10-KPeriod: FY2009

DEVON ENERGY CORP/DE Annual Report, Year Ended Dec 31, 2009

Filed February 25, 2010For Securities:DVN

Summary

Devon Energy Corporation, in its 2010 10-K filing, outlined a strategic shift towards becoming a high-growth, North American onshore exploration and production company. This repositioning involved plans to divest its offshore assets in the Gulf of Mexico and internationally, to focus capital and resources on its higher-risk-adjusted return onshore opportunities. Financially, 2009 was a challenging year marked by a net loss of $2.5 billion, largely due to a significant non-cash impairment charge of $4.2 billion stemming from the sharp decline in natural gas prices. Despite this, the company highlighted operational successes, including a 99% drilling success rate and a 4% increase in production to 233 million Boe. Devon's strategy emphasized capital discipline, investment in high-margin assets, maintaining a balanced production mix, and controlling operating costs. The company's outlook for 2010 projected continued focus on North American onshore development, with planned capital expenditures and anticipated proceeds from offshore asset divestitures expected to fund growth and reduce debt, strengthening its financial position.

Financial Statements
Beta

Key Highlights

  • 1Strategic Shift: Devon announced plans to divest offshore assets (Gulf of Mexico, international) to focus exclusively on high-return North American onshore E&P operations.
  • 2Operational Success: Achieved a 99% well drilling success rate in 2009, replacing 213% of production with new reserves.
  • 3Financial Impact of Low Prices: Reported a net loss of $2.5 billion for 2009, largely due to a $4.2 billion non-cash impairment of oil and gas properties caused by declining commodity prices.
  • 4Production Growth: Increased total production by 4% to 233 million Boe in 2009, driven by North American onshore activities.
  • 5Key Asset Development: Continued progress at the Jackfish oil sands project in Canada, with plans for a second phase and evaluation of a third.
  • 6Shale Play Expansion: Active development and increased production in key U.S. shale plays like the Barnett Shale and Cana-Woodford Shale.
  • 7Liquidity and Financial Flexibility: Maintained a solid financial position with $1.0 billion in cash and $1.8 billion in available credit lines at year-end 2009, supported by planned offshore asset sales.

Frequently Asked Questions

Devon Energy's primary strategic focus is to reposition itself as a high-growth, North American onshore exploration and production company. This involves divesting its offshore assets in the Gulf of Mexico and internationally to concentrate on its most profitable onshore opportunities.

The significant decline in oil and natural gas prices during 2009 heavily impacted Devon's financial performance. This led to a substantial net loss of $2.5 billion, primarily due to a non-cash impairment charge of $4.2 billion recognized in the first quarter, driven by the drop in natural gas prices.

In 2009, Devon achieved a high drilling success rate of 99%, replacing over 200% of its production with new reserves. The company also saw production growth, particularly from its North American onshore assets, and continued development at its Jackfish oil sands project in Canada.

The planned divestitures of offshore assets are expected to generate substantial proceeds ($4.5 billion to $7.5 billion after-tax), which Devon plans to use to reduce debt, strengthen its balance sheet, and reinvest in its North American onshore opportunities to accelerate growth.