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Pioneer Natural Resources Fourth Quarter, Full Year 2021 Results

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   |    Thursday,February 17,2022

Pioneer Natural Resources Co. reported financial and operating results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2021.

Pioneer reported fourth quarter net income attributable to common stockholders of $763 million, or $2.97 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 fourth quarter was $1.2 billion, or $4.58 per diluted share. Cash flow from operating activities for the fourth quarter was $2.2 billion. For the full year 2021, the Company reported net income attributable to common stockholders of $2.1 billion, or $8.61 per diluted share. Cash flow from operating activities for the full year 2021 was $6.1 billion.

Highlights:

  • Delivered strong fourth quarter and full year 2021 free cash flow1 of $1.1 billion and $3.2 billion, respectively
  • Repurchased $250 million of stock (1.4 million shares) during the fourth quarter of 2021; increased share repurchase program with a new $4 billion authorization, replacing the prior authorization
  • Returned 101% of free cash flow1 to shareholders during the fourth quarter
  • Declared quarterly base-plus-variable dividend of $3.78 per share (to be paid in March 2022), reflecting a greater than 25% increase to the base component
  • Achieved a corporate return on capital employed2 of 17% during 2021

CEO Scott D. Sheffield stated, "Pioneer delivered a strong quarter with production in the upper half of guidance, contributing to our record annual free cash flow1 generation of $3.2 billion in 2021. This significant free cash flow supported the return of $1.9 billion in 2021 to shareholders through our base-plus-variable dividend program and opportunistic share repurchases.

Our deep Midland Basin inventory of high-return well locations, coupled with best-in-class margins and operating efficiencies, provides attractive corporate returns that generate durable cash distributions through commodity price cycles. The Company's high-return asset base and low-cost structure, combined with our leading environmental, social and governance practices, continue to drive significant value for Pioneer shareholders."

Financial Highlights

Pioneer maintains a strong balance sheet, with unrestricted cash on hand at the end of the fourth quarter of $3.8 billion and net debt of $3.1 billion. The Company had $5.8 billion of liquidity as of December 31, 2021, comprised of $3.8 billion of unrestricted cash and a $2.0 billion unsecured credit facility (undrawn as of December 31, 2021).

During the fourth quarter, the Company's drilling, completion and facilities capital expenditures totaled $914 million, with total capital expenditures3, including water infrastructure, totaling $941 million. For the full year 2021, the Company's drilling, completion, and facilities capital expenditures totaled $3.3 billion, with total capital expenditures3, including water infrastructure, totaling $3.4 billion.

Cash flow from operating activities during the fourth quarter and full year 2021 was $2.2 billion and $6.1 billion, respectively, leading to free cash flow1 of $1.1 billion for the fourth quarter and $3.2 billion for the full year.

For the first quarter of 2022, the Board of Directors has declared a quarterly base-plus-variable dividend of $3.78 per share, comprised of a $0.78 base dividend and $3.00 variable dividend. This represents a greater than 25% increase to the base dividend and a total base-plus-variable dividend4 annualized yield of approximately 7% (based on the Company's closing stock price as of February 8, 2022).

In addition to a strong dividend payout, the Company continues to evaluate opportunistic share repurchases. During the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company repurchased $250 million of common stock at an average share price of $181. The Company's Board of Directors also authorized a new $4 billion common stock repurchase program. This new authorization replaces the existing $2 billion common stock repurchase program that had $841 million remaining under the program at the time of the new authorization. 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 shareholders.

Financial Results

For the fourth quarter of 2021, the average realized price for oil was $76.38 per barrel. The average realized price for natural gas liquids (NGLs) was $38.45 per barrel, and the average realized price for gas was $5.20 per thousand cubic feet. These prices exclude the effects of derivatives.

Production costs, including taxes, averaged $9.23 per barrel of oil equivalent (BOE). Depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) expense averaged $10.64 per BOE. Exploration and abandonment costs were $12 million. General and administrative (G&A) expense was $76 million. Interest expense was $40 million. The net cash flow impact related to purchases and sales of oil and gas, including firm transportation, was a loss of $55 million. Other expense was $26 million, or $21 million excluding unusual items5.

Operations Update

Pioneer continued to deliver strong operational efficiency gains that enabled the Company to place 534 horizontal wells on production for the full year of 2021. Pioneer's large, contiguous acreage position in the high-margin, high-return Midland Basin provides many opportunities that drive a capitally efficient program. These include an increase in the development of 15,000 foot laterals, of which the Company expects to place approximately 50 of these wells on production in 2022. Additionally, Pioneer has invested in significant water infrastructure, constructing one of the largest water supply and distribution systems in the Midland Basin. This water infrastructure helps Pioneer to efficiently execute its large drilling program, while minimizing the use of freshwater by using non-potable reclaimed water from the cities of Midland and Odessa, and recycled produced water from Pioneer's production operations.

Pioneer continues to utilize two simulfrac completion crews, driving completion efficiencies. The Company is evaluating the addition of a third simulfrac crew in the latter part of 2022.

Pioneer remains focused on minimizing emissions throughout the Company's operations, further strengthening the Company's sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.

Proved Reserves

The Company added proved reserves totaling 371 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBOE) during 2021, excluding acquisitions and price revisions. These proved reserve additions equate to a drillbit reserve replacement ratio of 163% when compared to Pioneer's full-year 2021 production of 228 MMBOE, including field fuel. The drillbit finding and development (F&D) cost was $9.15 per BOE in 2021, with a drillbit proved developed F&D costs of $7.97 per BOE.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company's total proved reserves were estimated at 2,222 MMBOE, of which 88% are proved developed.

Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG)

Pioneer views sustainability as a multidisciplinary focus 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.


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