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EOG Resources Second Quarter 2021 Results

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EOG Resources has reported its Q2 2021 results.

William R. "Bill" Thomas, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: "EOG is consistently delivering strong results. Our talented employees, supported by our unique culture, have risen to meet the double-premium investment standard in every aspect of the business. Outstanding operating execution, strong well productivity and lower well costs resulted in higher production and lower capital expenditures compared with our plan. We further lowered operating costs while our differentiated marketing strategy captured premium product prices.

"As a result, we generated a second consecutive quarter of record-level free cash flow. Our longstanding free cash flow priorities remain intact. We have already committed to return $1.5 billion of cash to shareholders in 2021 through regular and special dividends, including $820 million paid on July 30. Returning cash to shareholders remains a priority as we generate additional free cash flow during the second half of the year.

"EOG's industry-leading execution extends to our environmental performance, where we are driving meaningful reductions in GHG and methane emissions intensity. We have almost completely eliminated routine flaring and continue to increase the percentage of recycled water used in our operations. Our entrepreneurial culture fosters new technology and innovations to further enhance our performance. Our successful closed-loop gas capture pilot is being expanded to additional locations. And we recently initiated a carbon capture and storage pilot project. Our goal remains to be among the lowest cost, highest return and lowest emissions producers and to play a significant role in the long-term future of energy.

"Our outstanding second quarter results are a testament to EOG's special culture. EOG has never been in better shape and we are getting even better. With the momentum we are building from the shift to double premium, I am confident the company will continue to make significant improvements in the years ahead."

Q2 Financials

Prices and Hedges

Overall crude oil equivalent prices increased slightly in 2Q, with higher crude oil and NGL prices partially offset by lower natural gas prices.

Cash paid for hedge settlements increased to $193 million in 2Q compared with payments of $30 million in 1Q.

Total company crude oil production of 448,600 Bopd was above the high end of the guidance range and 4% more than 1Q, which was impacted by adverse weather. NGL production was 11% higher and natural gas production was 8% higher, contributing to an overall 6% increase in total company equivalent volumes.

Total per-unit cash operating costs in 2Q were 3% below the midpoint of the guidance range, and lower compared with 1Q, due to reductions in lease and well costs from compression savings and gathering and processing costs from lower fuel and power rates.

Change in Cash 2Q 2021 vs 1Q 2021

Free Cash Flow

EOG generated discretionary cash flow (net cash provided by operating activities before exploration costs and changes in working capital) of $2.03 billion in 2Q. The company incurred $972 million of cash capital expenditures before acquisitions, resulting in $1.06 billion of free cash flow.

Cash capital expenditures before acquisitions of $972 million were below the low end of the guidance range due to lower well costs from sustainable efficiency improvements. Faster drilling times, more efficient completion operations and lower-cost sand and water sourcing contributed to lower overall well costs. As a result, EOG has increased its full-year well cost reduction target to 7% from 5%.

Second Quarter 2021 Operating Performance

Lease and Well

Per-unit LOE costs were $0.22 below the 2Q 2021 guidance midpoint, primarily due to lower costs for compression, water handling and lease upkeep.

Transportation, Gathering and Processing
Per-unit transportation costs in 2Q were similar to 1Q and within the guidance range. Gathering and processing costs on a per-unit basis declined 14% compared with 1Q, driven by declines in fuel and power prices from elevated winter levels.

General and Administrative

G&A costs on a per-unit basis were in-line with 1Q 2021 and within the guidance range.

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

Per-unit DD&A costs in 2Q were below the target and down 6% compared with 1Q due to the addition of reserves from new wells at lower finding costs.