarter of 2023, compared with net income of $515 million, or $1.67 per share, in the third quarter of 2022. On an adjusted basis, the Corporation reported net income of $583 million, or $1.89 per share, in the third quarter of 2022. The decrease in adjusted after-tax results compared with the prior-year quarter reflects lower realized selling prices, partially offset by the net impact of higher production volumes, in the third quarter of 2023.

Exploration and Production 

E&P net income was $529 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared with $572 million in the third quarter of 2022. On an adjusted basis, E&P third quarter 2022 net income was $626 million. The Corporation’s average realized crude oil selling price, including the effect of hedging, was $81.53 per barrel in the third quarter of 2023, compared with $85.32 per barrel in the prior-year quarter. The average realized natural gas liquids (NGL) selling price in the third quarter of 2023 was $20.17 per barrel, compared with $35.44 per barrel in the prior-year quarter, while the average realized natural gas selling price was $4.57 per mcf, compared with $5.85 per mcf in the third quarter of 2022.

Net production was 395,000 boepd in the third quarter of 2023, compared with 351,000 boepd, proforma for asset sold, in the third quarter of 2022, primarily due to higher production in the Bakken, Guyana, and Southeast Asia. 

Cash operating costs, which include operating costs and expenses, production and severance taxes, and E&P general and administrative expenses, were $14.04 per barrel of oil equivalent (boe) in the third quarter of 2023, compared with $13.64 per boe, proforma for asset sold, in the prior-year quarter.

Operational Highlights for the Third Quarter of 2023

Bakken (Onshore U.S.): Net production from the Bakken was 190,000 boepd in the third quarter of 2023, compared with 166,000 boepd in the prior-year quarter, reflecting increased drilling and completion activity and higher NGL and natural gas volumes received under percentage of proceeds contracts due to lower commodity prices. NGL and natural gas volumes received under percentage of proceeds contracts were 19,000 boepd in the third quarter of 2023, compared with 11,000 boepd in the third quarter of 2022, due to lower realized NGL and natural gas prices increasing volumes received as consideration for gas processing fees. During the third quarter of 2023, the Corporation drilled 28 wells, completed 41 wells, and brought 26 new wells online.

Gulf of Mexico (Offshore U.S.): Net production from the Gulf of Mexico in the third quarter of 2023 was 28,000 boepd, compared with 30,000 boepd in the prior-year quarter.

Guyana (Offshore): At the Stabroek Block (Hess – 30%), net production from the Liza Destiny and the Liza Unity FPSOs totaled 108,0002 bopd in the third quarter of 2023, compared with 98,0002 bopd in the prior-year quarter. In the third quarter of 2023, we sold nine cargos of crude oil from Guyana, compared with eight cargos in the prior-year quarter.

During the third quarter of 2023, a mechanical issue on the Liza Destiny reduced production during the quarter. Repairs were completed by the operator in October that resolved the issue, and production is currently in the range of 150,000 gross bopd to 160,000 gross bopd.

The third development, Payara, with a production capacity of approximately 220,000 gross bopd, will startup in the fourth quarter. The fourth development, Yellowtail, was sanctioned in April 2022 with a production capacity of approximately 250,000 gross bopd and first production expected in 2025. The fifth development, Uaru, was sanctioned in April 2023 with a production capacity of approximately 250,000 gross bopd and first production expected in 2026. The operator submitted the field development plan for the sixth development, Whiptail, to the Government of Guyana in October.

The successful Lancetfish-2 appraisal well encountered approximately 125 feet of net oil pay in appraisal reservoirs and approximately 65 feet of net oil pay in a new discovery interval. The well was drilled in 5,649 feet of water and is located approximately 4 miles southeast of the Lancetfish-1 discovery well.

Southeast Asia (Offshore): Net production at North Malay Basin and JDA was 69,000 boepd in the third quarter of 2023, compared with 57,000 boepd in the prior-year quarter, primarily due to planned maintenance at both North Malay Basin and JDA during the third quarter of 2022.

Midstream: 

The Midstream segment had net income of $66 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared with net income of $68 million in the prior-year quarter.

In September 2023, Hess Midstream Operations LP (HESM Opco), a consolidated subsidiary of Hess Midstream LP (HESM), repurchased approximately 3.3 million HESM Opco Class B units held by Hess Corporation and Global Infrastructure Partners for $100 million, of which the Corporation received $50 million. The repurchase of the Class B units was financed by HESM Opco’s revolving credit facility. After giving effect to the transaction, the Corporation owns approximately 38% of HESM on a consolidated basis.

KeyFacts Energy: Hess US country profile