IMPERIAL OIL LIMITED
Fourth quarter 2018 vs. fourth quarter 2017
The company’s net income for the fourth quarter of 2018 was $853 million or $1.08 per share on a diluted basis, an increase of $990 million compared to the net loss of $137 million or $0.16 per share, for the same period 2017. The fourth quarter 2017 results included upstreamnon-cash impairment charges of $566 million.
Upstream recorded a net loss of $310 million in the fourth quarter, compared to a net loss of $481 million in the same period of 2017. Improved results reflect the absence ofnon-cash impairment charges of $566 million, lower royalties of about $140 million, higher volumes of about $70 million and favourable foreign exchange effects of about $50 million. These items were partially offset by the impact of lower Canadian crude oil realizations of about $700 million and higher operating expenses of about $80 million.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) averaged US$59.54 per barrel in the fourth quarter of 2018, up from US$55.32 per barrel in the same quarter of 2017. Western Canada Select (WCS) averaged US$20.02 per barrel and US$43.15 per barrel for the same periods. The WTI / WCS differential widened significantly during the fourth quarter of 2018 to average approximately US$40 per barrel for the quarter, compared to around US$12 per barrel in the same period of 2017.
The Canadian dollar averaged US$0.76 in the fourth quarter of 2018, a decrease of US$0.03 from the fourth quarter of 2017.
Imperial’s average Canadian dollar realizations for bitumen declined generally in line with WCS, adjusted for changes in exchange rates and transportation costs. Bitumen realizations averaged $16.73 per barrel for the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to $42.92 per barrel in the fourth quarter of 2017. The company’s average Canadian dollar realizations for synthetic crude declined significantly relative to WTI, adjusted for changes in exchange rates and transportation costs. Synthetic crude realizations averaged $47.63 per barrel, compared to $74.12 per barrel in the same period of 2017.
Gross production of Cold Lake bitumen averaged 151,000 barrels per day in the fourth quarter, compared to 168,000 barrels per day in the same period last year. Lower volumes were primarily due to production timing associated with steam management.
Gross production of Kearl bitumen averaged 217,000 barrels per day in the fourth quarter (154,000 barrels Imperial’s share), up from 176,000 barrels per day (125,000 barrels Imperial’s share) during the fourth quarter of 2017. Higher production was mainly the result of improved operational reliability associated with ore preparation, enhanced piping durability and feed management.
The company’s share of gross production from Syncrude averaged 89,000 barrels per day, up from 81,000 barrels per day in the fourth quarter of 2017. Higher volumes were mainly due to reduced downtime.
Downstream net income was $1,142 million in the fourth quarter, up $852 million from the fourth quarter of 2017. Earnings increased mainly due to stronger margins of about $640 million and the absence of turnaround activities in the quarter of about $190 million.
Refinery throughput averaged 408,000 barrels per day, up from 391,000 barrels per day in the fourth quarter of 2017. Capacity utilization increased to 96 percent from 92 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Petroleum product sales were 510,000 barrels per day, up from 496,000 barrels per day in the fourth quarter of 2017. Sales growth continues to be driven by optimization across the full downstream value chain, and the expansion of Imperial’s logistic capabilities.
Chemical net income was $55 million in the fourth quarter, compared to $74 million from the same quarter of 2017 primarily due to lower industry margins.
Corporate and other expenses were $34 million in the fourth quarter, compared to $20 million in the same period of 2017. As part of the implementation of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s update, Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715):Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost, beginning January 1, 2018, Corporate and other includes all
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