The company also returned capital to shareholders through the continued execution of its share repurchase program. In the first quarter, Devon repurchased 4.7 million shares at a total cost of $205 million. Since program inception in late 2021, the company has repurchased 49.5 million shares, at a total cost of $2.5 billion.
OPERATING RESULTS
Devon’s capital activity in the first quarter averaged 24 operated drilling rigs and 7 completion crews across its asset portfolio. This level of activity resulted in 102 gross operated wells being placed online, with an average lateral length of 9,300 feet.
Production averaged 664,000 oil-equivalent barrels (Boe) per day in the first quarter, exceeding the company’s guidance by 4 percent. Results were driven by better-than-planned well productivity, cycle time improvements that brought forward activity and the easing of infrastructure constraints in the Delaware Basin. Devon’s oil production totaled 319,000 barrels per day in the quarter, which was 48 percent of total volumes.
Upstream capital spending was at the bottom end of the company’s guidance range in the first quarter totaling $842 million. This represents a 3 percent decrease in upstream spending compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. Midstream, carbon and corporate capital totaled $95 million in the quarter.
Devon’s first quarter operating performance was driven by its Delaware Basin asset, which accounted for 66 percent of companywide volumes at 437,000 Boe per day. This production result represents a growth rate of 5 percent compared to the year-ago period, driven by 59 gross operated wells being placed online during the quarter. Average 30-day production rates from this activity reached 3,200 Boe per day, representing a 20 percent-plus improvement in well productivity versus the year ago period.
Production costs, including taxes, averaged $12.43 per Boe in the first quarter. This low-cost structure, coupled with the benefits of high-margin production resulted in field-level cash margins of $31.09 per Boe.
2024 OUTLOOK
Based on the strength of first quarter results, Devon is increasing its full-year 2024 production forecast by 2 percent to a range of 655,000 to 675,000 Boe per day. This incremental production in 2024 is expected to be delivered without an increase in capital spending. The company expects to deliver this improved production outlook with capital spending in a range of $3.3 billion to $3.6 billion, a 10 percent decline versus 2023.
Due to the addition of a fourth Delaware completion crew in January, the company’s capital program in 2024 is expected to be weighted towards the first half of the year. As a result of this activity timing, second quarter production is expected to increase to a range of 670,000 to 690,000 Boe per day and capital spending is estimated to approximate $950 million for the quarter.
Additional details of Devon’s forward-looking guidance for the second quarter and full-year 2024 are available on the company’s website at www.devonenergy.com.
CONFERENCE CALL WEBCAST AND SUPPLEMENTAL EARNINGS MATERIALS
Also provided with today’s release is the company’s detailed earnings presentation that is available on the company’s website at www.devonenergy.com. The company’s first-quarter conference call will be held at 10:00 a.m. Central (11:00 a.m. Eastern) on Thursday, May 2, 2024, and will serve primarily as a forum for analyst and investor questions and answers.
ABOUT DEVON ENERGY
Devon Energy is a leading oil and gas producer in the U.S. with a premier multi-basin portfolio headlined by a world-class acreage position in the Delaware Basin. Devon’s disciplined cash-return business model is designed to achieve strong returns, generate free cash flow and return capital to shareholders, while focusing on safe and sustainable operations. For more information, please visit www.devonenergy.com.
| | |
Investor Contacts | | Media Contact |
Scott Coody, 405-552-4735 | | Brooke Baum, 405-552-3448 |
Chris Carr, 405-228-2496 | | |
2