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8-K - FORM 8-K - CHEVRON CORPf57887e8vk.htm
     
(CHEVRON LOGO)   Chevron Corporation
  Policy, Government and Public Affairs
  Post Office Box 6078
  San Ramon, CA 94583-0778
  www.chevron.com
(NEWS RELEASE LOGO)
EXHIBIT 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHEVRON ISSUES INTERIM UPDATE FOR FOURTH QUARTER 2010
     SAN RAMON, Calif., January 11, 2011 — Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) today reported in its interim update that earnings for the fourth quarter 2010 are expected to be higher than in the third quarter 2010. Upstream results are projected to improve between sequential quarters, benefiting from higher crude oil prices and increased liquids liftings. Downstream earnings in the fourth quarter are also expected to be higher, reflecting a gain on an asset sale.
     Basis for Comparison in Interim Update
     The interim update contains certain industry and company operating data for the fourth quarter 2010. The production volumes, realizations, margins and certain other items in the report are based on a portion of the quarter and are not necessarily indicative of Chevron’s quarterly results to be reported on January 28, 2011. The reader should not place undue reliance on this data.
     Unless noted otherwise, all commentary is based on two months of the fourth quarter 2010 versus full third quarter 2010 results.
UPSTREAM
     The table that follows includes information on production and price indicators for crude oil and natural gas for specific markets. Actual realizations may vary from indicative pricing due to quality and location differentials and the effect of pricing lags. International earnings are driven by actual liftings, which may differ from production due to the timing of cargoes and other factors.
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            2009   2010
                                            4Q thru   4Q thru
            4Q   1Q   2Q   3Q   Nov   Dec
U.S. Upstream
                                                       
Net Production:
                                                       
Liquids
  MBD     518       505       488       482       482       n/a  
Natural Gas
  MMCFD     1,402       1,378       1,317       1,255       1,288       n/a  
Total Oil-Equivalent
  MBOED     751       734       708       692       697       n/a  
 
                                                       
Pricing:
                                                       
Avg. WTI Spot Price
  $/Bbl     76.03       78.85       77.91       76.18       82.99       84.98  
Avg. Midway Sunset Posted Price
  $/Bbl     68.17       71.57       70.07       69.80       77.39       79.31  
Nat. Gas-Henry Hub “Bid Week” Avg.
  $/MCF     4.16       5.30       4.09       4.39       3.57       3.81  
Nat. Gas-CA Border “Bid Week” Avg.
  $/MCF     4.28       5.46       4.05       4.13       3.49       3.75  
Nat. Gas-Rocky Mountain “Bid Week” Avg.
  $/MCF     3.83       5.03       3.53       3.40       3.04       3.33  
 
                                                       
Average Realizations:
                                                       
Crude
  $/Bbl     70.28       73.32       74.16       72.19       77.77       n/a  
Liquids
  $/Bbl     67.42       70.53       70.69       68.85       74.73       n/a  
Natural Gas
  $/MCF     4.23       5.29       4.01       4.06       3.42       n/a  
 
                                                       
International Upstream
                                                       
Net Production:
                                                       
Liquids
  MBD     1,365       1,375       1,377       1,367       1,393       n/a  
Natural Gas
  MMCFD     3,652       3,723       3,699       3,748       3,722       n/a  
Canada — Synthetic Oil
  MBD     25       23       16       27       30       n/a  
Venezuela Affiliate — Synthetic Oil
  MBD     28       30       29       28       29       n/a  
Total Oil Equivalent — incl. Synthetic Oil
  MBOED     2,027       2,049       2,038       2,046       2,072       n/a  
 
                                                       
Pricing:
                                                       
Avg. Brent Spot Price 1
  $/Bbl     74.53       76.36       78.24       76.86       84.07       86.46  
 
                                                       
Average Realizations:
                                                       
Liquids
  $/Bbl     68.42       70.05       71.44       69.67       77.11       n/a  
Natural Gas
  $/MCF     4.15       4.61       4.40       4.73       4.77       n/a  
 
1   The Avg. Brent Spot Price is based on Platts daily assessments, using Chevron’s internal formula to produce a quarterly average.
     U.S. net oil-equivalent production during the first two months of the fourth quarter rose slightly, increasing by 5,000 barrels per day compared with the third quarter 2010 average. International net oil-equivalent production increased 26,000 barrels per day compared with the third quarter, reflecting the completion of planned maintenance in Europe.
     U.S. crude oil realizations for the first two months of the fourth quarter increased $5.58 to $77.77 per barrel. International liquids realizations also increased $7.44 to $77.11 per barrel. U.S. natural gas realizations decreased $0.64 per thousand cubic feet compared with the third quarter, while international natural gas realizations were relatively flat.
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DOWNSTREAM
     The table that follows includes industry benchmark indicators for refining, marketing and chemicals margins. Actual margins realized by the company will differ due to crude and product mix effects, planned and unplanned shutdown activity and other company-specific and operational factors.
                                                     
            2009   2010
                                            4Q thru   4Q thru
            4Q   1Q   2Q   3Q   Nov   Dec
Downstream
                                                       
 
                                                       
Market Indicators:
  $/Bbl                                                
 
                                                       
Refining Margins
                                                       
U.S. West Coast — Blended 5-3-1-1
            11.83       13.04       16.30       16.95       15.27       15.10  
U.S. Gulf Coast — Maya 5-3-1-1
            11.56       16.82       21.65       17.24       17.45       18.44  
Singapore — Dubai 3-1-1-1
            2.46       6.38       4.97       5.65       5.33       5.49  
N.W. Europe — Brent 3-1-1-1
            3.59       5.07       5.41       4.32       4.21       3.70  
 
                                                       
Marketing Margins
                                                       
U.S. West — Weighted DTW to Spot
            7.71       6.87       6.12       5.87       4.45       4.33  
U.S. East — Houston Mogas Rack to Spot
            3.18       3.18       3.84       3.97       3.61       3.74  
Asia-Pacific / Middle East / Africa
            4.37       5.29       5.71       6.48       5.54       n/a  
 
                                                       
Actual Volumes:
                                                       
U.S. Refinery Input
  MBD     856       889       917       880       848       n/a  
Int’l Refinery Input
  MBD     975       992       954       1,027       1,030       n/a  
U.S. Branded Mogas Sales
  MBD     595       581       605       575       534       n/a  
 
                                                       
Chemicals (Source: CMAI )
  Cents/lb                                                
Ethylene Industry Cash Margin
            7.96       17.97       19.64       11.33       11.83       12.88  
HDPE Industry Contract Sales Margin
            22.34       17.22       24.55       28.13       24.93       23.99  
Styrene Industry Contract Sales Margin
            11.09       10.25       12.29       10.13       11.54       11.80  
Note: Prices, economics, and views expressed by CMAI are strictly the opinion of CMAI and Purvin & Gertz and are based on information collected within the public domain and on assessments by CMAI and Purvin & Gertz staff utilizing reasonable care consistent with normal industry practice. CMAI and Purvin & Gertz make no guarantee or warranty and assume no liability as to their use.
     For the full fourth quarter, worldwide refining margins declined compared with third quarter 2010, with the exception of U.S. Gulf Coast. Marketing margins also declined, while chemical indicator margins were mixed.
     During the first two months of the fourth quarter, U.S. refinery crude-input volumes decreased 32,000 barrels per day due to maintenance activities at multiple refineries. Outside the United States, refinery crude-input volumes were in-line with third quarter results.
     U.S. downstream earnings in the fourth quarter are expected to include a gain of nearly $400 million from the previously announced sale of a minority interest in Colonial Pipeline Company.
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ALL OTHER
     The company’s general guidance for the quarterly net after-tax charges related to corporate and other activities is between $250 million and $350 million. Due to foreign currency effects and the potential for irregularly occurring accruals related to income taxes, pension settlements and other matters, actual results may significantly differ from the guidance range.
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NOTICE
Chevron’s discussion of fourth quarter 2010 earnings with security analysts will take place on Friday, January 28, 2011, at 8:00 a.m. PST. A webcast of the meeting will be available in a listen-only mode to individual investors, media, and other interested parties on Chevron’s website at www.chevron.com under the “Investors” section. Additional financial and operating information will be contained in the Earnings Supplement that will be available under “Events & Presentations” in the “Investors” section on the website.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT RELEVANT TO FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
FOR THE PURPOSE OF “SAFE HARBOR’’ PROVISIONS OF THE
PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
This interim update of Chevron Corporation contains forward-looking statements relating to Chevron’s operations that are based on management’s current expectations, estimates and projections about the petroleum, chemicals and other energy-related industries. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets,” “projects,” “believes,” “seeks,” “schedules,” “estimates,” “budgets” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the company’s control and are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. The reader should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this interim update. Unless legally required, Chevron undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are: changing crude oil and natural gas prices; changing refining, marketing and chemical margins; actions of competitors or regulators; timing of exploration expenses; timing of crude oil liftings; the competitiveness of alternate-energy sources or product substitutes; technological developments; the results of operations and financial condition of equity affiliates; the inability or failure of the company’s joint venture partners to fund their share of operations and development activities; the potential failure to achieve expected net production from existing and future crude oil and natural gas development projects; potential delays in the development, construction or start-up of planned projects; the potential disruption or interruption of the company’s net production or manufacturing facilities or delivery/transportation networks due to war, accidents, political events, civil unrest, severe weather or crude oil production quotas that might be imposed by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries; the potential liability for remedial actions or assessments under existing or future environmental regulations and litigation; significant investment or product changes under existing or future environmental statutes, regulations and litigation; the potential liability resulting from other pending or future litigation; the company’s future acquisition or disposition of assets and gains and losses from asset dispositions or impairments; government-mandated sales, divestitures, recapitalizations, industry-specific taxes, changes in fiscal terms or restrictions on scope of company operations; foreign currency movements compared with the U.S. dollar; the effects of changed accounting rules under generally accepted accounting principles promulgated by rule-setting bodies; and the factors set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” on pages 30 through 32 of the company’s 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition, such statements could be affected by general domestic and international economic and political conditions. Unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed in this interim update could also have material adverse effects on forward-looking statements.