Woodside Ltd Stock Price, News & Analysis

Woodside Energy Group (ASX: WDS) reported strong financial results for H1 2024, with a net profit after tax of $1,937 million and an underlying net profit of $1,632 million. The company declared a fully franked interim dividend of 69 US cents per share, representing a 7.3% annualized yield. Key operational highlights include:

- Production of 89.3 MMboe (491 Mboe/d)
- Reduced unit production cost to $8.3/boe
- First oil achieved at Sangomar Project in Senegal
- Scarborough Energy Project 67% complete
- Sale of Scarborough interests to JERA and LNG Japan
- New LNG supply agreements with KOGAS and CPC

Woodside also announced plans to acquire Tellurian and OCI's Clean Ammonia Project to strengthen its LNG portfolio and position in lower carbon ammonia. The company remains focused on thriving through the energy transition while maintaining disciplined capital management.

Woodside has entered into a binding agreement to acquire OCI Clean Ammonia Holding B.V. and its lower carbon ammonia project in Beaumont, Texas for $2,350 million. The project, currently under construction, aims to produce first ammonia by 2025 and lower carbon ammonia by 2026. With a design capacity of 1.1 Mtpa in Phase 1, the project is expected to exceed Woodside's 10% internal rate of return target for new energy projects. The acquisition supports Woodside's strategy to thrive through the energy transition, positioning the company in the growing lower carbon ammonia market. The project has the capacity to abate 3.2 Mtpa CO2-e at full development, representing over 60% of Woodside's Scope 3 abatement target.

Woodside has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Tellurian (NYSE: TELL) and its Driftwood LNG development for approximately $900 million, or $1.00 per share. The acquisition positions Woodside as a global LNG powerhouse, adding a scalable, fully permitted 27.6 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) US LNG development option to its portfolio.

The Driftwood LNG project is located near Lake Charles, Louisiana, and comprises five LNG trains through four phases. Woodside is targeting FID readiness for Phase 1 (11 Mtpa) from Q1 2025. The development is fully permitted, cost and carbon competitive, with construction already underway.

This strategic move aligns with Woodside's goal to thrive through the energy transition, expanding its position as a leading independent LNG company and enabling value creation through marketing optimization and geographic diversification.

Woodside has achieved first oil production from the Sangomar field offshore Senegal, marking the country's first offshore oil project. The Sangomar Field Development Phase 1 includes a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) facility with a capacity of 100,000 barrels/day. This project aims to generate shareholder value and reflects Woodside's project execution capabilities amid global challenges. CEO Meg O'Neill highlighted the significance of this milestone, while PETROSEN E&P's General Manager Thierno Ly emphasized its impact on Senegal's industry and economy.

Woodside has appointed Tony O’Neill as a non-executive Director, effective June 3, 2024.

O’Neill brings extensive experience in the global mining industry, particularly in climate, decarbonization, and sustainability initiatives.

His career highlights include leading technology ventures at Anglo American, such as the deployment of hydrogen-powered mining trucks, and contributing to sustainability initiatives like FutureSmart Mining.

O'Neill will also join Woodside's Audit & Risk, Sustainability, and Nominations & Governance Committees and is slated for election at the Annual General Meeting in April 2025.