Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Oil Giants Rake in Steep Profits Amid High Energy Prices
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 3 years ago on
October 28, 2022

Share

 

Oil companies brought in staggering profits once again as people worldwide struggled with high gasoline and energy prices.

Exxon Mobil broke records with its profits in the third quarter, raking in $19.66 billion in net income. The Irving, Texas company said Friday that it booked $112.07 billion in quarterly revenue, more than double the revenue it received last year during the same period.

Chevron had $11.23 billion in profits, almost reaching the record profits it attained last quarter, and the San Ramon, California, company brought in $66.64 billion in revenues.

The high cost of energy has hit consumers in multiple ways. Americans, especially low-income workers, have struggled with painfully high gasoline prices in recent months, paying more than $4.80 on average for a gallon of regular at the beginning of July, according to AAA. High energy prices also hit manufacturers and retailers, who pass on those costs to customers in the form of high prices for food, clothing and other goods.

Gasoline eased somewhat towards the end of the quarter, but customers were still paying more than $3.79 a gallon of regular, on average, in late September.

Exxon boosted production of gasoline and oil during the quarter to meet growing demand. It had its best-ever refinery output in North America and its highest globally since 2008, the company said. And it produced 3.7 million barrels of oil or oil-equivalent per day, and had record production in the Permian Basin, the most productive oil field in the U.S.

The investments Exxon made, even during the pandemic, enabled the company to increase production to meet the needs of customers, said CEO Darren Woods in a conference call with investors.

“Where others pulled back in the face of uncertainty and a historic slowdown, retreating and retrenching, this company move forward, continuing to invest and build to help meet the demand we see today and position the company for long term success in each of our businesses,” Woods said.

Natural gas prices have also been high, especially as demand for liquefied natural gas has remained strong globally. The U.S. has been increasingly exporting liquefied natural gas to Asia and Europe, especially as supply of Russian natural gas declined after Russia invaded Ukraine and prices skyrocketed. Woods listed inventory concerns as one of the reasons American natural gas prices rose by 15% during the quarter.

Oil prices were initially high during the quarter but fell gradually. A barrel of benchmark U.S. crude was selling for more than $100 when the quarter began in July but was selling for closer to $80 at the end of September. Even so, diesel prices remain high, according to AAA, which affects delivery costs and raises prices for all sorts of consumer goods.

To help meet growing demand, Exxon is expanding its oil refinery in Beaumont, Texas and expects the additional refined product to become available in early 2023.

Exxon’s refining businesses was the star performer during the quarter, said Peter McNally, global sector lead at Third Bridge, in a note to investors. “While some of the political rhetoric cooled during the quarter, investment in the company’s fuel manufacturing segment heated up along with the profits,” McNally said.

American oil companies aren’t the only ones benefiting from high energy prices. European energy giants Shell and TotalEnergies reported huge profits Thursday. That fueled calls to tax the profits of energy producers which have benefited from high oil and natural gas prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, even as Europe heads into winter during an energy crisis.

Shares of Exxon Mobil added about 2% in midday trading, while Chevron added less than 1%.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Fresno Crash Leads to Double DUI Arrest After Passenger Grabs Wheel

DON'T MISS

Fresno Unified School Board May Change Longstanding Role Under Revised Bylaw

DON'T MISS

Fresno Unified’s New Supe Allegedly Helped Promote Her Cousin. 4 Lawsuits Claim Nepotism, Incompetence

DON'T MISS

How are Fresno County, Valley Prosecutors Using Prop 36 in Drug and Theft Cases?

DON'T MISS

49ers Agree to Contract With Free Agent Tackle D.J. Humphries

DON'T MISS

Wisconsin High Court Suspends Milwaukee Judge Accused of Helping Man Evade Immigration Authorities

DON'T MISS

Electronic Arts Lays off Hundreds, Cancels ‘Titanfall’ Game, Bloomberg News Reports

DON'T MISS

JetBlue Negotiates Partnership With United Airlines, Sources Say

DON'T MISS

George Kittle Agrees to Extension With 49ers, Becomes Highest-Paid Tight End Ever

DON'T MISS

These Fresno Women Fled the Holocaust. Watch Their Stories.

UP NEXT

JetBlue Negotiates Partnership With United Airlines, Sources Say

UP NEXT

Amazon Denies Tariff Costs Display After White House Backlash

UP NEXT

3D Printed Starbucks Store: First-of-its-Kind Drive-Thru Opens in Texas

UP NEXT

Trump to Offer Automakers Some Relief on His 25% Tariffs

UP NEXT

Equities Climb in Choppy Trade as Earnings, Data, Tariffs Gauged

UP NEXT

Amazon Launches Its First Internet Satellites to Compete Against SpaceX’s Starlinks

UP NEXT

Numbers That Matter From the First 100 Days of Trump’s Second Term

UP NEXT

Trump’s Team Has Disrupted Some $430 Billion in Federal Funds, Top Democrats Say

UP NEXT

Supply and Demand: Less Food Means Higher Prices – or Does It?

UP NEXT

This Summer at the Movies, Superheroes, From ‘Superman’ to ‘Fantastic Four,’ Return

How are Fresno County, Valley Prosecutors Using Prop 36 in Drug and Theft Cases?

14 hours ago

49ers Agree to Contract With Free Agent Tackle D.J. Humphries

14 hours ago

Wisconsin High Court Suspends Milwaukee Judge Accused of Helping Man Evade Immigration Authorities

14 hours ago

Electronic Arts Lays off Hundreds, Cancels ‘Titanfall’ Game, Bloomberg News Reports

14 hours ago

JetBlue Negotiates Partnership With United Airlines, Sources Say

15 hours ago

George Kittle Agrees to Extension With 49ers, Becomes Highest-Paid Tight End Ever

15 hours ago

These Fresno Women Fled the Holocaust. Watch Their Stories.

15 hours ago

California City Councilmember Charged in Hazardous Waste Transport Conspiracy

15 hours ago

Amazon Denies Tariff Costs Display After White House Backlash

15 hours ago

Federal Judge Restricts Border Patrol Warrantless Arrests in California District

16 hours ago

Fresno Crash Leads to Double DUI Arrest After Passenger Grabs Wheel

Two people were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after an SUV crashed into a Fresno business near Shaw and Wishon avenue...

13 hours ago

Two people were arrested for DUI in Fresno after the passenger grabbed the wheel and helped crash an SUV into a local business. (CHP)
13 hours ago

Fresno Crash Leads to Double DUI Arrest After Passenger Grabs Wheel

14 hours ago

Fresno Unified School Board May Change Longstanding Role Under Revised Bylaw

14 hours ago

Fresno Unified’s New Supe Allegedly Helped Promote Her Cousin. 4 Lawsuits Claim Nepotism, Incompetence

14 hours ago

How are Fresno County, Valley Prosecutors Using Prop 36 in Drug and Theft Cases?

14 hours ago

49ers Agree to Contract With Free Agent Tackle D.J. Humphries

Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan speaks during a rally marking the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2025, in Milwaukee, Wis. (Lee Matz/Milwaukee Independent via AP)
14 hours ago

Wisconsin High Court Suspends Milwaukee Judge Accused of Helping Man Evade Immigration Authorities

An Electronic Arts office building is shown in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 27, 2020. (REUTERS/Mike Blake)
14 hours ago

Electronic Arts Lays off Hundreds, Cancels ‘Titanfall’ Game, Bloomberg News Reports

United Airlines planes land and prepare to take off at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, , U.S., January 27, 2025. (REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch)
15 hours ago

JetBlue Negotiates Partnership With United Airlines, Sources Say

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend