(Equinor, 23.Oct.2024) — Equinor delivered adjusted operating income* of $6.89bn and $2.04bn after tax in the third quarter of 2024. Equinor reported net operating income of $6.91bn and net income at $2.29bn. Adjusted net income* was $2.19bn, leading to adjusted earnings per share* of $0.79.
Financial and operational performance
- Solid financial results
- Effective execution of extensive turnaround programme
- Strong cash flow from operations
Strategic progress
- All-time high production from the Troll field in the gas year
- Northern Lights facility completed and ready to receive CO2
- Acquired a 9.8 percent stake in Ørsted in Oct.
Capital distribution
- Third quarter ordinary cash dividend of $0.35 per share, extraordinary cash dividend of $0.35 per share and fourth tranche of share buy-back of up to $1.6bn
- Total capital distribution for 2024 in line with announced level of around $14bn
Anders Opedal, President and CEO of Equinor ASA:
“With solid operational performance and results, we are well on track to deliver strong cashflow from operations in line with what we said at the capital markets update in February.”
“Over time, we have upgraded the capacity in the gas value chain. This has contributed to an all-time high production from the Troll field in the gas year. In the quarter, the Johan Sverdrup field delivered a production record of more than 756,000 barrels of oil in one day and reached the milestone of one billion barrels produced since the start-up five years ago. This strengthens our position to deliver safe and reliable energy to Europe.”
“We continue to invest in renewables and develop low carbon value chains. In the quarter, the world’s first commercial storage facility, Northern Lights, was completed and is now ready to receive CO2 from customers.”
Operational performance
Equinor delivered a total equity production of 1,984 Mboe per day in the third quarter, down from 2,007 Mboe in the same quarter last year.
On the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS), production increased by 2% compared to the third quarter 2023. This was due to high gas production from the Troll field and positive contributions from Aasta Hansteen and Oseberg. The increase was partially offset by extensive turnarounds, natural decline and reduced ownership in the Statfjord area.
Internationally, new wells contributed positively to the production. However, the international production was negatively impacted by offshore turnarounds and hurricanes in the United States.
In the quarter, Equinor completed nine offshore exploration wells with one commercial discovery. Four wells were ongoing at the quarter end. Two wells were expensed.
Equinor produced 677 GWh from renewable assets in the third quarter, up 82% from the same quarter last year. The increase was driven by the addition of onshore power plants in 2024. The offshore wind parks Dudgeon, Sheringham Shoal and Arkona also contributed positively to the production.
The progress at Dogger Bank A is slower than expected. Based on this, the expected growth in power production from renewable assets in 2024 is adjusted to around 50%.
Strategic progress
Equinor continued to optimise the portfolio through projects and strategic business development in the quarter.
On the NCS, the Johan Castberg production vessel was securely anchored at the field in the Barents Sea and hook-up is on track for production start before year-end. In the quarter, Troll B and C became partly powered from shore, contributing to the company’s efforts to strengthen competitiveness and halve operated emissions by 2030.
The recent acquisition of a 9.8% stake in Ørsted, gives Equinor exposure to premium offshore wind assets in operation and a solid project pipeline. In the quarter, Equinor also won an offshore wind lease in the U.S. Atlantic Ocean at an attractive price, adding optionality of around 2 gigawatt capacity to its existing portfolio. Furthermore, the company started recalibrating its portfolio of early phase renewable projects to reduce cost and focus business development toward core markets.
Equinor continues to progress its low carbon solutions portfolio. The Northern Lights facility was completed on estimated time and budget. In the UK, two key partner-operated low-carbon solution projects secured funding from the government.
Solid financial results
Equinor delivered adjusted operating income* of $6.89bn. $5.88bn come from Exploration and Production Norway, $407mn from E&P International and $207mn from E&P USA. Marketing, Midstream & Processing delivered adjusted operating income* of $545mn, driven by LNG, power trading and geographical arbitrage for LPG. Adjusted operating income* from Renewables was negative $115mn, as the costs of project development exceeded the earnings from assets in operation.
Cash flow from operating activities before taxes paid and working capital items amounted to $9.23bn for the third quarter. Cash flow from operations after taxes paid* was $6.25bn for the quarter, and $14bn year to date.
Equinor paid one NCS tax instalment of $2.87bn in the quarter and total capital expenditures were $3.14bn. Organic capital expenditure* was $3.08bn for the quarter and $8.73bn year to date. The organic capital expenditure* guiding for the year is adjusted to $12bn-$13bn. After taxes, capital distribution to shareholders and investments, net cash flow* ended at negative $3.42bn in the third quarter. The Norwegian state’s share of the share buy-back programme of $4.02bn in July impacted the net cash flow*.
Adjusted net debt to capital employed ratio* was negative 2% percent at the end of the third quarter, compared to negative 3.4% at the end of the second quarter of 2024.
Capital distribution
The board of directors has decided an ordinary cash dividend of $0.35 per share and an extraordinary cash dividend of $0.35 per share for the third quarter of 2024. This is in line with communication at the capital markets update in Feb.
The board has decided to initiate a fourth and final tranche of share buy-back for 2024 of up to $1.6bn. The fourth tranche will commence on 25 Oct. and end no later than 31 Jan. 2025. This fourth tranche will complete the announced share buy-back programme of up to $6bn for 2024. It will also conclude total capital distribution for 2024 of around $14bn.
The third tranche of the share buy-back programme was completed on 16 Oct. 2024 with a total value of $1.6bn.
All share buy-back amounts include shares to be redeemed by the Norwegian state.
*For items marked with an asterisk throughout this report, see Use and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures in the Supplementary disclosures.
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