Noble Energy 3Q Profit Surges 90% On Derivatives Impacts, Prices

Noble Energy 3Q Profit Surges 90% On Derivatives Impacts, Prices
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Πεμ, 20 Οκτωβρίου 2011 - 18:24
Noble Energy Inc.'s (NBL) third-quarter earnings rose 90% with a boost from derivatives impacts as the oil-and-gas explorer also benefited from higher oil and gas prices.
Noble Energy Inc.'s (NBL) third-quarter earnings rose 90% with a boost from derivatives impacts as the oil-and-gas explorer also benefited from higher oil and gas prices.

Noble and other energy companies have continued to benefit from high oil prices. A string of recent discoveries in the past few years, including three major ones off
Israel 's coast, have boosted its growth prospects.

The company's recent $3.4 billion deal with coal producer Consol Energy Inc. (CNX) for a 50% stake in its Marcellus shale field, gives it an entry into one of the world most prolific natural-gas regions. Though Noble has developed other shale plays, it had been looking to invest in the Marcellus.

Noble Energy reported a profit of $441 million, or $2.39 a share, up from $232 million, or $1.31 a share, a year earlier. Excluding items, such as derivative impacts, earnings were down at $1.24 from $1.27.

Revenue climbed 39% to $924 million, including 24% growth decline for oil and 16% for natural gas.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters most recently forecast earnings of $1 on revenue of $927 million.

Operating margin rose to 43.1% from 38.81%

Sales volume rose 4%. Average realized oil prices improved 34%, and natural gas prices were up 14%.

The company raised its 2010 volume projects to 220 million to 222 million barrels of oil equivalent a day from 215 million to 218 million.

Shares closed Wednesday at $84.14 and were inactive premarket. The stock is up 10% in the past year.

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