Chevron Reports Fourth Quarter Net Income of $5.3 Billion, Up From $3.1 Billion in Fourth Quarter 2009

Results in the 2010 period included gains of nearly $400 million from downstream asset sales. Foreign currency effects decreased earnings in the 2010 quarter by $99 million, compared with a decrease of $67 million a year earlier.
Full-year 2010 earnings were $19.0 billion ($9.48 per share – diluted), up from $10.5 billion ($5.24 per share – diluted) in 2009.
Sales and other operating revenues in the fourth quarter 2010 were $52 billion, up from $48 billion in the year-ago period mainly due to higher prices for crude oil and refined products.
“Financially and operationally, 2010 was an outstanding year,” said Chairman and CEO John Watson. “Earnings and cash flow increased significantly in 2010 as a result of higher prices for crude oil, higher net oil-equivalent production and improved refined product sales margins. Our financial strength enabled us to invest in our attractive development projects and acquire several new resource opportunities. At the same time, we increased the annual dividend on our common shares for the 23rd consecutive year and resumed our common stock repurchase program. From an operating perspective, safety results were world-class, net oil-equivalent production for the year came in above target, and refinery reliability was strong.”
Watson continued, “During the fourth quarter, we announced the acquisition of Atlas Energy, Inc., which will provide Chevron with an attractive natural gas position, primarily located in southwestern Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale. We look forward to the results from the Atlas stockholders’ meeting on February 16 and are very pleased with the talented people and assets that this acquisition will bring.”
Watson commented that the company added approximately 240 million barrels of net oil-equivalent reserves in 2010. These additions, which are subject to final reviews, equate to 24 percent of net oil-equivalent production for the year. Included in the net additions is a 140 million barrel unfavorable effect of higher crude oil prices on certain production-sharing and variable-royalty contracts. Watson added, “We took several major deepwater projects to final investment decision in 2010, and we expect to recognize reserves for these projects in future years, consistent with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules.” The company will provide additional details relating to 2010 reserve additions in its Annual Report on Form 10-K scheduled for filing with the SEC on February 24.
“In the downstream business, we successfully completed the first year of a multiyear plan to improve returns,” Watson added. Efforts continued on streamlining the asset portfolio with completion of the sale of marketing businesses in three countries in southeast Africa. The company also announced an agreement to sell its fuel marketing and aviation businesses in 15 countries in the Caribbean and Central America, with closing of the transactions expected by the third quarter 2011, following receipt of required local regulatory and government approvals.