Welcome to our dedicated page for Woodside news (Ticker: WDS), a resource for investors and traders seeking the latest updates and insights on Woodside stock.
Overview
Woodside Ltd (WDS) is a prominent Australian oil and gas company known for its expertise in upstream oil and gas, LNG production, and energy exploration. With a history rooted in exploration dating back to the mid-20th century, Woodside has evolved into a global operator with a significant presence in challenging terrains and remote regions. Its core business revolves around the exploration, development, production, and supply of natural gas and other energy resources, establishing it as a respected entity in its industry.
Business Model and Operations
Woodside operates as an integrated energy company that combines exploration with the development and production of oil and gas assets. The company’s diversified portfolio includes both mature producing facilities and explorative ventures in frontier provinces. Its robust operations emphasize operational excellence, safety, and environmental stewardship. The company has built a reputation by investing in and developing world-class LNG assets, particularly in the North West of Australia, which underscores its technical capabilities and asset quality.
Historical Context and Evolution
Incorporated in 1954 and named after a small Victorian town, Woodside initially focused on exploration in Victoria's Gippsland Basin before extending its operations to Western Australia’s Carnarvon Basin. The company marked significant milestones with the commencement of LNG production from the North West Shelf, which has since become synonymous with its operational excellence. Its historical evolution reflects an organic transition from regional exploration to becoming a globally recognized player in the oil and gas market.
Core Capabilities and Competitive Position
Woodside distinguishes itself through a blend of technical expertise, comprehensive operational capabilities, and sustainable business practices. The company’s operations are characterized by a commitment to strong safety protocols and environmental performance, even in the most remote and challenging operational areas. The integration of its core values – integrity, respect, discipline, excellence, and teamwork – enhances its reputation and builds trust with stakeholders and local communities. Its LNG facilities are recognized as among the best globally, reinforcing its competitive position against other well-established players in the energy sector.
Operational Excellence and Community Engagement
With a focus on operational resilience and community relationships, Woodside emphasizes the importance of meaningful, long-term partnerships with communities where it operates. This strategic approach not only satisfies regulatory requirements but also fosters sustainable relationships that help maintain its licence to operate. The company’s dedication to safety and environmental stewardship is evident in every aspect of its operations, underscoring a culture of discipline and excellence that permeates its business practices.
Industry Context
Operating in a dynamic and competitive oil and gas sector, Woodside navigates the complexities of global energy demand and market fluctuations with a balanced approach toward exploration and production. The company competes with other international oil and gas giants by leveraging its deep reservoir of industry knowledge, technical prowess, and advanced operational infrastructure. Its strategic investments in technology and process optimization enable it to maintain operational efficiency and resilience in a highly competitive market.
Expertise and Value Proposition
Woodside’s value proposition lies in its robust operational framework, comprehensive asset portfolio, and steadfast adherence to a values-driven culture. The company’s extensive experience and consistent performance across diverse geographical regions provide a strong foundation for its continued relevance in the global energy landscape. By focusing on proven operational capabilities rather than speculative future ventures, Woodside provides a clear and detailed picture of its role as a major player in the energy sector, offering valuable insights for industry analysts and stakeholders alike.
Woodside Energy Group (ASX: WDS) reported record production of 193.9 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe) for full-year 2024, driven by outstanding early performance at Sangomar and 98% reliability at operated LNG assets. Net profit after tax increased 115% year-on-year to $3,573 million, while underlying NPAT decreased 13% to $2,880 million due to lower realized oil and gas prices.
The company declared a final dividend of US 53 cents per share, bringing the full-year fully franked dividend to US 122 cents per share with an 80% payout ratio. Unit production cost decreased 2% to $8.1/boe despite inflationary pressures, while operating cash flow remained strong at $5.8 billion with an 82% cash margin.
Strategic achievements include the acquisition of Louisiana LNG and Beaumont New Ammonia, completion of Scarborough Joint Venture sell-downs totaling $2.3 billion, and signing long-term LNG sales agreements with Asian buyers. Major projects are progressing well, with the Scarborough Energy Project now 80% complete and on track for first LNG cargo in 2026.
Heliogen Inc. (OTCQX: HLGN) has announced the completion of Project Capella, a pioneering demonstration project for Generation 3 Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology. The project, jointly funded by Woodside Energy and the US Department of Energy, aimed to develop a 5-MWe concentrated solar power plant.
While achieving several critical milestones in prototyping and design, including Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) completion and Centrec particle receiver development, the project concluded after the FEED phase due to cost escalation. Both companies decided not to proceed with construction but remain open to future collaboration.
Heliogen is now shifting its focus to meet growing demand for dispatchable, low-carbon energy solutions for data centers using their Gen 2 CSP technology, which is already commercially proven. The project successfully advanced key technological innovations and established important foundations for future developments in CSP technology.
Woodside Energy Group (WDS) reported record annual production of 194 MMboe in 2024, driven by outstanding performance from Sangomar producing 75 Mboe/day. Q4 2024 production was 51.4 MMboe, down 3% from Q3 due to lower seasonal demand and an unplanned Pluto shutdown.
Q4 revenue reached $3,470 million, a 6% decrease from Q3. The company sold 33.6% of produced LNG at prices linked to gas hub indices, achieving a 31% premium compared to oil-linked pricing.
Key projects progressed with Scarborough Energy project at 78% completion, Trion project at 20% completion, and Beaumont New Ammonia on track for H2 2025 startup. The company completed the sale of a 15.1% stake in Scarborough to JERA for $1.4 billion and signed an EPC contract with Bechtel for Louisiana LNG development, targeting FID from Q1 2025.
Woodside Energy has reached a significant milestone in its Scarborough Energy Project with the final delivery of Pluto Train 2 modules to the Pluto LNG facility in Karratha, Western Australia. Since February 2024, 51 modules weighing 56,000 metric tonnes have been transported from Batam, Indonesia. The project, now over 75% complete, will enhance the facility's capacity by approximately 5 million tonnes of LNG per annum and supply up to 225 terajoules per day to the Western Australian market.
Construction began in August 2022, with Bechtel managing engineering, procurement, and construction. The project targets first LNG delivery in 2026 and is expected to generate over A$50 billion in tax payments while creating over 3,000 construction jobs and sustaining about 600 operational positions.
Woodside and Chevron have agreed to a strategic asset swap that will reshape their Australian LNG portfolio. Under the agreement, Woodside will acquire Chevron's 16.67% interests in the North West Shelf (NWS) Project, NWS Oil Project, and 20% interest in the Angel CCS Project. In exchange, Woodside will transfer its 13% stake in Wheatstone and 65% interest in Julimar-Brunello Projects to Chevron.
The transaction includes a cash payment from Chevron to Woodside of up to $400 million, comprising $300 million at completion and up to $100 million in contingent payments. The deal is expected to close in 2026, with an effective date of January 1, 2024. The net impact will increase Woodside's Proved plus Probable Reserves by 9.6 MMboe.
Woodside has signed a revised lump sum turnkey engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with Bechtel for the development of Louisiana LNG, a three-train facility with 16.5 million tonnes per annum capacity. Bechtel will continue work under a notice to proceed (LNTP), focusing on site construction and securing key materials.
The project is fully permitted and targets final investment decision (FID) readiness from Q1 2025. Total expenditure until then is forecast at up to $1.3 billion. The estimated forward cost for the foundation development remains at $900-960/tonne, excluding pipeline costs.
Woodside Energy, Baker Hughes, and Bechtel collaborated in a tricycle race fundraiser for United Way of Greater Houston, raising $150,000. The event featured racing teams from all three companies and United Way. Woodside, which has a 36-year partnership with United Way, matches employee contributions and contributed $667,000 to United Way last year through their annual campaign for employee fundraising and volunteering opportunities.
Woodside Energy Group (ASX: WDS) released its Q3 2024 results, reporting record quarterly production of 53.1 MMboe, up 20% from Q2 2024. Key highlights include:
- Quarterly revenue of $3,679 million, up 21% from Q2 2024
- Sangomar achieved nameplate capacity of 100,000 barrels per day
- Scarborough Energy Project 73% complete, on track for first LNG cargo in 2026
- Completed acquisition of OCI's Clean Ammonia Project for ~$2,350 million
- Acquired Tellurian and its Driftwood LNG project, renamed Woodside Louisiana LNG
- Signed LNG supply agreement with JERA for ~0.4 Mtpa over 10 years
- Successfully issued $2 billion in senior unsecured bonds
The company narrowed full-year production guidance to 189-195 MMboe and increased gas hub exposure guidance to 33-37% of produced LNG.
Woodside has decided to delist from the London Stock Exchange (LSE) due to low trading volumes and to reduce administration costs. The company has applied to cancel its listing on the LSE's Main Market, with the last trading day expected to be 19 November 2024. The delisting will not affect Woodside's primary listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) or its American Depositary Receipts (ADR) program on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
Woodside shares represented by depositary interests account for approximately 1% of Woodside's issued share capital. Information on the delisting and options for depositary interest holders will be provided by Computershare. The company has provided contact details for Computershare and Citibank for further inquiries related to the transfer of LSE depositary interest holdings to ASX shares or ADRs.
Tellurian Inc. has announced its intention to voluntarily delist from the NYSE American and redeem its 8.25% Senior Notes Due 2028 following its merger with Woodside Energy Holdings (NA) The company plans to file a Form 25 with the SEC on or about October 21, 2024, with the delisting expected to become effective around October 31, 2024. Tellurian will redeem all outstanding Notes on November 8, 2024, at a price of $25.75 per note, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, will distribute redemption notices to registered holders. Tellurian reserves the right to delay or withdraw these filings and change its plans regarding the delisting and termination of reporting obligations.
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