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    CVX
    Earnings call· Jun 2025(Q2 FY25)

    CHEVRON Q2 FY25 earnings call CVX

    Aug 1, 2025 Source

    Executive summary

    Chevron Q2 FY25 — Record Production & Accelerated Hess Integration

    Chevron delivered a strong quarter marked by record production and the successful closure of the Hess merger, which is accelerating synergy realization and boosting future free cash flow projections. The company continues to emphasize capital discipline and operational efficiency, particularly in the Permian Basin, while strategically rebalancing its portfolio with a renewed focus on exploration and integrated asset optimization.

    Highlights

    5
    • Achieved record quarterly production in the U.S. and worldwide.

    • Permian production averaged over 1 million boe/d, hitting a 5-year target on schedule.

    • Closed merger with Hess, expecting $1 billion in annual run-rate synergies 6 months faster than guided, by end of FY25.

    • Increased 2026 additional free cash flow guidance to $12.5 billion.

    • Returned over $5 billion to shareholders for the 13th consecutive quarter.

    Concerns

    2
    • Adjusted earnings decreased by $760 million quarter-on-quarter due to lower realizations, higher DD&A, and unfavorable tax impacts in upstream.

    • Foreign currency effects decreased earnings by $348 million.

    Guidance & targets

    10
    CategoryTargetConfidence
    Annual run-rate synergies from Hess merger
    $1 billion
    high materiality
    High
    Hess merger cash flow accretion
    cash flow accretive per share
    high materiality
    High
    Structural cost reductions
    $2 billion to $3 billion
    high materiality
    High
    Production growth (excluding Hess)
    closer to the top end of our 6% to 8% guidance range
    high materiality
    High
    Annual run rate savings
    $1.5 billion to $2 billion
    high materiality
    High
    Additional free cash flow
    $12.5 billion
    high materiality
    High
    Permian capital spend
    lower end of $4.5 billion to $5 billion range
    medium materiality
    High
    Permian free cash flow growth
    $2 billion
    high materiality
    High
    Gulf of America production
    300,000 barrels a day
    medium materiality
    High
    Eastern Med gas production capacity increase
    about 25%
    medium materiality
    High

    Segment performance

    6
    SegmentRevenueYoYQoQMargin
    Permian
    Achieved a significant production milestone, with plans to moderate growth, reduce CapEx, and increase free cash flow.
    Production: 1M boe/dDevelopment and production unit costs reduction: 30%
    Upstream (U.S.)
    Overall U.S. production significantly increased compared to two years ago, driven by Permian, DJ, and Bakken.
    nearly 60% higher
    Upstream (Shale & Tight)
    Combined shale portfolio including Permian, DJ, and Bakken, representing 40% of total production.
    Production: 1.6M boe/d
    Tengiz (Kazakhstan)
    Strong performance with FGP at full rates and integrated operations optimizing the system. Planning a Q4 pit stop for maintenance.
    FGP production: full ratesFirst and second-generation projects production: 18% above nameplate
    Gulf of America
    Ramping up production from recent major project start-ups (Anchor, Whale, Ballymore) and leveraging base assets. Now the largest leaseholder in the region.
    Production efficiency: up 1% to 2% year-to-date
    Downstream (U.S. Refining)
    Driven by the start-up of a light tight oil project in Pasadena and successful turnarounds.
    Crude throughput: highest in over 20 years

    Operational metrics

    19
    Adjusted EPS
    $1.77down $0.43 vs Q1 FY25
    Q2 FY25

    Adjusted earnings were $3.1 billion. Decreased due to lower realizations, higher DD&A from increased production and unfavorable tax impacts in upstream.

    Reported EPS
    $1.45
    Q2 FY25

    Reported earnings of $2.5 billion. Included special items related to fair value measurement of Hess shares, pension curtailment costs, and gain on asset sale, resulting in a net charge of $215 million.

    Organic CapEx
    $3.5 billion
    Q2 FY25

    Lowest quarterly total since 2023, while delivering significant volume growth.

    Inorganic CapEx
    $200 million
    Q2 FY25

    Primarily related to the acquisition of lithium acreage.

    Share repurchases
    over $5 billion
    Q2 FY25

    13th consecutive quarter of returning over $5 billion to shareholders.

    Shares repurchased related to Hess merger
    more than 50%
    interim period

    More than 50% of shares that would have been issued for the transaction were purchased at about $10/share lower average price than transaction close.

    LNG offtake capacity
    7 million tonnes per annum
    future

    Increased capacity from U.S. Gulf Coast, allowing exposure to multiple margin sets and serving the global system.

    U.S. refinery crude throughput
    highest in over 20 years
    Q2 FY25

    Achieved despite fewer refineries today, highlighting optimization efforts and start-up of light tight oil project in Pasadena.

    Adjusted earnings
    $3.1 billiondown $760 million QoQ
    Q2 FY25

    Decreased due to lower realizations, higher DD&A from increased production and unfavorable tax impacts in upstream. Adjusted downstream earnings were higher due to improved refining margins and higher volumes.

    Foreign currency effects on earnings
    $348 million
    Q2 FY25

    Decreased earnings.

    Oil equivalent production
    up over 40,000 barrels per dayQoQ
    Q2 FY25

    From last quarter, due to strong base business performance and growth asset execution.

    Total U.S. production
    nearly 60% higher
    current vs 2 years ago

    Increased significantly over the last two years.

    Shale and tight production
    1.6 million barrels a day
    current

    Combined Permian, DJ, and Bakken production, representing 40% of total production.

    Total upstream production
    pushing up close to 4 million barrels a day
    post-Hess

    Expected post-Hess consolidation.

    Development and production unit costs reduction
    30%
    over last 5 years

    Achieved through improved well and completion designs, reduced cycle times, and technology deployment.

    Upstream reporting units reduction
    approximately 70%
    current

    Restructuring to scale best practices and streamline support.

    Turnaround performance
    14 out of 16
    recent

    14 of last 16 turnarounds on major assets (refining, LNG) were top-quartile performance in duration.

    Production efficiency
    up 1% to 2%
    year-to-date
    Eastern Med gas production capacity increase
    about 25%
    next couple of years

    Expected from Tamar and Leviathan growth projects coming online late this year, early next year.

    Industry KPIs

    3
    MetricValueDetails
    Basin level production volume1 millionboe/d
    Cost of supply unit cash cost30%% reduction
    FCF shareholder distributionsover $5 billionUSD

    Orderbook & backlog

    2
    LNG offtake capacity7 million tonnes per annumQ2 FY25

    Built up out of the U.S. Gulf Coast, allows exposure to multiple margin sets.

    Share buyback authorizationMore than 50% of shares issued for Hess mergerQ2 FY25

    Purchased during interim period at lower average price

    Effectively accomplished the increased buyback intended to reduce outstanding shares.

    Deals & partnerships

    3
    Hess CorporationAcquisition of Hess, bringing world-class assets (Guyana, Bakken) and capabilities.

    Creates a premier international energy company, expands shale portfolio to 1.6M boe/d, makes Chevron largest leaseholder in Gulf of America. John Hess elected to Chevron's Board.

    UndisclosedAcquisition of lithium-rich acreage in Texas and Arkansas.approximately $200 million

    First step toward establishing a scalable domestic lithium business.

    UndisclosedSale of interest in Thailand and Malaysia joint development area.

    Completed two weeks prior to the call.

    Capital programs

    4
    Tengiz Future Growth Project (FGP)completed

    Benefit: producing at full rates

    Ramped up and producing at full rates, contributing to derisked production profile and higher affiliate distributions.

    Permian CapExunderway$4.5 billion to $5 billion
    Period spend: lower end of range

    CapEx expected to be at the lower end of the range for 2025, with plans to drop further in 2026 as focus shifts to free cash flow generation.

    Eastern Med Gas Growth Projects (Tamar & Leviathan)underway

    Benefit: 25% increase in production capacity

    Expected to come online late this year, early next year, increasing regional production capacity.

    Aphrodite Project (Cyprus)underway (front-end engineering)

    Making good progress with government, approved plans to push towards FID. Initial development for an FTU, will leverage Egypt and regional markets. FID contingent on competitive returns.

    Risks & headwinds

    4
    Lower crude pricesQ2 FY25

    10% lower

    Mitigation: Offset by organic high-margin production growth, strong reliability, and capital discipline, leading to 15% QoQ increase in adjusted free cash flow.

    Foreign currency effectsQ2 FY25

    decreased earnings by $348 million

    Mitigation: Not explicitly stated, but managed through broader portfolio diversification and financial hedging strategies.

    Upstream earnings decreaseQ2 FY25

    down $760 million QoQ

    Mitigation: Due to lower realizations, higher DD&A from increased production, and unfavorable tax impacts. Partially offset by improved refining margins and higher volumes in downstream.

    Venezuela sanctions policyQ3 FY25

    limited amount of oil

    Mitigation: Engaged with U.S. government to ensure compliance; limited oil flow to U.S. from operations, helping satisfy debt owed. Not expected to have material impact on Q3 results.

    What to watch in Q3 FY25

    5

    Hess merger cash flow accretion

    Q4 FY25
    CurrentNot yet accretive
    TargetCash flow accretive per share

    Why it matters

    Confirms the financial benefits of the major Hess acquisition and its contribution to shareholder value.

    We anticipate the transaction to be cash flow accretive per share in the fourth quarter.

    Q&A highlights

    6

    What should be expected for Permian budget and capital spend in 2026-2027 compared to 2025, given the production milestone and moderating spend?

    Mark Nelson stated that 2025 Permian CapEx will be at the lower end of the $4.5B-$5B range, and it will drop further in 2026 as they deliver $2B in FCF growth in the Permian. More details will be provided at Investor Day.

    You should expect us to be in the lower end of that range as we finish 2025 given the efficiencies we brought to bear. And as we deliver that free cash flow growth of $2 billion next year in the Permian, I think you should see that drop further as we continue to manage a sustained performance in the Permian.

    asked by Biraj Borkhataria · answered by Mark Nelson

    2 min read6 chapters

    Detailed Narrative

    01

    Hess Merger Integration

    The successful closure of the Hess merger is a pivotal event, bringing world-class assets like Guyana and Bakken into Chevron's portfolio. The company has already repurchased over half the shares issued for the transaction and expects to realize $1 billion in annual run-rate synergies by year-end, six months ahead of schedule. The transaction is anticipated to be cash flow accretive per share in Q4 FY25, significantly enhancing Chevron's international energy presence and U.S. production.

    02

    Permian Basin Performance

    Chevron achieved a significant milestone with Permian production averaging over 1 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, meeting a target set five years ago. This was driven by improved well and completion designs, reduced cycle times, and technology deployment, leading to a 30% reduction in development and production unit costs. The company plans to moderate growth and reduce CapEx in the Permian, shifting focus to free cash flow generation.

    03

    Operational Efficiency & Cost Reduction

    The company is restructuring its work, reducing reporting units by 70% in upstream to scale best practices and streamline support. This includes centralizing well design and turnaround planning, and leveraging AI for optimization. These efforts are expected to drive $2 billion to $3 billion in structural cost reductions by the end of 2026, with $1.5 billion to $2 billion in annual run-rate savings expected by year-end.

    04

    Exploration Strategy Evolution

    Chevron is re-evaluating its exploration program, acknowledging past underperformance but emphasizing its importance for a balanced portfolio. The strategy involves balancing mature areas near existing infrastructure with early-entry, high-impact frontier areas. The company has increased its frontier acreage portfolio by over 20% in the last couple of years and plans to drill wells in Suriname, Namibia, and Egypt by year-end.

    05

    Eastern Mediterranean Gas Development

    Chevron is focused on advancing its gas projects in the Eastern Mediterranean, with Tamar and Leviathan growth projects expected online late this year or early next, increasing production capacity by about 25%. The Aphrodite project in Cyprus is also progressing with front-end engineering, aiming for a Final Investment Decision (FID) after ensuring competitive returns and leveraging the Egyptian and regional markets.

    06

    Tengiz (TCO) Outperformance

    The Tengiz Future Growth Project (FGP) is producing at full rates, contributing to strong affiliate distributions. The integrated operation control center is optimizing the entire system, with first and second-generation projects operating 18% above nameplate capacity. A planned pit stop for maintenance in Q4 is expected to further improve operations.

    AI-generated summary of the company’s earnings call. Not investment advice.