Profits at ExxonMobil and Chevron rebounded in the third quarter on strengthening oil and natural gas prices, according to results released Friday that underscored the industry’s improved financial position compared with the darkest days of the pandemic.
After US oil futures sank into negative territory in spring 2020 on widespread Covid-19 restrictions, demand has returned in a big way, lifting oil prices back above $80 a barrel and driving European gas prices up more than five times their level from a year ago.
US oil giants, which reported losses during the worst of the pandemic, now are now generating a steady stream of free cash, raising questions about future investment plans.
The latest surge in oil and gas prices comes as the industry faces increased pressures from investors to build up low-carbon businesses amid rising worries over climate change.
While both companies signaled more spending for share buybacks, ExxonMobil said it would boost investments in lower-emission projects, while Chevron said its 2022 budget would increase funds for both conventional and low-carbon ventures.
ExxonMobil reported profits of $6.8 billion, compared with a loss of $680 million over the same period last year.
Revenues jumped about 60 percent to $73.8 billion.
The oil giant, which announced a dividend increase earlier this week, said the extra cash enabled it to reduce debt by $4 billion and to launch a program in 2022 to purchase up to $10 billion in shares over the next two years.
ExxonMobil plans to increase spending in lower-emission ventures “by four times over the prior plan,” ExxonMobil Chief Executive Darren Woods said, adding that some of the money will go to projects that require additional government policy support.
But the company maintained its outlook for overall capital investment of between $20 to $25 billion annually.
At Chevron, earnings came in at $6.1 billion, compared with a loss of $207 million a year ago. Revenues rose 83 percent to $44.7 billion.
Chevron Chief Financial Officer Pierre Breber told CNBC that the company planned to boost share buybacks and lift next year’s capital spending budget “at least” 20 percent compared with the 2021 level. Breber said the extra funds will go “to our traditional business and our new energy business.”
Woods and Chevron Chief Executive Mike Wirth participated Thursday in a six-hour congressional hearing in which Democrats grilled industry leaders over their record on climate change, with some lawmakers arguing against further petroleum investment.
Both oil giants say they recognize climate change as a serious societal threat, pointing to their support for the Paris Climate Accord and investments in lower-carbon projects.
Critics accuse the industry of “greenwashing,” noting that most of their spending still goes to oil and gas and that they have not lobbied in favor of climate policies under consideration in Washington.