Noble Energy today provided an update on actions it is taking in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and significant decline in oil and gas demand and prices.
“Recent events have had an unprecedented and unpredictable impact on the global economy and the oil and gas industry,” said David L. Stover, Noble Energy’s Chairman and CEO. “We are acting quickly and aggressively to confront today’s economic challenges with a focus on Noble Energy’s financial strength and to position the Company to improve shareholder value. Noble Energy benefits from a high-quality, low-decline portfolio, strong capital discipline, and an ability to flex spending as appropriate. The actions taken to date are expected to generate more than one billion dollars in annualized cash savings, and we will continue to remain agile to ensure the long-term success of the business.”
In addition to previously communicated capital and cost initiatives, Noble Energy has:
- Reduced planned capital expenditures for 2020 by an additional $350 million to now range from $800 to $900 million. As compared to original guidance, 2020 capital expenditures have been reduced 50% at the midpoint
- Identified an additional $125 million in cash cost savings (from lease operating, production taxes, gathering and transportation, general and administrative, and asset retirement). These actions are anticipated to reduce cash outlay for 2020 by over $175 million versus original plan
- Lowered executive leadership salaries by 10-20 percent and decreased cash retainer to directors by 25 percent through year-end 2020
- Implemented employee furlough and part-time programs to align the Company’s workforce with near-term activity levels
- Cash-settled certain 2020 crude oil hedges that had reached maximum value, generating an additional $145 million in realized gains in the first quarter, and added new downside oil hedge protection through the remainder of 2020
- Ensured ample cash on hand by drawing $1 billion on the Company’s unsecured $4 billion revolving credit facility as of the end of March 2020
- Reduced the Company’s quarterly cash dividend to an annualized per share amount of $0.08
OPERATING UPDATE
With focus on capital discipline and returns, Noble Energy is reducing its planned 2020 capital expenditures by an additional $350 million, such that total 2020 capital expenditures are now expected to range between $800 and $900 million. The incremental capital spending reductions are primarily in the U.S. onshore business, as the Company defers planned Delawareand DJ Basin activity until commodity prices improve. The Company’s updated 2020 U.S. onshore capital allocation is estimated to be approximately $600 million, with approximately $250 million planned for international/offshore.
Following these activity adjustments, the Company plans to run 1 rig in the DJ Basin through the remainder of the year. Completion activities are being temporarily deferred, maintaining flexibility to resume completions late in the year based upon economic and commodity conditions.
ORGANIZATIONAL ADJUSTMENTS
Effective May 1, 2020, salaries for the CEO, Senior Officers, and Vice Presidents have been reduced 20 percent, 15 percent, and 10 percent, respectively. In addition, the Board of Directors has elected to reduce their 2020 cash retainer by 25 percent.
The Company recently implemented an employee-based furlough program and part-time work status impacting more than 30% of the Company’s U.S workforce. These actions were taken to align the workforce and costs with reduced activity levels. These programs are designed to be temporary until higher activity levels are justified.
FINANCIAL STRENGTH
As of the end of March 2020, the Company had $4.4 billion in liquidity, including $1.4 billion in cash and $3.0 billion in available revolver capacity. In connection with its focus on financial flexibility, Noble Energy increased its cash balance by drawing $1 billion from its revolving credit facility during the first quarter. The Company’s revolving credit facility is unsecured, supported by 26 financial institutions, and provides committed access to $4 billion through March 2023. The Company intends to maintain the cash on its balance sheet and may repay amounts borrowed at any time.
HEDGES
First quarter realized hedge gains totaled $207 million, including $145 million from the early settlement of certain oil hedges covering the remainder of 2020. Monetization of the early settlements was executed in March and consisted of 30 MBbl/d of three-way hedges, along with 24 MBbl/d of swaps and put options, the combination of which reached maximum value when WTI prices were lower than $48 per barrel.
The Company added new hedge positions to protect further oil price downside in the near-term. For the second quarter of 2020, the Company has approximately 120 MBbl/d of swaps at an average price of approximately $35.85 per barrel WTI. Second half swaps include 38 MBbl/d in the third quarter at an average price of $36.80 per barrel WTI and 15 MBbl/d for the fourth quarter at an average price of approximately $51.91 per barrel WTI. For the second half of the year, the Company also has 53 MBbl/d of three-way hedges with floor protection of $25 per barrel WTI and a ceiling of $37.25 per barrel.
DIVIDEND
Paying a dividend remains an important element of the Company’s long-term strategy to deliver shareholder value. In light of the current unpredictable environment and with a focus on financial liquidity, Noble Energy’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.02 per common share payable on May 26, 2020, to the shareholders of record at the close of business on May 11, 2020. At the annualized rate of $0.08 per share, the reduction is anticipated to preserve approximately $195 million in annualized cash flow. The Board of Directors will continue to review the dividend quarterly in context of market conditions.
GUIDANCE
As a result of the global uncertainty caused by COVID-19 and the current supply/demand imbalance for commodities, the Company is withdrawing its previously issued guidance for 2020. The Company intends to provide updated 2020 guidance at its first quarter 2020 conference call.
