It was a week when oil prices surged to the highest levels in four months, while natural gas futures continued the southward journey.
The headlines revolved around the budget hike associated with energy biggie Chevron’s (CVX – Free Report) Tengiz Project in Kazakhstan and Italy-based major Eni’s (E – Free Report) shareholder return plan for 2024-2027. Developments associated with Harbour Energy (HBRIY – Free Report) , Drilling Tools International (DTI – Free Report) and TC Energy (TRP – Free Report) also grabbed attention.
Overall, it was a mixed seven-day period for the sector. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures increased around 3.8% to close at $81.04 per barrel, but natural gas prices moved down 8.3% to end at $1.655 per million British thermal units (MMBtu).
The oil price action returned to positive territory, driven by significant decreases in U.S. crude and gasoline inventories, along with an optimistic demand projection from the International Energy Agency. Additionally, ongoing production cuts by OPEC and its allies, coupled with drone attacks on Russian energy facilities in Ukraine, further bolstered crude prices.
Meanwhile, natural gas settled with its sixth loss in the last seven weeks, overwhelmed by excessive supply and insipid weather-related demand.
Recap of the Week’s Most Important Stories
1. American energy major Chevron is reportedly facing significant cost increases and schedule setbacks in its ambitious project to boost oil production at the Tengiz field in Kazakhstan. According to sources, the total project expenditure is now projected to reach $48.5 billion, marking a steep rise from the initial budget of $37 billion.
During its third-quarter earnings report in October, Chevron disclosed an upward revision in the budget allocated for the Tengiz project. Initially estimated at $45.2 billion, the budget has witnessed a 4% increase due to a slower-than-anticipated startup phase. Sources close to the matter revealed an additional $1.5 billion expenditure reserved for project enhancement, highlighting the scale and complexity of the work.
The Tengizchevroil venture, renowned as the Future Growth Project, has encountered several milestones and setbacks throughout its trajectory. The project has surpassed its initial financial estimates, signaling the magnitude of its scope and technological complexity. Moreover, the completion timeline has witnessed multiple revisions, with the full startup now scheduled for the second quarter following year. (Chevron Faces Rising Costs and Delays in Tengiz Project)
2. Eni unveiled a comprehensive capital market update, outlining its strategic plans for the period 2024-2027. Per the Rome-based energy biggie, it intends to initiate a share buyback program amounting to approximately euro 1.1 billion (approximately $1.2 billion) and increase its dividend to euro 1 per share for the current fiscal year. This move accompanies an expansion of its shareholder distribution policy to 30-35% of cash flow from operations.
E expects a robust cash flow from operations before working capital of approximately euro 13.5 billion in 2024 and a staggering euro 62 billion throughout the outlined plan period. This projection represents a notable 30% improvement under a constant scenario.
The company aims to limit its net capital spending to euro 27 billion over the 2024-2027 period, translating to an annual average of euro 7 billion. This figure is notably lower than euro 37 billion allocated for the 2023-2026 plan, as presented last year. Eni remains committed to achieving net zero Scope 1, 2 emissions by 2035 and reducing Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 35% within 2030. (Eni’s Capital Update Unveils $1.2B Buyback, Dividend Hike)
3. Upstream operator Harbour Energy and its joint venture partners have confirmed a natural gas discovery in the North Sea, offshore Norway. The Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company’s discovery was made in well 15/9-25. The estimated overall gas volume is 1-3 million standard cubic meters of oil equivalent (Sm3).
Source: zacks.com