ConocoPhillips (COP 0.03%), a leading global energy company, released its earnings for the third quarter of 2024 on Oct. 31. The company demonstrated strong performance despite facing a challenging economic landscape characterized by lower commodity prices.
ConocoPhillips exceeded market expectations with an adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.78, against an anticipated $1.65, highlighting its operational effectiveness and cost management prowess. The company’s total revenue fell short of expectations.
Despite facing a 10% year-over-year decline in the average realized price per barrel of oil equivalent (BOE), from $60.05 to $54.18, the company maintained strong cash flow and repurchased $1.2 billion of shares and paid $0.9 billion in ordinary dividends and variable return of cash.
| Key Metric | Q3 2024 Result | Analyst Estimate | Q3 2023 Result | YOY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjusted EPS | $1.78 | $1.65 | $2.16 | -17.6% |
| Total Revenue | $13.6 billion | $14 billion | $14.64 billoin | -7% |
| Cash provided by operations | $5.8 billion | N/A | $5.4 billion | +7.4% |
Source: Analyst estimates for the quarter provided by FactSet.
About ConocoPhillips
ConocoPhillips stands as a frontrunner in the global energy sector, engaging in exploration, production, transportation, and marketing of crude oil, natural gas, and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Its business is strategically centered around a low-cost supply portfolio comprising unconventional plays in North America, alongside international ventures, ensuring its ability to maintain production levels even when prices are not favorable.
The company's operational footprint spans regions like Alaska, the Lower 48 states within the U.S., Canada, and several international locations. Its focus lies in exploiting low-cost, high-return assets, and diversifying geographically to mitigate single-region risks.
Recently, ConocoPhillips has focused on expanding its LNG operations and strengthening its global gas strategy to position itself effectively in the growing market for clean fuels. Additionally, it is actively pursuing sustainability initiatives, embracing low-carbon technologies like carbon capture and hydrogen solutions. These pursuits align with ongoing industry shifts toward cleaner energy sources and reflect ConocoPhillips' strategic foresight.
Quarter in Review
The third quarter of 2024 was notable for ConocoPhillips as it effectively managed challenges. The company reported $2.1 billion in earnings, a decline from the $2.8 billion seen a year earlier, driven by a 10% slump in the realized price per barrel of oil equivalent (BOE). Nevertheless, its adjusted EPS of $1.78 outpaced market estimates. Operationally, the company sustained robust production levels at 1,917 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (MBOED), aided by contribution from regions like the Permian Basin and the Bakken.
Production in the Lower 48 states hit a record high at 1,147 MBOED. ConocoPhillips also declared a 34% increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.78 per share and augmented its share repurchase authorization by up to $20 billion, accentuating its commitment to returning shareholder value. These measures reflect confidence in its ongoing cash-flow generation capabilities.
Chairman and CEO Ryan Lance was quoted as saying in a press release, "We still anticipate closing the planned acquisition of Marathon Oil this quarter and expect to significantly exceed our initial $500 million synergy guidance.”
Looking Ahead
As ConocoPhillips gazes toward the fourth quarter and beyond, its management is optimistic. The company anticipates production in the fourth quarter to range between 1.99 million and 2.03 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, with a full-year target now set between 1.94 million and 1.95 million barrels of oil equivalent per day. This production forecast indicates a steady upward trend in operations, reinforcing confidence in the company’s strategic asset management and geographic diversification.
ConocoPhillips' roadmap involves continued advancements in its LNG strategy, aligning with broader environmental shifts toward more sustainable energy sources. It also highlights ongoing engagement with low-carbon technology initiatives as fundamental to its long-term growth path. Looking forward, stakeholders can anticipate developments in its LNG portfolio expansion, alongside efforts geared toward carbon reduction targets by 2030, aligning with its sustainability agenda.
