NEW YORK, Oct 30 — Profits at ExxonMobil and Chevron rebounded in the third quarter on strengthening oil and natural gas prices, according to results released yesterday 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 US$80 (RM331.28) 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.

More buybacks

ExxonMobil reported profits of US$6.8 billion, compared with a loss of US$680 million over the same period last year.

Revenues jumped about 60 per cent to US$73.8 billion.

The oil giant, which announced a dividend increase earlier this week, said the extra cash enabled it to reduce debt by US$4 billion and to launch a programme in 2022 to purchase up to US$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 US$20 to US$25 billion annually.

At Chevron, earnings came in at US$6.1 billion, compared with a loss of US$207 million a year ago. Revenues rose 83 per cent to US$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 per cent compared with the 2021 level.

Breber said the extra funds will go "to our traditional business and our new energy business.”

Shift in investor sentiment?

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 favour of climate policies under consideration in Washington.

In recent years, mainstream investors have also been skeptical of heavy capital spending in conventional areas like oil and gas drilling and production, a stance that hardened when commodity prices slumped during the pandemic.

But sentiment appears to be shifting somewhat as worries about energy supply grow.

The current natural gas supply crunch in Europe is the result, in part, of underinvestment, according to Woods.

"You get these pinch points,” Woods said on a conference call with analysts, adding that the industry faces challenges "to strike the appropriate balance” between meeting near-term energy needs while planning for a lower-carbon future.

"We’re seeing investors come back to the sector,” Breber told CNBC, adding that the company is also seeking to build up more low-carbon businesses for the long term while investing in conventional projects over the short term.

Shares of ExxonMobil rose 0.3 per cent to close at US$64.47, while Chevron gained 1.2 per cent to US$114.49. — AFP