• Global oversupply and COVID-related demand impacts drive second quarter loss of $1.1 billion 
• On track to meet or exceed 2020 capital and cash operating spend reduction targets 
• Supporting COVID-19 response by reconfiguring operations to increase production of hand sanitizer and raw materials for protective equipment for first responders 

Exxon Mobil Corporation today announced an estimated second quarter 2020 loss of $1.1 billion, or $0.26 per share assuming dilution. Results included a positive noncash inventory valuation adjustment from rising commodity prices of $1.9 billion, or $0.44 per share assuming dilution. Capital and exploration expenditures were $5.3 billion, nearly $2 billion lower than first quarter reflecting previously announced spend reductions. 

Oil-equivalent production was 3.6 million barrels per day, down 7 percent from the second quarter of 2019, including a 3 percent decrease in liquids and a 12 percent decrease in natural gas, mainly reflecting the impacts of COVID-19 on global demand including economic and government mandated curtailments. 

“The global pandemic and oversupply conditions significantly impacted our second quarter financial results with lower prices, margins, and sales volumes. We responded decisively by reducing near-term spending and continuing work to improve efficiency by leveraging recent reorganizations,” said Darren W. Woods, chairman and chief executive officer. “The progress we’ve made to date gives us confidence that we will meet or exceed our cost-reduction targets for 2020 and provides a strong foundation for further efficiencies.” 

“We have increased debt to a level we feel is appropriate to provide liquidity, given market uncertainties. Based on current projections, we do not plan to take on any additional debt.” 

Darren W. Woods, chairman and chief executive officer, ExxonMobil

The company has identified significant potential for additional reductions and is undertaking a comprehensive evaluation across the businesses on a country-by-country basis. Additional details will be provided when plans are finalized. 

During the quarter, ExxonMobil continued to support COVID-19 response efforts by increasing production of isopropyl alcohol used in sanitizers and specialized polypropylene used in medical masks and gowns. In April, the company reconfigured manufacturing operations in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to produce and bottle medical-grade hand sanitizer for donation to frontline workers across the U.S. and to the U.S. Air Force. In addition, ExxonMobil donated equipment and contributed to relief efforts around the world, as outlined on the company’s website. 

Second Quarter 2020 Business Highlights 

Upstream 

• Market prices for crude oil increased following the sharp decline at the end of the first quarter; however, average second quarter realizations for crude oil and natural gas were significantly lower reflecting the continued oversupply conditions in the market and the impacts of COVID-19 on global demand. 
• Liquids volumes were down 7 percent from first quarter reflecting the impact of lower demand, including economic and government mandated curtailments. Excluding these curtailment impacts, liquids volumes increased 5 percent. Natural gas volumes were 15 percent lower driven by seasonal demand in Europe and scheduled maintenance. 

Downstream 

• Industry fuels margins were considerably lower than in the first quarter, reflecting the impacts of COVID‑19 on demand for gasoline and jet fuel. The company experienced unfavorable mark-to-market derivative impacts associated with its trading activity, compared to favorable impacts in the previous quarter, driven by significant volatility in commodity prices across the periods. 
• Average refinery utilization was down significantly from first quarter on lower demand, as the company spared about 30 percent of its refining capacity. Over the course of the quarter, utilization increased in line with global fuel demand. 

Chemical 

• Chemical margins were largely consistent with first quarter. Chemical sales volumes however, while benefiting from resilient demand for essential products, were lower than first quarter driven by the impacts of COVID-19 on global demand. 
• The company continues to support COVID-19 response efforts, further optimizing processes to increase its monthly production of specialized polypropylene, used in masks and medical gowns, and isopropyl alcohol, used in sanitizer, by more than 10 percent. 

Strengthening the Portfolio 

• While operations were impacted by logistical restrictions resulting from COVID-19, the company demonstrated production capacity of 120,000 gross barrels of oil per day at the Liza Phase 1 development offshore Guyana. Topsides integration is underway in Singapore on a second floating production, storage and offloading vessel, with production capacity up to 220,000 gross barrels of oil per day, to support the Liza Phase 2 development. 
• During the quarter, ExxonMobil commenced operations at its new Delaware central processing and exporting facility in Eddy County, New Mexico. This new processing and stabilization facility enhances the company’s integration advantages by collecting and processing oil and natural gas from its assets in the Delaware Basin for delivery to Gulf Coast markets. 

Disciplined Investing and Expense Management 

• During the quarter, ExxonMobil made significant progress on its previously announced capital and cash operating spend reductions. Planned reductions to the company’s capital investment program for 2020, from $33 billion to $23 billion, are ahead of schedule, reflecting increased efficiencies, lower market prices, and slower project pace. The expected decrease in cash operating expenses of about 15 percent is also ahead of schedule, capturing savings from increased efficiencies, reduced activity, and lower energy costs and volumes. 

Advancing Innovative Technologies and Products 

• During the quarter, ExxonMobil launched a first-of-its-kind high-frequency network of sensors designed to monitor and detect methane emissions in the Permian Basin. Project Astra is a collaboration with the University of Texas, Gas Technology Institute, Environmental Defense Fund and Pioneer Natural Resources that could provide a more affordable, efficient solution to address methane emissions over large areas of operations. 
• ExxonMobil has renewed a five-year agreement with Princeton University’s Andlinger Center for Energy and Environment to accelerate research, development and deployment of energy and environmental technologies with a focus on carbon capture and storage, carbonate fuel cells, and lower-emission technologies. The collaboration extends ExxonMobil’s participation in Princeton’s E-filliates Partnership, which began in 2015. 
• Scientists from ExxonMobil, the Georgia Institute of Technology and Imperial College of London published joint research on potential breakthroughs in a new membrane technology that could reduce emissions and energy intensity associated with refining crude oil. Laboratory tests indicate the patent-pending membrane could be used to replace some heat-intensive distillation at refineries in the years ahead.

KeyFacts Energy: ExxonMobil US country profile