10-QPeriod: Q3 FY2005

CHEVRON CORP Quarterly Report for Q3 Ended Sep 30, 2005

Filed November 3, 2005For Securities:CVX

Summary

Chevron Corporation reported strong financial results for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, driven by higher crude oil and natural gas prices, which significantly boosted its Upstream segment earnings. The company also successfully integrated the acquisition of Unocal Corporation in August 2005, which contributed positively to the quarter's results. Despite facing challenges such as hurricane disruptions in the Gulf of Mexico impacting production and refinery operations, Chevron demonstrated resilience and robust profitability. The company continued its share repurchase program and maintained a strong balance sheet, positioning itself well for future growth. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, Net Income rose to $9.96 billion from $9.89 billion in the prior year. Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) were $4.68, a slight increase from $4.65 in 2004. The company's strategic focus on core upstream areas and its disciplined capital allocation are evident in its performance. Investors should note the significant impact of commodity prices on earnings, as well as the ongoing integration and strategic benefits derived from the Unocal acquisition.

Key Highlights

  • 1Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, was $9.96 billion, a slight increase from $9.89 billion in the same period of 2004.
  • 2Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, was $4.68, up from $4.65 in the prior year.
  • 3The company completed the significant acquisition of Unocal Corporation on August 10, 2005, for a total purchase price of $17.3 billion.
  • 4Upstream segment earnings saw substantial growth, benefiting from higher average prices for crude oil and natural gas.
  • 5Downstream segment earnings showed improvement in the third quarter due to better refined product margins, though tempered by hurricane disruptions.
  • 6Chevron continued its robust share repurchase program, buying back approximately $2.2 billion of its common stock in the first nine months of 2005.
  • 7Total assets grew significantly, primarily due to the Unocal acquisition, reaching $124.8 billion at September 30, 2005.

Frequently Asked Questions

The acquisition of Unocal, completed on August 10, 2005, contributed to Chevron's results for two months in the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2005. Unocal's operations added to revenues and earnings, and its assets and liabilities are now consolidated on Chevron's balance sheet. The preliminary purchase price allocation resulted in $3.6 billion of goodwill.

Higher average prices for crude oil and natural gas were a primary driver of increased earnings, particularly for the Upstream segment. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil averaged $55 per barrel, up from $39 in the prior year, and U.S. benchmark natural gas averaged nearly $7.50 per MCF, compared to about $5.75 in 2004. These price increases significantly benefited the company's top and bottom lines.

Yes, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the Gulf of Mexico caused significant disruptions. These hurricanes led to production shut-ins in the upstream segment and substantial downtime and operating costs for refineries in the downstream segment. Despite these challenges, Chevron's diversified operations and strategic planning helped mitigate some of the impact.

Chevron's capital allocation strategy appears focused on growth through strategic acquisitions like Unocal, disciplined capital expenditures primarily in the Upstream segment (around 70% of total capital spending was international), and returning capital to shareholders through dividends and significant share repurchases. The company repurchased approximately $2.2 billion of its stock in the first nine months of 2005 and paid $2.8 billion in dividends.