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Saudi Aramco announces 2019 results

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Oilfield Technology,


Saudi Aramco has announced its full-year 2019 financial results.

Financial highlights

Net income was US$88.2 billion for the full-year 2019, compared to US$111.1 billion in 2018. The decrease was primarily due to lower crude oil prices and production volumes, coupled with declining refining and chemical margins, and a US$1.6 billion impairment associated with Sadara Chemical Company.

Free cash flow was US$78.3 billion, compared to US$85.8 billion the previous year. This was primarily due to lower income, offset by lower CAPEX and favourable working capital movements.

The balance sheet showed a gearing ratio of -0.2% at the end of 2019.

Total dividend payments were US$73.2 billion in 2019. As disclosed in the IPO prospectus, the company has declared ordinary dividends of US$3.9 billion, covering the period from 5 December 2019, the date IPO shares were allocated to investors, through 31 December 2019. These ordinary dividends represent a proportion of the US$13.4 billion total ordinary dividends declared for 4Q19. The dividends of US$3.9 billion will be paid on 31 March 2020 to registered shareholders as at 18 March 2020.

With respect to calendar year 2020, and as described in the company’s IPO prospectus, the company, subject to Board approval, intends to declare aggregate ordinary cash dividends of at least US$75 billion a year, paid quarterly. 1Q20 dividends are anticipated to be announced along with the company’s 1Q20 financial results, which are expected to be published in May 2020.

CAPEX last year was US$32.8 billion, compared to US$35.1 billion in 2018. The company expects capital spending for 2020 to be between US$25 billion and US$30 billion in light of current market conditions and recent commodity price volatility. CAPEX for 2021 and beyond is currently under review.

Operational highlights

In 2019, the company remained one of the world’s largest producers of crude oil and condensate with an average total hydrocarbon production of 13.2 million boe/d.

Saudi Aramco’s total 2019 hydrocarbon reserves under the Concession Agreement were 258.6 billion boe, compared to 256.9 billion boe in 2018.

Following the attacks on two facilities in September, the company restored production levels within 11 days, due to its emergency response training and procedures. As a result, the company demonstrated its long-standing reputation for reliability.

In February 2020, the company received regulatory approval for the development of the Jafurah unconventional gas field in the Eastern Province. It is the largest unconventional gas field in the Kingdom to date, with an estimated 200 trillion ft3 of resources. The field will be gradually developed in phases. The start of production of the first phase is expected in early 2024.

Strategic highlights

In December 2019, Saudi Aramco completed the world’s largest initial public offering. This followed a US$12 billion inaugural international bond issuance in April 2019.

Saudi Aramco improved its environmental performance of its upstream operations, reducing carbon intensity to an estimated 10.1 kg of CO2e/boe in 2019 compared to 10.2 kg of CO2e/boe the previous year.

Commenting on the results, Saudi Aramco President & CEO, Amin H. Nasser, said: “2019 was an exceptional year for Saudi Aramco. Through a variety of circumstances – some planned and some not – the world was offered unprecedented insight into Saudi Aramco’s agility and resilience.”

“Our unique scale, low costs, and resilience came together to deliver both growth and world-leading returns, while also maintaining our position as one of the world’s most reliable energy companies.”

“These strengths, combined with a strong balance sheet and a disciplined and flexible approach to capital allocation, allow us to underpin our goal of sustainably growing free cash flow to support dividends to our shareholders despite continued volatility of markets.”

“The recent COVID-19 outbreak and its rapid spread illustrate the importance of agility and adaptability in an ever-changing global landscape. This is central to Saudi Aramco’s strategy and we will ensure that we maintain the strength of our operations and our finances. In fact, we have already taken steps to rationalise our planned 2020 capital spending.”

“As the world deals with the difficult and dual challenge of satisfying demand for more energy alongside responding to the rising desire for cleaner energy, I believe we are well positioned given our oil production is among the least carbon intensive in the world.”

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/16032020/saudi-aramco-announces-2019-results/

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