USA: Hess Reports Net Profit of USD 566 Million

Hess Corporation reported net income of $566 million for the fourth quarter of 2012, compared with a net loss of $131 million for the fourth quarter of 2011. The after-tax income (loss) by major operating activity was as follows:

Exploration and Production earnings were $517 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. compared with $527 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. Fourth quarter oil and gas production was 396,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, up from 367,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in the fourth quarter a year ago, primarily reflecting an increase in production from the Bakken oil shale play and the resumption of operations in Libya, partly offset by the shut-in at the Vaihail Held in Norway tor the quarter due to the redevelopment project. Net production from the Bakken oil shale play averaged 64,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in the fourth quarter of 2012, an increase of 68% from 38,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in the earns period last year. The Corporation’s average worldwide crude oil selling price, including the effect of hedging, was $84.46 per barrel, down from $89.70 per barrel in the same quarter a year ago. The average worldwide natural gas selling price was $6.60 per mcf in the fourth quarter of 2012, up from $6.32 per mcf in the fourth quarter of 2011. Fourth quarter 2012 exploration expenses included total dry hole expenses of $167 million ($102 million after-tax), primarily associated with two exploration wells, Ness Deep in the Gulf of Mexico and Ajek-1 offshore, Indonesia.

In 2012, the Corporation announced divestitures totaling $2.4 billion as part of the strategic reshaping of its Exploration and Production asset portfolio. The sale of the Corporation’s interest in the Bittern Field in the United Kingdom North Sea was completed in the fourth quarter of 2012 and follows the completion of the sales of the Schiehallion Field, offshore United Kingdom, and the Snohvit Field, offshore Norway, earlier in the year. The sale of the Corporation’s interest in the Beryl Field in the United Kingdom North Sea was completed in January 2013 and the divestiture of our assets in Azerbaijan is expected to be completed by the end of March 2013. In addition, as previously announced, the Corporation has commenced a sales process for its Russian subsidiary, Samara- Nafta, and its Eagle Ford assets in Texas.

Oil and gas proved reserves were 1,553 million barrels of oil equivalent at the end of 2012, compared with 1,573 million barrels at the end of 2011. During 2012, the Corporation added 214 million barrels of oil equivalent to proved reserves and sold 83 million barrels of oil equivalent of proved reserves through asset dispositions. The additions, which are subject to final review, replaced approximately 141 percent of the Corporation’s 2012 production, resulting in a reserve life of 10.3 years.

Marketing and Refining generated income of $159 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared with a loss of $561 million in the same period in 2011. Marketing earnings were $152 million, up from $48 million in the same quarter of 2011 primarily as a result of income from the partial liquidation of LIFO inventories, and higher margins. Operations at our Port Reading refining facility in New Jersey generated income of $8 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared with a loss of $6 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, principally due to higher margins. Trading activities generated a loss of $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 and a loss of $11 million in the fourth quarter of last year.

Earlier this week, the Corporation announced that the Port Reading refinery will be closed in February. Upon closure of Port Reading, which follows the shutdown of the HOVENSA L.L.C. refinery in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands in early 2012, the Corporation will have completely exited the refining business. The Corporation also announced that it will commence a process to sell its terminal network. Following these actions, over 90 percent of Hess’ capital employed will be in its Exploration and Production business.

Fourth quarter 2012 Exploration and Production results included an after-tax gain of $172 million relating to the sale of the Corporation’s interest in the Bittern Field in the United Kingdom North Sea. The results also included an income tax charge of $86 million for a disputed application of an international tax treaty. Fourth quarter 2012 Marketing and Refining results included after-tax income of $104 million from the partial liquidation of LIFO inventories and after-tax charges totaling $33 million for asset impairments and other charges. Fourth quarter 2011 results included an afler – tax charge of $525 million related to the shutdown of the HOVENSA refinery.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,570 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared with $1,138 million in the same quarter of 2011. Capital and exploratory expenditures were $1,914 million, of which S1,887 million related to Exploration and Production operations. Capital and exploratory expenditures for the fourth quarter of 2011 were $2,236 million, of which $2,185 million related to Exploration and Production operations.

At December 31, 2012, cash and cash equivalents totaled $642 million, compared with $351 million at December 31. 2011. Total debt was $8,111 million at December 31, 2012 and $6,057 million at December 31, 2011. The Corporation’s debt to capitalization ratio at December 31, 2012 was 27.5 percent, compared with 24.6 percent at the end of 2011.

[mappress]
LNG World News Staff, January 30, 2013; Image: Hess