Financial Highlights
Operating cash flow totaled $597 million from continuing operations, a 22 percent increase compared to the previous quarter despite lower commodity prices. This level of cash flow funded third-quarter capital requirements of $541 million, resulting in $56 million of free cash flow.
Devon continues to maintain a strong balance sheet, with investment-grade credit ratings and excellent liquidity. The company’s $4.7 billion liquidity position includes $1.7 billion of cash (inclusive of restricted cash) and an undrawn $3 billion unsecured credit facility. During the quarter, Devon redeemed $1.5 billion of debt with cash on hand. At Sept. 30, 2019, the company’s total debt outstanding was $4.3 billion, with no maturities until late 2025.
Through Oct. 31, 2019, Devon had repurchased 147 million shares, or approximately 28 percent of outstanding shares since 2018, at a total cost of $4.8 billion, under its $5 billion authorization. In the third quarter, the company completed $550 million of share repurchases and returned $35 million of additional capital to shareholders through its quarterly dividend.
Asset-Level Overview
Delaware Basin: Net production from the company’s operations averaged 127,000 Boe per day, a 59 percent increase compared to the third-quarter 2018. Thislow-cost production growth across the basin drove a 12 percent year-over-year improvement in production costs to $9.06 per Boe. The most significant contributor of volume growth in the quarter was new well activity in the Leonard Shale. Devon brought online 15 Leonard wells in the quarter with average30-day production rates of 2,200 Boe per day (71 percent oil), at an average completed well cost of $7.5 million.
Powder River Basin: Net production averaged 25,000 Boe per day in the quarter (71 percent oil). This represents a 33 percent increase in production compared to theyear-ago period. Third-quarter volume growth was driven by 18 new wells targeting the Parkman, Teapot, Turner and Niobrara formations. This activity was highlighted by a3-well spacing test in the Niobrara Shale that averaged30-day rates of 1,300 Boe per day per well (87 percent oil). To date, Devon has commenced production on 8 successful Niobrara appraisal wells across its 200,000 net acre position in the oil fairway of the play. The company plans to accelerate Niobrara appraisal activity in 2020.
Eagle Ford: Third-quarter net production averaged 45,000 Boe per day. This high-margin production generated $313 million of free cash flow over the past year. Due to timing of completion activity, the company did not bring online any new wells in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Devon plans to bring online more than 25 Eagle Ford wells and expects production to average 50,000 to 55,000 Boe per day.
STACK: Third-quarter net production totaled 121,000 Boe per day, with liquids accounting for 56 percent of the volume mix. Devon brought online 16 operated wells during the quarter, with30-day rates averaging 1,600 Boe per day. To date, these infill development projects, spaced at 4 to 6 wells per unit, are exceeding well productivity expectations and completed well costs have declined to as low as $6 million per well. The STACK asset is projected to generate $370 million of free cash flow in 2019.
For more detailed results and commentary regarding Devon’s operations and outlook, please refer to the company’s third-quarter 2019 operations report atwww.devonenergy.com.
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