Exxon, Chevron top Q3 profit expectations as US oil output hits record high

By Shariq Khan

NEW YORK (Reuters) – U.S. oil producers Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) and Chevron (NYSE:CVX) posted better-than-expected third-quarter profits on Friday, outperforming their European rivals, as record high oil production cushioned the blow from a plunge in fuel margins.

The two focused on expanding oil and gas production as rivals BP (NYSE:BP) and Shell (LON:SHEL) spent heavily on wind, solar and renewables that have yet to pay off. Both U.S. oil firms have meanwhile benefited from acquisitions of smaller oil producers.

Still, their surging production could soon face a challenge from uncertain demand, especially in top oil importer China, and the potential for OPEC to lift production curbs as soon as next month. The group is expected to delay a plan to add 180,000 barrels per day amid concerns over weak demand and oversupply.

Exxon pumped a record 4.6 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) in the third-quarter, up more than 24% from a year-ago, as its $60 billion bet on Pioneer Natural Resources (NYSE:PXD) and purchase of Denbury paid dividends.

Chevron, whose $53-billion takeover of Hess (NYSE:HES) has been held up, posted a 7% increase in third-quarter output to 3.36 million boepd, mostly from gains in its U.S. shale business. It added a drilling rig in the Permian basin last quarter and will begin a production expansion in Kazakhstan next quarter.

Both companies reported lower year-over-year profits as weak global refining margins that hit BP and TotalEnergies (EPA:TTEF) hard cut their oil earnings. Exxon’s third-quarter profits were 5% lower than last year, while Chevron’s fell 21%.

Their declines were smaller than Wall Street expectations and those reported by top European rivals. BP this week reported a 30% drop in profits from a year ago, and TotalEnergies posted a 37% decline in adjusted net income.

Exxon’s $1.92 per share profit was four cents higher than Wall Street’s outlook, whereas Chevron’s $2.51 per share adjusted income was well ahead of analysts’ average estimates of $2.42, according to LSEG data. Both companies’ shares rose nearly 2% in premarket trading.

Both pumped record amounts of oil and gas from the Permian Basin, the top U.S. shale field. Exxon’s output from the basin, which spans across Texas and New Mexico, hit a record 1.4 million boepd.

Exxon is not planning to take its foot off the gas.

“We see tremendous opportunities to invest in profitable growth in both our existing and new businesses,” said finance chief Kathryn Mikells.

Chevron said its output in the Permian jumped by 22% to a record 950,000 boepd, helped by last year’s acquisition of PDC Energy (NASDAQ:PDCE), and is on track to 1 million boepd in the field next year.

(This story has been corrected to fix Chevron’s production to 3.36 million boepd, not 1.61 million boepd, in paragraph 5)

This post is originally published on INVESTING.

  • Related Posts

    Oil prices settle up slightly on Iran worries, but prices down for week

    By Scott DiSavino NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil prices edged up on Friday on reports Iran was preparing a retaliatory strike on Israel from Iraq in coming days, but record U.S.…

    Venezuela’s oil exports hit a 4-year peak on higher output, sales to US, India

    By Marianna Parraga and Mircely Guanipa HOUSTON/MARACAY (Reuters) – Venezuela’s oil exports rose to a four-year high, approaching 950,000 barrels per day in October, boosted by growing crude output and…

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    Oil prices settle up slightly on Iran worries, but prices down for week

    • November 1, 2024
    Oil prices settle up slightly on Iran worries, but prices down for week

    Dukascopy Money Market Products Offer Competitive Rates for USD, GBP, and EUR

    • November 1, 2024
    Dukascopy Money Market Products Offer Competitive Rates for USD, GBP, and EUR

    Exxon, Chevron top Q3 profit expectations as US oil output hits record high

    • November 1, 2024
    Exxon, Chevron top Q3 profit expectations as US oil output hits record high

    Interactive Brokers’ October DARTs Surge 46%, Client Equity Hits $540 Billion

    • November 1, 2024
    Interactive Brokers’ October DARTs Surge 46%, Client Equity Hits $540 Billion

    Venezuela’s oil exports hit a 4-year peak on higher output, sales to US, India

    • November 1, 2024
    Venezuela’s oil exports hit a 4-year peak on higher output, sales to US, India

    Oil prices rise 1% on reports Iran preparing strike on Israel

    • November 1, 2024
    Oil prices rise 1% on reports Iran preparing strike on Israel