Pioneer Natural Resources Reports Third Quarter 2022 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 September 30, 2022. Pioneer reported third quarter net income attributable to common stockholders of $2.0 billion, or $7.93 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 third quarter was $1.9 billion, or $7.48 per diluted share. Cash flow from operating activities for the third quarter was $3.0 billion.

Highlights

• Generated strong third quarter free cash flow¹ of $1.7 billion
• Based on third quarter results, declared a quarterly base-plus-variable dividend of $5.71 per share to be paid in December 2022
• Repurchased $500 million of shares during the third quarter
• Announced participation in wind and solar generation projects to increase use of renewable energy and reduce Scope 2 emissions

Chief Executive Officer Scott D. Sheffield stated, “Pioneer continues to execute on our investment framework that provides best-in-class capital returns to shareholders. This framework is expected to result in $7.5 billion of cash flow being returned to shareholders during 2022, including $26 per share in dividends and continued opportunistic share repurchases.

“To further enhance our top-tier free cash flow generation and return of capital, we have increased the return thresholds for wells to be included in our future development programs, which is expected to improve our program well productivity in 2023 and subsequent years, surpassing 2021 productivity levels. Additionally, our current 15,000-foot lateral program, which we plan to expand in 2023, is delivering improved returns through lower capital costs per lateral foot. With an inventory of more than twenty years of high-return wells, our improved 2023 development program is highly repeatable and will deliver affordable energy to the world, with some of the lowest emissions as a result of the Company’s high environmental standards.”

Financial Highlights

Pioneer maintains a strong balance sheet, with unrestricted cash on hand at the end of the third quarter of 2022 of $1.3 billion and net debt of $3.9 billion. The Company had $3.7 billion of liquidity as of September 30, 2022, comprised of $1.3 billion of cash, $372 million of short-term commercial paper investments and a $2.0 billion unsecured credit facility (undrawn as of September 30, 2022).

Cash flow from operating activities during the third quarter was $3.0 billion, leading to free cash flow¹ of $1.7 billion.

During the third quarter, the Company’s total capital expenditures², including drilling, completion, facilities and water infrastructure totaled $1.0 billion.

For the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors (Board) has declared a quarterly base-plus-variable dividend of $5.71 per share, comprised of a $1.10 base dividend and $4.61 variable dividend. This represents a total annualized dividend yield of approximately 9%³.

In addition to a strong dividend program, the Company continues to execute opportunistic share repurchases. During the third quarter, the Company repurchased $500 million of common stock at an average share price of $218. Pioneer believes this peer-leading return of capital strategy, which combines a strong base dividend, a substantial variable dividend and opportunistic share repurchases, creates significant value for shareholders⁴. The combination of fourth quarter dividends and third quarter share repurchases, on an annualized basis, represents a total stockholder return yield of approximately 12%⁵.

Financial Results

For the third quarter of 2022, the average realized price for oil was $94.23 per barrel. The average realized price for natural gas liquids (NGLs) was $38.09 per barrel, and the average realized price for gas was $7.58 per thousand cubic feet. These prices exclude the effects of derivatives.

Production costs, including taxes, averaged $13.62 per barrel of oil equivalent (BOE). Depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) expense averaged $10.61 per BOE. Exploration and abandonment costs were $8 million. General and administrative (G&A) expense was $90 million, or $80 million when excluding $10 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Interest expense was $30 million. The net cash flow impact related to purchases and sales of oil and gas, including firm transportation, was a loss of $135 million. Other expense was $36 million. Cash taxes totaled $308 million, and the Company’s effective tax rate was 20% for the quarter.

Operations Update

Pioneer continues to deliver strong operational performance in the Midland Basin, enabling the Company to place 128 and 399 horizontal wells on production during the third quarter and the first nine months of the year, respectively.

The Company is increasing the return thresholds for wells to be included in future development programs, providing a substantial improvement in expected program well productivity and returns. With these changes, Pioneer expects future well productivity to surpass 2021 levels. Future returns and well productivity reflect optimized full-stack development, drilling extended lateral lengths and a reduction in drilling of delayed targets. The Company’s deep inventory of high-return locations is expected to sustain Pioneer’s development program for multiple decades.

The Company continues to see significant capital savings and higher returns from the development of wells with lateral lengths in excess of 15,000 feet. Pioneer’s savings of approximately 15% per lateral foot on extended laterals results in internal rates of return that are 20% higher than that of a 10,000-foot lateral.

Drilling longer laterals, reducing drilling days per well and completing more feet per day, among other operational efficiency improvements, continue to benefit capital efficiency and dampen inflationary pressures.

2022 Outlook

The Company expects its 2022 total capital budget² to range between $3.6 to $3.8 billion. Pioneer expects its capital program to be fully funded from 2022 cash flow⁶ of over $12 billion.

During 2022, the Company plans to operate an average of 22 to 24 horizontal drilling rigs in the Midland Basin, including a three-rig average program in the southern Midland Basin joint venture area. The 2022 capital program is expected to place 475 to 505 wells on production. Pioneer expects 2022 oil production of 350 to 365 thousand barrels of oil per day (MBOPD) and total production of 623 to 648 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (MBOEPD).

Fourth Quarter 2022 Guidance

Fourth quarter 2022 oil production is forecasted to average between 346.5 to 361.5 MBOPD and total production is expected to average between 655 to 680 MBOEPD. Production costs are expected to average $12.00 per BOE to $13.50 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 $75 million to $85 million. Interest expense is expected to be $28 million to $33 million. Other expense is forecasted to be $20 million to $40 million. Accretion of discount on asset retirement obligations is expected to be $3 million to $6 million. The cash flow impact related to purchases and sales of oil and gas, including firm transportation, is expected to be a loss of $45 million to a loss of $85 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 cash taxes expected to be $10 million to $30 million, representing estimated federal and state tax payments that will be paid based on forecasted 2022 taxable 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 2022 Sustainability Report highlighting the Company’s focus and significant progress on ESG initiatives. The comprehensive report details the Company’s leadership position on ESG metrics and targets during 2021, including enhanced disclosures on air emissions; water management practices; diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); board of director governance and community engagement.

The Company has multiple initiatives underway that are expected to result in tangible progress towards Pioneer’s net zero emissions ambition. Pioneer has made significant progress towards the Company’s 2030 emissions intensity targets by achieving a 22% reduction in greenhouse gas emission intensity and a 50% reduction in methane emission intensity, when compared to a 2019 baseline. Additionally, Pioneer achieved a flaring intensity of 0.41% in 2021, well below the Company’s goal to limit flaring to 1% of natural gas produced. Pioneer continues to prioritize environmental stewardship and accelerated the Company’s target to end routine flaring by 2025, five years earlier than the Company’s previous 2030 target.

Pioneer is participating in two renewable energy projects that will supply low-cost, renewable power to the Company’s Permian Basin operations and to the Texas electric grid. One project includes a 140-megawatt (MW) wind generation facility on Pioneer-owned surface acreage in Midland County, which will be developed by a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC and is supported by a power purchase agreement with Pioneer, in which Targa Resources Corporation (Targa) will participate. This project is expected to be operational during 2024. Additionally, Pioneer will also participate in a 160 MW Concho Valley Solar project through a power purchase agreement executed by Targa. The Concho Valley Solar project commenced delivering renewable electricity during October 2022. Pioneer will not incur any capital expenditures associated with either of these projects. Pioneer will continue to evaluate wind and solar developments on the Company’s extensive owned surface acreage in the Permian Basin.

These two renewable energy projects, along with any future projects, are expected to provide an offset to Pioneer’s Scope 2 emissions through the use of renewable electricity, helping Pioneer to reduce the emission intensity of the Company’s operations while continuing to supply low-cost, responsibly sourced energy to the world.

For more details, see Pioneer’s 2022 Sustainability Report and 2021 Climate Risk Report at www.pxd.com/sustainability. The Company expects to publish a 2022 Climate Risk Report during the fourth quarter.

Earnings Conference Call

On Friday, October 28, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time, Pioneer will discuss its financial and operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, 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 “Earnings & Webcasts” to listen to the discussion, view the presentation and see other related material.

Telephone: Dial (866) 966-5335 and enter confirmation code 2938169 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 November 22, 2022. To access the audio replay, dial (866) 583-1035 and enter confirmation code 2938169.

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 a widespread outbreak of an illness, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, on global and U.S. economic activity and oil and gas demand; the impact of armed conflict and 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 supply chain disruptions and inflation, and results of development and operating activities; 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 oil and gas; 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, 2021, 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: 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 expenditures. See the supplemental schedules for a reconciliation of third quarter free cash flow to the comparable GAAP number. 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 2: Excludes acquisitions, asset retirement obligations, capitalized interest, geological and geophysical G&A, information technology and corporate facilities.

Footnote 3: Calculated by dividing the Company’s annualized fourth quarter total dividend per share by the Company’s closing stock price on October 20, 2022.

Footnote 4: Future dividends, whether base or variable, are authorized and determined by the Company’s Board 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 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, which will depend on a number of factors beyond the Company’s control, including commodities prices.

Footnote 5: Calculated by dividing the Company’s annualized fourth quarter total dividend per share plus annualized third quarter share repurchases per share by the Company’s closing stock price on October 20, 2022.

Footnote 6: Forecasted operating cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. The 2022 estimated operating cash flow number represents January through September 2022 cash flow (before working capital changes) plus October through December forecasted cash flow (before working capital changes) based on strip pricing and internal forecasts of 2022 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.

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 SEC 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)
	September 30, 2022				December 31, 2021
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,316			$	3,847
Restricted cash		6				37
Accounts receivable, net		1,938				1,685
Inventories		420				369
Investment in affiliate		134				135
Short-term investments, net		372				58
Other		97				42
Total current assets		4,283				6,173
Oil and gas properties, using the successful efforts method of accounting		43,160				40,517
Accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization		(14,199	)			(12,335	)
Total oil and gas properties, net		28,961				28,182
Other property and equipment, net		1,668				1,694
Operating lease right-of-use assets		360				348
Goodwill		243				243
Other assets		231				171
	$	35,746			$	36,811
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	2,479			$	2,559
Interest payable		21				53
Income taxes payable		45				45
Current portion of long-term debt		986				244
Derivatives		304				538
Operating leases		128				121
Other		207				513
Total current liabilities		4,170				4,073
Long-term debt		4,228				6,688
Derivatives		1				25
Deferred income taxes		3,301				2,038
Operating leases		246				243
Other liabilities		851				907
Equity		22,949				22,837
	$	35,746			$	36,811

PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in millions, except per share data)
	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2022				2021				2022				2021
Revenues and other income:
Oil and gas	$	4,224			$	3,282			$	12,794			$	7,787
Sales of purchased commodities		1,833				1,679				6,416				4,507
Interest and other income (loss), net		(12	)			2				57				42
Derivative gain (loss), net		13				(501	)			(187	)			(2,024	)
Gain on disposition of assets, net		35				1				105				14
		6,093				4,463				19,185				10,326
Costs and expenses:
Oil and gas production		562				323				1,457				890
Production and ad valorem taxes		260				179				755				445
Depletion, depreciation and amortization		641				704				1,874				1,825
Purchased commodities		1,968				1,762				6,502				4,644
Exploration and abandonments		8				10				32				40
General and administrative		90				72				252				216
Accretion of discount on asset retirement obligations		4				2				12				5
Interest		30				41				100				122
Other		36				34				118				384
		3,599				3,127				11,102				8,571
Income before income taxes		2,494				1,336				8,083				1,755
Income tax provision		(510	)			(291	)			(1,719	)			(400	)
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	1,984			$	1,045			$	6,364			$	1,355
Net income per share attributable to common stockholders:
Basic	$	8.29			$	4.27			$	26.36			$	5.88
Diluted	$	7.93			$	4.07			$	25.11			$	5.60
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		239				244				241				230
Diluted		250				257				253				242

PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in millions)
	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2022				2021				2022				2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	1,984			$	1,045			$	6,364			$	1,355
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depletion, depreciation and amortization		641				704				1,874				1,825
Exploration expenses		—				—				6				3
Deferred income taxes		202				280				1,248				371
Gain on disposition of assets, net		(35	)			(1	)			(105	)			(14	)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net		—				—				47				2
Accretion of discount on asset retirement obligations		4				2				12				5
Interest expense		2				3				7				6
Derivative-related activity		(135	)			4				(95	)			636
Amortization of stock-based compensation		20				18				59				87
Investment valuation adjustments		32				8				(17	)			(21	)
Other		28				32				69				106
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable		406				(8	)			(253	)			(601	)
Inventories		186				9				(55	)			(93	)
Operating lease right-of-use assets		(30	)			26				(12	)			81
Other assets		(22	)			(25	)			(84	)			(57	)
Accounts payable		(348	)			(45	)			(260	)			515
Interest payable		(19	)			(22	)			(32	)			(76	)
Income taxes payable		8				11				—				25
Operating leases		28				(27	)			9				(83	)
Other liabilities		(1	)			(25	)			(32	)			(247	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		2,951				1,989				8,750				3,825
Net cash used in investing activities		(846	)			(991	)			(2,911	)			(3,025	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(3,368	)			(513	)			(8,401	)			(1,674	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(1,263	)			485				(2,562	)			(874	)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period		2,585				142				3,884				1,501
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	$	1,322			$	627			$	1,322			$	627

Contacts

Investors
Tom Fitter – 972-969-1821

Greg Wright – 972-969-1770

Chris Leypoldt – 972-969-5834

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

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