10-QPeriod: Q1 FY2019

DEVON ENERGY CORP/DE Quarterly Report for Q1 Ended Mar 31, 2019

Filed May 1, 2019For Securities:DVN

Summary

Devon Energy Corp. reported a net loss of $317 million for the first quarter of 2019, a significant increase from the $153 million net loss in the same period of the prior year. This widened loss is largely attributable to derivative valuation changes and lower upstream revenues, despite a reduction in financing costs due to lower debt levels and the absence of significant debt retirement charges experienced in Q1 2018. The company is undergoing a strategic transformation, focusing on becoming a U.S. oil growth company and announcing its intention to separate its Canadian and Barnett Shale assets. This strategic shift is accompanied by significant cost-reduction initiatives and substantial share repurchases. Operationally, the company saw increased production in key U.S. oil plays like the Delaware Basin and Powder River Basin. However, total revenues decreased year-over-year, primarily impacted by unfavorable commodity derivative valuations. The company's balance sheet reflects a decrease in cash and an increase in accounts receivable. Despite the net loss, Devon emphasized its liquidity position, with ample credit availability and a focus on maintaining financial strength and returning capital to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks.

Financial Statements
Beta

Key Highlights

  • 1Net loss widened to $317 million in Q1 2019 from $153 million in Q1 2018, primarily due to $670 million in unfavorable valuation changes for commodity derivatives.
  • 2Total revenues decreased to $1,501 million from $2,198 million year-over-year, driven by lower upstream and marketing revenues.
  • 3The company announced its intent to separate its Canadian and Barnett Shale assets, signaling a strategic shift towards a U.S. oil growth company.
  • 4Significant cost-reduction initiatives targeting $200 million in annualized savings by the end of 2019 are underway.
  • 5Share repurchases totaled $999 million in Q1 2019, as part of a $5.0 billion authorization, leading to a 20% reduction in outstanding shares since the program's inception.
  • 6Capital expenditures decreased to $548 million from $651 million year-over-year, with a focus on optimizing the cost structure.
  • 7Liquidity remains strong with $1.3 billion in cash and $2.9 billion in available credit, with no significant debt maturities until 2021.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary driver for the increased net loss in the first quarter of 2019 was the significant negative impact of valuation changes on commodity derivative instruments, which resulted in a loss of $670 million compared to a gain of $61 million in the prior year's quarter.

Devon Energy is strategically shifting to become a U.S. oil growth company. This includes announcing its intention to separate its Canadian business and Barnett Shale assets, focusing on its core U.S. oil plays, reducing costs, and optimizing its capital structure.

Despite the net loss, Devon maintained strong liquidity with $1.3 billion in cash and significant credit availability. The company repurchased $999 million of its stock in Q1 2019 as part of a $5.0 billion program and increased its quarterly dividend by 12.5% to $0.09 per share starting in Q2 2019, demonstrating a commitment to returning capital to shareholders.

Devon adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), in January 2019. This led to the recognition of right-of-use assets ($365 million) and lease liabilities ($365 million) on the balance sheet, and a $19 million reduction in retained earnings. Comparative periods were not restated, so prior periods reflect the old accounting standard.