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ExxonMobil Annual Report, Year Ended Dec 31, 2020

Filing Date
Filed February 24, 2021
Period End
December 31, 2020
Security
XOM
In the record · 2016–202610-K1110-Q338-K166

XOM filed 11 annual reports (10-K), 33 quarterly reports (10-Q) and 166 current reports (8-K) between 2016 and 2026.

  1. Leadership change8-K · Dec ’19Dec ’19
  2. Leadership change8-K · Feb ’23Feb ’23
  3. Deal closed8-K · Jul ’26Jul ’26

Summary

Summary of the 10-K filed February 24, 2021. Cited figures are marked; the original filing is the authoritative source.

ExxonMobil Corporation's 2020 10-K filing reveals a challenging year marked by significant impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a substantial net loss and a reduction in production volumes and realized prices.

The company reported a net loss attributable to ExxonMobil of $22.44 billiona, a stark contrast to the $14.34 billion profit in 2019, primarily due to a $22.4 billion impairment charge, largely impacting the Upstream segment. This financial downturn reflects the volatile commodity price environment and reduced demand for energy products throughout 2020. Despite the financial headwinds, ExxonMobil continued to invest in its long-term strategic assets, particularly in Guyana and the Permian Basin.

The company's extensive portfolio across Upstream, Downstream, and Chemical segments provides some resilience, though all segments experienced pressures. ExxonMobil is focusing on cost reductions, liquidity enhancement, and strategic prioritization of assets to navigate the current market conditions and position itself for future recovery. The report also highlights the company's commitment to technological innovation and addressing environmental performance.

Key Highlights

  1. ExxonMobil reported a significant net loss of $22.44 billion for 2020, a substantial decline from a $14.34 billion profit in 2019, primarily driven by a $22.4 billion impairment charge.
  2. Upstream segment recorded a loss of $20.03 billion, heavily impacted by lower commodity prices and substantial asset impairments totaling $19.4 billion in the U.S. and $2.3 billion outside the U.S.
  3. Downstream segment also reported a loss of $1.08 billion, negatively affected by weaker industry refining conditions and reduced demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  4. Chemical segment demonstrated resilience with earnings of $1.96 billion, an increase from $592 million in 2019, supported by stronger margins and demand in key segments like packaging and hygiene.
  5. Proved oil and gas reserves saw a significant reduction, with certain quantities no longer qualifying under SEC definitions due to low prices in 2020, including 3.1 billion barrels of bitumen.
  6. Capital and exploration expenditures were reduced to $21.4 billion in 2020 from $31.1 billion in 2019, with plans to hold 2021 spending between $16 billion and $19 billion.
  7. The company took steps to strengthen liquidity by issuing $23.2 billion in long-term debt and implemented significant capital and operating cost reductions.

Financial Statements

FY2020 against FY2019

Line itemFY2020FY2019Change
Revenue$178.57B$255.58B−30.1%
R&D Expenses$1.02B$1.21B−16.3%
SG&A Expenses$10.17B$11.40B−10.8%
Operating Expenses$210.38B$244.88B−14.1%
Interest Expense$1.16B$830.00M+39.5%
Net Income-$22.44B$14.34B−256.5%
EPS (Basic)$-5.25$3.36−256.2%
EPS (Diluted)$-5.25$3.36−256.2%
Shares Outstanding (Basic)4.27B4.27B0.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What was ExxonMobil's financial performance in 2020 compared to 2019?

    ExxonMobil experienced a significant downturn in 2020, reporting a net loss of $22.44 billion, a sharp contrast to the $14.34 billion profit in 2019. This was largely due to a substantial $22.4 billion impairment charge impacting the Upstream segment, alongside broader market challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic which led to lower commodity prices and reduced demand.

  2. How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect ExxonMobil's business segments?

    The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted ExxonMobil's operations. Demand for petroleum products decreased, leading to weaker refining conditions and negatively affecting the Downstream segment, which reported a loss. While the Chemical segment showed resilience with increased earnings due to stronger margins and demand in certain areas, overall market uncertainty persisted throughout the year.

  3. What is the status of ExxonMobil's oil and gas reserves?

    ExxonMobil reported a significant decrease in its proved oil and gas reserves in 2020. This was primarily due to the effect of lower commodity prices and reduced capital expenditures, which caused certain quantities, including 3.1 billion barrels of bitumen, to no longer qualify under SEC definitions. The company noted that a recovery in prices, cost reductions, or operating efficiencies could lead to these reserves being recognized again in the future.

  4. What strategic actions did ExxonMobil take in response to market conditions in 2020?

    In response to the challenging market, ExxonMobil focused on strengthening its financial position and prioritizing long-term value. This included implementing significant capital and operating cost reductions, issuing $23.2 billion in long-term debt to bolster liquidity, and conducting a review of its portfolio to prioritize assets with the highest future value potential. The company also initiated workforce reductions to improve efficiency and reduce costs.