10-QPeriod: Q2 FY2012

DEVON ENERGY CORP/DE Quarterly Report for Q2 Ended Jun 30, 2012

Filed August 1, 2012For Securities:DVN

Summary

Devon Energy Corp. reported its second-quarter and first-half 2012 financial results, showing a mixed performance driven by commodity prices and operational developments. While total production saw a slight increase, driven by oil output, realized commodity prices, especially for natural gas and NGLs, significantly declined. This resulted in lower overall revenues compared to the prior year's periods. The company's financial strategy involved substantial capital expenditures, partly funded by debt, as it continued to invest in exploration and development, particularly in oil and liquids-rich plays. Derivative instruments played a significant role, providing substantial gains that cushioned the impact of lower commodity prices on earnings. Operationally, Devon highlighted strong growth in its Permian Basin oil production and continued progress on its Jackfish oil sands projects. The company also completed a significant joint venture with Sinopec, injecting capital and reducing future exploration funding obligations. Despite challenges from depressed natural gas prices and increased operating costs, Devon maintained a strong liquidity position, bolstered by previous divestiture proceeds and available credit facilities. The company also announced a new transaction with Sumitomo Corporation subsequent to the quarter, further demonstrating its strategic approach to asset development and capital management.

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$2.56B
Operating Expenses$1.82B
Operating Income$477.00M
Interest Expense$99.00M
Net Income$477.00M
EPS (Basic)$1.18
EPS (Diluted)$1.18
Shares Outstanding (Basic)400.00M
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)400.00M

Key Highlights

  • 1Net earnings from continuing operations for Q2 2012 were $477 million ($1.18/share), up from $184 million ($0.43/share) in Q2 2011, driven by derivative gains despite lower realized prices.
  • 2Total production increased by 3% in Q2 2012 and 6% in the first six months of 2012 compared to the prior year periods, with oil production growing by 26%.
  • 3Realized commodity prices, excluding hedges, significantly decreased: oil prices down 19% (total period), gas prices down 45%, and NGL prices down 16% in the first six months of 2012.
  • 4Oil, gas, and NGL derivatives generated substantial gains, totaling $810 million for the first six months of 2012, up from $248 million in the same period of 2011.
  • 5Capital expenditures for the first six months of 2012 were $4.27 billion, an increase from $3.72 billion in the prior year, reflecting continued investment in exploration and development.
  • 6The company completed a joint venture with Sinopec for $2.5 billion in April 2012, injecting cash and reducing future capital obligations.
  • 7Devon announced a subsequent event transaction with Sumitomo Corporation in August 2012, agreeing to sell a 30% interest in the Cline and Midland-Wolfcamp shale plays for $1.365 billion.

Frequently Asked Questions

In the second quarter of 2012, Devon Energy reported earnings from continuing operations of $477 million ($1.18 per diluted share), a significant increase from $184 million ($0.43 per diluted share) in the same quarter of 2011. This improvement was largely driven by substantial gains from oil, gas, and NGL derivatives, which offset lower realized commodity prices.

Total production saw a modest increase of 3% in Q2 2012 and 6% in the first six months of 2012, primarily due to a 26% rise in oil production. However, realized commodity prices without hedges declined significantly, with oil down 19%, natural gas down 45%, and NGLs down 16% for the first six months of 2012 compared to the prior year.

Devon invested heavily in capital expenditures, totaling $4.27 billion in the first six months of 2012, focusing on exploration and development, especially in oil and liquids-rich plays. Key strategic moves included closing a $2.5 billion joint venture with Sinopec and announcing a subsequent agreement with Sumitomo Corporation for its shale assets.

Devon utilizes derivative financial instruments, including price swaps, collars, and options, to manage commodity price volatility. For the first six months of 2012, these derivatives generated a net gain of $810 million, significantly boosting reported earnings and mitigating the impact of lower market prices.