Chevron sets 2018 capital budget at $18.3 billion

US-based energy giant and LNG player Chevron announced a 2018 capital and exploratory spending program of $18.3 billion.

This figure includes $5.5 billion for the company’s share of expenditures by affiliated companies.

This budget is some 4 percent less than this year and lower for a fourth year in a row.

“Our 2018 budget is down for the fourth consecutive year, reflecting project completions, improved efficiencies, and investment high-grading,” said chief executive John Watson.

“We’re fully funding our advantaged Permian Basin position and dedicating approximately three-quarters of our spend to projects that are expected to realize cash flow within two years,” he said.

Watson went on to say that with production currently exceeding guidance in the Permian, the company’s 2018 plan should deliver both “strong production growth and solid free cash flow, at prices comparable to what we’ve seen this year.”

Breaking down the numbers, in the upstream business, about $8.7 billion is forecasted to sustain currently producing assets, including $3.3 billion for the Permian and $1 billion for other shale and tight rock investments.

Approximately $5.5 billion of the upstream program is planned for major capital projects underway, including $3.7 billion associated with the future growth project at the Tengiz field in Kazakhstan.

Global exploration funding is expected to be about $1.1 billion. Remaining upstream spend will be for early stage projects supporting potential future developments, Chevron said.

About $2.2 billion of planned capital spending is associated with the company’s downstream businesses that refine, market and transport fuels, and manufacture and distribute lubricants, additives and petrochemicals, Chevron added.