Profits easier offshore: O’Neill

Original article by Colin Packham
The Australian – Page: 13 & 17 : 6-Nov-25

Woodside Energy has forecast that its net cash flow from operations will rise to around $US9bn by 2032, compared with about $US5bn in 2024. CEO Meg O’Neill says this growth will be driven by factors such as the start-up of projects such as Scarborough LNG in Western Australia and Trion oil in Mexico, as well as tighter capital management. O’Neill has also warned that the regulatory burden in Australia is making countries such as the US and Mexico more attractive as investment destinations, which is why Woodside is directing more capital to them.

CORPORATES
WOODSIDE ENERGY GROUP LIMITED – ASX WDS

V-shaped recovery unlikely: BHP

Original article by Nick Evans
The Australian – Page: 13 : 13-May-20

BHP CEO Mike Henry expects global demand for copper and steel to fall sharply in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, while he warns that demand for oil may not return to pre-virus levels for at least 18 months. Henry has told a Bank of America conference that a V-shaped economic recovery is now unlikely, except in China, and he has signalled that BHP will further reduce exploration capital expenditure when its 2019-20 full-year results are released.

CORPORATES
BHP GROUP LIMITED – ASX BHP

Mining capex slow to move on big profits

Original article by Peter Ker
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 17 : 5-Jun-18

The mining and construction sectors were a major contributor to the 5.9 per cent growth in the profits of Australian companies during the March quarter. However, data from PwC shows that the capital expenditure of the world’s 40 largest mining companies remains at its lowest level for a decade. Chris Dodd of PwC expects miners to continue to be cautious with regard to capital investment. Glencore CEO Ivan Glasenberg recently expressed a similar view.

CORPORATES
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS AUSTRALIA (INTERNATIONAL) PTY LTD, GLENCORE PLC, BHP BILLITON LIMITED – ASX BHP, RIO TINTO LIMITED – ASX RIO, AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF STATISTICS

Exploration dives as miners bank profits

Original article by Paul Garvey
The Australian – Page: 21 : 7-Jun-17

A report from PwC shows that the world’s 40 largest mining companies posted a combined profit of $US20bn in 2015, compared with a $US48bn loss in 2015. They also repaid some $US93bn ($A124.4bn) worth of debt in 2016, while combined capital expenditure fell by 41 per cent to a record low of $US50bn. The report also notes that expenditure on exploration fell to $US7.2bn, having peaked at $US21.5bn in 2012.

CORPORATES
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS, ASSOCIATION OF MINING AND EXPLORATION COMPANIES, AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF STATISTICS

Energy players ready for mergers

Original article by Paul Garvey
The Australian – Page: 31 : 26-May-16

A global survey by international law firm Ashurst has found that 83 per cent of oil and gas company executives anticipate a 50 per cent rise in mergers and acquisitions activity in the sector during 2016. M&A activity is also expected to rise strongly over the next 3-5 years. Meanwhile, some 87 per cent of respondents indicated that their latest strategic plan has either reduced their capital investment budget or left it unchanged.

CORPORATES
ASHURST LLP, OIL SEARCH LIMITED – ASX OSH, INTEROIL CORPORATION, AWE LIMITED – ASX AWE, LONE STAR FUNDS

Oil, gas jobs on the skids

Original article by Paul Garvey
The Australian – Page: 20 : 4-Feb-16

A survey of oil and gas industry executives by Norwegian consulting firm DNV GL shows that nearly 75 per cent of respondents expect the crude oil price to remain weak for some time. Meanwhile, 31 per cent indicated that they will shed staff in 2016 to reduce costs, compared with 25 per cent a year ago. The survey also found that 74 per cent of companies with a capitalisation of at least $US5bn intend to reduce their capital expenditure in 2016.

CORPORATES
DNV GL, EXXONMOBIL CORPORATION, BP PLC, WOODSIDE PETROLEUM LIMITED – ASX WPL, SANTOS LIMITED – ASX STO, BEACH ENERGY LIMITED – ASX BPT, DRILLSEARCH ENERGY LIMITED – ASX DLS