Noble Energy Inc.
(
NBL
) reported adjusted earnings per share of 77 cents for the second
quarter of 2012, which lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 98
cents. The quarterly results were way below the year-ago earnings
of $1.44 per share reported by the company.
The year-over-year plunge in earnings was mainly due to a
decline in the average realized price of the products sold and an
increase in total costs during the reported quarter.
GAAP earnings during the quarter were $1.58 per share versus
$1.61 per share in the year-ago quarter.
The difference between GAAP and operating earnings in the
quarter under review was due to an unrealized gain of $1.54 from
commodity derivative instruments and a gain of 5 cents from assets
divestures partly offset by a charge of 41 cents from asset
impairments and 37 cents from income tax adjustments.
Revenue
Noble Energy's net revenue of $966 million in the second quarter
was lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,018 million.
However, revenue was 14.7% higher than $842 million reported in the
second quarter of 2011.
The year-over-year growth in revenue during the quarter was
driven by higher contribution from crude oil and condensate, while
the results were partly dragged down by lower-priced natural gas
and natural gas liquids.("NGL")
Operational Results
Total second quarter sales volumes for Noble expanded 10.0% from
the year-ago quarter to 224 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per
day (MBoe/d), comprising 47% liquids, 21% international natural
gas, and 32% domestic natural gas. Net volumes produced in the
quarter totaled 223 MBoe/d. The difference in production and sales
volume during the quarter was due to the timing of crude oil and
condensate liftings in Equatorial Guinea.
Realized oil prices in the quarter decreased by $5.56 per
barrel, or 5.3%, year over year to $99.67 per barrel. Realized
prices for NGL in the U.S. was down 34% year over year to $33.06
per barrel from $50.03 per barrel in the year-ago quarter. Realized
natural gas prices also moved down 42.8% year over year to $1.82
per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) from $3.18 per Mcf a year ago,
primarily due to a 50.1% fall in the U.S. natural gas prices.
Production costs including lease operating expenses, production
and ad valorem taxes, and transportation were up by 12% to $8.29
per barrel of oil equivalent (Boe) from the second quarter of 2011.
The increase in the production cost was due to high value crude oil
production from Aseng, the deepwater Gulf of Mexico and the DJ
Basin.
Financial Update
Cash and cash equivalents of Noble Energy as of June 30, 2012
were $0.7 billion versus $1.45 billion as of December 31, 2011.
Long-term debts as of June 30, 2012 were $4.07 billion versus
$4.1 billion as of December 31, 2011.
Capital expenditure for the second quarter 2012 was $859 million
versus $719 million at the end of the second quarter 2011.
Cash flow from operating activities during the quarter was $506
million versus $745 million in the prior-year quarter.
Guidance
The company expects third quarter 2012 sales volumes to average
242-250 MBoe/d, which does not include volumes from discontinued
operations. The company expects its sales volumes to improve from
the second quarter due to higher contribution from Galapagos,
continuation of the drilling programs in DJ Basin and Marcellus
Shale, and increased sales in Israel.
The company expects exploration expenses for 2012 to be in the
range of $450 million to $500 million.
The company also raised its 2012 volume guidance at the midpoint
by 2 MBoe/d on a pro forma basis. The new 2012 volume range is at
236 Mboe/d to 244 Mboe/d.
Peer Update
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
(
APC
), which competes with Noble Energy, is expected to report its
second quarter 2012 earnings on July 30, 2012.
The Zacks Consensus Estimates, for revenue and earnings per
share, for second quarter 2012, are presently pegged at $3,423
million and 77 cents per share, respectively.
Our Take
Despite registering growth in sales volume, the results came in
lower than expected, hit by declining realized prices for all
products sold. U.S. natural gas prices have languished for some
time now, but the major surprise came from a downward move in crude
oil and condensate prices.
The company is making good progress in its DJ Basin, Marcellus
Shale and its West Africa operations, and expects its sales volume
in the third quarter to exceed second quarter levels.
Despite potential sales gain, we remain skeptical given the
decline in realized prices and increase in the cost of crude oil
production in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico and West Africa.
Based in Houston, Texas, Noble Energy operates internationally
and engages in the acquisition, exploration, development,
production, and marketing of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas
liquids. Noble Energy currently retains a Zacks #3 Rank, which
translates into a short-term Hold rating.
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