Key Development:

• Commenced production from the Payara development at the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana, in November; Payara reached its initial production capacity of approximately 220,000 gross barrels of oil per day (bopd) in January 2024

Fourth Quarter Financial and Operational Highlights:

• Net income was $413 million, or $1.34 per share, compared with $497 million, or $1.61 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2022
• Adjusted net income(1) was $501 million, or $1.63 per share, compared with $522 million, or $1.69 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2022
• Oil and gas net production was 418,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), up 11% from 376,000 boepd, proforma for asset sold, in the fourth quarter of 2022
• Bakken net production was 194,000 boepd, up 23% from 158,000 boepd in the fourth quarter of 2022; Guyana net production was 128,000 bopd, compared with 116,000 bopd in the prior-year quarter
• E&P capital and exploratory expenditures were $1,480 million and included the purchase of the Liza Unity floating production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) for approximately $380 million, compared with $818 million in the prior-year quarter
• Year-end proved reserves are estimated to be 1.37 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe); organic reserve replacement was 178% at a finding and development cost of $16.00 per boe

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

Hess Corporation today reported net income of $413 million, or $1.34 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with net income of $497 million, or $1.61 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2022. On an adjusted basis, the Corporation reported net income of $501 million, or $1.63 per share in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with $522 million, or $1.69 per share, in the prior-year quarter. The decrease in adjusted after-tax results compared with the prior-year quarter reflects lower realized gas and natural gas liquids (NGL) selling prices, partially offset by higher production volumes, in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Exploration and Production: 

E&P net income was $512 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with $641 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. On an adjusted basis, E&P fourth quarter 2023 net income was $531 million, compared with $565 million in the prior-year quarter. The Corporation’s average realized crude oil selling price, including the effect of hedging, was $76.63 per barrel in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with $76.07 per barrel in the prior-year quarter. The average realized NGL selling price in the fourth quarter of 2023 was $20.92 per barrel, compared with $26.93 per barrel in the prioryear quarter, while the average realized natural gas selling price was $4.51 per mcf, compared with $5.17 per mcf in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Net production was 418,000 boepd in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with 376,000 boepd, proforma for asset sold, in the fourth quarter of 2022, primarily due to higher production in the Bakken and Guyana.

Cash operating costs, which include operating costs and expenses, production and severance taxes, and E&P general and administrative expenses, were $13.29 per boe in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with $12.72 per boe, proforma for asset sold, in the prior-year quarter.

Oil and Gas Reserves Estimates:

Oil and gas proved reserves at December 31, 2023, which are subject to final review, were 1.37 billion boe, compared with 1.26 billion boe at December 31, 2022. Proved reserve additions and net revisions in 2023 totaled 261 million boe, primarily from Guyana, which included sanctioning of the Uaru development, and from the Bakken. The Corporation replaced 178% of its 2023 production at a finding and development cost of $16.00 per boe.

Operational Highlights for the Fourth Quarter of 2023:

Bakken (Onshore U.S.): Net production from the Bakken was 194,000 boepd in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with 158,000 boepd in the prior-year quarter, reflecting increased drilling and completion activity, severe winter weather in the fourth quarter of 2022, 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 fourth quarter of 2023, compared with 12,000 boepd in the fourth quarter of 2022, due to lower realized NGL and natural gas prices increasing volumes received as consideration for gas processing fees. During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Corporation operated four rigs and drilled 33 wells, completed 30 wells, and brought 33 new wells online. The Corporation plans to continue operating four drilling rigs in 2024.

Gulf of Mexico (Offshore U.S.): Net production from the Gulf of Mexico in the fourth quarter of 2023 was 30,000 boepd, compared with 35,000 boepd in the prior-year quarter. In the fourth quarter, Hess were the high bidder on 20 leases in Lease Sale 261 for approximately $90 million and we expect to be awarded these leases in the first quarter of 2024.

Guyana (Offshore): At the Stabroek Block (Hess – 30%), net production totaled 128,000 bopd in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with 116,000 bopd in the prior-year quarter. In November, production commenced from the Prosperity FPSO at Payara, which contributed 14,000 net bopd in the fourth quarter of 2023.

The fourth development on the block, 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 2023.

Southeast Asia (Offshore): Net production at North Malay Basin and JDA was 66,000 boepd in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with 67,000 boepd in the prior-year quarter.

Capital and Exploratory Expenditures: 

E&P capital and exploratory expenditures were $1,480 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with $818 million in the prior-year quarter, reflecting the purchase of the Liza Unity FPSO in the fourth quarter of 2023 for approximately $380 million, higher development activities in Guyana, and higher drilling activity in the Bakken. Full year 2024 E&P capital and exploratory expenditures are expected to be approximately $4.2 billion, which includes the recent acquisition of leases from the Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 261. 

Midstream capital expenditures were $72 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and $63 million in the prior-year quarter.

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