News Release Details

Achieves 2021 Long-Term Debt Reduction Goal of $300 Million Following Recent Bond Notice of Redemption, Lowers 2021 CAPEX Midpoint $20 Million to $680 Million

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Murphy Oil Corporation (NYSE: MUR) today announced its financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021, including net income attributable to Murphy of $108 million, or $0.70 net income per diluted share. Adjusted net income, which excludes discontinued operations and other one-off items, was $37 million, or $0.24 net income per diluted share.

Unless otherwise noted, the financial and operating highlights and metrics discussed in this commentary exclude noncontrolling interest.¹

Highlights for the third quarter include:

• Generated adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortization and exploration expenses of $312 million, or $21.95 per barrel of oil equivalent
• Advanced debt reduction goal with redemption of $150 million of 6.875 percent senior notes due 2024
• Finalized Terra Nova asset life extension project agreement with partners and government, increasing Murphy’s working interest to 18 percent from 10.475 percent
• Maintained schedule of major projects in the Gulf of Mexico ahead of first oil in the first half of 2022 with drilling Khaleesi #3 and spudding Samurai #4, with no timing impacts from Hurricane Ida
• Transported the King’s Quay floating production system successfully, safely and on schedule to the Texas coast from South Korea

Subsequent to the third quarter:

• Reduced 2021 capital expenditures guidance midpoint by $20 million down to $680 million, with a range of $675 to $685 million
• Continued delevering by announcing the redemption of $150 million of 6.875 percent senior notes due 2024 to occur on December 2, thereby achieving $300 million long-term debt reduction goal and 17 percent total debt reduction for 2021

“Our team continues to successfully execute our major Gulf of Mexico projects as planned, while maintaining consistent onshore production volumes, enabling us to capitalize on rising oil prices and generate excess cash to achieve our goal of reducing long-term debt by $300 million in the second half of this year,” said Roger W. Jenkins, President and Chief Executive Officer. “By strengthening our balance sheet through significant debt reduction, the company will close out the year well-positioned to navigate all commodity price cycles as we continue our exploration program with spudding the non-operated Cutthroat well in Brazil in fourth quarter 2021.”

“Prior to Hurricane Ida at the end of August, our Gulf of Mexico assets were performing above guidance. Our offshore facilities did not experience significant damage, and due to our preparations, five days after evacuation we were able to redeploy personnel safely with no incidents and, shortly thereafter, resumed drilling. This enabled our team to complete planned maintenance while awaiting downstream functionality, thereby reducing our operated planned downtime for fourth quarter 2021,” said Jenkins. “Today, all hurricane-related production issues have been resolved with the exception of one field, which produces about 1 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day.”

THIRD QUARTER 2021 RESULTS

The company recorded net income, attributable to Murphy, of $108 million, or $0.70 net income per diluted share, for the third quarter 2021. This includes a realized after-tax loss of $91 million and an unrealized after-tax gain on crude oil derivative contracts of $44 million. Adjusted net income, which excludes both the results of discontinued operations and certain other items that affect comparability of results between periods, was $37 million, or $0.24 net income per diluted share for the same period. The adjusted net income from continuing operations adjusts for the following after-tax items: a $54 million gain on asset retirement obligations due to the multi-year deferral of expected abandonment expenditures at Terra Nova in offshore Canada, the previously mentioned $44 million non-cash mark-to-market gain on derivative instruments and a $22 million non-cash mark-to-market loss on contingent consideration. Details for third quarter results can be found in the attached schedules.

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) from continuing operations attributable to Murphy was $288 million, or $20 per barrel of oil equivalent (BOE) sold. Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortization and exploration expenses (EBITDAX) from continuing operations attributable to Murphy was $312 million, or $22 per BOE sold. Details for third quarter EBITDA and EBITDAX reconciliations can be found in the attached schedules.

Third quarter production averaged 155 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (MBOEPD) with 52 percent oil and 59 percent liquids. Approximately 12.8 MBOEPD of Gulf of Mexico production was shut-in due to Hurricane Ida during the quarter. Production downtime following the significant storm was extended as a result of damage and power loss at third-party downstream facilities, including oil terminals, natural gas processing plants and refineries, causing them to remain offline for several weeks. Gulf of Mexico production volumes steadily ramped up as third-party facilities returned to operations with approximately 1 MBOEPD expected to remain offline for repairs through first quarter 2022.

Details for third quarter results can be found in the attached schedules.

FINANCIAL POSITION

Murphy had approximately $2.1 billion of liquidity as of September 30, 2021, comprised of the $1.6 billion senior unsecured credit facility and approximately $505 million of cash and cash equivalents.

On August 16, 2021, Murphy redeemed $150 million of its 6.875 percent senior notes due 2024 for a redemption price of 101.719 percent. Total debt of $2.6 billion as of the end of third quarter 2021 consists of long-term, fixed-rate notes with a weighted average maturity of 7.5 years and a weighted average coupon of 6.3 percent.

Subsequent to quarter end, the company announced it will redeem an additional $150 million of its 6.875 percent senior notes due 2024. Following this redemption, Murphy will have achieved its long-term debt reduction goal of $300 million for the second half of 2021, as well as reduced total debt by $530 million, or 17 percent, since year-end 2020, after achieving $230 million total debt reduction in first quarter 2021.

OPERATIONS SUMMARY

Onshore

The onshore business produced approximately 95 MBOEPD with 40 percent liquids volumes in the third quarter. No wells were brought online across Murphy’s onshore assets during the quarter.

Eagle Ford Shale – Third quarter production averaged 37 MBOEPD with 70 percent oil volumes.

Tupper Montney – In the third quarter, natural gas production averaged 292 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD).

Kaybob Duvernay – Production averaged 7 MBOEPD with 71 percent liquids volumes during the third quarter.

Offshore

Excluding noncontrolling interest, the offshore business produced 60 MBOEPD for the third quarter, comprised of 82 percent oil, which was negatively impacted by 12.8 MBOEPD of shut-in production as a result of Hurricane Ida.

Gulf of Mexico – During the quarter, production averaged 56 MBOEPD, consisting of 81 percent oil. Murphy brought Calliope #1 (Mississippi Canyon 609) online in August prior to the hurricane.

Murphy’s major projects continue to advance on schedule, with the Khaleesi, Mormont, Samurai project expected to achieve first oil in the first half of 2022 through the King’s Quay floating production system, and the non-operated St. Malo waterflood project scheduled to complete in 2023. Murphy drilled Khaleesi #3 and spud Samurai #4 in the third quarter, while the King’s Quay floating production system safely reached shoreside in Texas after sailing from South Korea. Additionally, the final producer well of the non-operated St. Malo waterflood campaign was brought online in August prior to the hurricane.

Canada – Production averaged 4 MBOEPD in the third quarter, comprised of 100 percent oil.

Operations at the Terra Nova field have remained offline since December 2019. During the third quarter, the partner group finalized an agreement to advance the Terra Nova asset life extension project, which is expected to extend production life by approximately 10 years. As part of this agreement, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will provide royalty and financial support up to $164 million (C$205 million) total to the partner group, which will contribute on a matching basis. Murphy’s working interest has increased to 18 percent from 10.475 percent, while Suncor as operator now holds 48 percent and Cenovus owns the remaining 34 percent. Work began on the floating production storage and offloading vessel in the third quarter 2021 and it will remain offline throughout 2022 with an anticipated return to operations in fourth quarter 2022. Murphy’s future net investment in the project is approximately $60 million, after adjusting for government funding and exiting partners.

EXPLORATION

Gulf of Mexico – Chevron U.S.A. Inc. drilled an exploration well at Silverback (Mississippi Canyon 35) and reached a measured depth of 23,240 feet. The operator plugged and abandoned the well and is evaluating the results. Murphy has fully expensed the well.

COMMODITY HEDGES

Murphy employs commodity derivative instruments to manage certain risks associated with commodity price volatility and underpin capital returns associated with certain assets.

During and subsequent to the third quarter, Murphy added hedges to protect cash flow with the execution of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) costless collars, resulting in a total 23 thousand barrels of oil per day (MBOPD) hedged for full year 2022 with a weighted average put price of $62.65 per barrel and average call price of $74.77 per barrel.

For the remainder of 2021, the company has 45 MBOPD hedged with WTI fixed price swaps at an average price of $42.77 per barrel, while 20 MBOPD of full-year 2022 production is hedged at an average price of $44.88 per barrel.

Murphy continues to maintain its natural gas price risk protection with fixed price forward sales contracts for physical delivery at the AECO hub in Canada for calendar years 2021 through 2024. Details for the current hedge positions can be found in the attached schedules.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND PRODUCTION GUIDANCE

Production for fourth quarter 2021 is estimated to be in the range of 145.5 to 153.5 MBOEPD. This includes 4.5 MBOEPD of Gulf of Mexico facility downtime that occurred in October and 2.2 MBOEPD of net planned non-operated Gulf of Mexico downtime to occur later in the quarter. Murphy is reducing its 2021 capital expenditures (CAPEX) guidance midpoint by $20 million down to $680 million, with a range of $675 to $685 million. Due to production impacts from the hurricane, full year 2021 production guidance has been revised to a range of 156.5 to 158.5 MBOEPD, with the low end of original guidance now set as the midpoint. Full year production is forecast to be comprised of approximately 55 percent oil and 62 percent total liquids volumes. Both production and CAPEX guidance ranges exclude Gulf of Mexico noncontrolling interest (NCI).

“This year’s focus on delevering the balance sheet could only have been achieved with continuous capital discipline,” said Jenkins. “I am especially proud to maintain the low end of our original production guidance, exceed our original oil production volumes, and achieve our debt reduction goals – all accomplished with less capital, including our Lucius working interest acquisition in the first quarter, and despite experiencing a major hurricane that struck the most significant Gulf Coast location in the oil and natural gas industry.”

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 4, 2021

Murphy will host a conference call to discuss third quarter 2021 financial and operating results on Thursday, November 4, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. EDT. The call can be accessed either via the Internet through the Investor Relations section of Murphy Oil’s website at http://ir.murphyoilcorp.com or via the telephone by dialing toll free 1-888-886-7786, reservation number 88455077.

FINANCIAL DATA

Summary financial data and operating statistics for third quarter 2021, with comparisons to the same period from the previous year, are contained in the following schedules. Additionally, a schedule indicating the impacts of items affecting comparability of results between periods, a reconciliation of EBITDA and EBITDAX between periods, as well as guidance for the fourth quarter and full year 2021, are also included.

¹In accordance with GAAP, Murphy reports the 100 percent interest, including a 20 percent noncontrolling interest (NCI), in its subsidiary, MP Gulf of Mexico, LLC (MP GOM). The GAAP financials include the NCI portion of revenue, costs, assets and liabilities and cash flows. Unless otherwise noted, the financial and operating highlights and metrics discussed in this news release, but not the accompanying schedules, exclude the NCI, thereby representing only the amounts attributable to Murphy.

ABOUT MURPHY OIL CORPORATION

As an independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company, Murphy Oil Corporation believes in providing energy that empowers people by doing right always, staying with it and thinking beyond possible. Murphy challenges the norm, taps into its strong legacy and uses its foresight and financial discipline to deliver inspired energy solutions. The company sees a future where it is an industry leader who is positively impacting lives for the next 100 years and beyond. Additional information can be found on the company’s website at www.murphyoilcorp.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are generally identified through the inclusion of words such as “aim”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “drive”, “estimate”, “expect”, “expressed confidence”, “forecast”, “future”, “goal”, “guidance”, “intend”, “may”, “objective”, “outlook”, “plan”, “position”, “potential”, “project”, “seek”, “should”, “strategy”, “target”, “will” or variations of such words and other similar expressions. These statements, which express management’s current views concerning future events or results, are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause one or more of these future events or results not to occur as implied by any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to: macro conditions in the oil and gas industry, including supply/demand levels, actions taken by major oil exporters and the resulting impacts on commodity prices; increased volatility or deterioration in the success rate of our exploration programs or in our ability to maintain production rates and replace reserves; reduced customer demand for our products due to environmental, regulatory, technological or other reasons; adverse foreign exchange movements; political and regulatory instability in the markets where we do business; the impact on our operations or market of health pandemics such as COVID-19 and related government responses; other natural hazards impacting our operations or markets; any other deterioration in our business, markets or prospects; any failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals; any inability to service or refinance our outstanding debt or to access debt markets at acceptable prices; or adverse developments in the U.S. or global capital markets, credit markets or economies in general. For further discussion of factors that could cause one or more of these future events or results not to occur as implied by any forward-looking statement, see “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and any subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Current Report on Form 8-K that we file, available from the SEC’s website and from Murphy Oil Corporation’s website at http://ir.murphyoilcorp.com. Murphy Oil Corporation undertakes no duty to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This news release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures that management believes are useful tools for internal use and the investment community in evaluating Murphy Oil Corporation’s overall financial performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are broadly used to value and compare companies in the crude oil and natural gas industry. Not all companies define these measures in the same way. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are not a substitute for financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP and should therefore be considered only as supplemental to such GAAP financial measures. Please see the attached schedules for reconciliations of the differences between the non-GAAP financial measures used in this news release and the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Presented above is a reconciliation of Net income (loss) to Adjusted income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Murphy. Adjusted income (loss) excludes certain items that management believes affect the comparability of results between periods. Management believes this is important information to provide because it is used by management to evaluate the Company’s operational performance and trends between periods and relative to its industry competitors. Management also believes this information may be useful to investors and analysts to gain a better understanding of the Company’s financial results. Adjusted income (loss) is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered a substitute for Net income (loss) as determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Amounts shown above as reconciling items between Net income (loss) and Adjusted income (loss) are presented net of applicable income taxes based on the estimated statutory rate in the applicable tax jurisdiction. The pretax and income tax impacts for adjustments shown above are as follows by area of operations and exclude the share attributable to non-controlling interests.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Presented above is a reconciliation of Net income (loss) to Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and adjusted EBITDA. Management believes EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are important information to provide because they are used by management to evaluate the Company’s operational performance and trends between periods and relative to its industry competitors. Management also believes this information may be useful to investors and analysts to gain a better understanding of the Company’s financial results. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures and should not be considered a substitute for Net income (loss) or Cash provided by operating activities as determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Presented above is adjusted EBITDA per barrel of oil equivalent sold. Management believes adjusted EBITDA per barrel of oil equivalent sold is important information because it is used by management to evaluate the Company’s profitability of one barrel of oil equivalent sold in that period. Adjusted EBITDA per barrel of oil equivalent sold is a non-GAAP financial metric.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Presented above is a reconciliation of Net income (loss) to Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and exploration expenses (EBITDAX) and adjusted EBITDAX. Management believes EBITDAX and adjusted EBITDAX are important information to provide because they are used by management to evaluate the Company’s operational performance and trends between periods and relative to its industry competitors. Management also believes this information may be useful to investors and analysts to gain a better understanding of the Company’s financial results. EBITDAX and adjusted EBITDAX are non-GAAP financial measures and should not be considered a substitute for Net income (loss) or Cash provided by operating activities as determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Presented above is adjusted EBITDAX per barrel of oil equivalent sold. Management believes adjusted EBITDAX per barrel of oil equivalent sold is important information because it is used by management to evaluate the Company’s profitability of one barrel of oil equivalent sold in that period. Adjusted EBITDAX per barrel of oil equivalent sold is a non-GAAP financial metric.

MURPHY OIL CORPORATION

FUNCTIONAL RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)

 

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Investor Contacts:
Kelly Whitley, kelly_whitley@murphyoilcorp.com, 281-675-9107
Megan Larson, megan_larson@murphyoilcorp.com, 281-675-9470

Source: Murphy Oil Corporation