Chevron Corporation today reported earnings of $6.1 billion ($3.19 per share - diluted) for third quarter 2021, compared with a loss of $207 million ($(0.12) per share - diluted) in third quarter 2020. Included in the current quarter were asset sale gains of $200 million and pension settlement costs of $81 million. Foreign currency effects increased earnings by $305 million. Adjusted earnings of $5.7 billion ($2.96 per share - diluted) in third quarter 2021 compares to adjusted earnings of $340 million ($0.18 per share - diluted) in third quarter 2020. 

“Third quarter earnings were the highest since first quarter 2013 largely due to improved market conditions, strong operational performance and a lower cost structure,” said Mike Wirth, Chevron’s chairman and chief executive officer.

“Our free cash flow during the quarter was the best ever reported by the company,” Wirth added. “We paid dividends of $2.6 billion, reduced debt by $5.6 billion, and repurchased $625 million of shares during the quarter.”

Chevron continued to exercise capital discipline and actively manage its portfolio to advance its higher return, lower carbon objectives. Year-to-date capital spending was down 22 percent from a year ago. The company announced an agreement with Neste Oyj to acquire their Group III base oil business and brand, NEXBASETM, and completed the acquisition of an equity interest in American Natural Gas LLC and its network of 60 compressed natural gas stations to grow its renewable natural gas value chain. In addition, the company completed the sales of several conventional Permian Basin properties during the quarter.

UPSTREAM

Worldwide net oil-equivalent production was 3.03 million barrels per day in third quarter 2021, an increase of 7 percent from a year ago.

U.S. Upstream

U.S. upstream operations earned $1.96 billion in third quarter 2021, compared with $116 million a year earlier. The improvement was primarily due to higher crude oil realizations and sales volumes. Gains on assets sales during the quarter also contributed to the improvement between periods.

The company’s average sales price per barrel of crude oil and natural gas liquids was $58 in third quarter 2021, up from $31 a year earlier. The average sales price of natural gas was $3.25 per thousand cubic feet in third quarter 2021, up from $0.89 in last year’s third quarter.

Net oil-equivalent production of 1.13 million barrels per day in third quarter 2021 was up 145,000 barrels per day from a year earlier. The increase was due to an additional 224,000 barrels per day of production following the Noble Energy acquisition, partially offset by a 69,000 barrels per day decrease related to the Appalachian asset sale. The net liquids component of oil-equivalent production in third quarter 2021 increased 15 percent to 842,000 barrels per day, and net natural gas production increased 13 percent to 1.71 billion cubic feet per day, compared to last year’s third quarter.

International Upstream

International upstream operations earned $3.17 billion in third quarter 2021, compared with $119 million a year ago. The increase in earnings was primarily due to higher realizations and sales volumes. Foreign currency effects had a favorable impact on earnings of $392 million between periods.

The average sales price for crude oil and natural gas liquids in third quarter 2021 was $68 per barrel, up from $39 a year earlier. The average sales price of natural gas was $6.28 per thousand cubic feet in the third quarter, up from $3.89 in last year’s third quarter.

Net oil-equivalent production of 1.91 million barrels per day in third quarter 2021 was up 55,000 barrels per day from third quarter 2020. Higher production of an additional 158,000 barrels per day following the Noble Energy acquisition and lower production curtailments, were partially offset by unfavorable entitlement effects, normal field declines, and operational impacts that were mainly due to the planned turnaround at Tengizchevroil. The net liquids component of oil-equivalent production decreased 6 percent to 915,000 barrels per day in third quarter 2021, while net natural gas production of 5.95 billion cubic feet per day increased 13 percent, compared to last year's third quarter.

U.S. Downstream

U.S. downstream operations reported earnings of $1.08 billion in third quarter 2021, compared with $141 million a year earlier. The increase was mainly due to higher margins on refined product sales, higher earnings from the 50 percent-owned Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, and higher sales volumes.

Refinery crude oil input in third quarter 2021 increased 9 percent to 895,000 barrels per day from the year-ago period, as the company increased refinery runs in response to higher demand and the improved refining margin environment.

Refined product sales of 1.19 million barrels per day were up 18 percent from the year-ago period, mainly due to higher gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel demand as travel restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic continue to ease.

International Downstream

International downstream operations reported earnings of $227 million in third quarter 2021, compared with $151 million a year earlier. Foreign currency effects had a favorable impact on earnings of $172 million between periods, partially offset by higher operating expenses that were mostly related to transportation.

Refinery crude oil input of 584,000 barrels per day in third quarter 2021 increased 2 percent from the year-ago period.

Refined product sales of 1.39 million barrels per day in third quarter 2021 increased 8 percent from the year-ago period, mainly due to higher demand for gasoline and jet fuel.

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS

Cash flow from operations in the first nine months of 2021 was $19.7 billion, compared with $8.3 billion in 2020. Excluding working capital effects, cash flow from operations in the first nine months of 2021 was $21.2 billion, compared with $8.4 billion in 2020.

CAPITAL AND EXPLORATORY EXPENDITURES

Capital and exploratory expenditures in the first nine months of 2021 were $8.1 billion, compared with $10.3 billion in 2020. The amounts included $2.3 billion in 2021 and $3.1 billion in 2020 for the company’s share of expenditures by affiliates, which did not require cash outlays by the company. Expenditures for upstream represented 84 percent of the company-wide total in 2021.

Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies. We believe affordable, reliable and ever-cleaner energy is essential to achieving a more prosperous and sustainable world. Chevron produces crude oil and natural gas; manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and additives; and develops technologies that enhance our business and the industry. We are focused on lowering the carbon intensity in our operations and seeking to grow lower carbon businesses along with our traditional business lines. 

KeyFacts Energy: Chevron US country profile