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US-OIL-EARNINGS-EXXONMOBIL
Exxon Mobil, Chevron earnings jump on higher oil prices
NEW YORK, Nov 3, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – US oil giants Exxon Mobil and Chevron
reported big jumps in third-quarter earnings Friday helped by higher oil
prices, with both companies touting newer US shale investments.
The results for the two biggest oil companies reflected the boon from
rising prices, which averaged $69 a barrel on international markets during
the quarter, compared to just $48 a year earlier, Chevron said.
Exxon Mobil said net income surged 57.1 percent to $6.2 billion, while
revenues advanced 25.4 percent to $76.6 billion.
The results topped analyst expectations and follow a number of earnings
disappointments in recent quarters, boosting the company’s share price.
Exxon Mobil has struggled to maintain and grow production as old oil and
natural gas projects suffer field decline and new investments take time to
come online.
Oil and gas production slipped 2.3 percent from the comparable quarter of
last year, but rose 3.8 percent from the second quarter, which executives had
described as a bottom due in part to outages at key projects.
The company is bullish on new projects in the Permian Basin, a key US
shale territory in Texas that helped the company notch higher output in its
home market.
“We’re pleased with the increase in production from the second quarter of
2018 recognizing it reflects contributions from just one of our key growth
areas, the Permian,” said Chief Executive Darren Woods.
“We expect to continue to increase volumes over time as we ramp up
activity in the Permian and new projects start up.”
Chevron reported third-quarter profit of $4.0 billion, more than doubling
the results from last year. Revenues rose 21.5 percent to $44 billion.
Chevron said its oil and natural gas production average of 2.96 million
barrels per day was a quarterly company record and reflected gains from the
ramp-up of the Wheatstone liquefied natural gas project in Australia and new
output from the Permian Basin.
“Third quarter earnings more than doubled from a year ago,” said Chevron
Chief Executive Michael Wirth. “Our strong financial results reflect higher
production and crude oil prices coupled with a continued focus on efficiency
and productivity.”
Shares of Exxon Mobil rose 1.3 percent to $81.67 in early trading, while
Chevron surged 4.6 percent to $116.30.
BSS/AFP/HR/0940