logo
Exxon, Chevron set stage for race for prize assets

Exxon, Chevron set stage for race for prize assets

The Star20-07-2025
The high-stakes clash between Exxon Mobil and Chevron over a prized South American oilfield may be a sign of what's to come in the oil and gas industry as competition for a shrinking pool of prime assets heats up.
Chevron is set to finalise its US$53bil acquisition of US rival Hess after the companies prevailed in a legal dispute with Exxon over Hess' 30% stake in Guyana's fast-growing Stabroek oil block.
The ruling by the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce marks a key win for Chevron chief executive Mike Wirth, who targeted the Hess acquisition to grow the company's production and keep pace with larger rival Exxon's rapid expansion.
The Hess deal, announced in October 2023, was delayed after Exxon, which holds a 45% stake in Stabroek, and the field's third partner China National Offshore Oil Corp argued that they had a contractual right of first refusal to purchase Hess's stake in the block.
In fact, the multi-billion-US dollar dispute hinged on the interpretation of a single sentence in the joint operating agreement.
Exxon's decision to file this arbitration was likely motivated by a desire to hamper the growth strategy of its key US rival, the latest move in a decades-long rivalry that has helped shape the US energy sector.
Stabroek is a highly attractive asset, with 11 billion barrels of oil reserves and production costs of only around US$20 a barrel, among the lowest in the world, according to consultancy Rystad Energy.
The Guyanese field's production has soared from zero in 2019 to 668,000 barrels per day (bpd) by the end of March, and is forecast to nearly double to 1.3 million bpd by the end of 2027.
Arms race
Exxon and Chevron both trace their roots to Standard Oil, the conglomerate formed by John D. Rockefeller in 1870 that came to dominate the American oil industry before being broken up by the US government in 1911.
In the past decade, the two majors have competed fiercely for dominance in US shale oil.
Chevron had an early advantage given its ownership of large swathes of land in the Permian basin, the shale heartland. But Exxon regained ground in 2010 with its US$41bil acquisition of natural gas producer XTO.
It then cemented its position as the largest US producer in October 2023 with its acquisition of US shale producer Pioneer Natural Resources for US$60bil. Chevron responded quickly, however, announcing that it had agreed to acquire Hess only 12 days after Exxon's Pioneer deal.
The Hess deal should help Chevron keep pace with Exxon moving forward. Chevron's production is now expected to exceed four million bpd by 2030 from 3.4 million bpd in the first quarter of this year.
By contrast, Exxon expects its output to grow from 4.5 million bpd in the first quarter to 5.4 million bpd by the end of the decade.
Dwindling reserves
Oil and gas companies are facing a future with limited options for building reserves as the unexplored frontier shrinks and shareholders push for cost control.
These firms replenish their reserves not only to grow output but also to offset existing fields' natural decline.
Depletion has been a major problem for Chevron, whose reserve replacement ratio slid to negative 4% last year, with reserves falling to their lowest point in at least a decade at 9.8 billion barrels, according to LSEG data.
That's the equivalent to eight years of production, down from 10 years in 2023, and compared with Exxon's 12 years in 2024.
Reserves can be increased either through exploration, a high-risk, high-reward activity, or by acquiring assets and companies.
Energy giants have invested billions in exploration over the decades, which has led to the discovery of resources in new basins such as the North Sea, Angola, Brazil and Indonesia.
But this activity has slowed in recent years as companies have sought to cut spending to appease shareholders.
Moreover, there are fewer accessible fields to tap. Although the world holds vast oil and gas reserves, sufficient to supply around 50 years of current oil consumption, not all resources are created equal.
First, many resources are simply far too expensive to develop because of depth, complexity or remoteness.
Additionally, over two-thirds of the world's oil reserves are located in countries where Western companies have restricted access.
This includes Iran, Venezuela and Russia as well as Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) whose strict terms make operations less attractive for foreign investors.
This all explains why the discovery of enormous, low-cost oil resources in Guyana a decade ago was considered such a boon for Western energy companies – and why the two biggest US producers were willing to spend billions battling for access to a single field there.
First shot
The latest high-profile clash between Exxon and Chevron may be an indication of what the industry can expect in the coming years as competition for low-cost resources intensifies amid the world's transition away from fossil fuels.
No one knows exactly when global oil demand will peak. While the International Energy Agency, the global energy watchdog, expects oil consumption to crest by the end of this decade, Opec forecasts demand to grow into 2050.
But, regardless, the industry appears to be going through a shift, and the Exxon-Chevron clash, one of the most expensive and consequential legal battles in the sector's history, may be a harbinger of things to come. — Reuters
Ron Bousso is the Reuters energy columnist. The views expressed here are the writer's own.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bordeaux winemakers face uncertainty as US tariffs loom
Bordeaux winemakers face uncertainty as US tariffs loom

The Sun

time43 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Bordeaux winemakers face uncertainty as US tariffs loom

BORDEAUX: French winemakers in the famed Bordeaux region are bracing for the financial impact of US tariffs, with industry leaders calling the uncertainty 'the stuff of nightmares.' The US remains the top export market for Bordeaux wines, accounting for €400 million in annual sales—20% of the region's total exports. Sunday's US-EU trade deal failed to clarify tariff rates for European alcohol exports. While US President Donald Trump announced a 15% across-the-board tariff, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen hinted at possible exemptions, stating that 'zero-for-zero' agreements for alcohol could still be negotiated. Philippe Tapie, chairman of Bordeaux Negoce, expressed frustration over the unpredictability. 'One day, it is white, the next it is black—the US administration can change its mind from one day to the next,' he said. The tariffs compound existing struggles, including declining consumption and overproduction, which have already pushed a third of Bordeaux's 5,000 winegrowers into financial distress. Twins Bordeaux, a major merchant, reported a 50% drop in US-bound sales this year. Co-director Sebastien Moses revealed they had stockpiled inventory preemptively but warned this was not a sustainable solution. Some high-end wines were even airlifted to bypass delays, though at triple the cost of sea freight. Jacques Bouey, CEO of Bouey wines, noted his firm had diversified exports to mitigate risks. 'Commercial strategies can no longer rely on one or two markets,' he said. With Trump's shifting deadlines—from 10% to 30%—Tapie warned, 'At 30%, no. End of story.' The industry now faces a critical wait for final tariff terms, with August 1 looming as the next decisive date. - AFP

Markets rise as EU-US trade deal boosts euro and global stocks
Markets rise as EU-US trade deal boosts euro and global stocks

The Sun

time43 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Markets rise as EU-US trade deal boosts euro and global stocks

HONG KONG: Most stock markets climbed higher on Monday, with the euro strengthening after the European Union and United States finalised a landmark trade agreement aimed at preventing a damaging trade war. The deal, announced by former US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, has injected optimism into global markets. The agreement includes a baseline 15 percent tariff on EU exports to the US, covering key sectors such as automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors. Trump described the deal as 'probably the biggest ever reached in any capacity,' while von der Leyen emphasised its role in providing stability and predictability for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. Brussels also committed to purchasing $750 billion worth of US energy and making an additional $600 billion in investments. The news pushed the euro to $1.1779, up from $1.1749 at Friday's close. Asian markets mostly advanced, with Hong Kong leading gains at around one percent. Shanghai, Sydney, Seoul, Wellington, Taipei, and Jakarta also rose, while Tokyo dipped for a second day following last week's rally. European and US futures pointed to further gains. Analysts noted that the trade developments, including progress in US-China negotiations, have eased market concerns. 'The news flow from both the extension with China and the agreement with the EU is clearly market-friendly,' said Chris Weston of Pepperstone. Investors are now focused on upcoming trade talks between US and Chinese officials in Stockholm, as well as key earnings reports from tech giants like Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft. The Federal Reserve and Bank of Japan are expected to maintain steady interest rates, though market watchers will scrutinise their outlooks amid shifting trade dynamics. - AFP

CGTN Highlights President Xi's Call For Stronger China-EU Ties At Landmark 25th Summit
CGTN Highlights President Xi's Call For Stronger China-EU Ties At Landmark 25th Summit

Barnama

timean hour ago

  • Barnama

CGTN Highlights President Xi's Call For Stronger China-EU Ties At Landmark 25th Summit

BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with European Union (EU) leaders at the 25th China-EU Summit in Beijing, marking 50 years of diplomatic relations and calling for deeper cooperation in trade, investment, and global governance. As reported by China Global Television Network Corporation (CGTN), the summit emphasised China's push for multilateralism, economic openness, and mutual respect as the guiding principles for future China-EU relations. During a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing recently, President Xi told European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that China-EU relations have entered a critical historical juncture. Xi said there are no fundamental conflicts of interest or geopolitical contradictions between the two sides, stressing that cooperation remains the dominant feature of bilateral ties, according to CGTN in a statement. He proposed that both parties uphold mutual respect, pursue openness and cooperation while managing differences, and jointly safeguard multilateralism and the international rules-based order. Xi said the China-EU economic relationship is naturally complementary and mutually beneficial and highlighted the importance of deepening partnerships in green and digital sectors. According to China's customs data, trade between China and the EU reached US$785.8 billion in 2024, a 300-fold increase compared to 1975, when relations were first established. (US$1=RM4.21) He also urged the EU to maintain an open market and refrain from restrictive trade measures to ensure a favourable business environment for Chinese enterprises in Europe, citing Chinese battery giant CALB's US$2.2 billion plant in Portugal—expected to create 1,800 jobs—as a model of productive bilateral investment. CGTN highlighted that both sides agreed to upgrade their export control dialogue mechanism, enhance communication, and ensure the stability of industrial and supply chains at the summit.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store