Pioneer Natural Resources Reports Second Quarter 2023 Financial and Operating Results

DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pioneer Natural Resources Company (NYSE:PXD) (“Pioneer” or “the Company”) today reported financial and operating results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. Pioneer reported second quarter net income attributable to common stockholders of $1.1 billion, or $4.55 per diluted share. These results include the effects of noncash mark-to-market adjustments and certain other unusual items. Excluding these items, non-GAAP adjusted income for the second quarter was $1.1 billion, or $4.49 per diluted share. Cash flow from operating activities for the second quarter was $1.7 billion.

Highlights

  • Second quarter oil production averaged 369 thousand barrels of oil per day (MBOPD), near the top end of quarterly guidance
  • Second quarter total production averaged 711 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (MBOEPD), above the top end of quarterly guidance
  • Increased the midpoints of full-year 2023 oil and total production guidance to 369 MBOPD and 707 MBOEPD, respectively
  • Reduced the midpoint of full-year 2023 capital1 guidance by $125 million
  • Generated strong second quarter free cash flow2 of $742 million
  • Declared a quarterly base-plus-variable dividend of $1.84 per share and repurchased $124 million of shares during the second quarter (0.6 million shares)

Pioneer’s strong execution delivered excellent second quarter results, with oil production near the top end of our guidance range,” stated Rich Dealy, President and Chief Operating Officer. “Additionally, our solid operational results generated significant free cash flow2 during the second quarter, supporting compelling shareholder returns.

Continued strong well productivity and highly efficient operations underpin our ability to increase full-year production guidance, while lowering full-year capital1 guidance through a purposeful reduction in activity. Our improved 2023 outlook is expected to deliver an even more capitally efficient program.

Pioneer’s greatest competitive advantages remain our deep inventory of high-return wells paired with our highly efficient operations and our dedicated employees. We expect this combination to generate strong corporate returns and significant free cash flow3 for decades, providing long-term value for shareholders.”

Financial Highlights

Pioneer maintains a strong balance sheet, with net debt of $5.2 billion as of June 30, 2023. The Company had $1.9 billion of liquidity, comprised of $91 million of cash on hand and $1.8 billion available under a $2.0 billion unsecured credit facility, as of June 30, 2023.

Cash flow from operating activities during the second quarter was $1.7 billion, leading to free cash flow2 of $742 million.

During the second quarter, the Company’s total capital expenditures1 totaled $1.2 billion.

For the third quarter of 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors has declared a quarterly base-plus-variable dividend of $1.84 per share, comprised of a $1.25 base dividend and $0.59 variable dividend. This represents a total annualized dividend yield of 3.3%4.

In addition to a strong dividend payout, the Company continues to execute opportunistic share repurchases. During the second quarter, the Company repurchased $124 million of common stock at an average share price of $207. This total return of capital, including base-plus-variable dividend and share repurchases, represents 75% of second quarter free cash flow2, consistent with the Company’s return of capital framework, which creates significant value for shareholders.

Financial Results

For the second quarter of 2023, the average realized price for oil was $72.90 per barrel. The average realized price for natural gas liquids (NGLs) was $22.43 per barrel, and the average realized price for gas was $1.81 per thousand cubic feet. These prices exclude the effects of derivatives.

Production costs, including taxes, averaged $10.39 per barrel of oil equivalent (BOE). Depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) expense averaged $10.75 per BOE. Exploration and abandonment expense was $23 million. General and administrative (G&A) expense was $88 million. Interest expense was $41 million. The net cash flow impact related to purchases and sales of oil and gas, including firm transportation, was a loss of $59 million. Other expense was $27 million, or $16 million excluding unusual items. Current income tax provision was $192 million. The Company’s effective tax rate was 22% for the quarter.

Operations Update

Pioneer’s continued operational excellence in the Midland Basin enabled the Company to place 124 horizontal wells on production during the second quarter of 2023.

Pioneer’s large and contiguous acreage position provides the opportunity to drive further operational enhancements. The development of wells with lateral lengths in excess of 15,000 feet provides significant capital savings on a per foot basis and is expected to generate an internal rate of return (IRR) that is on average 35% higher than a comparable 10,000-foot lateral well, well above our previous estimate of 20%. The Company is expanding the development of 15,000-foot laterals from 2022 levels and expects to place more than 100 of these wells on production in 2023. In total, the Company has over 1,000 future locations with 15,000-foot lateral lengths in its drilling inventory.

Additionally, Pioneer has delivered significant cost and efficiency improvements from the utilization of simulfrac completions and localized sand mines. The Company added a third simulfrac fleet in the first quarter of 2023 and a second localized sand mine commenced operations during the second quarter. Consistent with the Company’s commitment to sustainable operations, Pioneer expects 100% of its completions fleets to be either electric or dual-fuel powered in the second half of 2023.

Extended laterals, utilization of simulfrac fleets, localized sand and the transition of completions fleets from diesel-only fuel are a few examples of the many continuous improvement efforts that the Company’s operational teams are progressing.

Improved 2023 Outlook

Pioneer is lowering the midpoint of its 2023 drilling, completions, facilities and water infrastructure capital budget1 by $125 million to an updated range of $4.375 billion to $4.575 billion. Additionally, the Company expects its capital budget for exploration, environmental and other capital to range between $150 million to $200 million in 2023, principally related to drilling four Barnett/Woodford formation wells in the Midland Basin, additional testing of the Company’s enhanced oil recovery (EOR) project and adding electric power infrastructure for future drilling, completions and production operations. Pioneer expects its capital program to be fully funded from 2023 cash flow5. The reduction in the Company’s 2023 capital budget is primarily attributable to strong production results and highly efficient operations resulting in reduced activity in the second half of 2023.

During 2023, the Company now plans to operate an average of 23 to 25 horizontal drilling rigs in the Midland Basin, including a three-rig average program in the southern Midland Basin joint venture area. The revised 2023 capital program is expected to place 490 to 520 wells on production.

This activity level is expected to deliver 2023 oil production of 364 to 374 MBOPD, an increase of 4.5 MBOPD at the midpoint when compared to original 2023 guidance. Total production is expected to range from 697 to 717 MBOEPD, an increase of 22 MBOEPD at the midpoint when compared to original 2023 guidance.

Third Quarter 2023 Guidance

Third quarter 2023 oil production is forecasted to average between 367 to 377 MBOPD and total production is expected to average between 705 to 725 MBOEPD. Production costs are expected to average $10.50 per BOE to $12.00 per BOE. DD&A expense is expected to average $10.50 per BOE to $12.00 per BOE. Total exploration and abandonment expense is forecasted to be $10 million to $20 million. G&A expense is expected to be $80 million to $90 million. Interest expense is expected to be $40 million to $45 million. Other expense is forecasted to be $20 million to $40 million. The cash flow impact related to purchases and sales of oil and gas, including firm transportation, is expected to be a loss of $20 million to $60 million, based on forward oil price estimates for the quarter.

The Company’s effective income tax rate is expected to be between 22% to 27%, with the current income tax provision for the quarter expected to be $175 million to $250 million, representing pro rata estimated federal and state taxes based on forecasted 2023 taxable income. The Company expects its cash tax rate for the full-year 2023 to approximate a mid-to-high teens percentage of book income.

Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG)

Pioneer views sustainability as a multidisciplinary effort that balances economic growth, environmental stewardship and social responsibility. The Company emphasizes developing natural resources in a manner that protects surrounding communities and preserves the environment.

Pioneer recently published its 2023 Sustainability Report highlighting the Company’s focus and significant progress on its ESG initiatives. The Company incorporated the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) framework into this report to provide a more comprehensive overview of the Company’s sustainability practices. The report details Pioneer’s leading ESG strategy, which includes significant progress on environmental practices and highlights the Company’s continued support for its employees and local communities.

The Company has multiple initiatives underway that are expected to result in tangible progress towards Pioneer’s net zero emissions ambition6. In addition to being one of the first U.S. operators to commit to Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 Initiative (OGMP), Pioneer has established a new target for methane intensity of 0.20% or less in 2025, which places Pioneer on the path to achieving the OGMP “Gold Standard” designation. The Company has made significant progress towards its 2030 emissions intensity targets by achieving a 22% reduction in greenhouse gas emission intensity6 and a 64% reduction in methane emission intensity, when compared to a 2019 baseline. Additionally, Pioneer achieved a flaring intensity of 0.54% in 2022, well below the Company’s goal to limit flaring to 1% of natural gas produced. Pioneer continues to prioritize environmental stewardship and plans to end routine flaring by 2025.

Pioneer continues to advance the electrification of field operations through a large-scale renewable energy project on Pioneer owned surface acreage in partnership with a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC. Construction began in 2023 on the 51-turbine, 140-megawatt wind farm project and is expected to begin supplying power to Pioneer operations in early 2024.

Additionally, Pioneer decreased its dependence on freshwater used in completions to 23% during 2022. This achievement represents significant progress in realizing the Company’s target to reduce freshwater used in completions to 20% or less by 2026. Pioneer’s improvement is underpinned by increased recycling capabilities and the utilization of reclaimed water from the cities of Midland and Odessa.

For more details, see Pioneer’s 2023 Sustainability Report at www.pxd.com/sustainability.

Earnings Conference Call

On Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time, Pioneer will discuss its financial and operating results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, with an accompanying presentation. Instructions for listening to the call and viewing the accompanying presentation are shown below.

Internet: www.pxd.com

Select “Investors,” then “Quarterly Results” to listen to the discussion, view the presentation and see other related material.

Telephone: Dial (888) 440-5983 five minutes before the call.

A replay of the webcast will be archived on Pioneer’s website. An audio only replay will be available via telephone through September 1, 2023. To access the audio replay, dial (800) 770-2030 and enter passcode 8960822#.

About Pioneer

Pioneer is a large independent oil and gas exploration and production company, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with operations in the United States. For more information, visit www.pxd.com.

Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this news release are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements and the business prospects of the Company are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company’s actual results in future periods to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, volatility of commodity prices; product supply and demand; the impact of armed conflict (including the war in Ukraine) and related political instability on economic activity and oil and gas supply and demand; competition; the ability to obtain drilling, environmental and other permits and the timing thereof; the effect of future regulatory or legislative actions on Pioneer or the industry in which it operates, including potential changes to tax laws; the ability to obtain approvals from third parties and negotiate agreements with third parties on mutually acceptable terms; potential liability resulting from pending or future litigation; the costs, including the potential impact of cost increases due to inflation and supply chain disruptions, and results of development and operating activities; the impact of a widespread outbreak of an illness, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, on global and U.S. economic activity, oil and gas demand, and global and U.S. supply chains; the risk of new restrictions with respect to development activities, including potential changes to regulations resulting in limitations on the Company’s ability to dispose of produced water; availability of equipment, services, resources and personnel required to perform the Company’s development and operating activities; access to and availability of transportation, processing, fractionation, refining, storage and export facilities; Pioneer’s ability to replace reserves, implement its business plans or complete its development activities as scheduled; the Company’s ability to achieve its emissions reductions, flaring and other ESG goals; access to and cost of capital; the financial strength of (i) counterparties to Pioneer’s credit facility and derivative contracts, (ii) issuers of Pioneer’s investment securities and (iii) purchasers of Pioneer’s oil, NGL and gas production and downstream sales of purchased commodities; uncertainties about estimates of reserves, identification of drilling locations and the ability to add proved reserves in the future; the assumptions underlying forecasts, including forecasts of production, operating cash flow, well costs, capital expenditures, rates of return, expenses, and cash flow from downstream purchases and sales of oil and gas, net of firm transportation commitments; tax rates; quality of technical data; environmental and weather risks, including the possible impacts of climate change on the Company’s operations and demand for its products; cybersecurity risks; the risks associated with the ownership and operation of the Company’s water services business and acts of war or terrorism. These and other risks are described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the Company may be subject to currently unforeseen risks that may have a materially adverse effect on it. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that the actual events and results will not be materially different than the anticipated results described in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no duty to publicly update these statements except as required by law.

Footnote 1: Excludes acquisitions, asset retirement obligations, capitalized interest, geological and geophysical G&A, information technology, corporate facilities and vehicles.

Footnote 2: Second quarter 2023 free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. As used by the Company, free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities, adjusted for changes in operating assets and liabilities, less capital expenditures1. See the supplemental schedules for a reconciliation of second quarter 2023 free cash flow to the comparable GAAP number.

Footnote 3: Forecasted free cash flow numbers are non-GAAP financial measures. Due to their forward-looking nature, management cannot reliably predict certain of the necessary components of the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measures, such as working capital changes. Accordingly, Pioneer is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of such forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measures. Amounts excluded from this non-GAAP measure in future periods could be significant.

Footnote 4: Calculated by dividing the Company’s annualized third quarter 2023 total dividend per share by the Company’s closing stock price on July 28, 2023. Future dividends, whether base or variable, are authorized and determined by the Company’s Board of Directors in its sole discretion. Decisions regarding the payment of dividends are subject to a number of considerations at the time, including without limitation the Company’s liquidity and capital resources, the Company’s results of operations and anticipated future results of operations, the level of cash reserves the Company maintains to fund future capital expenditures or other needs, and other factors that the Board of Directors deems relevant. The Company can provide no assurance that dividends will be authorized or declared in the future or the amount of any future dividends. Any future variable dividends, if declared and paid, will by their nature fluctuate based on the Company’s free cash flow and share repurchases, which will depend on a number of factors beyond the Company’s control, including commodity prices and the Company’s stock price.

Footnote 5: Forecasted cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. The 2023 estimated cash flow number represents January through December 2023 actual and forecasted operating cash flow (before working capital changes) based on strip pricing and internal forecasts of 2023 production. Due to their forward-looking nature, management cannot reliably predict certain of the necessary components of the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measures, such as working capital changes. Accordingly, Pioneer is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of such forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measures. Amounts excluded from this non-GAAP measure in future periods could be significant.

Footnote 6: Includes Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.

Note: Estimates of future results, including cash flow and free cash flow, are based on the Company’s internal financial model prepared by management and used to assist in the management of its business. Pioneer’s financial models are not prepared with a view to public disclosure or compliance with GAAP, any guidelines of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any other body. The financial models reflect numerous assumptions, in addition to those noted in this news release, with respect to general business, economic, market and financial conditions and other matters. These assumptions regarding future events are difficult, if not impossible to predict, and many are beyond Pioneer’s control. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the assumptions made by management in preparing the financial models will prove accurate. It is expected that there will be differences between actual and estimated or modeled results, and actual results may be materially greater or less than those contained in the Company’s financial models.

PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions)

June 30, 2023

December 31, 2022

(Unaudited)

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

91

$

1,032

Accounts receivable, net

1,513

1,853

Inventories

448

424

Investment in affiliate

137

172

Prepaids and other

153

245

Total current assets

2,342

3,726

Oil and gas properties, using the successful efforts method of accounting

46,924

44,473

Accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization

(16,174

)

(14,843

)

Total oil and gas properties, net

30,750

29,630

Other property and equipment, net

1,624

1,658

Operating lease right-of-use assets

366

340

Goodwill

242

243

Other assets

170

143

$

35,494

$

35,740

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

2,380

$

2,637

Interest payable

48

33

Income taxes payable

25

63

Current portion of debt

311

779

Derivatives

72

44

Operating leases

145

125

Other

218

206

Total current liabilities

3,199

3,887

Long-term debt

5,010

4,125

Derivatives

85

96

Deferred income taxes

4,102

3,867

Operating leases

243

236

Other liabilities

855

988

Equity

22,000

22,541

$

35,494

$

35,740

PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in millions, except per share data)

Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

2023

2022

2023

2022

Revenues and other income:

Oil and gas

$

2,977

$

4,639

$

6,142

$

8,570

Sales of purchased commodities

1,583

2,366

3,014

4,583

Interest and other income (loss), net

43

(56

)

7

69

Derivative loss, net

(1

)

(65

)

(45

)

(200

)

Gain (loss) on disposition of assets, net

(3

)

36

22

70

4,599

6,920

9,140

13,092

Costs and expenses:

Oil and gas production

487

478

942

894

Production and ad valorem taxes

185

271

393

495

Depletion, depreciation and amortization

695

620

1,359

1,234

Purchased commodities

1,642

2,382

3,127

4,534

Exploration and abandonments

23

11

38

24

General and administrative

88

88

172

161

Accretion of discount on asset retirement obligations

4

4

8

8

Interest

41

33

70

70

Other

27

5

67

83

3,192

3,892

6,176

7,503

Income before income taxes

1,407

3,028

2,964

5,589

Income tax provision

(305

)

(657

)

(640

)

(1,209

)

Net income attributable to common stockholders

$

1,102

$

2,371

$

2,324

$

4,380

Net income per share attributable to common stockholders:

Basic

$

4.71

$

9.78

$

9.90

$

18.03

Diluted

$

4.55

$

9.30

$

9.55

$

17.15

Weighted average shares outstanding:

Basic

234

242

234

242

Diluted

242

254

243

255

PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions)

Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

2023

2022

2023

2022

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income

$

1,102

$

2,371

$

2,324

$

4,380

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depletion, depreciation and amortization

695

620

1,359

1,234

Exploration expenses

1

1

1

6

Deferred income taxes

113

513

223

1,045

(Gain) loss on disposition of assets, net

3

(36

)

(22

)

(70

)

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

47

Accretion of discount on asset retirement obligations

4

4

8

8

Interest expense

3

2

6

5

Derivative-related activity

(18

)

(27

)

18

40

Amortization of stock-based compensation

27

20

50

39

Investment valuation adjustments

(18

)

65

35

(49

)

Other

32

14

84

41

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

(123

)

38

338

(659

)

Inventories

39

(115

)

(24

)

(241

)

Other assets

114

(44

)

51

(44

)

Accounts payable

38

(90

)

(342

)

88

Interest payable

30

17

14

(13

)

Income taxes payable

(263

)

(25

)

(38

)

(8

)

Other liabilities

(66

)

(110

)

(58

)

(50

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

1,713

3,218

4,027

5,799

Net cash used in investing activities

(1,262

)

(755

)

(2,466

)

(2,065

)

Net cash used in financing activities

(1,552

)

(2,272

)

(2,502

)

(5,033

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

(1,101

)

191

(941

)

(1,299

)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period

1,192

2,394

1,032

3,884

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period

$

91

$

2,585

$

91

$

2,585

Contacts

Pioneer Natural Resources Company Contacts:

Investors
Greg Wright – 972-969-1770

Chris Leypoldt – 972-969-5834

Media and Public Affairs
Christina Voss – 972-969-5706

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