CALGARY, Alberta – Imperial Oil Limited (TSX, NYSEAM: IMO):
| Second quarter | Six months | ||||||||
| millions of Canadian dollars, unless noted | 2021 | 2020 | ∆ | 2021 | 2020 | ∆ | |||
| Net income (loss) (U.S. GAAP) | 366 | (526) | +892 | 758 | (714) | +1,472 | |||
| Net income (loss) per common share, assuming dilution (dollars) | 0.50 | (0.72) | +1.22 | 1.04 | (0.97) | +2.01 | |||
| Capital and exploration expenditures | 259 | 207 | +52 | 422 | 538 | -116 | |||
Imperial reported estimated net income in the second quarter of $366 million and cash flow from operating activities of $852 million, down from net income of $392 million and cash flow from operating activities of $1,045 million in the first quarter of 2021. Second quarter results reflect continued strong reliability and improved crude prices, while being impacted by the execution of significant planned turnaround activity, weaker realized margins in the Downstream and foreign exchange rates.
“The decisive actions Imperial took throughout the pandemic to accelerate structural business improvements have enabled the company to recover strongly and generate over $1.8 billion in cash flow from operating activities year-to-date, while also completing significant turnaround activity in the second quarter,” said Brad Corson, chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Imperial has significant momentum entering the second half of the year and is well positioned to continue delivering on its commitments.”
Upstream production for the second quarter averaged 401,000 gross oil-equivalent barrels per day, the highest second quarter production in over 25 years. Kearl quarterly total gross production averaged 255,000 barrels per day, achieving its second highest ever quarterly production while also executing a major planned turnaround. Subsequent to the successful completion of this turnaround, Kearl established a new single-month production record of 311,000 total gross barrels per day in June, surpassing its prior single-month record by 10,000 total gross barrels per day. At Cold Lake, the continued focus on production optimization and reliability improvements supported another strong quarter of production, averaging 142,000 gross barrels per day.
Following implementation of a multi-year reliability improvement plan and exceptional demonstrated performance, Imperial is accelerating plans to extend the interval between turnarounds at Kearl. This change eliminates the need for a second annual turnaround starting this fall and increases 2021 production guidance for Kearl to 265,000 total gross barrels per day. In addition, based on production performance and enhanced reliability, Imperial is increasing 2021 production guidance for Cold Lake to 135,000 barrels per day.
Refinery throughput in the quarter averaged 332,000 barrels per day with capacity utilization of 78 percent and petroleum product sales of 429,000 barrels per day. Results in the quarter were primarily impacted by the major planned turnaround at Strathcona refinery, which reduced throughput by approximately 70,000 barrels per day. Subsequent to the successful completion of this turnaround, overall refinery capacity utilization increased to 93 percent in the month of June.
Chemical second quarter net income was $109 million, the highest quarterly net income in over 30 years. Chemical results were primarily driven by continued strength in polyethylene margins.
During the second quarter of 2021, Imperial returned over $1.3 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividend payments. In June, the company announced the renewal of its share repurchase program, allowing the company to repurchase up to five percent of its outstanding shares over a 12-month period ending on June 28, 2022.
“Despite heavy turnaround activity, Imperial generated substantial free cash flow1 in the quarter which, together with performance in the first quarter, supported our dividend and the repurchase of four percent of our shares, returning over $1.3 billion to shareholders,” said Corson. “Looking forward, with our major turnarounds complete, we are focused on increased production, higher refinery utilization, continued capital discipline and returning cash to shareholders as demonstrated by our recent dividend increase and our launch of an additional five percent share purchase program at the end of the quarter.”
In June, Imperial and its industry peers announced the launch of the Oil Sands Pathways to Net Zero alliance. “Imperial is proud to be a founding member of this unprecedented alliance and we look forward to working together with industry and governments to support society’s ambition to achieve net zero emissions,” added Corson.
| ¹ non-GAAP measure – See Attachment VI for definition and reconciliation |
Second quarter highlights
Operating Results
In early 2020, the balance of supply and demand for petroleum and petrochemical products experienced two significant disruptive effects. On the demand side, the COVID-19 pandemic spread rapidly through most areas of the world resulting in substantial reductions in consumer and business activity and significantly reduced demand for crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum products. This reduction in demand coincided with announcements of increased production in certain key oil-producing countries which led to increases in inventory levels and sharp declines in prices for crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum products.
Through 2021, demand for petroleum and petrochemical products has continued to improve leading to stronger prices and margins across all segments. Some lingering effects of the weak 2020 business environment continued to have a negative impact on financial results in the first half of 2021 when compared to periods prior to the pandemic. The company continues to closely monitor industry and global economic conditions, including recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Second quarter 2021 vs. second quarter 2020
The company recorded net income of $366 million or $0.50 per share on a diluted basis in the second quarter of 2021, compared to a net loss of $526 million or $0.72 per share in the same period of 2020. Second quarter 2020 results included a reversal of the non-cash inventory revaluation charge of $281 million recorded in the first quarter of 2020.
Upstream recorded net income of $247 million in the second quarter of 2021, compared to a net loss of $444 million in the same period of 2020. Improved results reflect higher realizations of about $1,100 million and higher volumes of about $280 million. These items were partially offset by the absence of the prior year reversal of the non-cash charge of $229 million related to the revaluation of the company’s inventory, higher operating expenses of about $230 million, higher royalties of about $200 million and unfavourable foreign exchange impacts of about $50 million.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) averaged US$66.17 per barrel in the second quarter of 2021, up from US$27.83 per barrel in the same quarter of 2020. Western Canada Select (WCS) averaged US$54.64 per barrel and US$16.73 per barrel for the same periods. The WTI / WCS differential averaged approximately US$12 per barrel for the second quarter of 2021, up from around US$11 in the same period of 2020.
The Canadian dollar averaged US$0.81 in the second quarter of 2021, an increase of US$0.09 from the second quarter of 2020.
Imperial’s average Canadian dollar realizations for bitumen increased in the quarter, primarily due to an increase in WCS. Bitumen realizations averaged $57.26 per barrel in the second quarter of 2021, up from $12.82 per barrel in the second quarter of 2020. The company’s average Canadian dollar realizations for synthetic crude increased generally in line with WTI, adjusted for changes in exchange rates and transportation costs. Synthetic crude realizations averaged $80.80 per barrel in the second quarter of 2021, up from $32.20 per barrel in the same period of 2020.
Total gross production of Kearl bitumen averaged 255,000 barrels per day in the second quarter (181,000 barrels Imperial’s share), up from 190,000 barrels per day (135,000 barrels Imperial’s share) in the second quarter of 2020. Higher production was mainly due to the absence of prior year production balancing with market demands, partially offset by impacts associated with planned turnaround activities.
Gross production of Cold Lake bitumen averaged 142,000 barrels per day in the second quarter, up from 123,000 barrels per day in the same period of 2020. Higher production was primarily due to improved reliability and lower scheduled downtime.
The company’s share of gross production from Syncrude averaged 47,000 barrels per day, compared to 50,000 barrels per day in the second quarter of 2020. Lower production was primarily associated with planned turnaround activities, partially offset by the absence of prior year production balancing with market demands.
Downstream recorded net income of $60 million in the second quarter of 2021, compared to a net loss of $32 million in the same period of 2020. Improved results reflect higher margins of about $200 million, partially offset by unfavourable foreign exchange impacts of about $70 million and the absence of the prior year reversal of the non-cash charge of $52 million related to the revaluation of the company’s inventory.
Refinery throughput averaged 332,000 barrels per day, up from 278,000 barrels per day in the second quarter of 2020. Capacity utilization was 78 percent, up from 66 percent in the second quarter of 2020. Higher throughput was driven by reduced impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by a planned turnaround at Strathcona.
Petroleum product sales were 429,000 barrels per day, up from 357,000 barrels per day in the second quarter of 2020. Improved petroleum product sales were mainly due to reduced impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chemical net income was $109 million in the second quarter, up from net income of $7 million in the same quarter of 2020, primarily due to higher polyethylene margins.
Corporate and other expenses were $50 million in the second quarter, compared to $57 million in the same period of 2020.
Cash flow generated from operating activities was $852 million in the second quarter, compared with cash flow used in operating activities of $816 million in the corresponding period in 2020, primarily reflecting higher Upstream realizations and favourable working capital impacts.
Investing activities used net cash of $207 million in the second quarter, compared with $172 million used in the same period of 2020.
Cash used in financing activities was $1,336 million in the second quarter, compared with $167 million used in the second quarter of 2020. Dividends paid in the second quarter of 2021 were $161 million. The per share dividend paid in the second quarter was $0.22, consistent with the same period of 2020. During the second quarter, the company, under its share purchase program, purchased about 29.5 million shares for $1,171 million, including shares purchased from ExxonMobil Corporation. In the second quarter of 2020, the company did not purchase any shares under its share purchase program.
The company’s cash balance was $776 million at June 30, 2021, versus $233 million at the end of second quarter 2020.
On April 30, 2021, the company announced an amendment to its normal course issuer bid to increase the number of common shares that were available to be purchased. Under the amendment, the number of common shares available for purchase increased to a maximum of 29,363,070 common shares during the period June 29, 2020 to June 28, 2021.
On June 23, 2021, the company announced by news release that it had received final approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange for a new normal course issuer bid and will continue its existing share purchase program. The program enables the company to purchase up to a maximum of 35,583,671 common shares during the period June 29, 2021 to June 28, 2022. This maximum includes shares purchased under the normal course issuer bid and from Exxon Mobil Corporation concurrent with, but outside of the normal course issuer bid. As in the past, Exxon Mobil Corporation has advised the company that it intends to participate to maintain its ownership percentage at approximately 69.6 percent. The program will end should the company purchase the maximum allowable number of shares, or on June 28, 2022.
Six months highlights
Six months 2021 vs. six months 2020
Net income in the first six months of 2021 was $758 million, or $1.04 per share on a diluted basis, compared to a net loss of $714 million or $0.97 per share in the first six months of 2020.
Upstream recorded net income of $326 million for the first six months of the year, compared to a net loss of $1,052 million in 2020. Improved results reflect higher realizations of about $1,810 million and higher volumes of about $280 million. These items were partially offset by higher royalties of about $300 million, higher operating expenses of about $290 million, and unfavourable foreign exchange impacts of about $120 million.
West Texas Intermediate averaged US$62.22 per barrel in the first six months of 2021, up from US$36.66 per barrel in 2020. Western Canada Select averaged US$50.14 per barrel and US$21.20 per barrel for the same periods. The WTI / WCS differential narrowed to approximately US$12 per barrel in the first six months of 2021, from around US$15 per barrel in the same period of 2020.
The Canadian dollar averaged US$0.80 in the first six months of 2021, an increase of US$0.07 from 2020.
Imperial’s average Canadian dollar realizations for bitumen increased in the first six months of 2021 primarily due to an increase in WCS. Bitumen realizations averaged $52.45 per barrel, up from $15.54 per barrel in the same period of 2020. The company’s average Canadian dollar realizations for synthetic crude increased generally in line with WTI, adjusted for changes in exchange rates and transportation costs. Synthetic crude realizations averaged $72.42 per barrel, up from $48.10 per barrel in the same period of 2020.
Total gross production of Kearl bitumen averaged 253,000 barrels per day in the first six months of 2021 (180,000 barrels Imperial’s share), up from 208,000 barrels per day (147,000 barrels Imperial’s share) in the same period of 2020. Higher production was mainly due to the absence of prior year production balancing with market demands, partially offset by impacts associated with planned turnaround activities.
Gross production of Cold Lake bitumen averaged 141,000 barrels per day in the first six months of 2021, up from 131,000 barrels per day in the same period of 2020. Higher production was primarily due to improved reliability.
During the first six months of 2021, the company’s share of gross production from Syncrude averaged 63,000 barrels per day, up from 61,000 barrels per day in the same period of 2020. Higher production was primarily associated with the absence of prior year production balancing with market demands and unplanned downtime, partially offset by planned turnaround activities.
Downstream net income was $352 million for the first six months of the year, compared to $370 million in the same period of 2020. Results were negatively impacted by unfavourable foreign exchange impacts of about $120 million, partially offset by higher margins of about $50 million and lower operating expenses of about $50 million.
Refinery throughput averaged 348,000 barrels per day in the first six months of 2021, up from 330,000 barrels per day in the same period of 2020. Capacity utilization was 81 percent, up from 78 percent in the same period of 2020. Higher throughput was driven by reduced impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by a planned turnaround at Strathcona.
Petroleum product sales were 421,000 barrels per day in the first six months of 2021, up from 409,000 barrels per day in the same period of 2020. Improved petroleum product sales were mainly due to reduced impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chemical net income was $176 million in the first six months of 2021, up from $28 million in the same period of 2020, primarily due to higher polyethylene margins.
Corporate and other expenses were $96 million in the first six months of 2021, up from $60 million in the same period of 2020, mainly due to higher share-based compensation costs.
Cash flow generated from operating activities was $1,897 million in the first six months of 2021, compared to cash flow used in operating activities of $393 million in the same period of 2020, primarily reflecting higher Upstream realizations and favourable working capital impacts.