Imperial Oil (NYSE: IMO) reported Q4 EPS of (Cdn$1.56), versus Cdn$0.36 reported last year. Revenue for the quarter came in at Cdn$6.03 billion, versus Cdn$8.12 billion reported last year.

Fourth quarter highlights

• Net loss of $1,146 million or $1.56 per share on a diluted basis, compared to net income of $271 million or $0.36 per share in the fourth quarter of 2019. Results in the current quarter include a non-cash impairment charge of $1,171 million related to the company's decision not to develop a significant portion of its unconventional portfolio that was announced in November 2020.
• Cash flow generated from operating activities was $316 million, compared with $1,024 million in the same period of 2019, driven mainly by unfavourable working capital impacts of $464 million compared with the fourth quarter of 2019. Imperial ended 2020 with $771 million of cash on hand.
• Capital and exploration expenditures totalled $195 million, compared to $414 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. Full-year capital expenditures of $874 million are $940 million below 2019 levels due to the company's capital reduction efforts.
• Dividends paid totalled $161 million or $0.22 per share, compared to $166 million or $0.22 per share in the fourth quarter of 2019. The company has maintained its dividend throughout the challenging business environment.
• Production averaged 460,000 gross oil-equivalent barrels per day, up from 398,000 barrels per day in the same period of 2019. In the fourth quarter of 2020 the company delivered its highest quarterly production in 30 years, driven by record production at Kearl.
• Total gross bitumen production at Kearl averaged 284,000 barrels per day (202,000 barrels Imperial's share), up from 208,000 barrels per day (147,000 barrels Imperial's share) in the fourth quarter of 2019. Kearl achieved record production during the fourth quarter of 2020, surpassing the prior quarterly record by 40,000 barrels per day.
• Gross bitumen production at Cold Lake averaged 136,000 barrels per day, compared to 140,000 barrels per day in the fourth quarter of 2019.
• The company's share of gross production from Syncrude averaged 87,000 barrels per day, up from 66,000 barrels per day in the fourth quarter of 2019, due mainly to the absence of prior year turnaround activity.
• Refinery throughput averaged 359,000 barrels per day, up from 321,000 barrels per day in the fourth quarter of 2019. Capacity utilization was 85 percent, up from 76 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019. Higher throughput was primarily due to the absence of prior year planned turnaround activity at Nanticoke, partially offset by lower market demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Petroleum product sales were 416,000 barrels per day, compared to 457,000 barrels per day in the fourth quarter of 2019. Lower petroleum product sales were primarily driven by reduced demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Chemical earnings were $23 million in the quarter, compared to a net loss of $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2019.
• Imperial named one of Canada’s top employers. Imperial is proud to have been named as one of Canada Top 100 employers for 2021. In addition to the national recognition, the company was recognized as a Top 70 Alberta Employer, Top Employer for Canadians Over 40, and Canada’s Top Young Employer.

“The past year has proved an exceptionally challenging one, not only for the company and our employees, but society at-large,” said Brad Corson, chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Against significant headwinds, Imperial’s operational performance and cost management efforts have exceeded expectations. We set aggressive targets for capital and expense reductions in the first quarter of 2020, and we surpassed those targets. I am extremely proud of the efforts our employees have made in this environment, maintaining safe, reliable operations and ensuring the safety of themselves and their coworkers, while reliably supplying essential products to our customers.”

The company recorded a net loss of $1,146 million for the fourth quarter, which included a non-cash impairment charge of $1,171 million related to the company’s previously announced decision to not develop a significant portion of its unconventional portfolio. These non-core assets are non-producing, undeveloped assets and the company does not expect any material future cash expenditures related to this impairment. The decision is consistent with Imperial’s strategy of focusing its upstream resources and efforts on its key oil sands assets as well as on only the most attractive portions of its unconventional portfolio. Excluding the one-time impact of this impairment, earnings have continued to improve throughout the second half of 2020. Despite a continued challenging market and industry environment, Imperial generated $316 million of cash from operations in the final quarter of 2020, which includes unfavourable working capital effects of $218 million.

Upstream production for the fourth quarter averaged 460,000 gross oil-equivalent barrels per day, the highest quarterly production in 30 years. Kearl total gross production averaged 284,000 barrels per day, a new quarterly record for the asset, surpassing its previous quarterly record by 40,000 barrels per day.

“Imperial’s ability to achieve these record volumes was driven by the supplemental crushers at Kearl, as well as our strategic decision earlier in the year to advance maintenance activities out of the fourth quarter, and into the third quarter in response to market conditions,” said Corson.

Downstream throughput averaged 359,000 barrels per day in the fourth quarter, with utilization at 85 percent, up from 321,000 barrels per day and 76 percent utilization in the same period of 2019. Petroleum product sales were 416,000 barrels per day, compared with 457,000 barrels per day in the fourth quarter of 2019, with product demands impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Imperial maintained its focus on operational excellence and cost discipline throughout the fourth quarter, continuing to progress structural improvements across all segments. Full-year production and manufacturing expenses totalled $5,535 million, a reduction of $985 million compared with full-year 2019. This decrease enabled the company to surpass its $500 million expense reduction commitment made in 2020, by nearly double. Capital expenditures of $874 million for 2020 were in line with recently updated guidance of $900 million, and less than half of 2019 expenditures.

“Despite the many challenges faced in 2020, Imperial continued to deliver strong financial and operating results,” said Corson. “The company significantly reduced capital and expense levels while achieving production records and strong safety results. Going forward, we will continue to focus on economically growing volumes, maintaining expense and capital discipline and returning cash to shareholders, as we build upon the foundational improvements of 2020.”

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