Chevron Corp. (CVX) expects its fourth-quarter profit to rise compared
with the previous quarter, benefiting from gains on assets and increased
U.S. and international production.
The second-largest U.S. oil company by market value said
results from its exploration-and-production business are expected to
improve, quarter-over-quarter, due in part to gains of $1.4 billion on
an asset exchange in Australia, compared with a gain of $600 million in
the third quarter. Results from Chevron's refining, marketing and
chemical operations are expected to grow from the third quarter, due to
beneficial timing, despite a significant decline in refining margins.
Chevron's U.S. production in the first two months of the
quarter reached about 676,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day, up 2.3%
from a year ago and 6.1% higher than the third quarter, as production
was restored in the Gulf of Mexico following disruptions from Hurricane
Isaac.
The average realized price for crude oil from the company's
U.S. fields was $97.61 a barrel on average, down from $105.37 a year
earlier, and $97.34 in the previous quarter.
Average international output reached about 2 million barrels
of oil equivalent a day, up 0.3% from a year ago and 6% from the
previous quarter, absent planned maintenance in Kazakhstan and the U.K.
International liquid realized prices averaged $100.06 per
barrel, down 1.3% from a year earlier and up 1.9% from the third
quarter. International natural gas prices averaged $5.94 per thousand
cubic feet, up 7% from a year ago and down 1.5% from the prior quarter.
The company said that U.S. and international refining margins decreased sharply compared with the third quarter.
Chevron said that total net charges for the fourth quarter are
expected to be notably higher than its general guidance of $300 million
to $400 million, due to potential accruals related to income taxes,
pension settlements and environmental matters.
Chevron is slated to report full fourth-quarter results on Feb. 1.
Shares rose 53 cents after hours to $111. Through the close, the stock was up 6.3% in the past six months.