===============================================================================
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
- --
ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1997
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
- --
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number 1-368-2
Chevron Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 94-0890210
----------------------------- -----------------------
(State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification Number)
575 Market Street, San Francisco, California 94105
- -------------------------------------------- ----------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (415) 894-7700
--------------
NONE
--------------------------------------------------------------
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No
----- -----
Indicate the number of shares of each of the issuer's classes of common stock,
as of the latest practicable date:
Class Outstanding as of March 31, 1997
----------------------------- --------------------------------
Common stock, $1.50 par value 653,464,995
===============================================================================
INDEX
Page No.
--------
Cautionary Statements Relevant to Forward-Looking
Information for the Purpose of "Safe Harbor" Provisions
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 1
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Statement of Income for the three months
ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 2
Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 1997 and
December 31, 1996 3
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three months
ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 4
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 5-9
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations 10-15
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 15
Item 6. Listing of Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 15
Signature 16
Exhibit: Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 17
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELEVANT TO FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION FOR
THE PURPOSE OF "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS OF THE
PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements relating
to Chevron's operations that are based on management's current expectations,
estimates and projections about the petroleum and chemicals industries. Words
such as "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates" and
similar expressions are used to identify such forward-looking statements.
These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain
risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore,
actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or
forecast in such forward-looking statements.
Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are
crude oil and natural gas prices; refining margins and marketing margins;
chemicals prices and competitive conditions affecting supply and demand for
the company's aromatics, olefins and additives products; potential failure to
achieve expected production from existing and future oil and gas development
projects; potential disruption or interruption of the company's production or
manufacturing facilities due to accidents or political events; potential
liability for remedial actions under existing or future environmental
regulations; and potential liability resulting from pending or future
litigation. In addition, such statements could be affected by general domestic
and international economic and political conditions.
-1-
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CHEVRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
Three Months Ended
March 31,
------------------
Millions of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues
Sales and other operating revenues* $10,794 $10,157
Equity in net income of affiliated companies 178 136
Other income 121 43
------------------
Total Revenues 11,093 10,336
------------------
Costs and Other Deductions
Purchased crude oil and products 5,710 5,448
Operating expenses 1,375 1,313
Selling, general and administrative expenses 345 354
Exploration expenses 81 92
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 546 531
Taxes other than on income* 1,495 1,413
Interest and debt expense 82 96
------------------
Total Costs and Other Deductions 9,634 9,247
------------------
Income Before Income Tax Expense 1,459 1,089
Income Tax Expense 628 473
------------------
Net Income $ 831 $ 616
------------------
Per Share of Common Stock:
Net Income $ 1.27 $ .94
Dividends $ .54 $ .50
Weighted Average Number of
Shares Outstanding (000s) 653,323 652,563
*Includes consumer excise taxes. $ 1,314 $ 1,244
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
-2-
CHEVRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
March 31, December 31,
Millions of Dollars 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,385 $ 892
Marketable securities 421 745
Accounts and notes receivable 3,718 4,035
Inventories:
Crude oil and petroleum products 589 669
Chemicals 489 507
Materials, supplies and other 257 255
----------------------
1,335 1,431
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 842 839
----------------------
Total Current Assets 7,701 7,942
Long-term receivables 270 261
Investments and advances 4,524 4,463
Properties, plant and equipment, at cost 47,451 46,936
Less: accumulated depreciation, depletion
and amortization 25,767 25,440
----------------------
21,684 21,496
Deferred charges and other assets 738 692
----------------------
Total Assets $34,917 $34,854
======================
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Short-term debt $ 2,865 $ 2,706
Accounts payable 2,817 3,502
Accrued liabilities 1,371 1,420
Federal and other taxes on income 772 745
Other taxes payable 527 534
----------------------
Total Current Liabilities 8,352 8,907
Long-term debt 3,586 3,650
Capital lease obligations 332 338
Deferred credits and other non-current obligations 1,873 1,858
Non-current deferred income taxes 3,012 2,851
Reserves for employee benefit plans 1,619 1,627
----------------------
Total Liabilities 18,774 19,231
----------------------
Preferred stock (authorized 100,000,000
shares, $1.00 par value, none issued) - -
Common stock (authorized 1,000,000,000 shares,
$1.50 par value, 712,487,068 shares issued) 1,069 1,069
Capital in excess of par value 1,880 1,874
Deferred compensation - Employee Stock
Ownership Plan (ESOP) (750) (800)
Currency translation adjustment and other 63 96
Retained earnings 15,893 15,408
Treasury stock, at cost (shares 59,022,073
and 59,401,015 at March 31, 1997 and
December 31, 1996, respectively) (2,012) (2,024)
----------------------
Total Stockholders' Equity 16,143 15,623
----------------------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $34,917 $34,854
======================
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
-3-
CHEVRON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Three Months Ended
March 31,
------------------
Millions of Dollars, 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Activities
Net income $ 831 $ 616
Adjustments
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 546 531
Dry hole expense related to prior years' expenditures 13 7
Distributions less than equity in affiliates' income (88) (69)
Net before-tax (gains) losses on asset
retirements and sales (67) 7
Net currency translation (gains) losses (7) 6
Deferred income tax provision 168 86
Net increase in operating working capital (315) (44)
Other (51) (37)
------------------
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 1,030 1,103
------------------
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures (712) (656)
Proceeds from asset sales 58 190
Net sales of marketable securities 328 326
------------------
Net Cash Used for Investing Activities (326) (140)
------------------
Financing Activities
Net borrowings (payments) of short-term obligations 304 (205)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 5 5
Repayments of long-term debt and other
financing obligations (156) (72)
Cash dividends paid (353) (326)
Purchases of treasury shares (2) (2)
------------------
Net Cash Used for Financing Activities (202) (600)
------------------
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents (9) (4)
------------------
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents 493 359
Cash and Cash Equivalents at January 1 892 621
------------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents at March 31 $ 1,385 $ 980
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
-4-
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1. Interim Financial Statements
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Chevron Corporation and
its subsidiaries (the company) have not been audited by independent
accountants, except for the balance sheet at December 31, 1996. In the opinion
of the company's management, the interim data include all adjustments necessary
for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods. These adjustments
were of a normal recurring nature, except for the special items described in
Note 2.
Certain notes and other information have been condensed or omitted from the
interim financial statements presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Therefore, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
company's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The results for the three-month period ended March 31, 1997 are not necessarily
indicative of future financial results.
Note 2. Net Income
Net income for the first quarter of 1997 benefited $27 million from special
items. The 1997 results include special gains of $49 million from the sales of
a producing property in the Gulf of Mexico and one in southern California.
Partially offsetting these gains were special charges of $22 million for
provisions for environmental remediation and other items.
First quarter 1996 net income of $616 million did not include any amounts for
special items.
Foreign exchange losses of $18 million $14 million were included in first
quarter 1997 and 1996 net income, respectively.
Note 3. Information Relating to the Statement of Cash Flows
The "Net increase in operating working capital" is composed of the following:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
------------------
Millions of Dollars, 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Decrease (increase) in accounts and notes receivable $ 302 $ (255)
Decrease in inventories 101 215
Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets (14) (6)
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities (722) (137)
Increase in income and other taxes payable 18 139
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in operating working capital $ (315) $ (44)
==============================================================================
-5-
"Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities" includes the following cash
payments for interest on debt and for income taxes:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
------------------
Millions of Dollars, 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest paid on debt (net of capitalized interest) $ 98 $ 115
Income taxes paid $ 445 $ 237
==============================================================================
The "Net sales of marketable securities" consists of the following gross
amounts:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
------------------
Millions of Dollars, 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marketable securities purchased $ (671) $ (871)
Marketable securities sold 999 1,197
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales of marketable securities $ 328 $ 326
==============================================================================
The Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows excludes the following non-cash
transactions:
The company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) repaid $50 million of
matured debt guaranteed by Chevron Corporation in January of 1997 and 1996.
These payments were recorded by the company as a reduction in its debt
outstanding and in Deferred Compensation - ESOP.
Note 4. Summarized Financial Data - Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
At March 31, 1997, Chevron U.S.A. Inc. was Chevron Corporation's principal
operating company, consisting primarily of the company's U.S. integrated
petroleum operations (excluding most of the domestic pipeline operations).
These operations were conducted by Chevron U.S.A. Production Company, Chevron
Products Company and, through August 31, 1996, Warren Petroleum Company
divisions. On September 1, 1996, substantially all of Chevron U.S.A. Inc.'s
natural gas liquids operations previously conducted by Warren Petroleum Company
and its natural gas marketing operations previously conducted by Chevron U.S.A.
Production Company were contributed to NGC Corporation in exchange for cash,
notes and a 28 percent equity ownership in NGC. Summarized financial
information for Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries is
presented in the following table:
-6-
Three Months Ended
March 31,
------------------
Millions of Dollars, 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales and other operating revenues $ 7,639 $ 6,999
Costs and other deductions 7,187 6,735
Net income 378 233
==============================================================================
March 31, December 31,
Millions of Dollars 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current assets $ 2,809 $ 3,126
Other assets 13,699 13,209
Current liabilities 3,900 4,035
Other liabilities 5,239 5,300
Net worth 7,369 7,000
==============================================================================
Note 5. Summarized Financial Data - Chevron Transport Corporation
Chevron Transport Corporation (CTC), a Liberian corporation, is an indirect,
wholly-owned subsidiary of Chevron Corporation. CTC is the principal operator
of Chevron's international tanker fleet and is engaged in the marine
transportation of crude oil and refined petroleum products. Most of CTC's
shipping revenue is derived by providing transportation services to other
Chevron companies. Chevron Corporation has guaranteed this subsidiary's
obligations in connection with certain debt securities where CTC is deemed to
be an issuer. In accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission's
disclosure requirements, summarized financial information for CTC and its
consolidated subsidiaries is presented below. This summarized financial data
was derived from the financial statements prepared on a stand alone basis in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Three Months Ended
March 31,
------------------
Millions of Dollars, 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales and other operating revenues $ 121 $ 123
Costs and other deductions 137 142
Net income (loss) 4 (3)
==============================================================================
March 31, December 31,
Millions of Dollars 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current assets $ 121 $ 99
Other assets 1,667 1,622
Current liabilities 687 617
Other liabilities 378 385
Net worth 723 719
==============================================================================
Separate financial statements and other disclosures with respect to CTC are
omitted as such separate financial statements and other disclosures are not
material to investors in the debt securities deemed issued by CTC. There were
no restrictions on CTC's ability to pay dividends or make loans or advances at
March 31, 1997.
-7-
Note 6. Summarized Financial Data - Caltex Group of Companies
Summarized financial information for the Caltex Group of Companies, owned 50
percent by Chevron and 50 percent by Texaco Inc., is as follows (amounts
reported are on a 100 percent Caltex Group basis):
Three Months Ended
March 31,
------------------
Millions of Dollars, 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales and other operating revenues $ 4,629 $ 4,085
Operating income 287 279
Net income 186 194
==============================================================================
Note 7. Income Taxes
Taxes on income for the first quarter of 1997 were $628 million compared with
$473 million in last year's first quarter. The effective tax rate was about
flat from year to year. A shift in the 1997 international earnings mix from
higher effective tax rate countries to lower effective tax rate countries was
offset by lower U.S. tax credits and a decrease in the proportion of the
company's share of equity affiliates' after-tax earnings included in the
company's before-tax income.
Note 8. Contingent Liabilities
Litigation -
The company is a defendant in numerous lawsuits, including, along with other
oil companies, actions challenging oil and gas royalty and severance tax
payments based on posted prices. Plaintiffs may seek to recover large and
sometimes unspecified amounts, and some matters may remain unresolved for
several years. It is not practical to estimate a range of possible loss for the
company's litigation matters, and losses could be material with respect to
earnings in any given period. However, management is of the opinion that
resolution of the lawsuits will not result in any significant liability to the
company in relation to its consolidated financial position or liquidity.
OXY U.S.A. brought a lawsuit in its capacity as successor in interest to Cities
Service Company, which involved claims for damages resulting from the allegedly
improper termination of a tender offer to purchase Cities' stock in 1982 made
by Gulf Oil Corporation, acquired by Chevron in 1984. A trial with respect to
the claims ended in July 1996 with a judgment against the company of $742
million, including interest, which continues to accrue. The company has filed
an appeal. While the ultimate outcome of this matter cannot be determined
presently with certainty, the company believes that errors were committed by
the trial court that should result in the judgment being reversed on appeal.
Other Contingencies -
The U.S. federal income tax and California franchise tax liabilities of Chevron
have been settled through 1982 and 1991, respectively. For federal income tax
purposes, all issues other than the creditability of taxes paid to the
Government of Indonesia have been resolved through 1987. While the amounts
under dispute with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are significant,
settlement of open tax matters is not expected to have a material effect on the
consolidated net assets or liquidity of the company and, in the opinion of
management, adequate provision has been made for income and franchise taxes for
all years either under examination or subject to future examination. Caltex
also is involved in IRS tax audits in which claims may be made for substantial
amounts, and which may require cash deposits until such claims are resolved.
The company and its subsidiaries have certain other contingent liabilities with
respect to guarantees, direct or indirect, of debt of affiliated companies or
others and long-term unconditional purchase obligations and
-8-
commitments,throughput agreements and take-or-pay agreements, some of which
relate to suppliers' financing arrangements.
The company is subject to loss contingencies pursuant to environmental laws and
regulations that in the future may require the company to take action to
correct or ameliorate the effects on the environment of prior disposal or
release of chemical or petroleum substances by the company or other parties.
Such contingencies may exist for various sites including, but not limited to:
Superfund sites and refineries, oil fields, service stations, terminals and
land development areas, whether operating, closed or sold. The amount of such
future cost is indeterminable due to such factors as the unknown magnitude of
possible contamination, the unknown timing and extent of the corrective actions
that may be required, the determination of the company's liability in
proportion to other responsible parties and the extent to which such costs are
recoverable from third parties. While the company has provided for known
environmental obligations that are probable and reasonably estimable, the
amount of future costs may be material to results of operations in the period
in which they are recognized. The company does not expect these costs to have
a material effect on its consolidated financial position or liquidity. Also,
the company does not believe its obligation to make such expenditures has had
or will have any significant impact on the company's competitive position
relative to other domestic or international petroleum or chemical concerns.
The company's operations, particularly oil and gas exploration and production,
can be affected by changing economic, regulatory and political environments in
the various countries, including the United States, in which it operates. In
certain locations, host governments have imposed restrictions, controls and
taxes, and, in others, political conditions have existed that may threaten the
safety of employees and the company's continued presence in those countries.
Internal unrest or strained relations between a host government and the company
or other governments may affect the company's operations. Those developments
have, at times, significantly affected the company's related operations and
results, and are carefully considered by management when evaluating the level
of current and future activity in such countries.
Areas in which the company has significant operations include the United
States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Congo, Angola, Nigeria, Zaire, Papua
New Guinea, China and Indonesia. The company's Caltex affiliates have
significant operations in Indonesia, Korea, Japan, Australia, Thailand, the
Philippines, Singapore, and South Africa. The company's Tengizchevroil
affiliate operates in Kazakstan.
Note 9. Issuance of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No.
128, "Earnings Per Share"
In February 1997 the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No.
128, "Earnings per Share", which is effective for interim period and annual
financial statements ending after December 15, 1997. Early adoption of the
statement is not permitted. The company believes that adoption of the
statement will not have a material effect on its earnings per share
disclosures.
-9-
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
First Quarter 1997 Compared With First Quarter 1996
Overview and Outlook
- --------------------
Net income for the 1997 first quarter was $831 million ($1.27 per share), a 35
percent increase from $616 million ($.94 per share) earned in the first quarter
of 1996. Special items benefited this year's first quarter earnings $27
million; there were no special items in last year's first quarter. Excluding
special items, quarterly earnings were an all-time high $804 million.
Worldwide upstream results, excluding special items, improved 28 percent in the
1997 first quarter, benefiting from higher prices and higher production volumes.
Crude oil and natural gas prices on average were higher than a year ago,
although they have fallen significantly from year-end 1996 levels.
Worldwide liquids production was up 63,000 barrels per day, or 6 percent, from
the first quarter of last year to 1,076,000 barrels per day. Worldwide natural
gas production also increased in the 1997 first quarter, up 5 percent from the
prior-year first quarter to 2.5 billion cubic feet per day. For the second
consecutive quarter, U.S. oil and gas production was higher than the year
before, evidence that the company is reversing its domestic production decline.
The company's continued production growth and cost containment efforts should
help lessen the impact on upstream results of the recent decline in oil and gas
prices.
Downstream operating results improved 44 percent, worldwide, to $134 million in
the 1997 first quarter compared with $93 million in 1996. The decline in oil
and gas prices during the 1997 quarter benefited the company's U.S. downstream
and chemicals businesses, as lower feedstock and fuel costs improved product
sales margins. In contrast, prices rose steadily during last year's first
quarter, dampening downstream profitability. Crude oil prices have continued to
soften into the second quarter, which should help maintain downstream and
chemical margins.
Return on capital employed, excluding special items, was 13.5 percent for the
12 months ended March 31, 1997, compared with 12.8 percent for the year 1996.
Current Developments
- --------------------
In April 1997, Chevron completed the sale of 10 percent of its interest in the
Tengizchevroil joint venture to LUKARCO, a joint venture between the Russian
oil company LUKoil, and Arco. The company will record a gain from the sale in
the second quarter of 1997. The equity interests of the joint venture
participants are: Chevron, 45 percent; the Republic of Kazakstan and Mobil, 25
percent each; and LUKARCO, 5 percent.
In April 1997, Chevron announced the discovery of crude oil in Block 14 off the
coast of Cabinda Province in Angola, in waters more than 1,300 feet deep. It
is the company's first discovery in Angola's deep-water area. The new
discovery is the second of five wells planned in Block 14, which is adjacent to
the Chevron-operated Cabinda Concession, an established network of oil fields
and facilities in shallower waters off the coast of Angola. Additional
appraisal of the discovery is required to confirm the oil reserves and to
determine plans for development. The company is the operator and holds a 31
percent interest in Block 14.
Also in Angola, in May 1997 the first oil production began in Area C, the
farthest offshore area in the Chevron-operated Cabinda Concession. Production
from the North Ndola oil field is expected to reach 20,000 barrels per day by
year end. Chevron's share is 39.2 percent.
In March 1997, Murco Petroleum Limited withdrew from the previously announced
proposed merger of Chevron's United Kingdom refining and marketing operations
with those of Murco and Elf Oil UK Ltd. Chevron and Elf are continuing to
negotiate the proposed merger.
-10-
In March, Chevron and its partner, the Saudi Industrial Venture Capital Group,
broke ground on a $650 million petrochemical complex in Al-Jubail, Saudi
Arabia. Construction of the 482,000-ton-per-year benzene plant and 220,000-
ton-per-year cyclohexane unit is scheduled to be completed in 1999. Chevron's
Aromax technology will be used to manufacture benzene from a natural gas
feedstock supplied by Saudi Aramco.
Chevron, Warren Petroleum and Koch Energy Services Company have formed a
partnership to double the capacity of their combined Venice, Louisiana, natural
gas facilities to 800 million cubic feet per day. A cryogenic plant,
contributed by Koch, will also increase gas processing from 1.0 billion to 1.3
billion cubic feet per day. Chevron will continue to be the majority owner.
The Venice complex, consisting of an offshore gas-gathering system, a gas
processing plant, a gas liquids fractionation facility, an underground gas
storage facility and a multi-barge gas liquids terminal, is well positioned to
benefit from the growing deepwater developments in the Gulf of Mexico.
Chevron, in March, increased its commitment to the Gulf of Mexico's deepwater
oil and gas prospects, spending $52 million in high bids on 75 tracts in a
major federal offshore lease auction. The company's deepwater lease inventory
totals 300 tracts after this latest auction.
In February, Chevron announced the discovery of a major natural gas field,
Dionysus, offshore Western Australia in the prolific Gorgon/Chrysaor trend.
Chevron holds a 50 percent interest in the discovery.
Chevron has significant production and development projects underway in West
Africa. Its share of current combined production from Nigeria, Angola, Congo
and Zaire is about 300,000 barrels per day. While the company's producing
operations in Nigeria and other West African countries have been generally
unaffected by the civil unrest, political uncertainty and economic conditions
in this area, the company continues to closely monitor developments.
Chevron's partner in Nigeria, the government-owned Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation (NNPC) announced in March 1997 that it will fund only 60 percent of
its share of the previously approved 1997 budgets for Chevron and for the other
oil companies operating in Nigeria. Chevron is evaluating its options under
these circumstances, which could result in a slower pace of development of
future production potential.
On April 1, 1997, Caltex Petroleum Corporation completed the previously
announced sale of its interest in its Bahrain refinery joint venture to its
partner, the Government of the State of Bahrain, at net book value. The sale
was not material to the Caltex Group's results of operations or financial
position.
Review of Operations
- --------------------
Total revenues for the first quarter of 1997 were $11.1 billion, up 8 percent
from $10.3 billion in last year's first quarter. Revenues increased on higher
prices for crude oil, natural gas and refined products and higher sales volumes
of crude oil and natural gas; chemicals revenues were about flat.
The company continues to operate with a significantly lower cost structure,
achieved through successful cost reduction initiatives implemented since 1991,
coupled with various divestments of non-core assets and businesses. Ongoing
operating, selling, general and administrative expenses in the 1997 first
quarter totaled $1.685 billion, up marginally from $1.667 billion in the 1996
first quarter. However, using the company's internal performance measurement,
on a per unit basis, operating expenses declined to $5.89 per equivalent
barrel, down ten cents from the year-ago quarter, reflecting higher production
and sales volumes.
Taxes on income for the first quarter of 1997 were $628 million compared with
$473 million in last year's first quarter and the effective tax rate was about
flat at 43.0 percent compared with 43.4 percent for the 1996 first quarter. A
shift in the 1997 international earnings mix from higher effective tax rate
countries to lower tax rate countries was offset by lower U. S. tax credits and
a proportionate decrease in certain equity affiliates' after-tax earnings
included in the company's before-tax income.
-11-
Foreign currency effects reduced net income in both quarters - $18 million in
1997 and $14 million in 1996. The 1997 losses reflect primarily the U. S.
dollar's fluctuation against the Korean currency in Caltex's operations,
whereas the 1996 losses were caused primarily by the U.S. dollar fluctuation
against the Australian currency.
The following tables detail the company's after-tax earnings by major operating
area and selected operating data.
EARNINGS BY MAJOR OPERATING AREA
Three Months Ended
March 31,
------------------
Millions of Dollars, 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exploration and Production
United States $ 361 $ 268
International 347 251
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Exploration and Production 708 519
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Refining, Marketing and Transportation
United States 70 18
International 56 75
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Refining, Marketing and Transportation 126 93
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Petroleum Operations 834 612
Chemicals 63 64
Coal 15 12
Corporate and Other (81) (72)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income $ 831 $ 616
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECTED OPERATING DATA (1)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
------------------
1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Exploration and Production
Net Crude Oil and Natural Gas
Liquids Production (MBPD) 347 339
Net Natural Gas Production (MMCFPD) 1,927 1,876
Sales of Natural Gas Liquids (MBPD) 157 240
Revenue from Net Production
Crude Oil ($/Bbl.) $ 19.86 $ 16.67
Natural Gas ($/MCF) $ 2.77 $ 2.28
International Exploration and Production
Net Crude Oil and Natural Gas
Liquids Production (MBPD) 729 674
Net Natural Gas Production (MMCFPD) 617 547
Revenue from Liftings
Liquids ($/Bbl.) $ 20.02 $ 17.93
Natural Gas ($/MCF) $ 2.28 $ 1.84
U.S. Refining, Marketing and Transportation
Sales of Gasoline (MBPD) 585 541
Sales of Other Refined Products (MBPD) 585 537
Refinery Input (MBPD) 846 927
Average Refined Product Sales
Price ($/Bbl.) $ 30.40 $ 27.15
-12-
International Refining, Marketing
and Transportation
Sales of Refined Products (MBPD) 912 1,073
Refinery Input (MBPD) 573 670
Chemical Sales and Other Operating Revenues (2)
United States $ 752 $ 716
International 134 151
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Worldwide $ 886 $ 867
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Includes equity in affiliates.
(2) Millions of dollars. Includes sales to other Chevron companies.
MBPD=thousand barrels per day; MMCFPD=million cubic feet per day;
Bbl.=barrel; MCF=thousand cubic feet
Worldwide exploration and production net earnings were $708 million in the
first quarter of 1997, up 36 percent from $519 million in the 1996 first
quarter. U.S. exploration and production net earnings were $361 million, up
from $268 million in the 1996 first quarter. The 1997 results included special
gains of $49 million from the sales of two producing properties and charges of
$6 million for environmental remediation provisions. Excluding special items,
earnings were $318 million, compared with $268 million in last year's first
quarter. Highercrude oil and natural gas prices and volumes accounted for the
strong increase in operating earnings.
Average crude oil realizations of $19.86 per barrel were up $3.19 from the 1996
first quarter. Average natural gas prices of $2.77 per thousand cubic feet
were 49 cents higher than in the first quarter of last year.
Net liquids production increased to 347,000 barrels per day from 339,000 in the
prior-year first quarter. Also, net natural gas production of 1.93 billion
cubic feet per day was up from 1.88 billion cubic feet.
International exploration and production net earnings were $347 million, up 38
percent from $251 million in the 1996 first quarter. The strong earnings
reflected increased crude oil liftings and higher crude oil and natural gas
prices, when compared with the year-ago quarter.
Net liquids production increased 55,000 barrels per day to 729,000, mostly due
to higher volumes in Kazakstan and Congo. Natural gas production increased 13
percent to 617 million cubic feet per day, from higher production in Kazakstan
and Canada.
Worldwide refining and marketing had net earnings of $126 million in the first
quarter of 1997, up 35 percent from $93 million in last year's first quarter.
U.S. refining and marketing net earnings were $70 million. Excluding a special
charge of $8 million included in the 1997 results, operating earnings were $78
million, a sharp improvement from the $18 million reported in last year's first
quarter.
In the 1996 first quarter, crude oil prices increased faster than prices for
the company's refined products, particularly gasoline. The reverse occurred in
the 1997 first quarter when crude oil prices rapidly declined, benefiting the
company's downstream sales margins. Partially offsetting this improvement was
significant refinery downtime for planned maintenance.
Total product sales volumes were 1.17 million barrels a day, up 9 percent from
the comparable quarter last year. Branded gasoline sales increased 2 percent
to480,000 barrels per day. The average refined product sales price in the 1997
quarter was $30.40 per barrel, up 12 percent from $27.15 in last year's
quarter.
International refining and marketing net earnings were $56 million, down from
$75 million reported for the first quarter of 1996. Product sales margins
continue to be weak in the United Kingdom and in most of Caltex's Asia-
-13-
Pacific areas of operation. Additionally, foreign currency effects in 1997,
mostlyrelated to Caltex translation losses in Korea, reduced earnings $29
million. Inthe 1996 first quarter, foreign currency losses were $10 million.
Sales volumes declined 15 percent to 912,000 barrels per day, reflecting the
absence of volumes associated with Caltex's interest in a Japanese affiliate
that was sold in the second quarter of 1996, and lower sales volumes from
Chevron's international trading activities.
Chemicals net earnings were $63 million in the 1997 quarter, about flat with
$64 million earned in last year's first quarter. Results continue to reflect
the cyclical downturn in the chemicals industry, but were much improved from
the 1996 fourth quarter because of lower feedstock and fuel costs and price
improvements for some of the company's products. Results for 1997 also
benefited from reduced depreciation expense as a result of a reassessment of
the useful lives of certain assets.
Corporate and other includes interest expense, interest income on cash and
marketable securities, corporate cost centers and real estate and insurance
operations. These activities incurred charges of $81 million compared with
charges of $72 million in the comparable prior-year quarter. However, after
excluding a 1997 special charge of $8 million for environmental remediation,
charges were flat between periods, as lower interest expense was offset by
higher performance-based employee compensation costs.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents totaled $1.4 billion at March 31, 1997, up $493
million from year-end 1996. Cash from operations and proceeds from asset sales
were more than adequate to fund the company's capital expenditures and dividend
payments to stockholders.
On April 30, 1997 the company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.58 per share,
payable June 10, 1997 to stockholders of record on May 20. The quarterly
dividend rate increased $0.04, or 7.4 percent, over the previous quarterly rate
of $0.54, the rate since the third quarter 1996.
Total debt and capital lease obligations were $6.783 billion at March 31, 1997,
up $89 million from $6.694 billion at year-end 1996. The increase was
primarily from a net increase in short-term commercial paper outstanding,
partially offset by the scheduled retirement of $138 million of Swiss Franc
denominated 4.625 percent debt and $50 million in 7.28 percent ESOP debt.
Although the company benefits from lower interest rates on short-term debt, the
large amount of short-term debt has kept Chevron's ratio of current assets to
current liabilities at relatively low levels. The current ratio was .92 at
March 31, 1997. The company's short-term debt, consisting of commercial paper
and current portion of long-term debt, totaled $2.865 billion at March 31,
1997. This amount excludes $1.8 billion of short-term obligations that were
reclassified to long-term as the company has both the intent and ability, as
evidenced by committed credit agreements, to refinance them on a long-term
basis. The company's practice has been to continually refinance its commercial
paper, maintaining levels it believes to be appropriate.
The company's debt ratio (total debt to total debt plus equity) was 29.6
percent at March 31, 1997, down from 30.0 percent at year-end 1996. The
company continually monitors its spending levels, market conditions and related
interest rates to maintain what it perceives to be reasonable debt levels.
Worldwide capital and exploratory expenditures for the first quarter of 1997,
including the company's share of affiliates' expenditures, totaled $941
million, 2 percent more than the $923 million spent in the 1996 first quarter.
Spending for chemicals projects worldwide more than doubled from the first
quarter of last year to $118 million in the 1997 quarter, reflecting the
company's multiple expansion projects underway. Expenditures for exploration
and production activities represented 68 percent of total spending in the 1997
first quarter, about the same as the comparable 1996 period. Of these amounts,
expenditures for exploration and production activities in the United States
were 47 percent in 1997 compared with 30 percent in 1996, reflecting spending
on development projects to stabilize U.S. oil and gas production. For the
year, U. S. spending is expected to be about 36 percent of total
-14-
exploration and production spending. Total capital and exploratory spending
for the year 1997 is forecast at a record $5.9 billion, a 22 percent increase
from 1996 spending levels.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
None
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Exhibits
(4) Pursuant to the Instructions to Exhibits, certain instruments defining
the rights of holders of long-term debt securities of the company and
its consolidated subsidiaries are not filed because the total amount of
securities authorized under any such instrument does not exceed 10
percent of the total assets of the company and its subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis. A copy of any such instrument will be furnished to
the Commission upon request.
(10) Chevron Corporation Excess Benefit Plan, amended and restated as of
July 1, 1996.
(12) Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
(27) Financial Data Schedule
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
None.
-15-
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
CHEVRON CORPORATION
-----------------------------
(Registrant)
Date May 9, 1997 /s/ S. J. CROWE
------------- -----------------------------
S. J. Crowe, Comptroller
(Principal Accounting Officer and
Duly Authorized Officer)
-16-