APA Corp (APA)
SIC breadcrumb: Mining > SIC Major Group 13 > SIC 1311 Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1841666. Latest filing source: 0001841666-26-000015.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income | 1,434,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-26 |
| Assets | 17,761,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-26 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-26. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001841666.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income | 2,855,000,000 | 804,000,000 | 1,434,000,000 | ||||
| Operating income | -2,152,000,000 | -4,102,000,000 | 2,860,000,000 | 5,565,000,000 | 3,696,000,000 | 2,444,000,000 | 3,087,000,000 |
| Diluted EPS | -9.43 | -12.86 | 2.59 | 11.02 | 9.25 | 2.27 | 3.99 |
| Operating cash flow | 2,867,000,000 | 1,388,000,000 | 3,496,000,000 | 4,943,000,000 | 3,129,000,000 | 3,620,000,000 | 4,545,000,000 |
| Dividends paid | 376,000,000 | 123,000,000 | 52,000,000 | 207,000,000 | 308,000,000 | 353,000,000 | 360,000,000 |
| Assets | 18,107,000,000 | 12,746,000,000 | 13,303,000,000 | 13,147,000,000 | 15,244,000,000 | 19,390,000,000 | 17,761,000,000 |
| Stockholders' equity | -1,639,000,000 | -1,595,000,000 | 423,000,000 | 2,655,000,000 | 5,280,000,000 | 6,093,000,000 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 262,000,000 | 302,000,000 | 245,000,000 | 87,000,000 | 625,000,000 | 516,000,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Return on equity | 107.53% | 15.23% | 23.54% | ||||
| Return on assets | 18.73% | 4.15% | 8.07% | ||||
| Current ratio | 1.41 | 1.12 | 0.93 | 1.02 | 1.15 | 0.82 |
Financial Charts
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-07. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001841666.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-Q1 | 2021-03-31 | 0.00 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2021-Q2 | 2021-06-30 | 0.00 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-06-30 | 2.71 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | 1.28 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | 0.78 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 462,000,000 | 1.23 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 555,000,000 | 1.49 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 1,864,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | ||
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 212,000,000 | 0.44 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 620,000,000 | 1.46 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | -139,000,000 | -0.60 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 425,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | ||
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 418,000,000 | 0.96 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 665,000,000 | 1.67 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 278,000,000 | 0.57 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 331,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | ||
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 543,000,000 | 1.26 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001841666-26-000034.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion relates to APA Corporation (APA or the Company) and its consolidated subsidiaries and should be read together with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included in Part I, Item 1—Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as related information set forth in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.
Overview
APA is an independent energy company that owns subsidiaries that explore for, develop, and produce crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The Company’s business has oil and gas operations in three geographic areas: the U.S., Egypt, and offshore the U.K. in the North Sea (North Sea). APA also has active development, exploration and appraisal operations ongoing in Suriname, as well as exploration interests in Uruguay, Alaska, and other international locations that may, over time, result in reportable discoveries and development opportunities. As a holding company, APA Corporation’s primary assets are its ownership interests in its consolidated subsidiaries.
APA believes energy underpins global progress, and the Company wants to be a part of the solution as society works to meet growing global demand for reliable and affordable energy. APA strives to meet those challenges while creating value for all its stakeholders.
Uncertainties in the global supply chain and financial markets impact oil supply and demand and contribute to commodity price volatility. These uncertainties include the impacts and duration of armed conflicts involving Iran, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Lebanon, and Gaza, inflation, current and potential tariffs or other trade barriers, global trade policies, and disputes, and actions taken by foreign oil and gas producing nations, including OPEC+. Despite these uncertainties, the Company is focused on its longer-term objectives: (1) to remain committed to providing affordable, reliable, and responsibly produced energy; (2) to deliver top operational performance across safety, environmental responsibility, execution, and risk management measures; (3) to maintain financial discipline by managing costs, protecting the balance sheet to underpin the generation of cash flow in excess of its upstream exploration, appraisal, and development capital program that can be directed to debt reduction, share repurchases, and other return of capital to its shareholders; and (4) to build and grow a diverse and balanced high-quality portfolio with scale through acquisitions, exploration, and organic opportunities.
The Company closely monitors hydrocarbon pricing fundamentals to reallocate capital as part of its ongoing planning process. APA’s diversified asset portfolio and operational flexibility provide the Company the ability to timely respond to near-term price volatility and effectively manage its investment programs accordingly. For additional detail on the Company’s forward capital investment outlook, refer to “Capital Resources and Liquidity” below.
In the first quarter of 2026, the Company continued its cost reduction efforts to drive sustainable cost savings for the long-term. The Company remained focused on reducing overhead costs, improving the capital cost structure for its drilling, completions, and facility investments, and driving efficiencies of day-to-day field operating practices. The Company expects an additional $100 million of annualized savings to be achieved by the end of 2026, adding to the $350 million of annualized savings across G&A, LOE, and capital captured during the prior year.
The Company remains committed to its capital return framework for equity holders to participate more directly and materially in cash returns. The Company believes returning 60 percent of free cash flow through dividends and share repurchases creates a good balance for providing near-term cash returns to shareholders while still recognizing the importance of longer-term balance sheet strengthening.
•The Company pays a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share on its common stock.
•Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2021 and through the end of the first quarter of 2026, the Company has repurchased 98.2 million shares of the Company’s common stock.
•From year-end 2021 through the date of this filing, the Company has repaid $3.6 billion of long-term debt, including $555 million repaid subsequent to the end of the first quarter of 2026.
19
Financial and Operational Highlights
In the first quarter of 2026, the Company reported net income attributable to common stock of $446 million, or $1.26 per diluted share, compared to net income of $347 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2025. The increase in net income in the first quarter of 2026, compared to the first quarter of 2025, was primarily driven by improved margins on third-party purchased oil and gas activity and lower operating expenses driven by prior year cost savings initiatives.
The Company generated $554 million of cash from operating activities during the first three months of 2026, 49 percent lower than the first three months of 2025. APA’s lower operating cash flows for the first three months of 2026 were primarily driven by the collection of outstanding Egypt receivables in the prior year and timing of other working capital items. The Company paid $88 million in dividends to APA common stockholders during the first three months of 2026. The Company also repaid $79 million of long-term debt that matured during the quarter.
Key operational highlights include:
United States
•Daily boe production from the Company’s U.S. assets, which decreased 11 percent from the first quarter of 2025, accounted for 60 percent of the Company’s worldwide production during the first quarter of 2026. The Company averaged five drilling rigs in the Permian Basin, including four rigs in the Southern Midland Basin and one rig in the Delaware Basin in the first quarter of 2026. The Company brought online 19 operated wells during the quarter. The Company’s core Permian Basin development program continues to represent a key growth area for the U.S. assets.
•APA holds approximately 750,000 MMBtu/d of firm capacity on various pipelines in the Permian Basin. As of March 31, 2026, the Company had open basis swap contracts which purchased Waha and sold NYMEX Henry Hub on approximately one-third of its firm transport capacity for 2026, thereby locking in a significant portion of cash flows associated with its gas marketing activities for the near term. Refer to Note 4—Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities for further discussion of these basis swap agreements.
International
•In Egypt, the Company averaged 12 drilling rigs and drilled 16 new productive wells during the first quarter of 2026. The Company also averaged 20 workover rigs as it continues to align its drilling and workover activity with a goal of driving improved capital efficiency. First quarter 2026 gross and net production from the Company’s Egypt assets increased 2 percent and 8 percent, respectively, from the first quarter of 2025.
•In Egypt, following the success of the 2025 gas program, the Company expects approximately one-half of its rig activities to be gas-focused and anticipates continued strong performance for the rest of the year, with realized gas prices increasing through the period.
20
Results of Operations
Oil, Natural Gas, and Natural Gas Liquids Production Revenues
Revenue
The Company’s production revenues and respective contribution to total revenues by country were as follows:
| For the Quarter EndedMarch 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||||||||
| $ Value | % Contribution | $ Value | % Contribution | |||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | ||||||||||||||
| Oil Revenues: | ||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 809 | 49 | % | $ | 816 | 51 | % | ||||||
| Egypt(1) | 671 | 41 | % | 582 | 36 | % | ||||||||
| North Sea | 164 | 10 | % | 202 | 13 | % | ||||||||
| Total(1) | $ | 1,644 | 100 | % | $ | 1,600 | 100 | % | ||||||
| Natural Gas Revenues: | ||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | (12) | (8) | % | $ | 104 | 45 | % | ||||||
| Egypt(1) | 138 | 88 | % | 91 | 39 | % | ||||||||
| North Sea | 31 | 20 | % | 38 | 16 | % | ||||||||
| Total(1) | $ | 157 | 100 | % | $ | 233 | 100 | % | ||||||
| NGL Revenues: | ||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 129 | 91 | % | $ | 196 | 95 | % | ||||||
| North Sea | 12 | 9 | % | 10 | 5 | % | ||||||||
| Total(1) | $ | 141 | 100 | % | $ | 206 | 100 | % | ||||||
| Oil and Gas Revenues: | ||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 926 | 48 | % | $ | 1,116 | 55 | % | ||||||
| Egypt(1) | 809 | 41 | % | 673 | 33 | % | ||||||||
| North Sea | 207 | 11 | % | 250 | 12 | % | ||||||||
| Total(1) | $ | 1,942 | 100 | % | $ | 2,039 | 100 | % |
(1) Includes revenues attributable to a noncontrolling interest in Egypt.
21
Production
The Company’s production volumes by country were as follows:
| For the Quarter EndedMarch 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Increase (Decrease) | 2025 | |||||
| Oil Volume (b/d) | |||||||
| United States | 123,898 | (1)% | 125,124 | ||||
| Egypt(1)(2) | 86,736 | 1% | 86,173 | ||||
| North Sea | 21,336 | (15)% | 25,206 | ||||
| Total | 231,970 | (2)% | 236,503 | ||||
| Natural Gas Volume (Mcf/d) | |||||||
| United States | 413,975 | (28)% | 574,736 | ||||
| Egypt(1)(2) | 381,406 | 20% | 317,209 | ||||
| North Sea | 29,045 | (8)% | 31,606 | ||||
| Total | 824,426 | (11)% | 923,551 | ||||
| NGL Volume (b/d) | |||||||
| United States | 71,826 | (7)% | 77,405 | ||||
| North Sea | 1,151 | 1% | 1,144 | ||||
| Total | 72,977 | (7)% | 78,549 | ||||
| BOE per day(3) | |||||||
| United States | 264,720 | (11)% | 298,319 | ||||
| Egypt(1)(2) | 150,304 | 8% | 139,041 | ||||
| North Sea(4) | 27,328 | (14)% | 31,618 | ||||
| Total | 442,352 | (6)% | 468,978 |
(1) Gross production volumes in Egypt were as follows:
| For the Quarter Ended March 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
| Oil (b/d) | 121,472 | 128,025 | |||||
| Natural Gas (Mcf/d) | 517,623 | 456,955 |
(2) Includes net production volumes per day attributable to a noncontrolling interest in Egypt of:
| For the Quarter Ended March 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
| Oil (b/d) | 28,921 | 28,746 | |||||
| Natural Gas (Mcf/d) | 127,175 | 105,820 |
(3) The table shows production on a boe basis in which natural gas is converted to an equivalent barrel of oil based on a 6:1 energy equivalent ratio. This ratio is not reflective of the price ratio between the two products.
(4) Average sales volumes from the North Sea for the first quarters of 2026 and 2025 were 28,275 boe/d and 36,704 boe/d, respectively. Sales volumes may vary from production volumes as a result of the timing of liftings.
22
Pricing
The Company’s average selling prices by country were as follows:
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[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion relates to APA Corporation (APA or the Company) and its consolidated subsidiaries and should be read together in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the risk factors and related information set forth in Part I, Item 1A and Part II, Item 7A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K generally discusses 2025 and 2024 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2025 and 2024. Discussions of 2023 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2024 and 2023 that are not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are incorporated by reference to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of APA Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 (filed with the SEC on February 28, 2025).
Overview
APA is an independent energy company that owns subsidiaries that explore for, develop, and produce crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The Company’s business has oil and gas operations in three geographic areas: the U.S., Egypt, and offshore the U.K. in the North Sea (North Sea). APA also has active development, exploration, and appraisal operations ongoing in Suriname, as well as exploration interests in Uruguay, Alaska, and other international locations that may, over time, result in reportable discoveries and development opportunities. As a holding company, APA Corporation’s primary assets are its ownership interests in its consolidated subsidiaries.
APA believes energy underpins global progress, and the Company wants to be a part of the solution as society works to meet growing global demand for reliable and affordable energy. APA strives to meet those challenges while creating value for all its stakeholders.
Uncertainties in the global supply chain and financial markets impact oil supply and demand and contribute to commodity price volatility. These uncertainties include the impacts of ongoing international conflicts, inflation, current and potential tariffs or other trade barriers, global trade policies and disputes, and actions taken by foreign oil and gas producing nations, including OPEC+. Despite these uncertainties, the Company is focused on its longer-term objectives: (1) to remain committed to providing affordable, reliable, and responsibly produced energy; (2) to deliver top operational performance across safety, environmental responsibility, execution, and risk management measures; (3) to maintain financial discipline by managing costs, protecting the balance sheet to underpin the generation of cash flow in excess of its upstream exploration, appraisal, and development capital program that can be directed to debt reduction, share repurchases, and other return of capital to its shareholders; and (4) to build and grow a diverse and balanced high-quality portfolio with scale through acquisitions, exploration, and organic opportunities.
The Company closely monitors hydrocarbon pricing fundamentals to reallocate capital as part of its ongoing planning process. APA’s diversified asset portfolio and operational flexibility provide the Company the ability to timely respond to price volatility and effectively manage its investment programs.
With increasing uncertainty around commodity prices during the first quarter of 2025, the Company announced a significant cost reduction initiative to drive sustainable cost savings for the long-term. This included reducing the Company’s overhead costs, addressing the capital cost structure for its drilling, completions, and facility investments, and improving efficiencies of day-to-day field operating practices. The Company achieved $350 million in annualized savings across G&A, LOE, and capital as of year-end 2025. The Company expects $450 million of annualized savings by the end of 2026.
Additionally, the Company remains committed to its capital return framework for equity holders to participate more directly and materially in cash returns.
•The Company believes returning 60 percent of free cash flow through dividends and share repurchases creates a good balance for providing near-term cash returns to shareholders while still recognizing the importance of longer-term balance sheet strengthening.
•The Company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share on its common stock during 2025.
•Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2021 and through the end of 2025, the Company has repurchased 98.2 million shares of the Company’s common stock. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had remaining authorization to repurchase up to 21.9 million shares under the Company’s share repurchase program.
34
Financial and Operational Highlights
During 2025, the Company reported net income attributable to common stock of $1.4 billion, or $3.99 per diluted share, compared to net income of $804 million, or $2.27 per diluted share, in 2024. The increase in net income during 2025 was primarily the result of by $1.1 billion of impairments recorded in 2024, which included oil and gas property impairments of $796 million in the North Sea and $315 million in the U.S. The Company also recorded lower operating expenses in 2025 compared to the prior-year period, the result of focused cost-reduction efforts undertaken in 2025.
The Company generated $4.5 billion of cash from operating activities in 2025, which was $925 million or 26 percent higher than 2024. APA’s higher operating cash flows for 2025 were primarily driven by the collection of outstanding receivables, lower overall expenses, and timing of other working capital items. The Company repurchased 12.9 million shares of its common stock for $280 million and paid $360 million in dividends to APA common stockholders during 2025. The Company ended the year with approximately $4.5 billion of debt, a reduction of approximately $1.6 billion from the end of 2024.
Key operational highlights for the year include:
United States
•Daily boe production from the Company’s U.S. assets, which increased 2 percent from 2024, accounted for 62 percent of the Company’s worldwide production during 2025. The Company averaged approximately seven drilling rigs in the U.S. during the year, including four rigs in the Midland Basin and three rigs in the Delaware Basin, and drilled and brought online 154 operated wells in 2025. The Company’s core Permian Basin development program continues to consistently attract the largest portion of capital investment.
•In the Permian Basin, the Company is currently operating five rigs, reflecting improved capital efficiency while sustaining the pace of wells brought online. The Company anticipates continuing this level of activity to deliver 2026 oil production consistent with the prior year. Should oil prices decline, the Company may moderate activity in 2026 and further reduce capital spending.
•The Company holds approximately 750,000 MMBtu/d of firm capacity on various pipelines. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had open basis swap contracts which purchased Waha and sold NYMEX Henry Hub on approximately one-third of its firm transport capacity for 2026, thereby locking in a significant portion of cash flows associated with its gas marketing activities for the near term. Refer to Note 4—Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities for further discussion of these basis swap agreements.
•During the first quarter of 2025, the Company and its partners announced preliminary results of an exploratory well in Alaska, confirming the successful discovery of a reservoir. A successful flow test of the well was announced in April, with the well averaging 2,700 b/d during the final flow period. The Company continues to evaluate the data from the well to determine next steps, and further appraisal drilling will determine the ultimate size of the discovery. The Company holds a 50 percent ownership interest in the project.
International
•During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company entered into a new gas sales agreement with the Government of Egypt. Effective January 2025, substantially all of the Company’s natural gas production was sold to EGPC under the terms of this agreement. The agreement provides the Company with enhanced economic terms that support increased natural gas exploration and development activity and the potential addition of significant new drilling inventory with expected returns comparable to those of the Company’s oil program.
•In Egypt, the Company averaged 12 drilling rigs and drilled 71 new productive wells during 2025. During the same period, the Company averaged 19 workover rigs as it continues to align its drilling and workover activity with a goal of driving improved capital efficiency. The 2025 gross and net production from the Company’s Egypt assets decreased 2 percent and 6 percent, respectively, from 2024.
•During the third quarter of 2025, the Government of Egypt awarded the Company an additional two million net exploration acres in the Western Desert. This new acreage expands on the Company’s existing position in the country. In addition to a signature bonus of $25 million, the Company has committed to a drilling program on the acreage that the Company believes it will be able to meet in the normal course of operations. The Government also helped facilitate significant payments in the third quarter of 2025, nearly eliminating past due receivables.
For a more detailed discussion related to the Company’s various geographic segments, refer to “Exploration and Production—Operating Areas” set forth in Part I, Items 1 and 2 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
35
Acquisition and Divestiture Activity
Over the Company’s history, it has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to capitalize quickly and decisively on changes in its industry and economic conditions. A key component of this strategy is to continuously review and optimize APA’s portfolio of assets in response to these changes. Most recently, the Company has completed a series of acquisitions and divestitures designed to enhance the Company’s portfolio and monetize nonstrategic assets in order to allocate resources to more impactful exploration and development opportunities. These acquisitions and divestitures include:
•Sale of Non-core Permian Basin Properties During the second quarter of 2025, the Company completed the sale of all of its New Mexico Permian assets. The assets had a carrying value of $282 million and associated retirement obligation of $9 million, which were exchanged for total cash consideration of $571 million, inclusive of post-closing adjustments.
•Egypt Acreage Acquisition During the third quarter of 2025, the Government of Egypt awarded the Company an additional two million net exploration acres in the Western Desert. In addition to a signature bonus of $25 million, the Company has committed to a drilling program on the acreage that the Company believes it will be able to meet in the normal course of operations.
•Callon Petroleum Company Acquisition On April 1, 2024, APA completed its acquisition of Callon Petroleum Company (Callon) in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $4.5 billion, inclusive of Callon’s debt (the Callon acquisition). The acquired assets included approximately 120,000 net acres in the Delaware Basin and 25,000 net acres in the Midland Basin.
•Sale of Non-core Permian Basin Properties On December 31, 2024, APA completed the sale of non-core producing properties in the Permian Basin that had a carrying value of $1.1 billion and associated asset retirement obligation of $224 million for total cash proceeds of $869 million after closing adjustments. The properties are located in the Central Basin Platform, Texas and New Mexico Shelf, and Northwest Shelf.
•Non-core Acreage Divestiture During 2024, the Company completed the sale of non-core acreage in the East Texas Austin Chalk and Eagle Ford plays that had a carrying value of $347 million for aggregate cash proceeds of $255 million and the assumption of asset retirement obligations of $42 million.
•Mineral Rights Divestiture During 2024, the Company also completed the sale of non-core mineral and royalty interests in the Permian Basin that had a carrying value of $71 million for approximately $394 million subject to post-closing adjustments.
•Sales of Kinetik Shares During 2023, the Company sold a portion of its Kinetik Holdings Inc. (Kinetik) Class A Common Stock (Kinetik Shares) for cash proceeds of $228 million. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company sold its remaining Kinetik Shares for cash proceeds of $428 million. On April 3, 2024, the Company’s designated director resigned from the Kinetik board of directors.
For detailed information regarding APA’s acquisitions and divestitures, refer to Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestitures in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Results of Operations
Oil, Natural Gas, and Natural Gas Liquids Production Revenues
The Company’s production revenues and respective contribution to total revenues by country are as follows:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
| $ Value | % Contribution | $ Value | % Contribution | $ Value | % Contribution | ||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 3,010 | 52 | % | $ | 3,572 | 51 | % | $ | 2,241 | 37 | % | |||||||||
| Egypt(1) | 2,177 | 37 | % | 2,620 | 38 | % | 2,683 | 45 | % | ||||||||||||
| North Sea | 622 | 11 | % | 774 | 11 | % | 1,073 | 18 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total(1) | $ | 5,809 | 100 | % | $ | 6,966 | 100 | % | $ | 5,997 | 100 | % | |||||||||
| Natural Gas Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 193 | 25 | % | $ | 126 | 22 | % | $ | 297 | 34 | % | |||||||||
| Egypt(1) | 460 | 60 | % | 313 | 53 | % | 346 | 39 | % | ||||||||||||
| North Sea | 117 | 15 | % | 145 | 25 | % | 237 | 27 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total(1) | $ | 770 | 100 | % | $ | 584 | 100 | % | $ | 880 | 100 | % | |||||||||
| NGL Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 616 | 95 | % | $ | 617 | 96 | % | $ | 480 | 94 | % | |||||||||
| North Sea | 34 | 5 | % | 29 | 4 | % | 28 | 6 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total(1) | $ | 650 | 100 | % | $ | 646 | 100 | % | $ | 508 | 100 | % | |||||||||
| Oil and Gas Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 3,819 | 53 | % | $ | 4,315 | 53 | % | $ | 3,018 | 41 | % | |||||||||
| Egypt(1) | 2,637 | 36 | % | 2,933 | 36 | % | 3,029 | 41 | % | ||||||||||||
| North Sea | 773 | 11 | % | 948 | 11 | % | 1,338 | 18 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total(1) | $ | 7,229 | 100 | % | $ | 8,196 | 100 | % | $ | 7,385 | 100 | % |
(1)Includes revenues attributable to a noncontrolling interest in Egypt.
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Production
The following table presents production volumes by country:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Increase (Decrease) | 2024 | Increase (Decrease) | 2023 | ||||||||
| Oil Volumes – b/d: | ||||||||||||
| United States(5) | 125,526 | (2)% | 128,531 | 63% | 78,889 | |||||||
| Egypt(3)(4) | 87,719 | (1)% | 89,027 | —% | 89,129 | |||||||
| North Sea | 24,186 | (8)% | 26,340 | (24)% | 34,728 | |||||||
| Total | 237,431 | (3)% | 243,898 | 20% | 202,746 | |||||||
| Natural Gas Volumes – Mcf/d: | ||||||||||||
| United States(5) | 514,502 | 6% | 483,446 | 7% | 452,281 | |||||||
| Egypt(3)(4) | 350,774 | 21% | 291,011 | (11)% | 325,778 | |||||||
| North Sea | 31,318 | (22)% | 39,986 | (20)% | 50,284 | |||||||
| Total | 896,594 | 10% | 814,443 | (2)% | 828,343 | |||||||
| NGL Volumes – b/d: | ||||||||||||
| United States(5) | 76,264 | 3% | 73,877 | 17% | 62,997 | |||||||
| North Sea | 1,256 | 5% | 1,201 | (3)% | 1,240 | |||||||
| Total | 77,520 | 3% | 75,078 | 17% | 64,237 | |||||||
| BOE per day:(1) | ||||||||||||
| United States(5) | 287,539 | 2% | 282,983 | 30% | 217,266 | |||||||
| Egypt(3)(4) | 146,182 | 6% | 137,529 | (4)% | 143,425 | |||||||
| North Sea(2) | 30,662 | (10)% | 34,204 | (23)% | 44,349 | |||||||
| Total | 464,383 | 2% | 454,716 | 12% | 405,040 |
(1)The table shows production on a boe basis in which natural gas is converted to an equivalent barrel of oil based on a 6:1 energy equivalent ratio. This ratio is not reflective of the price ratio between the two products.
(2)Average sales volumes from the North Sea were 31,168 boe/d, 33,954 boe/d, and 45,476 boe/d for 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively. Sales volumes may vary from production volumes as a result of the timing of liftings.
(3)Gross oil, natural gas, and NGL production in Egypt were as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil (b/d) | 125,511 | 137,150 | 141,985 | |||||||||
| Natural Gas (Mcf/d) | 486,462 | 443,551 | 500,080 |
(4)Includes net production volumes per day attributable to a noncontrolling interest in Egypt of:
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil (b/d) | 29,267 | 29,698 | 29,739 | |||||||||
| Natural Gas (Mcf/d) | 117,035 | 97,078 | 108,703 |
(5)Production volumes per day in the Company’s Wildfire field were as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil (b/d) | 29,023 | 19,970 | 15,644 | |||||||||
| Natural Gas (Mcf/d) | 52,650 | 41,136 | 29,537 | |||||||||
| NGL (b/d) | 10,127 | 7,540 | 5,622 |
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Pricing
The following table presents pricing information by country:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Increase (Decrease) | 2024 | Increase (Decrease) | 2023 | |||||||||||
| Average Oil Price - Per barrel: | |||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 65.71 | (13)% | $ | 75.92 | (2)% | $ | 77.84 | |||||||
| Egypt | 67.97 | (15)% | 80.41 | (2)% | 82.47 | ||||||||||
| North Sea | 69.31 | (14)% | 80.74 | (2)% | 82.75 | ||||||||||
| Total | 66.92 | (14)% | 78.08 | (3)% | 80.72 | ||||||||||
| Average Natural Gas Price - Per Mcf: | |||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 1.02 | 44% | $ | 0.71 | (61)% | $ | 1.80 | |||||||
| Egypt | 3.59 | 22% | 2.94 | 1% | 2.91 | ||||||||||
| North Sea | 12.03 | 11% | 10.84 | (17)% | 13.02 | ||||||||||
| Total | 2.36 | 20% | 1.97 | (32)% | 2.91 | ||||||||||
| Average NGL Price - Per barrel: | |||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 22.13 | (3)% | $ | 22.83 | 9% | $ | 20.85 | |||||||
| North Sea | 43.59 | (8)% | 47.59 | —% | 47.77 | ||||||||||
| Total | 22.71 | (3)% | 23.37 | 8% | 21.54 |
Crude Oil Prices A substantial portion of the Company’s crude oil production is sold at prevailing market prices, which fluctuate in response to many factors that are outside of the Company’s control. Average realized crude oil prices for 2025 were down 14 percent compared to 2024, a direct result of decreasing benchmark oil prices over the past year. Crude oil prices realized in 2025 averaged $66.92 per barrel.
Continued volatility in the commodity price environment reinforces the importance of the Company’s asset portfolio. While the market price received for natural gas varies among geographic areas, crude oil tends to trade within a global market. Prices for all types and grades of crude oil generally move in the same direction.
Natural Gas Prices Natural gas, which currently has a limited global transportation system, is subject to price variances based on local supply and demand conditions. The Company’s primary markets include North America, Egypt, and the U.K. An overview of the market conditions in the Company’s primary gas-producing regions follows:
•The Company sells its U.S. natural gas production at liquid index sales points within the U.S., at either monthly or daily index-based prices. The Company’s U.S. realizations averaged $1.02 per Mcf in 2025, a 44 percent increase from an average of $0.71 per Mcf in 2024.
•In Egypt, substantially all of the Company’s 2025 natural gas production is sold to EGPC pursuant to a gas sales agreement that establishes pricing based on a minimum realized price of $2.65 per MMBtu, with the potential for higher pricing on incremental volumes when pre-determined production thresholds are met. The gas sales agreement was effective beginning January 2025. In the periods prior to the current agreement, the natural gas production in Egypt was primarily sold to EGPC at an industry-pricing formula of $2.65 per MMBtu. Overall, the Company’s Egypt operations averaged $3.59 per Mcf in 2025, a 22 percent increase from an average of $2.94 per Mcf in 2024.
•Natural gas from the North Sea Beryl field is processed through the SAGE gas plant. The gas is sold to a third party at the St. Fergus entry point of the national grid on a National Balancing Point index price basis. The Company’s North Sea operations averaged $12.03 per Mcf in 2025, a 11 percent increase from an average of $10.84 per Mcf in 2024.
39
NGL Prices The Company’s U.S. NGL production, which accounted for 98 percent of the Company’s total 2025 NGL production, is sold under contracts with prices at market indices based on Gulf Coast supply and demand conditions, less the costs for transportation and fractionation, or on a weighted-average sales price received by the purchaser.
Crude Oil Revenues
Crude oil revenues for 2025 totaled $5.8 billion, a $1.2 billion decrease from the 2024 total of $7.0 billion. A 14 percent decrease in average realized prices reduced 2025 revenues by $996 million compared to 2024, while a 3 percent lower average daily production decreased revenues by $161 million. Average daily production in 2025 was 237 Mb/d, with prices averaging $66.92 per barrel. Crude oil sales accounted for 80 percent of the Company’s 2025 oil and gas production revenues and 51 percent of its worldwide production.
The Company’s worldwide crude oil production decreased 6 Mb/d compared to 2024, primarily a result of the sale of non-core assets in the U.S. and natural production decline, mostly offset by drilling activity in the Permian Basin.
Natural Gas Revenues
Natural gas revenues for 2025 totaled $770 million, a $186 million increase from the 2024 total of $584 million. A 20 percent increase in average realized prices increased 2025 revenues by $118 million compared to 2024, while 10 percent higher average daily production increased revenues by $68 million. Average daily production in 2025 was 897 MMcf/d, with prices averaging $2.36 per Mcf. Natural gas sales accounted for 11 percent of the Company’s 2025 oil and gas production revenues and 32 percent of its worldwide production.
The Company’s worldwide natural gas production increased 82 MMcf/d compared to 2024, primarily a result of successful drilling activity in Egypt and the Permian Basin. These increases were offset by natural production decline in the U.S. and North Sea, the sale of non-core assets in the U.S., curtailment of volumes at Alpine High in response to extreme Waha basis differentials, and operational downtime in the U.S.
NGL Revenues
NGL revenues for 2025 totaled $650 million, a $4 million increase from the 2024 total of $646 million. A 3 percent higher average daily production increased 2025 revenues by $22 million compared to 2024, while a 3 percent decrease in average realized prices decreased revenues by $18 million. Average daily production in 2025 was 78 Mb/d, with prices averaging $22.71 per barrel. NGL sales accounted for 9 percent of the Company’s 2025 oil and gas production revenues and 17 percent of its worldwide production.
The Company’s worldwide NGL production increased 2 Mb/d compared to 2024, primarily a result of increased drilling activity in the Permian Basin, offset by natural production decline, the sale of non-core assets in the U.S., and curtailment of volumes at Alpine High in response to extreme Waha basis differentials
Purchased Oil and Gas Sales
Purchased oil and gas sales represent volumes primarily attributable to domestic gas purchases that were sold by the Company to fulfill natural gas takeaway obligations and delivery commitments. Sales related to purchased volumes increased $150 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 to $1.7 billion from $1.5 billion in 2024. Purchased oil and gas sales were partially offset by associated purchase costs of $1.1 billion and $1.0 billion for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The increase in purchased oil and gas sales was primarily driven by higher natural gas prices at various delivery locations.
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Operating Expenses
The table below presents a comparison of the Company’s operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023. All operating expenses include costs attributable to a noncontrolling interest in Egypt.
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Lease operating expenses | $ | 1,504 | $ | 1,690 | $ | 1,436 | |||||
| Gathering, processing, and transmission | 424 | 432 | 334 | ||||||||
| Purchased oil and gas costs | 1,070 | 1,047 | 742 | ||||||||
| Taxes other than income | 229 | 270 | 207 | ||||||||
| Exploration | 131 | 313 | 195 | ||||||||
| General and administrative | 350 | 372 | 351 | ||||||||
| Transaction, reorganization, and separation | 102 | 168 | 15 | ||||||||
| Depreciation, depletion, and amortization: | |||||||||||
| Oil and gas property and equipment | 2,275 | 2,235 | 1,500 | ||||||||
| Gathering, processing, and transmission assets | 6 | 6 | 6 | ||||||||
| Other assets | 23 | 25 | 34 | ||||||||
| Asset retirement obligation accretion | 158 | 148 | 116 | ||||||||
| Impairments | 44 | 1,129 | 61 | ||||||||
| Financing costs, net | 113 | 367 | 312 |
Lease Operating Expenses (LOE)
LOE includes several key components, such as direct operating costs, repairs and maintenance, and workover costs. Direct operating costs generally trend with commodity prices and are impacted by the type of commodity produced and the location of properties (i.e., offshore, onshore, remote locations, etc.). Fluctuations in commodity prices impact operating cost elements both directly and indirectly. They directly impact costs such as power, fuel, and chemicals, which are commodity price based. Commodity prices also affect industry activity and demand, thus indirectly impacting the cost of items such as rig rates, labor, boats, helicopters, materials, and supplies. Crude oil, which accounted for 51 percent of the Company’s total 2025 production, is inherently more expensive to produce than natural gas. Repair and maintenance costs are typically higher on offshore properties.
During 2025, LOE decreased $186 million, or 11 percent, compared to 2024. On a per-boe basis, LOE decreased $1.30, or 13 percent, compared to 2024, from $10.16 per boe to $8.86 per boe. The decrease in absolute costs was primarily driven by lower workover activity, continued cost reduction efforts in all operating areas, and the sale of non-core assets in the Permian Basin. This decrease was partially offset by a full year of operating costs associated with the Callon transaction.
Gathering, Processing, and Transmission (GPT)
GPT expenses include amounts paid to third-party carriers for gathering and transmission services for the Company’s upstream natural gas production. The following table presents a summary of these expenses:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Third-party processing and transmission costs | $ | 424 | $ | 409 | $ | 225 | |||||
| Midstream service costs – Kinetik | — | 23 | 109 | ||||||||
| Upstream processing and transmission costs | 424 | 432 | 334 | ||||||||
| Total Gathering, processing, and transmission | $ | 424 | $ | 432 | $ | 334 |
GPT costs decreased $8 million compared to 2024, primarily the result of decreased oil production volumes in the U.S. and lower average transportation rates.
41
Purchased Oil and Gas Costs
Purchased oil and gas costs increased $23 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, to $1.1 billion from $1.0 billion in 2024. The increase is primarily driven by gas volumes purchased at higher prices during 2025 compared to the prior-year period coupled with activity associated with the Callon acquisition.
Taxes Other Than Income
Taxes other than income primarily consist of severance taxes on onshore properties and in state waters off the coast of the U.S. and ad valorem taxes on U.S. properties. Severance taxes are generally based on a percentage of oil and gas production revenues. The Company is also subject to a variety of other taxes, including U.S. franchise taxes.
Taxes other than income decreased $41 million compared to 2024, primarily from lower severance taxes driven by lower oil prices and lower ad valorem taxes.
Exploration Expenses
Exploration expenses include unproved leasehold impairments, exploration dry hole expense, geological and geophysical expenses, and the costs of maintaining and retaining unproved leasehold properties. The following table presents a summary of these expenses:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Unproved leasehold impairments | $ | 2 | $ | 35 | $ | 22 | |||||
| Dry hole expenses | 67 | 201 | 92 | ||||||||
| Geological and geophysical expenses | 8 | 21 | 19 | ||||||||
| Exploration overhead and other | 54 | 56 | 62 | ||||||||
| Total Exploration | $ | 131 | $ | 313 | $ | 195 |
Exploration expenses decreased $182 million compared to 2024, primarily the result of higher dry hole expenses in Suriname and Alaska and unproved leasehold impairments during 2024. Dry hole expenses in 2025 primarily relate to increased exploration drilling in Egypt.
General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses
G&A expenses in 2025 decreased $22 million compared to 2024. Focused cost-reduction efforts on personnel and other overhead expenses drove a decrease of $67 million, which more than offset higher stock compensation expense of $45 million primarily driven from an increase in the Company’s stock price during 2025. For additional information on the Company’s stock compensation, refer to Note 12—Capital Stock in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Transaction, Reorganization, and Separation (TRS) Costs
TRS costs decreased $66 million compared to 2024, primarily a result of transaction costs related to the Callon acquisition during 2024, partially offset by employee separations and other cost-saving reorganization initiatives during 2025.
42
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (DD&A)
DD&A expenses on the Company’s oil and gas property for the year ended December 31, 2025 increased $40 million compared to 2024. The Company’s oil and gas property DD&A rate remained relatively flat in 2025 compared to 2024, from $13.44 per boe to $13.41 per boe, mainly the result of negative gas price-related reserve revisions in the U.S. Permian Basin offset by non-core asset divestitures.
Impairments
During 2025, the Company recorded $44 million of impairments, which included $18 million of non-operated proved oil and gas property in Egypt, approximately $18 million related to the sale of an office building in the U.S., a $1 million impairment for GPT facilities in Egypt, and $7 million of inventory impairments in the North Sea. During 2024, the Company recorded $1.1 billion of impairments, which included $796 million of oil and gas property impairments in the North Sea, a $315 million impairment of certain oil and gas properties in the U.S. held-for-sale, and $18 million of inventory impairments in the North Sea and U.S.
Financing Costs, Net
Financing costs incurred during 2025, 2024, and 2023 comprised the following:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | 323 | $ | 402 | $ | 351 | |||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs | 7 | 6 | 4 | ||||||||
| Capitalized interest | (45) | (29) | (24) | ||||||||
| Gain on extinguishment of debt | (147) | — | (9) | ||||||||
| Interest income | (25) | (12) | (10) | ||||||||
| Total Financing costs, net | $ | 113 | $ | 367 | $ | 312 |
Net financing costs during 2025 decreased $254 million compared to 2024, primarily driven by gains on extinguishment of debt from the Company’s cash tender purchases in early 2025 and lower overall interest expense from lower outstanding long-term debt balances.
Provision for Income Taxes
For the year ended December 31, 2025, income tax expense increased by $682 million to $1.1 billion from $417 million in 2024. The Company’s 2025 and 2024 effective income tax rates were primarily impacted by taxes related to foreign operations.
On January 10, 2023, Finance Act 2023 was enacted, receiving Royal Assent and included amendments to the Energy (Oil and Gas) Profits Levy Act of 2022 (the Energy Profits Levy), increasing the levy from a 25 percent rate to a 35 percent rate, effective for the period of January 1, 2023 through March 31, 2028. On March 20, 2025, Finance Act 2025 was enacted, receiving Royal Assent, and included further amendments to the Energy Profits Levy, increasing the levy from a 35 percent rate to a 38 percent rate, among other changes, effective for the period of November 1, 2024 through March 31, 2030. Under U.S. GAAP, the financial statement impact of new legislation is recorded in the period of enactment. As a result, the Company recorded tax expense of $78 million and $174 million related to the change in tax law in 2025 and 2023, respectively.
On August 16, 2022, the U.S. enacted the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). The IRA includes a new 15 percent corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT) on applicable corporations with an average annual adjusted financial statement income that exceeds $1.0 billion for any three consecutive years preceding the tax year at issue. The CAMT is effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2022. The Company became an applicable corporation subject to CAMT beginning on January 1, 2024. On September 12, 2024, the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service released proposed regulations relating to the application and implementation of CAMT. In 2025, the Company recorded a current tax benefit of $71 million related to the 2024 return-to-accrual adjustment, with an offsetting deferred tax expense of the same amount for the change in CAMT credits.
43
On July 4, 2025, the U.S. enacted the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (OBBBA). Among other changes, the OBBBA expanded and made permanent 100 percent bonus depreciation for eligible assets acquired and placed in service after January 19, 2025, and aligned the treatment of intangible drilling costs for CAMT purposes with regular tax treatment starting in 2026. OBBBA did not have a material impact on total tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2025, as impacts to current tax expense are offset by impacts to deferred tax expense. In 2025, the law change resulted in a current tax benefit of $42 million fully offset by a deferred tax expense of the same amount.
On September 30, 2025, the Internal Revenue Service issued further interim guidance on CAMT. Among other changes, the guidance provided for a reduction to CAMT related to net operating loss utilization for regular federal income tax purposes. This guidance did not have a material impact on total tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2025, as impacts to current tax expense are offset by impacts to deferred tax expense. In 2025, the guidance resulted in a current tax benefit of $72 million, fully offset by a deferred tax expense of the same amount.
In December 2021, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development issued Pillar Two Model Rules introducing a new global minimum tax of 15 percent on a country-by-country basis, with certain aspects effective in certain jurisdictions on January 1, 2024. Although the Company continues to monitor enacted legislation to implement these rules in countries where the Company could be impacted, the Company does not expect that the Pillar Two framework will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Deferred tax assets are recorded for future deductible amounts and certain other tax benefits, such as net operating losses, tax credits and other tax attributes, provided that the Company assesses the utilization of such assets to be “more likely than not.” The Company assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to realize the existing deferred tax assets. Based on this assessment, the Company has recorded valuation allowances for certain net operating losses, foreign tax credits and capital loss carryforwards that it does not believe are more likely than not to be realized.
During the fourth quarter of 2023, as a result of increases in projections of future taxable income and the absence of objective negative evidence such as a cumulative loss in recent years, the Company determined there was sufficient positive evidence to release a majority of the U.S. valuation allowance, which resulted in a non-cash deferred income tax benefit of $1.7 billion.
For additional information regarding income taxes, refer to Note 9—Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income or capital taxes in various states and foreign jurisdictions. The Company’s tax reserves are related to tax years that may be subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority. The Company is under audit by the Internal Revenue Service and in various state and foreign jurisdictions as part of its normal course of business.
44
Capital and Operational Outlook
The Company continues to prudently manage its capital program against a volatile price environment and the effects of global inflation and rising interest rates. Despite these uncertainties, the Company is focused on its longer-term objectives: (1) to remain committed to providing affordable, reliable, and responsibly produced energy; (2) to deliver top operational performance across safety, environmental responsibility, execution, and risk management measures; (3) to maintain financial discipline by managing costs, protecting the balance sheet to underpin the generation of cash flow in excess of its upstream exploration, appraisal, and development capital program that can be directed to debt reduction, share repurchases, and other return of capital to its shareholders; and (4) to build and grow a diverse and balanced high-quality portfolio with scale through acquisitions, exploration, and organic opportunities.
In 2026, the Company plans to invest approximately $2.1 billion in upstream capital investment. The Company is committed to maintaining a safe, steady, and efficient level of activity as part of its planned capital investment program. For 2026, the Company will continue to budget its capital program at levels to fund activity necessary to offset inherent declines in production and proved oil and natural gas reserves, subject to prevailing commodity prices. Future rig activity levels and drilling targets will be dependent on the success of the Company’s drilling program and its ability to add reserves economically.
In the Permian Basin, the Company is currently operating five rigs, reflecting improved capital efficiency. The Company anticipates continuing this level of activity to deliver consistent year-over-year oil production. Should oil prices decline, the Company may moderate activity in 2026 and further reduce capital spending. The Company is planning a 12-rig program in Egypt, with five to six rigs dedicated to gas exploration. This activity set translates to a combined development capital budget for the Permian Basin and Egypt of approximately $1.8 billion. In addition, the Company will invest approximately $70 million for exploration in Alaska and Suriname and $230 million for Suriname development.
This investment profile underscores the progress the Company has made on capital efficiency over the course of 2025. At current strip pricing, the Company expects to generate significant cash flow over this capital activity budget. The Company’s current commitment to return capital to shareholders through a mix of dividends and share buybacks remains unchanged.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
Operating cash flows are the Company’s primary source of liquidity. The Company’s short-term and long-term operating cash flows are impacted by highly volatile commodity prices, as well as production costs and sales volumes. Significant changes in commodity prices impact the Company’s revenues, earnings, and cash flows. These changes potentially impact the Company’s liquidity if costs do not trend with sustained decreases in commodity prices. Historically, costs have trended with commodity prices, albeit on a lag. Sales volumes also impact cash flows; however, they have a less volatile impact in the short term.
The Company’s long-term operating cash flows are dependent on reserve replacement and the level of costs required for ongoing operations. Cash investments are required to fund activity necessary to offset the inherent declines in production and proved crude oil and natural gas reserves. Future success in maintaining and growing reserves and production is highly dependent on the success of the Company’s drilling program and its ability to add reserves economically. Changes in commodity prices also impact estimated quantities of proved reserves.
The Company’s estimates of proved reserves, proved developed reserves, and PUD reserves as of December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, changes in estimated proved reserves during the last three years, and estimates of future net cash flows from proved reserves are contained in Note 16—Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company believes its available liquidity and capital resource alternatives, combined with proactive measures to adjust its capital budget to reflect volatile commodity prices and anticipated operating cash flows, will be adequate to fund short-term and long-term operations, including the Company’s capital development program, repayment of debt maturities, payment of dividends, share buy-back activity, and amounts that may ultimately be paid in connection with commitments and contingencies.
The Company may also elect to utilize available cash on hand, committed borrowing capacity, access to both debt and equity capital markets, or proceeds from the sale of nonstrategic assets for all other liquidity and capital resource needs.
For additional information, refer to Part I, Items 1 and 2—Business and Properties and Part I, Item 1A—Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Sources and Uses of Cash
The following table presents the sources and uses of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents for the years presented:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Sources of Cash and Cash Equivalents: | |||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 4,545 | $ | 3,620 | $ | 3,129 | |||||
| Fixed-rate debt borrowings | 846 | — | — | ||||||||
| Proceeds from asset divestitures | 611 | 1,609 | 29 | ||||||||
| Proceeds from term loan facility | — | 1,500 | — | ||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of Kinetik shares | — | 428 | 228 | ||||||||
| Total Sources of Cash and Cash Equivalents | 6,002 | 7,157 | 3,386 | ||||||||
| Uses of Cash and Cash Equivalents: | |||||||||||
| Additions to oil and gas property(1) | 2,740 | 2,851 | 2,313 | ||||||||
| Acquisition of Delaware Basin properties | — | — | 24 | ||||||||
| Leasehold and property acquisitions | 26 | 60 | 20 | ||||||||
| Payments on term loan facility | 900 | 600 | — | ||||||||
| Payments on commercial paper and revolving credit facilities, net | 333 | 40 | 194 | ||||||||
| Payments on Callon Credit Agreement | — | 472 | — | ||||||||
| Payments on fixed-rate debt | 1,016 | 1,641 | 65 | ||||||||
| Dividends paid to APA common stockholders | 360 | 353 | 308 | ||||||||
| Distributions to noncontrolling interest | 430 | 268 | 238 | ||||||||
| Treasury stock activity, net | 280 | 246 | 329 | ||||||||
| Other, net | 26 | 88 | 53 | ||||||||
| Total Uses of Cash and Cash Equivalents | 6,111 | 6,619 | 3,544 | ||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (109) | $ | 538 | $ | (158) |
(1)The table presents capital expenditures on a cash basis; therefore, the amounts may differ from those discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which include accruals.
Sources of Cash and Cash Equivalents
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Operating cash flows are the Company’s primary source of capital and liquidity and are impacted, both in the short term and the long term, by volatile commodity prices. The factors that determine operating cash flows are largely the same as those that affect net earnings, with the exception of non-cash expenses such as DD&A, exploratory dry hole expense, asset impairments, asset retirement obligation (ARO) accretion, and deferred income tax expense.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2025 totaled $4.5 billion, up $925 million from the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily due to collection of outstanding receivables, lower overall expenses, and timing of other working capital items.
For a detailed discussion of commodity prices, production, and operating expenses, refer to “Results of Operations” in this Item 7. For additional detail on the changes in operating assets and liabilities and the non-cash expenses that do not impact net cash provided by operating activities, refer to the Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows in the Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Fixed-Rate Debt Borrowings During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company issued new notes for proceeds of $846 million, after deducting discounts and loan costs, to fund in part APA’s purchase of Apache notes in APA’s cash tender offers.
Proceeds from Asset Divestitures The Company received $611 million and $1.6 billion in proceeds from the divestiture of certain non-core assets during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. For more information regarding the Company’s divestitures, refer to Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestitures in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Uses of Cash and Cash Equivalents
Additions to Oil & Gas Property Exploration and development cash expenditures were $2.7 billion and $2.9 billion for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The decrease in capital investment is reflective of the Company’s plan to streamline capital deployment and the sale of certain non-core assets and leasehold in the Permian Basin. The Company operated an average of 19 drilling rigs during 2025, compared to an average of 22 drilling rigs during 2024.
Leasehold and Property Acquisitions During 2025 and 2024, the Company completed other leasehold and property acquisitions, primarily in the Permian Basin, for total cash consideration of $26 million and $60 million, respectively.
Payments on Term Loan Facility During 2025 and 2024, the Company made payments of $900 million and $600 million, respectively, on its syndicated term loan credit agreement and fully repaid the term loans. For additional details of this credit agreement, see “Unsecured Committed Term Loan Facility” in the Liquidity section below.
Payments on Commercial Paper and Revolving Credit Facilities, Net During 2025, the Company made net payments of $333 million on its commercial paper and U.S. dollar denominated syndicated credit facility borrowings. As of December 31, 2025, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Company’s commercial paper or syndicated credit facilities.
Payments on Fixed-Rate Debt During 2025, the Company settled its private exchange and cash tender offers for certain notes and debentures of Apache and made open market repurchases of indenture debt of APA and Apache, and Apache redeemed certain notes for aggregate cash payments of $1.0 billion, reflecting principal amounts, discount to par, and associated fees.
During 2024, the Company financed Callon’s repayment pursuant to Callon’s cash tender offers for, and redemptions of all senior notes issued under Callon’s indentures for an aggregate cash payment of $1.6 billion, reflecting principal amounts, premium to par, and associated fees.
Dividends Paid to APA Common Stockholders The Company paid $360 million and $353 million during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, for dividends on its common stock.
Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Sinopec holds a one-third minority participation interest in the Company’s oil and gas operations in Egypt. The Company paid $430 million and $268 million during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, in cash distributions to Sinopec.
Treasury Stock Activity, Net During 2025, the Company repurchased 12.9 million shares at an average price of $21.73 per share totaling $280 million, and as of December 31, 2025, the Company had remaining authorization to repurchase 21.9 million shares. During 2024, the Company repurchased 9.2 million shares at an average price of $26.83 per share totaling $246 million.
Liquidity
The following table presents a summary of the Company’s key financial indicators as of December 31:
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 516 | $ | 625 | |||
| Total debt – APA and Apache | 4,493 | 6,044 | |||||
| Total equity | 7,003 | 6,362 | |||||
| Available committed borrowing capacity under syndicated credit facilities | 4,020 | 2,966 |
Cash and Cash Equivalents As of December 31, 2025, the Company had $516 million in cash and cash equivalents. The majority of the Company’s cash is invested in highly liquid, investment-grade instruments with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase.
Debt As of December 31, 2025, the Company had $4.5 billion in total debt outstanding, which consisted of notes and debentures of APA and Apache, and finance lease obligations. As of December 31, 2025, current debt included $2 million of finance lease obligations and $211 million of APA and Apache notes coming due within the next year.
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Indenture Debt Activity On August 20, 2025, Apache redeemed the outstanding $51 million principal amount of 4.625% Notes due 2025, at a redemption price equal to 100 percent of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.
During 2025, the Company purchased in the open market and had canceled indebtedness issued under indentures of APA and Apache in an aggregate principal amount of $122 million for an aggregate purchase price of $112 million in cash, including accrued interest and broker fees, reflecting a discount to par of an aggregate $13 million. The Company recognized a $12 million gain on these repurchases. The repurchases were partially financed by APA’s borrowing under the Company’s commercial paper program. Refer to discussion of APA exchange and tender offers for Apache indenture debt below for further details regarding the gain on extinguishment of debt during the quarter ended March 31, 2025.
The indentures under which APA has issued senior notes and debentures restrict it from issuing or guaranteeing certain secured indebtedness, consolidating with or merging into another person, and transferring or leasing its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any person. Indentures of APA and Apache do not contain prepayment obligations in the event of a decline in credit ratings. In connection with the transactions summarized below under “APA Exchange and Tender Offers for Apache Indenture Debt,” Apache’s indentures were amended on January 10, 2025, to remove certain restrictive and reporting covenants, except those applicable to certain notes maturing in 2026 and 2027.
APA Exchange and Tender Offers for Apache Indenture Debt On January 10, 2025, the Company settled its private exchange and cash tender offers for certain notes and debentures issued by Apache under its indentures. The Company also then settled its private offering of new notes to fund in part its purchase of Apache notes in APA’s cash tender offers. In settling these offerings pursuant to their respective terms:
•APA issued new notes and debentures under its indentures in aggregate principal amounts of (i) $2.5 billion in exchange for Apache notes and debentures tendered and accepted in APA’s exchange offers, (ii) $203 million in exchange for Apache notes tendered in the cash tender offers in excess of the stated maximum purchase amount or series caps, and (iii) $850 million in the new notes offering, comprised of $350 million aggregate principal amount of APA’s 6.10% Notes due 2035 and $500 million aggregate principal amount of APA’s 6.75% Notes due 2055.
•In addition to issuing the APA notes in the exchange offers, APA paid a total of $2.5 million in cash as part of the exchange consideration.
•APA paid a total of $869 million in cash in the tender offers (comprised of tender offer consideration, exchange consideration for tendered notes exchanged, early participation premium, and accrued interest) for the aggregate $1 billion in principal amount of Apache notes tendered and accepted in the cash tender offers. The Company recognized a gain of $135 million on these purchases, including broker fees and loan costs.
•Net proceeds from the sale of the notes in APA’s new notes offering, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts and estimated offering expenses, were approximately $839 million and used to fund in part APA’s purchase of Apache notes in APA’s cash tender offers.
•Each series of APA notes and debentures issued in settlement of the exchange and tender offers had the same interest rate, maturity date, and interest payment dates and the same optional redemption prices (if any) as the corresponding series of Apache notes and debentures for which they were exchanged.
•Each series of APA notes and debentures issued in settlement of the exchange and tender offers and new notes offering were fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Apache until the first time that the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness under senior notes and debentures outstanding under Apache’s existing indentures was less than $1 billion, which occurred in May 2025, after which Apache’s guarantees were terminated in accordance with their terms on May 16, 2025.
•APA entered into two registration rights agreements pursuant to which APA agreed to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the notes and debentures that APA issued in the exchange and tender offers and new notes offering (collectively, the Unregistered Notes). On September 18, 2025, APA settled registered exchange offers for the Unregistered Notes, issuing registered notes and debentures in the same aggregate principal amount as the Unregistered Notes accepted for exchange and canceled and otherwise on terms substantially identical in all material respects to the applicable series of Unregistered Notes. Of the $3.6 billion aggregate principal amount of Unregistered Notes covered by the registered exchange offers, 99 percent was exchanged for registered notes and debentures, and the remaining Unregistered Notes remained outstanding.
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Unsecured 2025 Committed Bank Credit Facilities On January 15, 2025, the Company entered into two unsecured syndicated credit agreements for general corporate purposes:
•One agreement is denominated in US dollars (the 2025 USD Agreement) and provides for an unsecured five-year revolving credit facility for loans and letters of credit, with aggregate commitments of US$2.0 billion (including a letter of credit subfacility of up to US$750 million, of which US$250 million currently is committed). APA may increase commitments up to an aggregate US$2.5 billion by adding new lenders or obtaining the consent of any increasing existing lenders. This facility matures in January 2030, subject to the Company’s two, one-year extension options.
•The second agreement is denominated in pounds sterling (the 2025 GBP Agreement) and provides for an unsecured five-year revolving credit facility, with aggregate commitments of £1.5 billion for loans and letters of credit. This facility matures in January 2030, subject to the Company’s two, one-year extension options.
Apache guaranteed obligations under each of the 2025 USD Agreement and 2025 GBP Agreement (each, a 2025 Agreement) effective until the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness under senior notes and debentures outstanding under Apache’s existing indentures first was less than US$1.0 billion, which occurred in May 2025, after which Apache’s guarantees were terminated in accordance with their terms on May 16, 2025.
The 2025 Agreements replaced on substantially the same terms two syndicated credit agreements that the Company entered in April 2022, one of which was denominated in US dollars with aggregate commitments of US$1.8 billion (the 2022 USD Agreement) and second of which was denominated in pounds sterling with aggregate commitments of £1.5 billion (the 2022 GBP Agreement). On January 15, 2025, the Company terminated commitments under both the 2022 USD Agreement and 2022 GBP Agreement in connection with entry into the 2025 Agreements.
As of December 31, 2025, there were no borrowings or letters of credit outstanding under the 2025 USD Agreement and no borrowings and an aggregate £1.0 million in letters of credit outstanding under the 2025 GBP Agreement. As of December 31, 2024, there were $10 million of borrowings and no letters of credit outstanding under the 2022 USD Agreement, and no borrowings and an aggregate £303 million in letters of credit outstanding under the 2022 GBP Agreement.
All borrowings under the 2025 USD Agreement bear interest at one of two per annum rate options selected by the borrower, being either an alternate base rate (as defined), plus a margin varying from 0.0% to 0.675% (Base Rate Margin), or an adjusted term SOFR rate (as defined), plus a margin varying from 1.00% to 1.675% (Applicable Margin). All borrowings under the 2025 GBP Agreement bear interest with respect to any business day at an adjusted rate per annum determined by reference to the Sterling Overnight Index Average with respect to such business day published by the Bank of England, plus the Applicable Margin.
Each 2025 Agreement also requires the borrower to pay quarterly (i) a facility fee on total commitments at a per annum rate that varies from 0.125% to 0.325% and (ii) a commission on the face amount of each outstanding letter of credit at a per annum rate equal to the Applicable Margin then in effect. Customary letter of credit fronting fees and other charges are payable to issuing banks.
Margins and facility fees are at varying rates per annum determined by reference to the senior, unsecured, non-credit enhanced, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money of APA (Long-Term Debt Rating). The current Base Rate Margin is 0.30%, the Applicable Margin is 1.30%, and the facility fee is 0.20%.
Borrowers under each 2025 Agreement, which include certain subsidiaries of APA, may borrow, prepay, and reborrow loans and obtain letters of credit, and APA may obtain letters of credit for the account of its subsidiaries, in each case subject to representations and warranties, covenants, and events of default, such as:
•A financial covenant requires APA to maintain an adjusted debt-to-capital ratio of not greater than 65% at the end of any fiscal quarter.
•A negative covenant restricts the ability of APA and its subsidiaries to create liens securing debt on their hydrocarbon-related assets, with customary exceptions and exceptions for liens on subsidiary assets located outside of the U. S. and Canada; liens on assets also are permitted if debt secured thereby does not exceed 15% of APA’s consolidated net tangible assets.
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•Negative covenants restrict APA’s ability to merge with another entity unless it is the surviving entity, a borrower’s disposition of substantially all of its assets, prohibitions on the ability of certain subsidiaries to make payments to borrowers, and guarantees by APA or certain subsidiaries of debt of non-consolidated entities in excess of the stated threshold.
•Lenders may accelerate payment maturity and terminate lending and issuance commitments for nonpayment and other breaches; if a borrower or certain subsidiaries defaults on other indebtedness in excess of the stated threshold, has any unpaid, non-appealable judgment against it for payment of money in excess of the stated threshold, or has specified pension plan liabilities in excess of the stated threshold; or APA undergoes a specified change in control. Such acceleration and termination are automatic upon specified insolvency events of a borrower or certain subsidiaries.
The 2025 Agreements do not require collateral, do not have a borrowing base, do not permit lenders to accelerate maturity or refuse to lend based on unspecified material adverse changes, and do not have borrowing restrictions or prepayment obligations in the event of a decline in credit ratings.
The Company was in compliance with the terms of the 2025 Agreements as of December 31, 2025.
Uncommitted Lines of Credit Each of the Company and Apache, from time to time, has and uses uncommitted credit and letter of credit facilities for working capital and credit support purposes. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, there were no outstanding borrowings under these facilities. As of December 31, 2025, there were £901 million and $10 million in letters of credit outstanding under these facilities. As of December 31, 2024, there were £640 million and $11 million in letters of credit outstanding under these facilities.
Commercial Paper Program The Company has a commercial paper program under which it from time to time may issue in private placements exempt from registration under the Securities Act short-term unsecured promissory notes (CP Notes) up to a maximum aggregate face amount of $2.0 billion outstanding at any time. The program was established in December 2023, and the maximum aggregate face amount of CP Notes issuable thereunder was increased to $2.0 billion from $1.8 billion on June 20, 2025. The maturities of the CP Notes may vary but may not exceed 397 days from the date of issuance. Outstanding CP Notes are supported by available borrowing capacity under the Company’s committed revolving credit facilities for general corporate purposes, which as of December 31, 2025, included the $2.0 billion 2025 USD Agreement.
Payment of the CP Notes was unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis by Apache, such guarantee effective until the first time that the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness under senior notes and debentures outstanding under Apache’s existing indentures was less than US$1.0 billion, which occurred in May 2025, after which Apache’s guarantees were terminated in accordance with their terms on June 20, 2025.
The CP Notes are sold under customary market terms in the U.S. commercial paper market at a discount from par or at par and bear interest at rates determined at the time of issuance.
As of December 31, 2025, the Company had no CP Notes outstanding. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $323 million in aggregate face amount of CP Notes outstanding, which was classified as long-term debt.
Unsecured Committed Term Loan Facility On January 30, 2024, APA entered into a syndicated credit agreement providing for committed senior unsecured delayed-draw term loans to APA, the proceeds of which could be used to refinance certain indebtedness of Callon.
On April 1, 2024, APA acquired Callon and borrowed $1.5 billion under this credit agreement maturing April 1, 2027, of which $900 million remained outstanding as of December 31, 2024. APA fully prepaid this credit agreement on March 10, 2025. The repayment was partially financed with borrowings under APA’s 2025 USD Agreement and commercial paper program.
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Contractual Obligations
Purchase Obligations From time to time, the Company enters into agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms. These include minimum commitments associated with take-or-pay contracts, NGL processing agreements, drilling work program commitments and agreements to secure capacity rights on third-party pipelines. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had contractual obligations totaling $971 million, of which $778 million is related to U.S. firm transportation contracts, $133 million is related to U.S. purchase obligations, $28 million is related to the merged concession agreement with the EGPC, and $32 million is related to other items.
Leases In the normal course of business, the Company enters into various lease agreements for real estate, drilling rigs, vessels, aircrafts, and equipment related to its exploration and development activities, which are typically classified as operating leases under the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 842 (Leases). As of December 31, 2025, the Company had net undiscounted minimum commitments of $428 million and $34 million for operating and finance leases, respectively.
Interest Expense Future interest payments based on the current maturity dates of the Company’s fixed-rate notes and debentures as of December 31, 2025 are approximately $3.7 billion.
For additional information regarding these obligations, refer to Note 8—Debt and Financing Costs and Note 10—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
For information regarding the Company’s liability for dismantlement, abandonment, and restoration costs of oil and gas properties, refer to Note 7—Asset Retirement Obligation in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
For information regarding pension or postretirement benefit obligations, refer to Note 11—Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plans in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company is also subject to various contingent obligations that become payable only if certain events or rulings were to occur. The inherent uncertainty surrounding the timing of and monetary impact associated with these events or rulings prevents any meaningful accurate measurement, which is necessary to assess settlements resulting from litigation. The Company’s management believes that it has adequately reserved for its contingent obligations, including approximately $2 million for environmental remediation and approximately $23 million for various contingent legal liabilities. For a detailed discussion of the Company’s environmental and legal contingencies and other commitments, please see Note 10—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
With respect to oil and gas operations in the Gulf of America, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued a Notice to Lessees (NTL No. 2016-N01) significantly revising the obligations of companies operating in the Gulf of America to provide supplemental assurances of performance with respect to plugging, abandonment, and decommissioning obligations associated with wells, platforms, structures, and facilities located upon or used in connection with such companies’ oil and gas leases. While the NTL was paused in mid-2017 and is currently listed on BOEM’s website as “rescinded,” if reinstated, the NTL will likely require that the Company provide additional security to BOEM with respect to plugging, abandonment, and decommissioning obligations relating to the Company’s current ownership interests in various Gulf of America leases. Additionally, the Company is not able to predict the effect that these changes might have on counterparties to which the Company has sold Gulf of America assets or with whom the Company has joint ownership. Such changes could cause the bonding obligations of such parties to increase substantially, thereby causing a significant impact on the counterparties’ solvency and ability to continue as a going concern.
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Potential Decommissioning Obligations on Sold Properties
The Company’s subsidiaries have potential exposure to future obligations related to divested properties. The Company has divested various leases, wells, and facilities located in the Gulf of America (GOA) where the purchasers typically assume all obligations to plug, abandon, and decommission the associated wells, structures, and facilities acquired. One or more of the counterparties in these transactions could, either as a result of the severe decline in oil and natural gas prices or other factors related to the historical or future operations of their respective businesses, face financial problems that may have a significant impact on their solvency and ability to continue as a going concern. If a purchaser of such GOA assets becomes the subject of a case or proceeding under relevant insolvency laws or otherwise fails to perform required abandonment obligations, APA’s subsidiaries could be required to perform such actions under applicable federal laws and regulations. In such event, such subsidiaries may be forced to use available cash to cover the costs of such liabilities and obligations should they arise.
In 2013, Apache sold its GOA Shelf operations and properties and its GOA operating subsidiary, GOM Shelf LLC (GOM Shelf) to Fieldwood Energy LLC (Fieldwood). Fieldwood assumed the obligation to decommission the properties held by GOM Shelf and the properties acquired from Apache and its other subsidiaries (collectively, the Legacy GOA Assets). On February 14, 2018, Fieldwood filed for (and subsequently emerged from) Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. On August 3, 2020, Fieldwood filed for (and subsequently emerged from) Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for a second time. Upon emergence from this second bankruptcy, the Legacy GOA Assets were separated into a standalone company, which was subsequently merged into GOM Shelf. Under GOM Shelf’s limited liability company agreement, the proceeds of production of the Legacy GOA Assets are to be used to fund the operation of GOM Shelf and the decommissioning of Legacy GOA Assets. The decommissioning obligations for the Legacy GOA Assets are partially secured by a trust account of which Apache is a beneficiary and which is funded by net profits interests (NPIs) depending on future oil prices. In addition, after such sources have been exhausted, Apache agreed upon resolution of GOM Shelf’s second bankruptcy to loan GOM Shelf up to $400 million to perform decommissioning, with such loans and related obligations secured by first and prior liens on the Legacy GOA Assets.
By letter dated April 5, 2022 (replacing two earlier letters) and by subsequent letter dated March 1, 2023, GOM Shelf notified the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) that it was unable to fund the decommissioning obligations that it was obligated to perform on certain of the Legacy GOA Assets. As a result, Apache and other current and former owners in these assets have received orders from BSEE and demands from third parties to decommission certain of the Legacy GOA Assets included in GOM Shelf’s notifications to BSEE. Apache expects to receive similar orders and demands on the other Legacy GOA Assets included in GOM Shelf’s notification letters. Apache has also received orders to decommission other Legacy GOA Assets that were not included in GOM Shelf’s notification letters. Further, Apache anticipates that GOM Shelf may send additional such notices to BSEE in the future and that it may receive additional orders from BSEE requiring it to decommission other Legacy GOA Assets.
As of December 31, 2025, the Company recorded an asset of $40 million representing the remaining amount the Company expects to be reimbursed from remaining security related to these decommissioning costs. Of the total asset recorded as of December 31, 2025, $21 million is reflected under the caption “Decommissioning security for sold Gulf of America properties,” and $19 million is reflected under “Other current assets” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.
As of December 31, 2025, Apache estimates that its potential liability to fund the remaining decommissioning of Legacy GOA Assets and assets previously sold to other operators ranges from $0.9 billion to $1.2 billion on an undiscounted basis. Management does not believe any specific estimate within this range is a better estimate than any other. Accordingly, the Company recorded contingent liabilities in the amounts of $881 million and $1.0 billion as of December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, respectively. Of the total liability recorded as of December 31, 2025, $782 million is reflected under the caption “Decommissioning contingency for sold Gulf of America properties” and $99 million is reflected under “Other current liabilities” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Changes in significant assumptions impacting Apache’s estimated liability, including expected well decommissioning spread rates, derrick barge rates, planned abandonment logistics, and future cash flows of GOM Shelf, could result in a liability in excess of the amount accrued.
The Company recognized $60 million of “Gains on previously sold Gulf of America properties” during 2025 to reflect the net impact of decreased estimated decommissioning costs of Legacy GOA Assets which BSSE may order the Company to decommission. The Company recognized losses on previously sold Gulf of America properties of $273 million and $212 million during 2024 and 2023, respectively, in the Company’s statement of consolidated operations.
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Insurance Program
The Company maintains insurance policies that include coverage for physical damage to its assets, general liabilities, workers’ compensation, employers’ liability, sudden and accidental pollution, and other risks. The Company’s insurance coverage is subject to deductibles or retentions that it must satisfy prior to recovering on insurance. Additionally, the Company’s insurance is subject to policy exclusions and limitations. There is no assurance that insurance will adequately protect the Company against liability from all potential consequences and damages. Further, the Company does not have coverage in place for a variety of other risks including Gulf of America named windstorm and business interruption.
The Company purchases multi-year political risk insurance from highly-rated insurers covering a portion of its investments in Egypt for losses arising from confiscation, nationalization, and expropriation risks.
Future insurance coverage for the Company’s industry could increase in cost and may include higher deductibles or retentions or a change in policy limit or additional exclusions or limitations. In addition, some forms of insurance may become unavailable or unavailable on terms economically acceptable.
Service agreements, including drilling contracts, generally indemnify the Company for injuries and death of the service provider’s employees, as well as subcontractors hired by the service provider, and damages to their respective property.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The Company prepares its financial statements and accompanying notes in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., which require management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect reported amounts in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. The Company identifies certain accounting policies involving estimation as critical accounting estimates based on, among other things, their impact on the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity, as well as the degree of difficulty, subjectivity, and complexity in their deployment. Critical accounting estimates address accounting matters that are inherently uncertain due to unknown future resolution of such matters. Management routinely discusses the development, selection, and disclosure of each critical accounting estimate. The following is a discussion of the Company’s most critical accounting estimates.
Long-Lived Asset Impairments
Long-lived assets used in operations, including proved oil and gas properties and GPT assets, are assessed for impairment whenever changes in facts and circumstances indicate a possible significant deterioration in future cash flows expected to be generated by an asset. Individual assets are grouped for impairment purposes based on a judgmental assessment of the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets. If there is an indication that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recovered, the asset is assessed by management through an established process in which changes to significant assumptions such as prices, volumes, and future development plans are reviewed. If, upon review, the sum of the undiscounted pre-tax cash flows is less than the carrying value of the asset group, the carrying value is written down to estimated fair value. Because there usually is a lack of quoted market prices for long-lived assets, the fair value of impaired assets is assessed by management using the income approach.
Under the income approach, the fair value of each asset group is estimated based on the present value of expected future cash flows. The income approach is dependent on a number of factors including estimates of forecasted revenue and operating costs, proved reserves, the success of future exploration for and development of unproved reserves, expected throughput volumes for GPT assets, discount rates, and other variables. Key assumptions used in developing a discounted cash flow model described above include estimated quantities of crude oil and natural gas reserves; estimates of market prices considering forward commodity price curves as of the measurement date; and estimates of operating and administrative costs. The Company discounts the resulting future cash flows using a discount rate believed to be consistent with those applied by market participants.
To assess the reasonableness of our fair value estimate, when available, management uses a market approach to compare the fair value to similar assets. This requires management to make certain judgments about the selection of comparable assets, recent comparable asset transactions, and transaction premiums.
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Although the fair value estimate of each asset group is based on assumptions believed to be reasonable, those assumptions are inherently unpredictable and uncertain, and actual results could differ from the estimate. Negative revisions of estimated reserves quantities, increases in future cost estimates, divestiture of a significant component of the asset group, or sustained decreases in crude oil or natural gas prices could lead to a reduction in expected future cash flows and possibly an additional impairment of long-lived assets in future periods.
For discussion of these impairments, see “Fair Value Measurements” of Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Purchase Price Allocation
Accounting for the acquisition of a business requires the allocation of the purchase price to the various assets and liabilities of the acquired business. The amount of goodwill or bargain purchase gain recognized, if any, is determined based on the consideration transferred compared to the amounts of the identifiable net assets acquired on the acquisition date.
The purchase price allocation is accomplished by recording each asset and liability at its estimated fair value. Estimated deferred taxes are based on available information concerning the tax basis of the acquired company’s assets and liabilities and tax-related carryforwards at the merger date, although such estimates may change in the future as additional information becomes known.
In estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, the Company has made various assumptions. The most significant assumptions relate to the estimated fair values assigned to proved oil and natural gas properties. The fair value of proved oil and natural gas properties as of the acquisition date were estimated using the income approach where fair value was determined based on the expected future cash flows from estimated proved oil, natural gas, and NGL reserves and related discounted future net cash flows as of that date. Significant inputs to the fair value estimate included estimates of future production volumes, future operating and development costs, future commodity prices, and a weighted average cost of capital discount rate.
The estimates used in determining fair values are based on assumptions believed to be reasonable but which are inherently uncertain. Accordingly, actual results may differ from the projected results used to determine fair value. Historically there has been volatility in oil, natural gas, and NGL prices, and estimates of such future prices are inherently imprecise. Additionally, the actual timing of the production could be different than projected volumes as of the acquisition date.
Reserves Estimates
Proved oil and gas reserves are the estimated quantities of natural gas, crude oil, condensate, and NGLs that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be economically recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing conditions, operating conditions, and government regulations.
Despite judgment involved in these engineering estimates, the Company’s reserves are used throughout its financial statements. For example, since the Company uses the units-of-production method to amortize its oil and gas properties, the quantity of reserves could significantly impact DD&A expense. A material adverse change in the estimated volumes of reserves could result in property impairments. Finally, these reserves are the basis for the Company’s supplemental oil and gas disclosures. For more information regarding the Company’s supplemental oil and gas disclosures, refer to Note 16—Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Reserves are calculated using an unweighted arithmetic average of commodity prices in effect on the first day of each of the previous twelve months, held flat for the life of the production, except where prices are defined by contractual arrangements. Operating costs, production and ad valorem taxes and future development costs are based on current costs with no escalation.
The Company has elected not to disclose probable and possible reserves or reserve estimates in this filing.
Offshore Decommissioning Contingency
The Company has potential exposure to future obligations related to divested properties. For information regarding estimated potential decommissioning obligations on sold properties, please refer to “Potential Decommissioning Obligations on Sold Properties” above and in Note 10—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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The Company’s estimated contingent obligation is primarily associated with the abandonment, removal and decommissioning of offshore wells and platforms in the Gulf of America. Estimating any future obligation requires significant judgment. The Company utilizes actual abandonment and decommissioning costs incurred as the basis to estimate the expected cash outflows for future obligations. Actual costs incurred often vary based on each structure’s condition, depth-of-water, type, and other similar factors, which are key considerations when estimating the remaining well and platform decommissioning obligation. Asset removal technologies and costs are constantly changing, as are regulatory, political, environmental, and safety considerations. Changes in significant assumptions or the regulatory framework impacting the Company’s estimated liability could result in a liability in excess of the amount accrued.
Asset Retirement Obligation (ARO)
The Company has significant obligations to remove tangible equipment and restore land or seabed at the end of oil and gas production operations. The Company’s removal and restoration obligations are primarily associated with plugging and abandoning wells and removing and disposing of offshore oil and gas platforms in the North Sea. Estimating the future restoration and removal costs is difficult and requires management to make estimates and judgments. Asset removal technologies and costs are constantly changing, as are regulatory, political, environmental, and safety considerations.
ARO associated with retiring tangible long-lived assets is recognized as a liability in the period in which the legal obligation is incurred and becomes determinable. The liability is offset by a corresponding increase in the underlying asset. The ARO liability reflects the estimated present value of the amount of dismantlement, removal, site reclamation, and similar activities associated with the Company’s oil and gas properties and other long-lived assets. The Company utilizes current retirement costs to estimate the expected cash outflows for retirement obligations. Inherent in the present value calculation are numerous assumptions and judgments including the ultimate settlement amounts, inflation factors, credit-adjusted discount rates, timing of settlement, and changes in the legal, regulatory, environmental, and political environments. Accretion expense is recognized over time as the discounted liability is accreted to its expected settlement value.
Income Taxes
The Company’s oil and gas exploration and production operations are subject to taxation on income in numerous jurisdictions worldwide. The Company records deferred tax assets and liabilities to account for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in its financial statements and tax returns. Management routinely assesses the ability to realize the Company’s deferred tax assets. If management concludes that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized under accounting standards, the tax asset would be reduced by a valuation allowance. Numerous judgments and assumptions are inherent in the determination of future taxable income, including factors such as future operating conditions (particularly as related to prevailing oil and gas prices) and changing tax laws.
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MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0002040266-25-000007.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion relates to APA Corporation (APA or the Company) and its consolidated subsidiaries and should be read together in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the risk factors and related information set forth in Part I, Item 1A and Part II, Item 7A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K generally discusses 2024 and 2023 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2024 and 2023. Discussions of 2022 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2023 and 2022 that are not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are incorporated by reference to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of APA Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (filed with the SEC on February 22, 2024).
Overview
APA is an independent energy company that owns subsidiaries that explore for, develop, and produce crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The Company’s business has oil and gas operations in three geographic areas: the U.S., Egypt, and offshore the U.K. in the North Sea (North Sea). APA also has active development, exploration, and appraisal operations ongoing in Suriname, as well as exploration interests in Uruguay, Alaska, and other international locations that may, over time, result in reportable discoveries and development opportunities. As a holding company, APA Corporation’s primary assets are its ownership interests in its consolidated subsidiaries.
APA believes energy underpins global progress, and the Company wants to be a part of the solution as society works to meet growing global demand for reliable and affordable energy. APA strives to meet those challenges while creating value for all its stakeholders.
Uncertainties in the global supply chain and financial markets, including the impact of ongoing international conflicts, inflation, trade disputes, and actions taken by foreign oil and gas producing nations, including OPEC+, impact oil supply and demand and contribute to commodity price volatility. Despite these uncertainties, the Company remains committed to its longer-term objectives: (1) to invest for long-term returns in pursuit of moderate, sustainable production growth; (2) to strengthen the balance sheet to underpin the generation of cash flow in excess of its upstream exploration, appraisal, and development capital program that can be directed to debt reduction, share repurchases, and other return of capital to its shareholders; and (3) to responsibly manage its cost structure regardless of the oil price environment.
The Company closely monitors hydrocarbon pricing fundamentals to reallocate capital as part of its ongoing planning process. APA’s diversified asset portfolio and operational flexibility provide the Company the ability to timely respond to near-term price volatility and effectively manage its investment programs accordingly. For example, the Company curtailed production in the Permian Basin in the second half of 2024 in response to weakness in Waha natural gas and NGL prices; however, in Egypt, the Company contracted an additional drilling rig in late 2024 after signing an agreement to incentivize gas exploration and production at new pricing. In 2023, the Company decided to suspend drilling activity in the North Sea, as increasing cost and tax burdens impacted the competitiveness of these assets within the Company’s portfolio. Capital investment plans have accordingly been aligned across other areas of the portfolio while maintaining a focus on the Company’s capital returns framework.
The Company remains committed to its capital return framework for equity holders to participate more directly and materially in cash returns.
•The Company believes returning 60 percent of free cash flow through dividends and share repurchases creates a good balance for providing near-term cash returns to shareholders while still recognizing the importance of longer-term balance sheet strengthening.
•The Company pays a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share on its common stock.
•Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2021 and through the end of 2024, the Company has repurchased 85.3 million shares of the Company’s common stock. Subsequent to year-end 2024 and through the date of this filing on February 28, 2025, the Company repurchased 3.9 million shares, and as of February 28, 2025, the Company had remaining authorization to repurchase up to 30.9 million shares under the Company’s share repurchase programs.
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Financial and Operational Highlights
During 2024, the Company reported net income attributable to common stock of $804 million, or $2.27 per diluted share, compared to net income of $2.9 billion, or $9.25 per diluted share, in 2023. Net income in 2024 was primarily impacted by impairments of $1.1 billion, which included oil and gas property impairments of $796 million in the North Sea and $315 million in the U.S., and lower realized crude oil and natural gas prices during the year compared to 2023. The Company also recorded higher oil and gas revenues and associated operating expenses resulting from the Callon acquisition.
The Company generated $3.6 billion of cash from operating activities in 2024, which was $491 million or 16 percent higher than 2023. APA’s higher operating cash flows for 2024 were primarily driven by higher oil and gas revenues resulting from increased drilling activity in the Permian Basin and production from the acquired Callon properties, partially offset by lower realized commodity prices. The Company repurchased 9.2 million shares of its common stock for $246 million and paid $353 million in dividends to APA common stockholders during 2024.
Key operational highlights for the year include:
United States
•Daily boe production from the Company’s U.S. assets, which increased 30 percent from 2023, accounted for 62 percent of the Company’s worldwide production during 2024. The Company averaged nine drilling rigs in the U.S. during the year, including five rigs in the Southern Midland Basin and four rigs in the Delaware Basin, and drilled and brought online 159 operated wells in 2024. The Company’s drilling was primarily focused on oil prospects, and combined with the Callon acquisition, oil production increased approximately 63 percent in the U.S. compared to the prior year. The Company’s core Permian Basin development program continues to represent key growth areas for the U.S. assets.
•During the first quarter of 2024, the Company completed a three-well exploration program in Alaska, confirming a working petroleum system on the Company’s acreage. The Company is currently drilling an additional exploration well on this acreage. The Company holds a 50 percent ownership interest in the project.
International
•In Egypt, the Company continued its drilling and workover activity with a focus on oil prospects. The Company averaged 14 drilling rigs and drilled 62 new productive wells during 2024. During the same period, the Company averaged 20 workover rigs as it continues to align its drilling and workover activity with a goal of driving improved capital efficiency. The 2024 gross and net production from the Company’s Egypt assets decreased 6 percent and 4 percent, respectively, from 2023.
•During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company entered into a new gas sales agreement which could result in improved pricing if certain production thresholds are met. The new gas sales agreement creates the potential for significant new drilling inventory with returns on par with oil.
•During the second quarter of 2023, the Company suspended all new drilling activity in the North Sea. During the third quarter of 2024, the Company continued its economic assessment of its North Sea assets in light of several new regulatory guidelines and obligations surrounding significant tax levies and modernization of aging infrastructure. The Company determined the expected returns do not economically support making investments required under the combined impact of the regulations, and it will cease production at its facilities in the North Sea prior to 2030. The Company’s investment program in the North Sea is now directed toward asset safety and integrity.
•In October 2024, the Company announced that its subsidiary reached a positive final investment decision for the first oil development, named GranMorgu, in Block 58 offshore Suriname. This development will include production from the Krabdagu and Sapakara oil discoveries. These fields, located in water depths between 100 and 1,000 meters, will be produced through a system of subsea wells connected to a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit located 150 km off the Suriname coast, with an oil production capacity of 220,000 barrels per day. The GranMorgu FPSO unit is designed to accommodate future tie-back opportunities that would extend its 4-year production plateau and will feature technology that minimizes greenhouse gas emissions. Total investment is estimated at $10.5 billion, with APA’s share of the investment subject to the existing agreement with TotalEnergies to carry a portion of Apache’s appraisal and development capital. First oil is anticipated in 2028.
For a more detailed discussion related to the Company’s various geographic segments, refer to “Exploration and Production—Operating Areas” set forth in Part I, Items 1 and 2 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Acquisition and Divestiture Activity
Over the Company’s history, it has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to capitalize quickly and decisively on changes in its industry and economic conditions. A key component of this strategy is to continuously review and optimize APA’s portfolio of assets in response to these changes. Most recently, the Company has completed a series of acquisitions and divestitures designed to enhance the Company’s portfolio and monetize nonstrategic assets in order to allocate resources to more impactful exploration and development opportunities. These acquisitions and divestitures include:
•Callon Petroleum Company Acquisition On April 1, 2024, APA completed its acquisition of Callon Petroleum Company (Callon) in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $4.5 billion, inclusive of Callon’s debt (the Callon acquisition). The acquired assets include approximately 120,000 net acres in the Delaware Basin and 25,000 net acres in the Midland Basin. The Company believes the acquisition of Callon provides opportunities to reduce costs, improve capital efficiencies, leverage economies of scale, and expand the development inventory that formed the basis of the transaction value.
•Sale of Non-core Permian Basin Properties On December 31, 2024, APA completed the sale of non-core producing properties in the Permian Basin that had a carrying value of $1.1 billion and associated asset retirement obligation of $224 million for total cash proceeds of $869 million after closing adjustments. The properties are located in the Central Basin Platform, Texas and New Mexico Shelf, and Northwest Shelf.
•Non-core Acreage Divestiture During 2024, the Company completed the sale of non-core acreage in the East Texas Austin Chalk and Eagle Ford plays that had a carrying value of $347 million for aggregate cash proceeds of $255 million and the assumption of asset retirement obligations of $42 million.
•Mineral Rights Divestiture During 2024, the Company also completed the sale of non-core mineral and royalty interests in the Permian Basin that had a carrying value of $71 million for approximately $394 million subject to post-closing adjustments.
•Sales of Kinetik Shares During 2022 and 2023, the Company sold a portion of its Kinetik Shares for cash proceeds of $224 million and $228 million, respectively. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company sold its remaining shares of Kinetik Class A Common Stock for cash proceeds of $428 million. On April 3, 2024, the Company’s designated director resigned from the Kinetik Holdings, Inc. (Kinetik) board of directors.
For detailed information regarding APA’s acquisitions and divestitures, refer to Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestitures in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Results of Operations
Oil, Natural Gas, and Natural Gas Liquids Production Revenues
The Company’s production revenues and respective contribution to total revenues by country are as follows:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
| $ Value | % Contribution | $ Value | % Contribution | $ Value | % Contribution | ||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 3,572 | 51 | % | $ | 2,241 | 37 | % | $ | 2,458 | 36 | % | |||||||||
| Egypt(1) | 2,620 | 38 | % | 2,683 | 45 | % | 3,145 | 46 | % | ||||||||||||
| North Sea | 774 | 11 | % | 1,073 | 18 | % | 1,232 | 18 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total(1) | $ | 6,966 | 100 | % | $ | 5,997 | 100 | % | $ | 6,835 | 100 | % | |||||||||
| Natural Gas Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 126 | 22 | % | $ | 297 | 34 | % | $ | 918 | 59 | % | |||||||||
| Egypt(1) | 313 | 53 | % | 346 | 39 | % | 370 | 23 | % | ||||||||||||
| North Sea | 145 | 25 | % | 237 | 27 | % | 281 | 18 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total(1) | $ | 584 | 100 | % | $ | 880 | 100 | % | $ | 1,569 | 100 | % | |||||||||
| NGL Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 617 | 96 | % | $ | 480 | 94 | % | $ | 765 | 94 | % | |||||||||
| Egypt(1) | — | — | % | — | — | % | 6 | 1 | % | ||||||||||||
| North Sea | 29 | 4 | % | 28 | 6 | % | 45 | 5 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total(1) | $ | 646 | 100 | % | $ | 508 | 100 | % | $ | 816 | 100 | % | |||||||||
| Oil and Gas Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 4,315 | 53 | % | $ | 3,018 | 41 | % | $ | 4,141 | 45 | % | |||||||||
| Egypt(1) | 2,933 | 36 | % | 3,029 | 41 | % | 3,521 | 38 | % | ||||||||||||
| North Sea | 948 | 11 | % | 1,338 | 18 | % | 1,558 | 17 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total(1) | $ | 8,196 | 100 | % | $ | 7,385 | 100 | % | $ | 9,220 | 100 | % |
(1)Includes revenues attributable to a noncontrolling interest in Egypt.
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Production
The following table presents production volumes by country:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Increase (Decrease) | 2023 | Increase (Decrease) | 2022 | ||||||||
| Oil Volumes – b/d: | ||||||||||||
| United States | 128,531 | 63% | 78,889 | 12% | 70,398 | |||||||
| Egypt(3)(4) | 89,027 | —% | 89,129 | 5% | 85,081 | |||||||
| North Sea | 26,340 | (24)% | 34,728 | 7% | 32,578 | |||||||
| Total | 243,898 | 20% | 202,746 | 8% | 188,057 | |||||||
| Natural Gas Volumes – Mcf/d: | ||||||||||||
| United States | 483,446 | 7% | 452,281 | (4)% | 473,292 | |||||||
| Egypt(3)(4) | 291,011 | (11)% | 325,778 | (9)% | 356,327 | |||||||
| North Sea | 39,986 | (20)% | 50,284 | 42% | 35,327 | |||||||
| Total | 814,443 | (2)% | 828,343 | (4)% | 864,946 | |||||||
| NGL Volumes – b/d: | ||||||||||||
| United States | 73,877 | 17% | 62,997 | —% | 62,727 | |||||||
| Egypt(3)(4) | — | NM | — | NM | 196 | |||||||
| North Sea | 1,201 | (3)% | 1,240 | 12% | 1,111 | |||||||
| Total | 75,078 | 17% | 64,237 | —% | 64,034 | |||||||
| BOE per day:(1) | ||||||||||||
| United States | 282,983 | 30% | 217,266 | 2% | 212,007 | |||||||
| Egypt(3)(4) | 137,529 | (4)% | 143,425 | (1)% | 144,665 | |||||||
| North Sea(2) | 34,204 | (23)% | 44,349 | 12% | 39,577 | |||||||
| Total | 454,716 | 12% | 405,040 | 2% | 396,249 |
(1)The table shows production on a boe basis in which natural gas is converted to an equivalent barrel of oil based on a 6:1 energy equivalent ratio. This ratio is not reflective of the price ratio between the two products.
(2)Average sales volumes from the North Sea were 33,954 boe/d, 45,476 boe/d, and 40,812 boe/d for 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Sales volumes may vary from production volumes as a result of the timing of liftings.
(3)Gross oil, natural gas, and NGL production in Egypt were as follows:
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil (b/d) | 137,150 | 141,985 | 137,260 | |||||||||
| Natural Gas (Mcf/d) | 443,551 | 500,080 | 555,562 | |||||||||
| NGL (b/d) | — | — | 297 |
(4)Includes net production volumes per day attributable to a noncontrolling interest in Egypt of:
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil (b/d) | 29,698 | 29,739 | 28,200 | |||||||||
| Natural Gas (Mcf/d) | 97,078 | 108,703 | 118,074 | |||||||||
| NGL (b/d) | — | — | 65 |
NM — Not Meaningful
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Pricing
The following table presents pricing information by country:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Increase (Decrease) | 2023 | Increase (Decrease) | 2022 | |||||||||||
| Average Oil Price - Per barrel: | |||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 75.92 | (2)% | $ | 77.84 | (19)% | $ | 95.68 | |||||||
| Egypt | 80.41 | (2)% | 82.47 | (19)% | 101.25 | ||||||||||
| North Sea | 80.74 | (2)% | 82.75 | (18)% | 100.87 | ||||||||||
| Total | 78.08 | (3)% | 80.72 | (19)% | 99.11 | ||||||||||
| Average Natural Gas Price - Per Mcf: | |||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 0.71 | (61)% | $ | 1.80 | (66)% | $ | 5.31 | |||||||
| Egypt | 2.94 | 1% | 2.91 | 2% | 2.85 | ||||||||||
| North Sea | 10.84 | (17)% | 13.02 | (44)% | 23.36 | ||||||||||
| Total | 1.97 | (32)% | 2.91 | (42)% | 4.98 | ||||||||||
| Average NGL Price - Per barrel: | |||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 22.83 | 9% | $ | 20.85 | (38)% | $ | 33.41 | |||||||
| Egypt | — | NM | — | NM | 76.80 | ||||||||||
| North Sea | 47.59 | —% | 47.77 | (29)% | 67.07 | ||||||||||
| Total | 23.37 | 8% | 21.54 | (38)% | 34.51 |
NM — Not Meaningful
Crude Oil Prices A substantial portion of the Company’s crude oil production is sold at prevailing market prices, which fluctuate in response to many factors that are outside of the Company’s control. Average realized crude oil prices for 2024 were down 3 percent compared to 2023, a direct result of decreasing benchmark oil prices over the past year. Crude oil prices realized in 2024 averaged $78.08 per barrel.
Continued volatility in the commodity price environment reinforces the importance of the Company’s asset portfolio. While the market price received for natural gas varies among geographic areas, crude oil tends to trade within a global market. Prices for all types and grades of crude oil generally move in the same direction.
Natural Gas Prices Natural gas, which currently has a limited global transportation system, is subject to price variances based on local supply and demand conditions. The Company’s primary markets include North America, Egypt, and the U.K. An overview of the market conditions in the Company’s primary gas-producing regions follows:
•The Company sells its U.S. natural gas production at liquid index sales points within the U.S., at either monthly or daily index-based prices. The Company’s U.S. realizations averaged $0.71 per Mcf in 2024, a 61 percent decrease from an average of $1.80 per Mcf in 2023.
•In Egypt, the Company’s natural gas is sold to EGPC, primarily under an industry-pricing formula, a sliding scale based on Dated Brent crude oil with a minimum of $1.50 per MMBtu and a maximum of $2.65 per MMBtu, plus an upward adjustment for liquids content. Overall, the Company’s Egypt operations averaged $2.94 per Mcf in 2024, a one percent increase from an average of $2.91 per Mcf in 2023. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company entered into a new gas sales agreement, which could result in improved pricing if certain production thresholds are met. The new gas sales agreement, which is effective beginning January 2025, creates the potential for significant new drilling inventory with returns on par with oil.
•Natural gas from the North Sea Beryl field is processed through the SAGE gas plant. The gas is sold to a third party at the St. Fergus entry point of the national grid on a National Balancing Point index price basis. The Company’s North Sea operations averaged $10.84 per Mcf in 2024, a 17 percent decrease from an average of $13.02 per Mcf in 2023.
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NGL Prices The Company’s U.S. NGL production, which accounted for 98 percent of the Company’s total 2024 NGL production, is sold under contracts with prices at market indices based on Gulf Coast supply and demand conditions, less the costs for transportation and fractionation, or on a weighted-average sales price received by the purchaser.
Crude Oil Revenues
Crude oil revenues for 2024 totaled $7.0 billion, a $969 million increase from the 2023 total of $6.0 billion. A 20 percent higher average daily production increased 2024 revenues by $1.2 billion compared to 2023, while a 3 percent decrease in average realized prices reduced revenues by $196 million. Average daily production in 2024 was 244 Mb/d, with prices averaging $78.08 per barrel. Crude oil sales accounted for 85 percent of the Company’s 2024 oil and gas production revenues and 54 percent of its worldwide production.
The Company’s worldwide crude oil production increased 41 Mb/d compared to 2023, primarily a result of increased drilling activity in the Permian Basin coupled with the Callon acquisition. These increases were partially offset by natural production decline across all assets, the sale of non-core assets in the U.S., and operational downtime due to maintenance activities in the North Sea.
Natural Gas Revenues
Natural gas revenues for 2024 totaled $584 million, a $296 million decrease from the 2023 total of $880 million. A 32 percent decrease in average realized prices reduced 2024 revenues by $285 million compared to 2023, while 2 percent lower average daily production decreased revenues by $11 million. Average daily production in 2024 was 814 MMcf/d, with prices averaging $1.97 per Mcf. Natural gas sales accounted for 7 percent of the Company’s 2024 oil and gas production revenues and 30 percent of its worldwide production.
The Company’s worldwide natural gas production decreased 14 MMcf/d compared to 2023, primarily a result of natural production decline in the North Sea and U.S., reduced gas-focused activity in Egypt, curtailment of volumes at Alpine High in response to extreme Waha basis differentials, and the sale of non-core assets in the U.S. These decreases were partially offset by increased drilling activity in the Permian Basin coupled with the Callon acquisition.
NGL Revenues
NGL revenues for 2024 totaled $646 million, a $138 million increase from the 2023 total of $508 million. A 17 percent higher average daily production increased 2024 revenues by $95 million compared to 2023, while an 8 percent increase in average realized prices increased 2024 revenues by $43 million. Average daily production in 2024 was 75 Mb/d, with prices averaging $23.37 per barrel. NGL sales accounted for 8 percent of the Company’s 2024 oil and gas production revenues and 16 percent of its worldwide production.
The Company’s worldwide NGL production increased 11 Mb/d compared to 2023, primarily a result of increased drilling activity in the Permian Basin coupled with the Callon acquisition, partially offset by natural production decline in the U.S., curtailment of volumes at Alpine High in response to extreme Waha basis differentials, and the sale of non-core assets in the U.S.
Purchased Oil and Gas Sales
Purchased oil and gas sales represent volumes primarily attributable to domestic gas purchases that were sold by the Company to fulfill natural gas takeaway obligations and delivery commitments. Sales related to purchased volumes increased $647 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 to $1.5 billion from $894 million in 2023. Purchased oil and gas sales were partially offset by associated purchase costs of $1.0 billion and $742 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in purchased oil and gas sales was primarily driven by increased oil volume sales coupled with activity associated with the Callon acquisition.
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Operating Expenses
The table below presents a comparison of the Company’s operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022. All operating expenses include costs attributable to a noncontrolling interest in Egypt.
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Lease operating expenses | $ | 1,690 | $ | 1,436 | $ | 1,444 | |||||
| Gathering, processing, and transmission | 432 | 334 | 367 | ||||||||
| Purchased oil and gas costs | 1,047 | 742 | 1,776 | ||||||||
| Taxes other than income | 270 | 207 | 268 | ||||||||
| Exploration | 313 | 195 | 305 | ||||||||
| General and administrative | 372 | 351 | 483 | ||||||||
| Transaction, reorganization, and separation | 168 | 15 | 26 | ||||||||
| Depreciation, depletion, and amortization: | |||||||||||
| Oil and gas property and equipment | 2,235 | 1,500 | 1,186 | ||||||||
| Gathering, processing, and transmission assets | 6 | 6 | 15 | ||||||||
| Other assets | 25 | 34 | 32 | ||||||||
| Asset retirement obligation accretion | 148 | 116 | 117 | ||||||||
| Impairments | 1,129 | 61 | — | ||||||||
| Financing costs, net | 367 | 312 | 379 |
Lease Operating Expenses (LOE)
LOE includes several key components, such as direct operating costs, repairs and maintenance, and workover costs. Direct operating costs generally trend with commodity prices and are impacted by the type of commodity produced and the location of properties (i.e., offshore, onshore, remote locations, etc.). Fluctuations in commodity prices impact operating cost elements both directly and indirectly. They directly impact costs such as power, fuel, and chemicals, which are commodity price based. Commodity prices also affect industry activity and demand, thus indirectly impacting the cost of items such as rig rates, labor, boats, helicopters, materials, and supplies. Crude oil, which accounted for 54 percent of the Company’s total 2024 production, is inherently more expensive to produce than natural gas. Repair and maintenance costs are typically higher on offshore properties.
During 2024, LOE increased $254 million, or 18 percent, compared to 2023. On a per-boe basis, LOE increased $0.48, or 5 percent, compared to 2023, from $9.68 per boe to $10.16 per boe. The increase in absolute costs was primarily driven by higher operating and labor costs and workover activity associated with the Callon acquisition. The Company also had higher labor costs and other operating costs trending with general inflation across all regions, which were partially offset by changes in foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar.
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Gathering, Processing, and Transmission (GPT)
GPT expenses include amounts paid to third-party carriers for gathering and transmission services for the Company’s upstream natural gas production. Prior to the BCP Business Combination and the Company’s deconsolidation of Altus on February 22, 2022, GPT expenses also included gathering and transmission services provided by Altus Midstream and midstream operating costs incurred by Altus. The following table presents a summary of these expenses:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Third-party processing and transmission costs | $ | 409 | $ | 225 | $ | 269 | |||||
| Midstream service costs – ALTM | — | — | 18 | ||||||||
| Midstream service costs – Kinetik | 23 | 109 | 93 | ||||||||
| Upstream processing and transmission costs | 432 | 334 | 380 | ||||||||
| Midstream operating expenses | — | — | 5 | ||||||||
| Intersegment eliminations | — | — | (18) | ||||||||
| Total Gathering, processing, and transmission | $ | 432 | $ | 334 | $ | 367 |
GPT costs increased $98 million compared to 2023, primarily the result of increased oil and NGL production volumes in the U.S., primarily associated with the Callon acquisition, as well as increased charges for transporting gas production.
Purchased Oil and Gas Costs
Purchased oil and gas costs increased $305 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, to $1.0 billion from $742 million in 2023. The increase is primarily driven by increased oil volume purchases coupled with activity associated with the Callon acquisition during 2024, partially offset by lower average natural gas prices during 2024 compared to the prior-year period. With widening margins under third-party gas agreements, purchased oil and gas costs were more than offset by associated sales to fulfill natural gas takeaway obligations and delivery commitments totaling $1.5 billion for the year ended 2024, as discussed above.
Taxes Other Than Income
Taxes other than income primarily consist of severance taxes on onshore properties and in state waters off the coast of the U.S. and ad valorem taxes on U.S. properties. Severance taxes are generally based on a percentage of oil and gas production revenues. The Company is also subject to a variety of other taxes, including U.S. franchise taxes.
Taxes other than income increased $63 million compared to 2023, primarily from higher severance taxes driven by increased U.S. production volumes primarily attributable to the Callon acquisition.
Exploration Expenses
Exploration expenses include unproved leasehold impairments, exploration dry hole expense, geological and geophysical expenses, and the costs of maintaining and retaining unproved leasehold properties. The following table presents a summary of these expenses:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Unproved leasehold impairments | $ | 35 | $ | 22 | $ | 24 | |||||
| Dry hole expenses | 201 | 92 | 183 | ||||||||
| Geological and geophysical expenses | 21 | 19 | 23 | ||||||||
| Exploration overhead and other | 56 | 62 | 75 | ||||||||
| Total Exploration | $ | 313 | $ | 195 | $ | 305 |
Exploration expenses increased $118 million compared to 2023, primarily the result of dry hole expense associated with an exploration well in Suriname and the completion of an initial drilling campaign in Alaska, where two wells were unable to reach target objectives in the allotted seasonal time window.
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General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses
G&A expenses increased $21 million compared to 2023, primarily driven by higher overall labor costs across the Company and the Callon acquisition, partially offset by lower cash-based stock compensation expense resulting from changes in the Company’s stock price in 2024. For additional information refer to Note 13—Capital Stock in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Transaction, Reorganization, and Separation (TRS) Costs
TRS costs increased $153 million compared to 2023, primarily a result of transaction costs related to the Callon acquisition coupled with separation costs in the North Sea. TRS costs incurred in 2024 primarily comprised $147 million associated with the Callon acquisition, including $76 million of separation costs and $71 million of transaction and integration costs.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (DD&A)
DD&A expenses on the Company’s oil and gas property for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased $735 million compared to 2023. The Company’s oil and gas property DD&A rate increased $3.32 per boe in 2024 compared to 2023, from $10.12 per boe to $13.44 per boe, driven by negative gas price-related reserve revisions in the U.S. Permian Basin and impacts resulting from the Callon acquisition in 2024. The increase on an absolute basis was also driven by higher capital expenditures incurred in the U.S. and the Callon acquisition.
Impairments
During 2024, the Company recorded $1.1 billion of impairments, which included $796 million of oil and gas property impairments in the North Sea, a $315 million impairment of certain oil and gas properties in the U.S. to agreed-upon proceeds for their disposition, and $18 million of inventory impairments in the North Sea and U.S. During 2023, the Company recorded $61 million of impairments, primarily in connection with valuations of drilling and operations equipment inventory upon the Company’s decision to suspend drilling operations in the North Sea.
Financing Costs, Net
Financing costs incurred during 2024, 2023, and 2022 comprised the following:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | 402 | $ | 351 | $ | 332 | |||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs | 6 | 4 | 8 | ||||||||
| Capitalized interest | (29) | (24) | (18) | ||||||||
| Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt | — | (9) | 67 | ||||||||
| Interest income | (12) | (10) | (10) | ||||||||
| Total Financing costs, net | $ | 367 | $ | 312 | $ | 379 |
Net financing costs during 2024 increased $55 million compared to 2023, primarily driven by higher interest expense from higher average long-term debt balances.
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Provision for Income Taxes
Income tax expense increased $741 million from an income tax benefit of $324 million during 2023 to an income tax expense of $417 million during 2024. The Company’s 2024 effective income tax rate was primarily impacted by taxes related to foreign operations. During 2023, the Company’s effective income tax rate was primarily impacted by a deferred tax benefit related to the release of a portion of its valuation allowance against U.S. deferred tax assets and a deferred tax expense related to the remeasurement of taxes in the U.K. as a result of the enactment of Finance Act 2023 on January 10, 2023.
On July 14, 2022, the Energy (Oil and Gas) Profits Levy Act of 2022 (the Energy Profits Levy) was enacted, receiving Royal Assent. Under the law, an additional levy was assessed at a 25 percent rate, effective for the period of May 26, 2022 through December 31, 2025. The Finance Act 2023 included amendments to the Energy Profits Levy that increased the levy from a 25 percent rate to a 35 percent rate, effective for the period of January 1, 2023 through March 31, 2028. As a result, the Company recorded a deferred tax expense of $174 million and $208 million related to the remeasurement of the U.K. deferred tax liability in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
On August 16, 2022, the U.S. enacted the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). The IRA includes a new 15 percent corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT) on applicable corporations with an average annual adjusted financial statement income that exceeds $1.0 billion for any three consecutive years preceding the tax year at issue. The CAMT is effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2022. The Company became an applicable corporation subject to CAMT beginning on January 1, 2024. On September 12, 2024, the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service released proposed regulations relating to the application and implementation of CAMT. In 2024, the Company accrued tax expense of $74 million, which results in a tax credit that can be carried forward indefinitely to offset regular federal income tax expense in subsequent years.
In December 2021, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development issued Pillar Two Model Rules introducing a new global minimum tax of 15 percent on a country-by-country basis, with certain aspects effective in certain jurisdictions on January 1, 2024. Although the Company continues to monitor enacted legislation to implement these rules in countries where the Company could be impacted, the Company does not expect that the Pillar Two framework will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Deferred tax assets are recorded for future deductible amounts and certain other tax benefits, such as net operating losses, tax credits and other tax attributes, provided that the Company assesses the utilization of such assets to be “more likely than not.” The Company assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to realize the existing deferred tax assets. Based on this assessment, the Company has recorded valuation allowances for certain net operating losses, foreign tax credits and capital loss carryforwards that it does not believe are more likely than not to be realized.
During the fourth quarter of 2023, as a result of increases in projections of future taxable income and the absence of objective negative evidence such as a cumulative loss in recent years, the Company determined there was sufficient positive evidence to release a majority of the U.S. valuation allowance, which resulted in a non-cash deferred income tax benefit of $1.7 billion.
For additional information regarding income taxes, refer to Note 10—Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income or capital taxes in various states and foreign jurisdictions. The Company’s tax reserves are related to tax years that may be subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority. The Company is under audit by the Internal Revenue Service and in various states and foreign jurisdictions as part of its normal course of business.
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Capital and Operational Outlook
The Company continues to prudently manage its capital program against a volatile price environment and the effects of global inflation and rising interest rates. Despite these uncertainties, the Company remains committed to its longer-term objectives: (1) to invest for long-term returns in pursuit of moderate, sustainable production growth; (2) to strengthen the balance sheet to underpin the generation of cash flow in excess of its upstream exploration, appraisal, and development capital program that can be directed to debt reduction, share repurchases, and other return of capital to its shareholders; and (3) to responsibly manage its cost structure regardless of the oil price environment.
In 2025, the Company plans to invest $2.5 billion to $2.6 billion in upstream capital investment. The Company is planning an 8-rig program in the Permian Basin, with approximately four rigs in each of the Midland and Delaware basins, and a 12-rig program in Egypt, with one rig dedicated to gas appraisal and exploration. This activity set translates to a combined development capital budget for the Permian Basin and Egypt of $2.2 billion to $2.3 billion. In addition, the Company will invest approximately $200 million for Suriname development and $100 million for exploration, primarily in Alaska.
Based on this development capital budget, the Company anticipates production in 2025 to be slightly higher compared to 2024. This investment profile underscores the progress the Company has made on capital efficiency through the integration of Callon and stabilization of Egypt volumes. At current strip pricing, the Company expects to generate significant cash flow over this capital activity budget. The Company’s current commitment to return capital to shareholders through a mix of dividends and share buybacks remains unchanged.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
Operating cash flows are the Company’s primary source of liquidity. The Company’s short-term and long-term operating cash flows are impacted by highly volatile commodity prices, as well as production costs and sales volumes. Significant changes in commodity prices impact the Company’s revenues, earnings, and cash flows. These changes potentially impact the Company’s liquidity if costs do not trend with sustained decreases in commodity prices. Historically, costs have trended with commodity prices, albeit on a lag. Sales volumes also impact cash flows; however, they have a less volatile impact in the short term.
The Company’s long-term operating cash flows are dependent on reserve replacement and the level of costs required for ongoing operations. Cash investments are required to fund activity necessary to offset the inherent declines in production and proved crude oil and natural gas reserves. Future success in maintaining and growing reserves and production is highly dependent on the success of the Company’s drilling program and its ability to add reserves economically. Changes in commodity prices also impact estimated quantities of proved reserves.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recognized downward reserve revisions related to decreases in commodity prices during the year. The Company’s estimates of proved reserves, proved developed reserves, and PUD reserves as of December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, changes in estimated proved reserves during the last three years, and estimates of future net cash flows from proved reserves are contained in Note 17—Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company believes its available liquidity and capital resource alternatives, combined with proactive measures to adjust its capital budget to reflect volatile commodity prices and anticipated operating cash flows, will be adequate to fund short-term and long-term operations, including the Company’s capital development program, repayment of debt maturities, payment of dividends, share buy-back activity, and amounts that may ultimately be paid in connection with commitments and contingencies.
The Company may also elect to utilize available cash on hand, committed borrowing capacity, access to both debt and equity capital markets, or proceeds from the sale of nonstrategic assets for all other liquidity and capital resource needs.
For additional information, refer to Part I, Items 1 and 2—Business and Properties and Part I, Item 1A—Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Sources and Uses of Cash
The following table presents the sources and uses of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents for the years presented:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Sources of Cash and Cash Equivalents: | |||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 3,620 | $ | 3,129 | $ | 4,943 | |||||
| Proceeds from commercial paper and revolving credit facilities, net | — | — | 24 | ||||||||
| Proceeds from asset divestitures | 1,609 | 29 | 778 | ||||||||
| Proceeds from term loan facility | 1,500 | — | — | ||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of Kinetik shares | 428 | 228 | 224 | ||||||||
| Total Sources of Cash and Cash Equivalents | 7,157 | 3,386 | 5,969 | ||||||||
| Uses of Cash and Cash Equivalents: | |||||||||||
| Additions to oil and gas property(1) | 2,851 | 2,313 | 1,770 | ||||||||
| Acquisition of Delaware Basin properties | — | 24 | 591 | ||||||||
| Leasehold and property acquisitions | 60 | 20 | 37 | ||||||||
| Payments on term loan facility | 600 | — | — | ||||||||
| Payments on commercial paper and revolving credit facilities, net | 40 | 194 | — | ||||||||
| Payments on Callon Credit Agreement | 472 | — | — | ||||||||
| Payments on fixed-rate debt | 1,641 | 65 | 1,493 | ||||||||
| Dividends paid to APA common stockholders | 353 | 308 | 207 | ||||||||
| Distributions to noncontrolling interest – Egypt | 268 | 238 | 362 | ||||||||
| Treasury stock activity, net | 246 | 329 | 1,423 | ||||||||
| Deconsolidation of Altus cash and cash equivalents | — | — | 143 | ||||||||
| Other, net | 88 | 53 | — | ||||||||
| Total Uses of Cash and Cash Equivalents | 6,619 | 3,544 | 6,026 | ||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 538 | $ | (158) | $ | (57) |
(1)The table presents capital expenditures on a cash basis; therefore, the amounts may differ from those discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which include accruals.
Sources of Cash and Cash Equivalents
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Operating cash flows are the Company’s primary source of capital and liquidity and are impacted, both in the short term and the long term, by volatile commodity prices. The factors that determine operating cash flows are largely the same as those that affect net earnings, with the exception of non-cash expenses such as DD&A, exploratory dry hole expense, asset impairments, asset retirement obligation (ARO) accretion, and deferred income tax expense.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 totaled $3.6 billion, up $491 million from the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to higher oil and gas revenues resulting from increased drilling activity in the Permian Basin and production from the acquired Callon properties, partially offset by lower realized commodity prices.
For a detailed discussion of commodity prices, production, and operating expenses, refer to “Results of Operations” in this Item 7. For additional detail on the changes in operating assets and liabilities and the non-cash expenses that do not impact net cash provided by operating activities, refer to the Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows in the Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Proceeds from Asset Divestitures The Company received $1.6 billion and $29 million in proceeds from the divestiture of certain non-core assets during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For more information regarding the Company’s divestitures, refer to Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestitures in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Proceeds from Term Loan Facility On April 1, 2024, the Company borrowed an aggregate $1.5 billion under a syndicated credit agreement. Loan proceeds were used to refinance certain indebtedness of Callon upon the closing of the Callon acquisition. For additional details of the credit agreement, see “Unsecured Committed Term Loan Facility” in the Liquidity section below. As of December 31, 2024, $900 million remained outstanding under the term loan facility governed by the Term Loan Credit Agreement.
Proceeds from Sale of Kinetik Shares The Company received $428 million and $228 million of cash proceeds from the sales of its Kinetik Shares during 2024 and 2023, respectively. For more information regarding the Company’s equity method interests, refer to Note 6—Equity Method Interests in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Uses of Cash and Cash Equivalents
Additions to Oil & Gas Property Exploration and development cash expenditures were $2.9 billion and $2.3 billion for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase is reflective of the Company’s acquisition of Callon, which increased the number of drilling rigs being operated in the Permian Basin, partially offset by the Company’s efforts to balance workover activity in Egypt and reduce drilling activity in the North Sea as it continually assesses inventory opportunities across its diverse portfolio in 2024. The Company operated an average of 22 drilling rigs during 2024, compared to an average of 24 drilling rigs during 2023.
Leasehold and Property Acquisitions During 2024 and 2023, in addition to the Callon acquisition, the Company completed other leasehold and property acquisitions, primarily in the Permian Basin, for total cash consideration of $60 million and $20 million, respectively.
Payments on Term Loan Facility During 2024, the Company made payments of $600 million on its syndicated term loan credit agreement. For additional details of the credit agreement, see “Unsecured Committed Term Loan Facility” in the Liquidity section below. As of December 31, 2024, $900 million remained outstanding under the term loan facility governed by the Term Loan Credit Agreement.
Payments on Commercial Paper and Revolving Credit Facilities, Net As of December 31, 2024, outstanding borrowings under the Company’s commercial paper and U.S. dollar denominated syndicated credit facility were $333 million, a decrease of $40 million from December 31, 2023 as operating cash flows generated in 2024 were used to repay facility borrowings.
Payments on Callon Credit Agreement Upon closing of the Callon acquisition, the Company financed Callon’s repayment in full of its $472 million outstanding under the Callon Credit Agreement.
Payments on Fixed-Rate Debt In April and May of 2024, the Company financed Callon’s repayment pursuant to Callon’s cash tender offers for, and redemptions of all senior notes issued under Callon’s indentures for an aggregate cash payment of $1.6 billion, reflecting principal amounts, premium to par, and associated fees.
During 2023, Apache purchased in the open market and canceled senior notes issued under its indentures in an aggregate principal amount of $74 million for an aggregate purchase price of $65 million in cash, including accrued interest and broker fees, reflecting a discount to par of an aggregate $10 million. The Company recognized a $9 million gain on these repurchases.
The Company may, and expects that Apache will continue to, reduce debt outstanding under its indentures from time to time.
Dividends Paid to APA Common Stockholders The Company paid $353 million and $308 million during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, for dividends on its common stock.
Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest - Egypt Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Corporation (Sinopec) holds a one-third minority participation interest in the Company’s oil and gas operations in Egypt. The Company paid $268 million and $238 million during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, in cash distributions to Sinopec.
Treasury Stock Activity, Net During 2024, the Company repurchased 9.2 million shares at an average price of $26.83 per share totaling $246 million, and as of December 31, 2024, the Company had remaining authorization to repurchase 34.8 million shares. During 2023, the Company repurchased 8.7 million shares at an average price of $37.81 per share totaling $329 million.
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Liquidity
The following table presents a summary of the Company’s key financial indicators as of December 31:
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 625 | $ | 87 | |||
| Total debt – APA and Apache | 6,044 | 5,188 | |||||
| Total equity | 6,362 | 3,691 | |||||
| Available committed borrowing capacity under syndicated credit facilities | 2,966 | 2,894 |
Cash and Cash Equivalents As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $625 million in cash and cash equivalents. The majority of the Company’s cash is invested in highly liquid, investment-grade instruments with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase.
Debt As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $6.0 billion in total debt outstanding, which consisted of notes and debentures of Apache, credit facility borrowings, and finance lease obligations. As of December 31, 2024, current debt included $53 million of finance lease obligations.
Unsecured 2022 Committed Bank Credit Facilities On April 29, 2022, the Company entered into two unsecured syndicated credit agreements for general corporate purposes that remained in effect as of December 31, 2024, but were replaced on January 15, 2025 as detailed below under “Subsequent Event — Unsecured 2025 Committed Bank Credit Facilities.” As of December 31, 2024:
•One agreement was denominated in US dollars (the 2022 USD Agreement) and provides for an unsecured five-year revolving credit facility, with aggregate commitments of US$1.8 billion (including a letter of credit subfacility of up to US$750 million, of which US$150 million was committed).
•The second agreement was denominated in pounds sterling (the 2022 GBP Agreement) and provided for an unsecured five-year revolving credit facility, with aggregate commitments of £1.5 billion for loans and letters of credit.
As of December 31, 2024, there were $10 million of borrowings under the 2022 USD Agreement and an aggregate £303 million in letters of credit outstanding under the GBP Agreement. As of December 31, 2024, there were no letters of credit outstanding under the USD Agreement. As of December 31, 2023, there were $372 million of borrowings under the 2022 USD Agreement, and an aggregate £348 million in letters of credit outstanding under the GBP Agreement. As of December 31, 2023, there were no letters of credit outstanding under the 2022 USD Agreement.
The Company was in compliance with the terms of the 2022 Agreements as of December 31, 2024.
There is no assurance of the terms upon which potential lenders under future credit facilities will make loans or other extensions of credit available to APA or its subsidiaries or the composition of such lenders.
There is no assurance that the financial condition of banks with lending commitments to APA or its subsidiaries will not deteriorate. The Company closely monitors the ratings of the banks in its bank groups. Having large bank groups allows the Company to mitigate the potential impact of any bank’s failure to honor its lending commitment.
Uncommitted Lines of Credit Each of the Company and Apache from time to time has and uses uncommitted credit and letter of credit facilities for working capital and credit support purposes. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, there were no outstanding borrowings under these facilities. As of December 31, 2024, there were £640 million and $11 million in letters of credit outstanding under these facilities. As of December 31, 2023, there were £416 million and $2 million in letters of credit outstanding under these facilities.
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Commercial Paper Program In December 2023, the Company established a commercial paper program under which it from time to time may issue in private placements exempt from registration under the Securities Act short-term unsecured promissory notes (the CP Notes) up to a maximum aggregate face amount of $1.8 billion outstanding at any time. The maturities of the CP Notes may vary but may not exceed 397 days from the date of issuance. Outstanding CP Notes are supported by available borrowing capacity under the Company’s committed revolving credit facilities for general corporate purposes, which as of December 31, 2024, included the $1.8 billion 2022 USD Agreement.
Payment of the CP Notes has been unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis by Apache, such guarantee effective until the first time that the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness under senior notes and debentures outstanding under Apache’s existing indentures is less than US$1.0 billion.
The CP Notes are sold under customary market terms in the U.S. commercial paper market at a discount from par or at par and bear interest at rates determined at the time of issuance.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $323 million in aggregate face amount of CP Notes outstanding, which is classified as long-term debt. As of December 31, 2023, there were no CP Notes outstanding.
Unsecured Committed Term Loan Facility On January 30, 2024, APA entered into a syndicated credit agreement under which the lenders committed an aggregate $2.0 billion for senior unsecured delayed-draw term loans to APA (Term Loan Credit Agreement) the proceeds of which could be used to refinance certain indebtedness of Callon only once upon the date of the closings under the Merger Agreement and Term Loan Credit Agreement. Of such aggregate commitments, $1.5 billion was for term loans that would mature three years after the date of such closings (3-Year Tranche Loans) and $500 million was for term loans that would mature 364 days after the date of such closings (364-Day Tranche Loans). Apache has guaranteed obligations under the Term Loan Credit Agreement effective until the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness under senior notes and debentures outstanding under Apache’s existing indentures first is less than $1.0 billion.
On April 1, 2024 (the Closing Date), APA closed the transactions under the Term Loan Credit Agreement, electing to borrow an aggregate $1.5 billion in 3-Year Tranche Loans maturing April 1, 2027 and to allow the lender commitments for the 364-Day Tranche Loans to expire. As of December 31, 2024, there were $900 million in 3-Year Tranche Loans remaining outstanding under the Term Loan Credit Agreement.
Loan proceeds were used to refinance certain indebtedness of Callon upon the substantially simultaneous closing of APA’s acquisition of Callon pursuant to the Merger Agreement and to pay related fees and expenses. APA may at any time prepay loans under the Term Loan Credit Agreement.
Borrowings under the Term Loan Credit Agreement bear interest at one of two rate options selected by APA, being either (i) an alternate base rate (as defined), plus a margin (Term Base Rate Margin) varying from 0.375% to 1.125% for 3-Year Tranche Loans until the second anniversary of the Closing Date, and 0.625% to 1.375% for 3-Year Tranche Loans after the second anniversary of the Closing Date, or (ii) an adjusted term SOFR rate (as defined), plus a margin (Term Applicable Margin) varying from 1.375% to 2.125% for 3-Year Tranche Loans until the second anniversary of the Closing Date, and 1.625% to 2.375% for 3-Year Tranche Loans after the second anniversary of the Closing Date.
Margins are at varying rates per annum determined by reference to the senior, unsecured, non-credit enhanced, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money of APA, or if such indebtedness is not rated and the Apache guaranty is in effect, of Apache (Long-Term Debt Rating). As of December 31, 2024, Apache’s Long-Term Debt Rating applied, and the Term Base Rate Margin was 0.75% for 3-Year Tranche Loans, and the Term Applicable Margin was 1.75% for 3-Year Tranche Loans.
APA is subject to representations and warranties, covenants, and events of default under the Term Loan Credit Agreement, such as:
•A financial covenant requires APA to maintain an adjusted debt-to-capital ratio of not greater than 60 percent at the end of any fiscal quarter. At December 31, 2024, APA’s debt-to-capital ratio as calculated under the Term Loan Credit Agreement was 19 percent.
•A negative covenant restricts the ability of APA and its subsidiaries to create liens securing debt on their hydrocarbon-related assets, with customary exceptions and exceptions for liens on subsidiary assets located outside of the U.S. and Canada. Liens on assets also are permitted if debt secured thereby does not exceed 15 percent of APA’s consolidated net tangible assets or approximately $2.5 billion as of December 31, 2024.
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•Negative covenants restrict APA’s ability to merge with another entity unless it is the surviving entity, a borrower’s disposition of substantially all of its assets, prohibitions on the ability of certain subsidiaries to make payments to borrowers, and guarantees by APA or certain subsidiaries of debt of non-consolidated entities in excess of the stated threshold.
•Lenders may accelerate payment maturity and terminate lending commitments for nonpayment and other breaches; if APA or certain subsidiaries default on other indebtedness in excess of the stated threshold, has any unpaid, non-appealable judgment against it for payment of money in excess of the stated threshold, or has specified pension plan liabilities in excess of the stated threshold; or APA undergoes a specified change in control. Such acceleration and termination are automatic upon specified insolvency events of APA or certain subsidiaries.
The Term Loan Credit Agreement does not permit lenders to accelerate maturity based on unspecified material adverse changes and does not have prepayment obligations in the event of a decline in credit ratings.
The Company was in compliance with the terms of the Term Loan Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2024.
Subsequent Event—Unsecured 2025 Committed Bank Credit Facilities
On January 15, 2025, the Company terminated commitments under the 2022 Agreements and in replacement thereof, entered into two unsecured syndicated credit agreements for general corporate purposes on terms substantially the same as those of the 2022 Agreements:
•One agreement is denominated in US dollars (the 2025 USD Agreement) and provides for an unsecured five-year revolving credit facility for loans and letters of credit, with aggregate commitments of US$2.0 billion (including a letter of credit subfacility of up to US$750 million, of which US$250 million currently is committed). APA may increase commitments up to an aggregate US$2.5 billion by adding new lenders or obtaining the consent of any increasing existing lenders. This facility matures in January 2030, subject to the Company’s two, one-year extension options.
•The second agreement is denominated in pounds sterling (the 2025 GBP Agreement) and provides for an unsecured five-year revolving credit facility, with aggregate commitments of £1.5 billion for loans and letters of credit. This facility matures in January 2030, subject to the Company’s two, one-year extension options.
Apache has guaranteed obligations under each of the 2025 USD Agreement and 2025 GBP Agreement (each, a 2025 Agreement) effective until the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness under senior notes and debentures outstanding under Apache’s existing indentures first is less than US$1.0 billion.
Letters of credit are available under each 2025 Agreement for credit support needs of APA and its subsidiaries, including in respect of North Sea decommissioning obligations. As of January 15, 2025, letters of credit aggregating approximately £253 million originally issued under the 2022 GBP Agreement were deemed issued and outstanding under the 2025 GBP Agreement.
All borrowings under the 2025 USD Agreement bear interest at one of two per annum rate options selected by the borrower, being either an alternate base rate (as defined), plus a margin varying from 0.0% to 0.675% (Base Rate Margin), or an adjusted term SOFR rate (as defined), plus a margin varying from 1.00% to 1.675% (Applicable Margin). All borrowings under the 2025 GBP Agreement bear interest with respect to any business day at an adjusted rate per annum determined by reference to the Sterling Overnight Index Average with respect to such business day published by the Bank of England, plus the Applicable Margin.
Each 2025 Agreement also requires the borrower to pay quarterly (i) a facility fee on total commitments at a per annum rate that varies from 0.125% to 0.325% and (ii) a commission on the face amount of each outstanding letter of credit at a per annum rate equal to the Applicable Margin then in effect. Customary letter of credit fronting fees and other charges are payable to issuing banks.
Margins and facility fees are at varying rates per annum determined by reference to the senior, unsecured, non-credit enhanced, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money of APA, or if such indebtedness is not rated and the Apache guaranty is in effect, of Apache (Long-Term Debt Rating). APA’s Long-Term Debt Rating currently applies, and the Base Rate Margin is 0.30%, the Applicable Margin is 1.30%, and the facility fee is 0.20%.
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Borrowers under each 2025 Agreement, which include certain subsidiaries of APA, may borrow, prepay, and reborrow loans and obtain letters of credit, and APA may obtain letters of credit for the account of its subsidiaries, in each case subject to representations and warranties, covenants, and events of default, such as:
•A financial covenant requires APA to maintain an adjusted debt-to-capital ratio of not greater than 65% at the end of any fiscal quarter.
•A negative covenant restricts the ability of APA and its subsidiaries to create liens securing debt on their hydrocarbon-related assets, with customary exceptions and exceptions for liens on subsidiary assets located outside of the U. S. and Canada. Liens on assets also are permitted if debt secured thereby does not exceed 15% of APA’s consolidated net tangible assets.
•Negative covenants restrict APA’s ability to merge with another entity unless it is the surviving entity, a borrower’s disposition of substantially all of its assets, prohibitions on the ability of certain subsidiaries to make payments to borrowers, and guarantees by APA or certain subsidiaries of debt of non-consolidated entities in excess of the stated threshold.
•Lenders may accelerate payment maturity and terminate lending and issuance commitments for nonpayment and other breaches; if a borrower or certain subsidiaries defaults on other indebtedness in excess of the stated threshold, has any unpaid, non-appealable judgment against it for payment of money in excess of the stated threshold, or has specified pension plan liabilities in excess of the stated threshold; or APA undergoes a specified change in control. Such acceleration and termination are automatic upon specified insolvency events of a borrower or certain subsidiaries.
The 2025 Agreements do not require collateral, do not have a borrowing base, do not permit lenders to accelerate maturity or refuse to lend based on unspecified material adverse changes, and do not have borrowing restrictions or prepayment obligations in the event of a decline in credit ratings.
Subsequent Event—APA Exchange and Tender Offers for Apache Indenture Debt
On January 10, 2025, the Company settled its private exchange and cash tender offers for certain notes and debentures issued by Apache under its indentures. The Company also then settled its private offering of new notes to fund in part its purchase of Apache notes in APA’s cash tender offers. In settling these offerings pursuant to their respective terms:
•APA issued new notes and debentures under its indentures in aggregate principal amounts of (i) $2.5 billion in exchange for Apache notes and debentures tendered and accepted in APA’s exchange offers, (ii) $203 million in exchange for Apache notes tendered in the cash tender offers in excess of the stated maximum purchase amount or series caps, and (iii) $850 million in the new notes offering, comprised of $350 million aggregate principal amount of APA’s 6.10% Notes due 2035 and $500 million aggregate principal amount of APA’s 6.75% Notes due 2055.
•In addition to issuing the APA notes in the exchange offers, APA paid a total of $2.5 million in cash as part of the exchange consideration.
•APA paid a total of $869 million in cash in the tender offers (comprised of tender offer consideration, exchange consideration for tendered notes exchanged, early participation premium, and accrued interest) for the aggregate $1 billion in principal amount of Apache notes tendered and accepted in the cash tender offers.
•Net proceeds from the sale of the notes in APA’s new notes offering, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts and estimated offering expenses, were approximately $839 million and used to fund in part APA’s purchase of Apache notes in APA’s cash tender offers.
•Each series of APA notes and debentures issued in settlement of the exchange and tender offers has the same interest rate, maturity date, and interest payment dates and the same optional redemption prices (if any) as the corresponding series of Apache notes and debentures for which they were exchanged.
•Each series of APA notes and debentures issued in settlement of the exchange and tender offers and new notes offering are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Apache until the first time that the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness under senior notes and debentures outstanding under Apache’s existing indentures is less than $1 billion.
•APA entered into two registration rights agreements, one covering notes and debentures issued in APA’s exchange and tender offers and one covering notes issued in APA’s new notes offering (each a Registration Rights Agreement).
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These offerings were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), in reliance upon an exemption therefrom, and the APA notes and debentures issued pursuant to such offers are subject to certain transfer restrictions. Each Registration Rights Agreement requires APA and Apache to use their commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cause to be filed a registration statement with respect to a registered offer to exchange each series of APA notes issued in settlement of the exchange and tender offers or new notes offering, as applicable, for registered notes issued by APA and guaranteed, if applicable, by Apache containing terms substantially identical in all material respects to the applicable series of APA notes issued in settlement of the exchange and tender offers or new notes offering (except that the registered notes will not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions or any increase in annual interest rate) and (ii) cause such registration statement to become effective under the Securities Act. If, among other events, such exchange offers are not completed on or prior to the 360th day following January 10, 2025, then additional interest will accrue on the principal amount of such registrable securities at a rate of 0.25% per annum for the first 90-day period beginning on the day immediately following such registration default (which rate will be increased by an additional 0.25% per annum for each subsequent 90-day period that such additional interest continues to accrue, provided that the rate at which such additional interest accrues may in no event exceed 1.00% per annum). To the extent Apache’s guarantee of the registrable securities is terminated in accordance with the terms of such guarantee, the registered notes will not be guaranteed by Apache, the exchange offer and registration requirements with respect thereto will be the sole obligation of the Company, and Apache will automatically be released from all obligations under the applicable Registration Rights Agreement.
The following table presents the aggregate principal amounts of notes and debentures outstanding under indentures of APA and Apache on January 10, 2025 upon settlement of the APA’s exchange and tender offers and new notes offering (Apache notes due 2025 were not included in APA’s exchange or tender offers):
| January 10, 2025 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| APA | Apache | ||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||
| 4.625% notes due 2025 | $ | — | $ | 51 | |||
| 7.70% notes due March 2026(1)(5)(6) | 58 | 21 | |||||
| 7.95% notes due April 2026(1)(5)(6) | 56 | 76 | |||||
| 4.875% notes due 2027(4)(5)(6) | 39 | 69 | |||||
| 4.375% notes due 2028(4)(5)(6) | 239 | 86 | |||||
| 7.75% notes due 2029(2)(5)(6) | 164 | 72 | |||||
| 4.25% notes due 2030(4)(5)(6) | 374 | 142 | |||||
| 6.0% notes due 2037(1)(5)(6) | 341 | 102 | |||||
| 5.1% notes due 2040(1)(5)(6) | 539 | 225 | |||||
| 5.25% notes due 2042(1)(5)(6) | 209 | 65 | |||||
| 4.75% notes due 2043(3)(5)(6) | 153 | 79 | |||||
| 4.25% notes due 2044(3)(5)(6) | 77 | 24 | |||||
| 7.375% debentures due 2047(1)(5)(6) | 126 | 24 | |||||
| 5.35% notes due 2049(4)(5)(6) | 330 | 57 | |||||
| 7.625% debentures due 2096(1)(5)(6) | 37 | 2 | |||||
| 6.10% notes due 2035(7) | 350 | — | |||||
| 6.75% notes due 2055(7) | 500 | — | |||||
| Total | $ | 3,592 | $ | 1,095 |
(1)The Apache March 2026 notes, the Apache April 2026 notes, the Apache 2037 notes, the Apache 2040 notes, the Apache 2042 notes, the Apache 2047 debentures, and the Apache 2096 debentures were issued under the Senior Indenture, dated as of February 15, 1996, between Apache and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (formerly known as The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, formerly known as The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee), as trustee (an Apache Indenture).
(2)The Apache 2029 notes were issued under the Indenture, dated as of November 23, 1999, between Apache (as successor to Apache Finance Canada Corporation), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (formerly known as The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as successor to The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee), as trustee (an Apache Indenture).
(3)The Apache 2043 notes and the Apache 2044 notes were issued under the Senior Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2011, between Apache and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as successor to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (an Apache Indenture).
(4)The Apache 2027 notes, the Apache 2028 notes, the Apache 2030 notes, and the Apache 2049 notes were issued under the Indenture, dated as of August 14, 2018, between Apache and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as successor to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (an Apache Indenture).
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(5)In connection with APA’s exchange and tender offers, Apache solicited the consents of the holders of these Apache notes and debentures to amend the applicable Apache Indenture to remove certain restrictive and reporting covenants. The Apache notes and debentures are senior unsecured obligations of Apache. Apache received consents sufficient to approve the proposed amendments to the Apache Indentures with respect to the Apache March 2026 notes, the Apache 2028 notes, the Apache 2029 notes, the Apache 2030 notes, the Apache 2037 notes, the Apache 2040 notes, the Apache 2042 notes, the Apache 2043 notes, the Apache 2044 notes, the Apache 2047 debentures, the Apache 2049 notes, and the Apache 2096 debentures. As a result, Apache and the respective trustee for the Apache Indentures entered into supplemental indentures on January 10, 2025, implementing the proposed amendments effective as of that date.
(6)The APA March 2026 notes, the APA April 2026 notes, the APA 2027 notes, the APA 2028 notes, the APA 2029 notes, the APA 2030 notes, the APA 2037 notes, the APA 2040 notes, the APA 2042 notes, the APA 2043 notes, the APA 2044 notes, the APA 2047 debentures, the APA 2049 notes, and the APA 2096 debentures were issued under the Indenture, dated as of June 30, 2021, between the Company, as issuer, and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as successor to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. These APA notes and debentures were issued in APA’s exchange and tender offers for Apache’s notes and debentures.
(7)The APA 2035 notes and the APA 2055 notes were issued under the Indenture, dated as of December 11, 2024, between the Company, as issuer, and Regions Bank, as trustee. These APA notes were issued in APA’s new notes offering to fund in part its purchase of Apache notes in APA’s cash tender offers.
Subsequent Event—Open Market Repurchases of Apache Indenture Debt
In the first quarter of 2025 through the date of this filing, Apache purchased in the open market and canceled senior notes issued under its indentures in an aggregate principal amount of $55 million for an aggregate purchase price of $50 million in cash, including accrued interest and broker fees, reflecting a discount to par of an aggregate $7 million. The Company recognized a $6 million gain on these repurchases. The repurchases were partially financed by APA’s borrowing under the Company’s commercial paper program.
Contractual Obligations
Purchase Obligations From time to time, the Company enters into agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms. These include minimum commitments associated with take-or-pay contracts, NGL processing agreements, drilling work program commitments and agreements to secure capacity rights on third-party pipelines. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had contractual obligations totaling $1.1 billion, of which $963 million is related to U.S. firm transportation contracts, $45 million is related to the merged concession agreement with the EGPC, and $110 million is related to other items. Under terms agreed to in the Egypt modernized PSC, the Company committed to spend a minimum of $3.5 billion on exploration, development, and operating activities by March 31, 2026. As of December 31, 2024, the Company has met and fully satisfied the obligation.
Leases In the normal course of business, the Company enters into various lease agreements for real estate, drilling rigs, vessels, aircrafts, and equipment related to its exploration and development activities, which are typically classified as operating leases under the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 842 (Leases). As of December 31, 2024, the Company had net undiscounted minimum commitments of $467 million and $37 million for operating and finance leases, respectively.
Interest Expense Future interest payments based on the current maturity dates of the Company’s fixed-rate notes and debentures as of December 31, 2024 are approximately $3.6 billion.
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For additional information regarding these obligations, refer to Note 9—Debt and Financing Costs and Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
For information regarding the Company’s liability for dismantlement, abandonment, and restoration costs of oil and gas properties, refer to Note 8—Asset Retirement Obligation in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
For information regarding pension or postretirement benefit obligations, refer to Note 12—Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plans in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company is also subject to various contingent obligations that become payable only if certain events or rulings were to occur. The inherent uncertainty surrounding the timing of and monetary impact associated with these events or rulings prevents any meaningful accurate measurement, which is necessary to assess settlements resulting from litigation. The Company’s management believes that it has adequately reserved for its contingent obligations, including approximately $2 million for environmental remediation and approximately $20 million for various contingent legal liabilities. For a detailed discussion of the Company’s environmental and legal contingencies and other commitments, please see Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
With respect to oil and gas operations in the Gulf of America, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued a Notice to Lessees (NTL No. 2016-N01) significantly revising the obligations of companies operating in the Gulf of America to provide supplemental assurances of performance with respect to plugging, abandonment, and decommissioning obligations associated with wells, platforms, structures, and facilities located upon or used in connection with such companies’ oil and gas leases. While the NTL was paused in mid-2017 and is currently listed on BOEM’s website as “rescinded,” if reinstated, the NTL will likely require that the Company provide additional security to BOEM with respect to plugging, abandonment, and decommissioning obligations relating to the Company’s current ownership interests in various Gulf of America leases. Additionally, the Company is not able to predict the effect that these changes might have on counterparties to which the Company has sold Gulf of America assets or with whom the Company has joint ownership. Such changes could cause the bonding obligations of such parties to increase substantially, thereby causing a significant impact on the counterparties’ solvency and ability to continue as a going concern.
Potential Decommissioning Obligations on Sold Properties
The Company’s subsidiaries have potential exposure to future obligations related to divested properties. The Company has divested various leases, wells, and facilities located in the Gulf of America (GOA) where the purchasers typically assume all obligations to plug, abandon, and decommission the associated wells, structures, and facilities acquired. One or more of the counterparties in these transactions could, either as a result of the severe decline in oil and natural gas prices or other factors related to the historical or future operations of their respective businesses, face financial problems that may have a significant impact on their solvency and ability to continue as a going concern. If a purchaser of such GOA assets becomes the subject of a case or proceeding under relevant insolvency laws or otherwise fails to perform required abandonment obligations, APA’s subsidiaries could be required to perform such actions under applicable federal laws and regulations. In such event, such subsidiaries may be forced to use available cash to cover the costs of such liabilities and obligations should they arise.
In 2013, Apache sold its GOA Shelf operations and properties and its GOA operating subsidiary, GOM Shelf LLC (GOM Shelf) to Fieldwood Energy LLC (Fieldwood). Fieldwood assumed the obligation to decommission the properties held by GOM Shelf and the properties acquired from Apache and its other subsidiaries (collectively, the Legacy GOA Assets). On February 14, 2018, Fieldwood filed for (and subsequently emerged from) Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. On August 3, 2020, Fieldwood filed for (and subsequently emerged from) Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for a second time. Upon emergence from this second bankruptcy, the Legacy GOA Assets were separated into a standalone company, which was subsequently merged into GOM Shelf. Under GOM Shelf’s limited liability company agreement, the proceeds of production of the Legacy GOA Assets are to be used to fund the operation of GOM Shelf and the decommissioning of Legacy GOA Assets. Pursuant to the terms of the original transaction, as amended in the first bankruptcy, the securing of the asset retirement obligations for the Legacy GOA Assets as and when Apache is required to perform or pay for any such decommissioning was accomplished through the posting of letters of credit in favor of Apache (Letters of Credit), the provision of two bonds (Bonds) in favor of Apache, and the establishment of a trust account of which Apache was a beneficiary and which was funded by net profits interests (NPIs) depending on future oil prices. In addition, after such sources have been exhausted, Apache agreed upon
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resolution of GOM Shelf’s second bankruptcy to provide a standby loan to GOM Shelf of up to $400 million to perform decommissioning, with such standby loan secured by a first and prior lien on the Legacy GOA Assets.
By letter dated April 5, 2022 (replacing two earlier letters) and by subsequent letter dated March 1, 2023, GOM Shelf notified the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) that it was unable to fund the decommissioning obligations that it was obligated to perform on certain of the Legacy GOA Assets. As a result, Apache and other current and former owners in these assets have received orders from BSEE and demands from third parties to decommission certain of the Legacy GOA Assets included in GOM Shelf’s notifications to BSEE. Apache expects to receive similar orders and demands on the other Legacy GOA Assets included in GOM Shelf’s notification letters. Apache has also received orders to decommission other Legacy GOA Assets that were not included in GOM Shelf’s notification letters. Further, Apache anticipates that GOM Shelf may send additional such notices to BSEE in the future and that it may receive additional orders from BSEE requiring it to decommission other Legacy GOA Assets.
On June 21, 2023, two sureties that issued Bonds directly to Apache and two sureties that issued bonds to the issuing bank on the Letters of Credit filed suit against Apache in a case styled Zurich American Insurance Company, HCC International Insurance Company PLC, Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company and Everest Reinsurance Company (Insurers) v. Apache Corporation, Cause No. 2023-38238 in the 281st Judicial District Court, Harris County Texas. The sureties sought to prevent Apache from drawing on the $148 million in Bonds and $350 million in Letters of Credit and further alleged that they are discharged from their reimbursement obligations related to decommissioning costs and are entitled to other relief. On July 20, 2023, the 281st Judicial District Court denied the Insurers’ request for a temporary injunction. On July 26, 2023, Apache removed the suit to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (Houston Division). Since the time the sureties filed their state court lawsuit, Apache has drawn down the entirety of the $350 million in Letters of Credit. Apache has also sought to draw down on the Bonds; however, the sureties refused to honor such Bond draws. On September 12, 2024, the bankruptcy court issued its opinion (1) finding that sureties’ state court lawsuit against Apache was void; (2) holding that Apache’s claims against the sureties for unpaid amounts may proceed in bankruptcy court; and (3) holding the sureties in civil contempt and awarding attorneys’ fees to Apache as a sanction. The parties settled their dispute in the first quarter of 2025, which resulted in, among other things, mutual releases, the retention by Apache of all amounts drawn on the Letters of Credit, and payment to Apache of $140 million under the Bonds.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company recorded an asset of $178 million representing the remaining amount the Company expects to be reimbursed from security related to these decommissioning costs.
As of December 31, 2024, Apache estimates that its potential liability to fund the remaining decommissioning of Legacy GOA Assets and assets previously sold to other operators ranges from $1.0 billion to $1.4 billion on an undiscounted basis. Management does not believe any specific estimate within this range is a better estimate than any other. Accordingly, the Company recorded contingent liabilities in the amounts of $1.0 billion and $824 million as of December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively. Of the total liability recorded as of December 31, 2024, $929 million is reflected under the caption “Decommissioning contingency for sold Gulf of America properties” and $88 million is reflected under “Other current liabilities” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Changes in significant assumptions impacting Apache’s estimated liability, including expected well decommissioning spread rates, derrick barge rates, and planned abandonment logistics, could result in a liability in excess of the amount accrued.
The Company recognized $273 million of “Losses on previously sold Gulf of America properties” during 2024 to reflect the net impact of an increase in estimated decommissioning costs of Legacy GOA Assets which BSSE may order the Company to decommission. The loss includes $67 million related to properties previously sold to third parties other than Fieldwood for which the Company received BSSE orders to decommission during the year, as well as an increase to the estimated net liability the Company expects to incur for decommissioning Legacy GOA Assets. The Company also recognized losses on previously sold Gulf of America properties of $212 million and $157 million during 2023 and 2022, respectively, in the Company’s statement of consolidated operations.
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Insurance Program
The Company maintains insurance policies that include coverage for physical damage to its assets, general liabilities, workers’ compensation, employers’ liability, sudden and accidental pollution, and other risks. The Company’s insurance coverage is subject to deductibles or retentions that it must satisfy prior to recovering on insurance. Additionally, the Company’s insurance is subject to policy exclusions and limitations. There is no assurance that insurance will adequately protect the Company against liability from all potential consequences and damages. Further, the Company does not have coverage in place for a variety of other risks including Gulf of America named windstorm and business interruption. Service agreements, including drilling contracts, generally indemnify the Company for injuries and death of the service provider’s employees as well as subcontractors hired by the service provider.
The Company purchases multi-year political risk insurance from The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit Trade (ICIEC, an agency of the Islamic Development Bank) and highly-rated insurers covering a portion of its investments in Egypt for losses arising from confiscation, nationalization, and expropriation risks. In the aggregate, these insurance policies provide up to $750 million of coverage, subject to policy terms and conditions and a retention of approximately $500 million.
Future insurance coverage for the Company’s industry could increase in cost and may include higher deductibles or retentions. In addition, some forms of insurance may become unavailable or unavailable on terms economically acceptable.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The Company prepares its financial statements and accompanying notes in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., which require management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect reported amounts in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. The Company identifies certain accounting policies involving estimation as critical accounting estimates based on, among other things, their impact on the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity, as well as the degree of difficulty, subjectivity, and complexity in their deployment. Critical accounting estimates address accounting matters that are inherently uncertain due to unknown future resolution of such matters. Management routinely discusses the development, selection, and disclosure of each critical accounting estimate. The following is a discussion of the Company’s most critical accounting estimates.
Long-Lived Asset Impairments
Long-lived assets used in operations, including proved oil and gas properties and GPT assets, are assessed for impairment whenever changes in facts and circumstances indicate a possible significant deterioration in future cash flows expected to be generated by an asset. Individual assets are grouped for impairment purposes based on a judgmental assessment of the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets. If there is an indication that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recovered, the asset is assessed by management through an established process in which changes to significant assumptions such as prices, volumes, and future development plans are reviewed. If, upon review, the sum of the undiscounted pre-tax cash flows is less than the carrying value of the asset group, the carrying value is written down to estimated fair value. Because there usually is a lack of quoted market prices for long-lived assets, the fair value of impaired assets is assessed by management using the income approach.
Under the income approach, the fair value of each asset group is estimated based on the present value of expected future cash flows. The income approach is dependent on a number of factors including estimates of forecasted revenue and operating costs, proved reserves, the success of future exploration for and development of unproved reserves, expected throughput volumes for GPT assets, discount rates, and other variables. Key assumptions used in developing a discounted cash flow model described above include estimated quantities of crude oil and natural gas reserves; estimates of market prices considering forward commodity price curves as of the measurement date; and estimates of operating and administrative costs. The Company discounts the resulting future cash flows using a discount rate believed to be consistent with those applied by market participants.
To assess the reasonableness of our fair value estimate, when available, management uses a market approach to compare the fair value to similar assets. This requires management to make certain judgments about the selection of comparable assets, recent comparable asset transactions, and transaction premiums.
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Although the fair value estimate of each asset group is based on assumptions believed to be reasonable, those assumptions are inherently unpredictable and uncertain, and actual results could differ from the estimate. Negative revisions of estimated reserves quantities, increases in future cost estimates, divestiture of a significant component of the asset group, or sustained decreases in crude oil or natural gas prices could lead to a reduction in expected future cash flows and possibly an additional impairment of long-lived assets in future periods.
The Company has recorded material impairments of certain proved oil and gas properties and gathering, processing, and transmission facilities during 2024. For discussion of these impairments, see “Fair Value Measurements” of Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Purchase Price Allocation
Accounting for the acquisition of a business requires the allocation of the purchase price to the various assets and liabilities of the acquired business. The amount of goodwill or bargain purchase gain recognized, if any, is determined based on the consideration transferred compared to the amounts of the identifiable net assets acquired on the acquisition date.
The purchase price allocation is accomplished by recording each asset and liability at its estimated fair value. Estimated deferred taxes are based on available information concerning the tax basis of the acquired company’s assets and liabilities and tax-related carryforwards at the merger date, although such estimates may change in the future as additional information becomes known.
In estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, the Company has made various assumptions. The most significant assumptions relate to the estimated fair values assigned to proved oil and natural gas properties. The fair value of proved oil and natural gas properties as of the acquisition date were estimated using the income approach where fair value was determined based on the expected future cash flows from estimated proved oil, natural gas, and NGL reserves and related discounted future net cash flows as of that date. Significant inputs to the fair value estimate included estimates of future production volumes, future operating and development costs, future commodity prices, and a weighted average cost of capital discount rate.
The estimates used in determining fair values are based on assumptions believed to be reasonable but which are inherently uncertain. Accordingly, actual results may differ from the projected results used to determine fair value. Historically there has been volatility in oil, natural gas, and NGL prices, and estimates of such future prices are inherently imprecise. Additionally, the actual timing of the production could be different than projected volumes as of the acquisition date.
Reserves Estimates
Proved oil and gas reserves are the estimated quantities of natural gas, crude oil, condensate, and NGLs that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be economically recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing conditions, operating conditions, and government regulations.
Despite judgment involved in these engineering estimates, the Company’s reserves are used throughout its financial statements. For example, since the Company uses the units-of-production method to amortize its oil and gas properties, the quantity of reserves could significantly impact DD&A expense. A material adverse change in the estimated volumes of reserves could result in property impairments. Finally, these reserves are the basis for the Company’s supplemental oil and gas disclosures. For more information regarding the Company’s supplemental oil and gas disclosures, refer to Note 17—Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Reserves are calculated using an unweighted arithmetic average of commodity prices in effect on the first day of each of the previous twelve months, held flat for the life of the production, except where prices are defined by contractual arrangements. Operating costs, production and ad valorem taxes and future development costs are based on current costs with no escalation.
The Company has elected not to disclose probable and possible reserves or reserve estimates in this filing.
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Offshore Decommissioning Contingency
The Company has potential exposure to future obligations related to divested properties. For information regarding estimated potential decommissioning obligations on sold properties, please refer to “Potential Decommissioning Obligations on Sold Properties” above and in Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company’s estimated contingent obligation is primarily associated with the abandonment, removal and decommissioning of offshore wells and platforms in the Gulf of America. Estimating any future obligation requires significant judgment. The Company utilizes actual abandonment and decommissioning costs incurred as the basis to estimate the expected cash outflows for future obligations. Actual costs incurred often vary based on each structure’s condition, depth-of-water, type, and other similar factors, which are key considerations when estimating the remaining well and platform decommissioning obligation. Asset removal technologies and costs are constantly changing, as are regulatory, political, environmental, and safety considerations. Changes in significant assumptions or the regulatory framework impacting the Company’s estimated liability could result in a liability in excess of the amount accrued.
Asset Retirement Obligation (ARO)
The Company has significant obligations to remove tangible equipment and restore land or seabed at the end of oil and gas production operations. The Company’s removal and restoration obligations are primarily associated with plugging and abandoning wells and removing and disposing of offshore oil and gas platforms in the North Sea. Estimating the future restoration and removal costs is difficult and requires management to make estimates and judgments. Asset removal technologies and costs are constantly changing, as are regulatory, political, environmental, and safety considerations.
ARO associated with retiring tangible long-lived assets is recognized as a liability in the period in which the legal obligation is incurred and becomes determinable. The liability is offset by a corresponding increase in the underlying asset. The ARO liability reflects the estimated present value of the amount of dismantlement, removal, site reclamation, and similar activities associated with the Company’s oil and gas properties and other long-lived assets. The Company utilizes current retirement costs to estimate the expected cash outflows for retirement obligations. Inherent in the present value calculation are numerous assumptions and judgments including the ultimate settlement amounts, inflation factors, credit-adjusted discount rates, timing of settlement, and changes in the legal, regulatory, environmental, and political environments. Accretion expense is recognized over time as the discounted liability is accreted to its expected settlement value.
Income Taxes
The Company’s oil and gas exploration and production operations are subject to taxation on income in numerous jurisdictions worldwide. The Company records deferred tax assets and liabilities to account for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in its financial statements and tax returns. Management routinely assesses the ability to realize the Company’s deferred tax assets. If management concludes that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized under accounting standards, the tax asset would be reduced by a valuation allowance. Numerous judgments and assumptions are inherent in the determination of future taxable income, including factors such as future operating conditions (particularly as related to prevailing oil and gas prices).
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FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001784031-24-000003.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion relates to APA Corporation (APA or the Company) and its consolidated subsidiaries and should be read together in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the risk factors and related information set forth in Part I, Item 1A and Part II, Item 7A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K generally discusses 2023 and 2022 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2023 and 2022. Discussions of 2021 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2022 and 2021 that are not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are incorporated by reference to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of Apache Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (filed with the SEC on February 23, 2023).
On March 1, 2021, Apache Corporation consummated a holding company reorganization (the Holding Company Reorganization), pursuant to which Apache Corporation became a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of APA Corporation, and all of Apache Corporation’s outstanding shares automatically converted into equivalent corresponding shares of APA Corporation. Pursuant to the Holding Company Reorganization, APA Corporation became the successor issuer to Apache Corporation pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Exchange Act and replaced Apache Corporation as the public company trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “APA.” The Holding Company Reorganization modernized the Company’s operating and legal structure to more closely align with its growing international presence, making it more consistent with other companies that have subsidiaries operating around the globe. As a holding company, APA Corporation’s primary assets are its ownership interests in its subsidiaries.
Overview
APA is an independent energy company that owns consolidated subsidiaries that explore for, develop, and produce natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The Company’s upstream business has oil and gas operations in three geographic areas: the U.S., Egypt, and offshore the U.K. in the North Sea (North Sea). APA also has active exploration and appraisal operations ongoing in Suriname, as well as interests in Uruguay and other international locations that may, over time, result in reportable discoveries and development opportunities. Prior to the BCP Business Combination (as defined in the Notes to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K), the Company’s midstream business was operated by Altus Midstream Company (ALTM) through its subsidiary Altus Midstream LP (collectively, Altus).
APA believes energy underpins global progress, and the Company wants to be a part of the solution as society works to meet growing global demand for reliable and affordable energy. APA strives to meet those challenges while creating value for all its stakeholders.
Uncertainties in the global supply chain and financial markets, including the impact of inflation and rising interest rates, and actions taken by foreign oil and gas producing nations, including OPEC+, continue to impact oil supply and demand and contribute to commodity price volatility. Despite these uncertainties, the Company remains committed to its longer-term objectives: (1) to invest for long-term returns in pursuit of moderate, sustainable production growth; (2) to strengthen the balance sheet to underpin the generation of cash flow in excess of its upstream exploration, appraisal, and development capital program that can be directed to debt reduction, share repurchases, and other return of capital to its shareholders; and (3) to responsibly manage its cost structure regardless of the oil price environment.
The Company closely monitors hydrocarbon pricing fundamentals to reallocate capital as part of its ongoing planning process. APA’s diversified asset portfolio and operational flexibility provide it the ability to timely respond to near-term price volatility and effectively manage its investment programs accordingly. For example, the Company deferred drilling and completion activity at Alpine High in the second quarter of 2023 in response to weakness in Waha natural gas and NGL prices but accelerated the completion of eight Permian Basin oil producing wells. The Company also suspended drilling activity in the North Sea during the second quarter of 2023, as increasing cost and tax burdens have impacted the competitiveness of these assets within the Company’s portfolio. Capital investment plans were then aligned across other areas of the portfolio while maintaining a focus on the Company’s capital returns framework established in 2021.
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The Company remains committed to its capital return framework for equity holders to participate more directly and materially in cash returns.
•The Company believes returning 60 percent of cash flow over capital investment creates a good balance for providing near-term cash returns to shareholders while still recognizing the importance of longer-term balance sheet strengthening.
•The Company’s quarterly dividend was increased in the third quarter of 2022 from $0.125 per share to $0.25 per share, representing a return to pre-COVID-19 dividend levels.
•Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2021 and through the end of 2023, the Company has repurchased 76.1 million shares of the Company’s common stock. Subsequent to year-end 2023 and through the date of this filing on February 22, 2024, the Company repurchased 3.0 million shares, and as of February 22, 2024, the Company had remaining authorization to repurchase up to 40.9 million shares under the Company’s share repurchase programs.
Financial and Operational Highlights
During 2023, the Company reported net income attributable to common stock of $2.9 billion, or $9.25 per diluted share, compared to net income of $3.7 billion, or $11.02 per diluted share, in 2022. Net income in 2023 was primarily impacted by lower revenues attributable to significantly lower realized commodity prices compared to 2022. The lower revenues were partially offset by a release of a majority of the Company’s U.S. tax valuation allowance, resulting in a non-cash deferred income tax benefit of approximately $1.7 billion during the fourth quarter of 2023. Net income in 2022 also benefited from approximately $1.2 billion of gains from the divestiture of certain non-core mineral rights in the Delaware Basin and completion of the BCP Business Combination.
The Company generated $3.1 billion of cash from operating activities in 2023, which was $1.8 billion or 37 percent lower than 2022. APA’s lower operating cash flows for 2023 were driven by lower commodity prices and associated revenues and the timing of working capital items. The Company repurchased 8.7 million shares of its common stock for $329 million and paid $308 million in dividends to APA common stockholders during 2023.
Key operational highlights for the year include:
United States
•Daily boe production from the Company’s U.S. assets, which increased 2 percent from 2022, accounted for 54 percent of the Company’s worldwide production during 2023. The Company averaged five drilling rigs in the U.S. during the year, including three rigs in the Southern Midland Basin and two rigs in the Delaware Basin, and drilled and brought online 82 operated wells in 2023. The Company’s drilling was primarily focused on oil prospects, increasing oil production by approximately 12 percent in the U.S. compared to the prior year. The Company’s core Permian Basin development program continues to represent key growth areas for the U.S. assets.
•During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company commenced an exploration program in Alaska, where it anticipates drilling three exploration wells in the first half of 2024.
International
•In Egypt, the Company continued its drilling and workover activity with a focus on oil prospects. The Company averaged 17 drilling rigs and drilled 91 new productive wells during 2023. During 2023, gross and net production from the Company’s Egypt assets decreased 2 percent and 1 percent, respectively, from 2022. The Company continues to build and enhance its drilling inventory in Egypt, supplemented with recent seismic acquisitions and new play concept evaluations on both new and existing acreage opportunities provided by the 2021 merged concession agreement.
•The Company suspended all new drilling activity in the North Sea during the second quarter of 2023. The Company’s investment program in the North Sea is now directed toward safety, base production management, and asset maintenance and integrity.
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•During 2023, the Company and TotalEnergies announced the launch of development studies for a large oil project in Block 58, offshore Suriname. Successful appraisal of two key oil discoveries, with the drilling and testing of two wells at Sapakara South and three wells at Krabdagu, confirmed combined recoverable resources of an estimated 700 million barrels of oil for the two fields. These fields, located in water depths between 100 and 1,000 meters, are expected to be produced through a system of subsea wells connected to a floating production, storage and offloading unit located 150 kilometers off the Suriname coast, with an oil production capacity of 200,000 b/d. Detailed engineering studies are underway, and a final investment decision is expected by year-end 2024, with a first production target in 2028. No additional drilling is anticipated on Block 58 through the end of 2024.
•During 2023, the Company signed a production sharing contract for Block 6 offshore Uruguay covering approximately four million net undeveloped acres and expects to commence exploration activities in 2024. In February 2024, the Company also signed a production sharing contract for Block 4 offshore Uruguay.
For a more detailed discussion related to the Company’s various geographic segments, refer to “Upstream Exploration and Production Properties—Operating Areas” set forth in Part I, Item 1 and 2 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Acquisition and Divestiture Activity
Over the Company’s history, it has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to capitalize quickly and decisively on changes in its industry and economic conditions. A key component of this strategy is to continuously review and optimize APA’s portfolio of assets in response to these changes. Most recently, the Company has completed a series of acquisitions and divestitures designed to enhance the Company’s portfolio and monetize nonstrategic assets in order to allocate resources to more impactful exploration and development opportunities. These acquisitions and divestitures include:
•Callon Petroleum Company Pending Acquisition On January 3, 2024, APA and Callon Petroleum Company (Callon) entered into a definitive agreement (Merger Agreement), pursuant to which APA will acquire Callon in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $4.5 billion, inclusive of Callon’s net debt.
In this all-stock transaction, each eligible outstanding share of Callon common stock will be exchanged for 1.0425 shares of APA common stock, representing an implied value to each Callon share of $38.31 per share based on the closing price of APA common stock on January 3, 2024. After closing, existing APA shareholders are expected to own approximately 81 percent of the combined company, and existing Callon shareholders are expected to own approximately 19 percent of the combined company. APA expects to retire the existing debt at Callon and replace it with APA term loan facilities totaling $2.0 billion.
The transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both APA and Callon and is expected to close during the second quarter of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions, termination or expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, and approval of the transaction by shareholders of both APA and Callon. This transaction complements and enhances APA’s asset base in the Permian Basin and adds to APA’s inventory of high quality, short-cycle opportunities. In addition, Callon’s assets provide additional scale to APA’s operations across the Permian Basin.
•BCP Business Combination On February 22, 2022, ALTM closed a transaction to combine with privately owned BCP Raptor Holdco LP (BCP) in an all-stock transaction. Upon closing the transaction, the combined entity was renamed Kinetik Holdings Inc. (Kinetik). The Company deconsolidated ALTM upon closing the transaction. The deconsolidation provides a number of benefits to APA shareholders, including simplification of the Company’s financial reporting and enhanced comparability with its upstream-only peers, while maintaining a noncontrolling interest in future growth opportunities of Kinetik.
•Delaware Basin Acquisition In the third quarter of 2022, the Company closed on the acquisition of oil and gas assets surrounding core acreage in the Delaware Basin for approximately $615 million after post-closing adjustments. Final cash settlements of $24 million were completed during 2023.
•Sales of Kinetik Shares Subsequent sales of Kinetik Shares have reduced APA’s ownership in Kinetik to approximately 9 percent as of December 31, 2023. During 2023, the Company sold a portion of its Kinetik Shares for cash proceeds of $228 million. During 2022, the Company sold a portion of its Kinetik Shares for $224 million.
For detailed information regarding APA’s acquisitions and divestitures, refer to Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestitures in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Results of Operations
Oil, Natural Gas, and Natural Gas Liquids Production Revenues
The Company’s production revenues and respective contribution to total revenues by country are as follows:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||
| $ Value | % Contribution | $ Value | % Contribution | $ Value | % Contribution | ||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 2,241 | 37 | % | $ | 2,458 | 36 | % | $ | 1,850 | 40 | % | |||||||||
| Egypt(1) | 2,683 | 45 | % | 3,145 | 46 | % | 1,806 | 40 | % | ||||||||||||
| North Sea | 1,073 | 18 | % | 1,232 | 18 | % | 929 | 20 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total(1) | $ | 5,997 | 100 | % | $ | 6,835 | 100 | % | $ | 4,585 | 100 | % | |||||||||
| Natural Gas Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 297 | 34 | % | $ | 918 | 59 | % | $ | 754 | 62 | % | |||||||||
| Egypt(1) | 346 | 39 | % | 370 | 23 | % | 270 | 23 | % | ||||||||||||
| North Sea | 237 | 27 | % | 281 | 18 | % | 183 | 15 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total(1) | $ | 880 | 100 | % | $ | 1,569 | 100 | % | $ | 1,207 | 100 | % | |||||||||
| NGL Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 480 | 94 | % | $ | 765 | 94 | % | $ | 673 | 95 | % | |||||||||
| Egypt(1) | — | — | % | 6 | 1 | % | 9 | 1 | % | ||||||||||||
| North Sea | 28 | 6 | % | 45 | 5 | % | 24 | 4 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total(1) | $ | 508 | 100 | % | $ | 816 | 100 | % | $ | 706 | 100 | % | |||||||||
| Oil and Gas Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 3,018 | 41 | % | $ | 4,141 | 45 | % | $ | 3,277 | 50 | % | |||||||||
| Egypt(1) | 3,029 | 41 | % | 3,521 | 38 | % | 2,085 | 32 | % | ||||||||||||
| North Sea | 1,338 | 18 | % | 1,558 | 17 | % | 1,136 | 18 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total(1) | $ | 7,385 | 100 | % | $ | 9,220 | 100 | % | $ | 6,498 | 100 | % |
(1)Includes revenues attributable to a noncontrolling interest in Egypt.
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Production
The following table presents production volumes by country:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Increase (Decrease) | 2022 | Increase (Decrease) | 2021 | ||||||||
| Oil Volumes – b/d: | ||||||||||||
| United States(5) | 78,889 | 12% | 70,398 | (6)% | 75,205 | |||||||
| Egypt(3)(4) | 89,129 | 5% | 85,081 | 21% | 70,349 | |||||||
| North Sea | 34,728 | 7% | 32,578 | (10)% | 36,265 | |||||||
| Total | 202,746 | 8% | 188,057 | 3% | 181,819 | |||||||
| Natural Gas Volumes – Mcf/d: | ||||||||||||
| United States(5) | 452,281 | (4)% | 473,292 | (10)% | 527,461 | |||||||
| Egypt(3)(4) | 325,778 | (9)% | 356,327 | 35% | 263,653 | |||||||
| North Sea | 50,284 | 42% | 35,327 | (8)% | 38,565 | |||||||
| Total | 828,343 | (4)% | 864,946 | 4% | 829,679 | |||||||
| NGL Volumes – b/d: | ||||||||||||
| United States(5) | 62,997 | —% | 62,727 | (5)% | 66,232 | |||||||
| Egypt(3)(4) | — | NM | 196 | (63)% | 531 | |||||||
| North Sea | 1,240 | 12% | 1,111 | (7)% | 1,199 | |||||||
| Total | 64,237 | —% | 64,034 | (6)% | 67,962 | |||||||
| BOE per day:(1) | ||||||||||||
| United States(5) | 217,266 | 2% | 212,007 | (8)% | 229,348 | |||||||
| Egypt(3)(4) | 143,425 | (1)% | 144,665 | 26% | 114,821 | |||||||
| North Sea(2) | 44,349 | 12% | 39,577 | (10)% | 43,892 | |||||||
| Total | 405,040 | 2% | 396,249 | 2% | 388,061 |
(1)The table shows production on a boe basis in which natural gas is converted to an equivalent barrel of oil based on a 6:1 energy equivalent ratio. This ratio is not reflective of the price ratio between the two products.
(2)Average sales volumes from the North Sea were 45,476 boe/d, 40,812 boe/d, and 44,179 boe/d for 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Sales volumes may vary from production volumes as a result of the timing of liftings.
(3)Gross oil, natural gas, and NGL production in Egypt were as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil (b/d) | 141,985 | 137,260 | 134,711 | |||||||||
| Natural Gas (Mcf/d) | 500,080 | 555,562 | 586,663 | |||||||||
| NGL (b/d) | — | 297 | 854 |
(4)Includes net production volumes per day attributable to a noncontrolling interest in Egypt of:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil (b/d) | 29,739 | 28,200 | 23,504 | |||||||||
| Natural Gas (Mcf/d) | 108,703 | 118,074 | 88,409 | |||||||||
| NGL (b/d) | — | 65 | 177 |
(5)Production volumes per day in the Company’s Alpine High field were as follows:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil (b/d) | 573 | 777 | 1,485 | |||||||||
| Natural Gas (Mcf/d) | 174,454 | 192,253 | 258,096 | |||||||||
| NGL (b/d) | 16,482 | 18,362 | 22,950 |
NM — Not Meaningful
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Pricing
The following table presents pricing information by country:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Increase (Decrease) | 2022 | Increase (Decrease) | 2021 | |||||||||||
| Average Oil Price - Per barrel: | |||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 77.84 | (19)% | $ | 95.68 | 42% | $ | 67.37 | |||||||
| Egypt | 82.47 | (19)% | 101.25 | 44% | 70.33 | ||||||||||
| North Sea | 82.75 | (18)% | 100.87 | 45% | 69.67 | ||||||||||
| Total | 80.72 | (19)% | 99.11 | 44% | 68.97 | ||||||||||
| Average Natural Gas Price - Per Mcf: | |||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 1.80 | (66)% | $ | 5.31 | 35% | $ | 3.92 | |||||||
| Egypt | 2.91 | 2% | 2.85 | 1% | 2.81 | ||||||||||
| North Sea | 13.02 | (44)% | 23.36 | 80% | 12.96 | ||||||||||
| Total | 2.91 | (42)% | 4.98 | 25% | 3.99 | ||||||||||
| Average NGL Price - Per barrel: | |||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 20.85 | (38)% | $ | 33.41 | 20% | $ | 27.85 | |||||||
| Egypt | — | NM | 76.80 | 57% | 48.84 | ||||||||||
| North Sea | 47.77 | (29)% | 67.07 | 24% | 54.30 | ||||||||||
| Total | 21.54 | (38)% | 34.51 | 21% | 28.48 |
NM — Not Meaningful
Crude Oil Prices A substantial portion of the Company’s crude oil production is sold at prevailing market prices, which fluctuate in response to many factors that are outside of the Company’s control. Average realized crude oil prices for 2023 were down 19 percent compared to 2022, a direct result of decreasing benchmark oil prices over the past year. Crude oil prices realized in 2023 averaged $80.72 per barrel.
Continued volatility in the commodity price environment reinforces the importance of the Company’s asset portfolio. While the market price received for natural gas varies among geographic areas, crude oil tends to trade within a global market. Prices for all types and grades of crude oil generally move in the same direction.
Natural Gas Prices Natural gas, which currently has a limited global transportation system, is subject to price variances based on local supply and demand conditions. The Company’s primary markets include North America, Egypt, and the U.K. An overview of the market conditions in the Company’s primary gas-producing regions follows:
•The Company sells its U.S. natural gas production at liquid index sales points within the U.S., at either monthly or daily index-based prices. The Company’s U.S. realizations averaged $1.80 per Mcf in 2023, a 66 percent decrease from an average of $5.31 per Mcf in 2022.
•In Egypt, the Company’s natural gas is sold to EGPC, primarily under an industry-pricing formula, a sliding scale based on Dated Brent crude oil with a minimum of $1.50 per MMBtu and a maximum of $2.65 per MMBtu, plus an upward adjustment for liquids content. Overall, the Company’s Egypt operations averaged $2.91 per Mcf in 2023, a 2 percent increase from an average of $2.85 per Mcf in 2022.
•Natural gas from the North Sea Beryl field is processed through the SAGE gas plant. The gas is sold to a third party at the St. Fergus entry point of the national grid on a National Balancing Point index price basis. The Company’s North Sea operations averaged $13.02 per Mcf in 2023, a 44 percent decrease from an average of $23.36 per Mcf in 2022.
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NGL Prices The Company’s U.S. NGL production, which accounted for 98 percent of the Company’s total 2023 NGL production, is sold under contracts with prices at market indices based on Gulf Coast supply and demand conditions, less the costs for transportation and fractionation, or on a weighted-average sales price received by the purchaser.
Crude Oil Revenues
Crude oil revenues for 2023 totaled $6.0 billion, an $838 million decrease from the 2022 total of $6.8 billion. A 19 percent decrease in average realized prices reduced 2023 revenues by $1.3 billion compared to 2022, while 8 percent higher average daily production increased revenues by $430 million. Average daily production in 2023 was 203 Mb/d, with prices averaging $80.72 per barrel. Crude oil sales accounted for 81 percent of the Company’s 2023 oil and gas production revenues and 50 percent of its worldwide production.
The Company’s worldwide crude oil production increased 15 Mb/d compared to 2022, primarily a result of increased drilling activity in the U.S. and Egypt, and less maintenance downtime in the North Sea, partially offset by natural production decline across all assets.
Natural Gas Revenues
Natural gas revenues for 2023 totaled $880 million, a $689 million decrease from the 2022 total of $1.6 billion. A 42 percent decrease in average realized prices reduced 2023 revenues by $652 million compared to 2022, while 4 percent lower average daily production decreased revenues by $37 million. Average daily production in 2023 was 828 MMcf/d, with prices averaging $2.91 per Mcf. Natural gas sales accounted for 12 percent of the Company’s 2023 oil and gas production revenues and 34 percent of its worldwide production.
The Company’s worldwide natural gas production decreased 37 MMcf/d compared to 2022, primarily a result of natural production decline across all assets and the sale of non-core assets in the U.S., partially offset by increased drilling activity and recompletions and less maintenance downtime in the North Sea.
NGL Revenues
NGL revenues for 2023 totaled $508 million, a $308 million decrease from the 2022 total of $816 million. A 38 percent decrease in average realized prices primarily drove the decrease in NGL revenues compared to 2022. Average daily production in 2023 was 64 Mb/d, with prices averaging $21.54 per barrel. NGL sales accounted for 7 percent of the Company’s 2023 oil and gas production revenues and 16 percent of its worldwide production.
The Company’s worldwide NGL production increased slightly compared to 2022, primarily a result of increased drilling activity and recompletions and less maintenance downtime in the North Sea, offset by natural production decline across all assets.
Purchased Oil and Gas Sales
Purchased oil and gas sales represent volumes primarily attributable to domestic gas purchases that were sold by the Company to fulfill natural gas takeaway obligations and delivery commitments. In 2023, in order to diversify the pricing received for the sale of its natural gas, the Company sold a portion of its purchased gas at international gas prices. Sales related to purchased volumes decreased $961 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 to $894 million from $1.9 billion in 2022. Purchased oil and gas sales were partially offset by associated purchase costs of $742 million and $1.8 billion for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in purchased oil and gas sales is primarily a result of lower average domestic natural gas prices during 2023 compared to 2022.
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Operating Expenses
The table below presents a comparison of the Company’s operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021. All operating expenses include costs attributable to a noncontrolling interest in Egypt and Altus.
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Lease operating expenses | $ | 1,436 | $ | 1,444 | $ | 1,241 | |||||
| Gathering, processing, and transmission | 334 | 367 | 264 | ||||||||
| Purchased oil and gas costs | 742 | 1,776 | 1,580 | ||||||||
| Taxes other than income | 207 | 268 | 204 | ||||||||
| Exploration | 195 | 305 | 155 | ||||||||
| General and administrative | 351 | 483 | 376 | ||||||||
| Transaction, reorganization, and separation | 15 | 26 | 22 | ||||||||
| Depreciation, depletion, and amortization: | |||||||||||
| Oil and gas property and equipment | 1,500 | 1,186 | 1,255 | ||||||||
| Gathering, processing, and transmission assets | 6 | 15 | 64 | ||||||||
| Other assets | 34 | 32 | 41 | ||||||||
| Asset retirement obligation accretion | 116 | 117 | 113 | ||||||||
| Impairments | 61 | — | 208 | ||||||||
| Financing costs, net | 312 | 379 | 514 |
Lease Operating Expenses (LOE)
LOE includes several key components, such as direct operating costs, repairs and maintenance, and workover costs. Direct operating costs generally trend with commodity prices and are impacted by the type of commodity produced and the location of properties (i.e., offshore, onshore, remote locations, etc.). Fluctuations in commodity prices impact operating cost elements both directly and indirectly. They directly impact costs such as power, fuel, and chemicals, which are commodity price based. Commodity prices also affect industry activity and demand, thus indirectly impacting the cost of items such as rig rates, labor, boats, helicopters, materials, and supplies. Crude oil, which accounted for 50 percent of the Company’s total 2023 production, is inherently more expensive to produce than natural gas. Repair and maintenance costs are typically higher on offshore properties.
During 2023, LOE decreased $8 million, or 1 percent, compared to 2022. On a per-boe basis, LOE decreased $0.27, or 3 percent, compared to 2022, from $9.95 per boe to $9.68 per boe. The decrease in costs was driven by lower average foreign currency exchange impacts against the U.S. dollar and decreased workover activity primarily in the North Sea. These decreases were mostly offset by higher labor costs and other operating costs trending with general inflation across all regions.
Gathering, Processing, and Transmission (GPT)
GPT expenses include amounts paid to third-party carriers for gathering and transmission services for the Company’s upstream natural gas production. Prior to the BCP Business Combination and the Company’s deconsolidation of Altus on February 22, 2022, GPT expenses also included gathering and transmission services provided by Altus Midstream and midstream operating costs incurred by Altus. The following table presents a summary of these expenses:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Third-party processing and transmission costs | $ | 225 | $ | 269 | $ | 232 | |||||
| Midstream service costs – ALTM | — | 18 | 128 | ||||||||
| Midstream service costs – Kinetik | 109 | 93 | — | ||||||||
| Upstream processing and transmission costs | 334 | 380 | 360 | ||||||||
| Midstream operating expenses | — | 5 | 32 | ||||||||
| Intersegment eliminations | — | (18) | (128) | ||||||||
| Total Gathering, processing, and transmission | $ | 334 | $ | 367 | $ | 264 |
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GPT costs decreased $33 million compared to 2022, primarily the result of lower upstream processing and transmission costs, partially offset by impacts of the BCP Business Combination. Upstream processing and transmission costs decreased $46 million from 2022, primarily driven by a decrease in natural gas production volumes when compared to the prior-year period. Costs for services provided by ALTM in 2022 prior to the BCP Business Combination totaling $18 million were eliminated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and reflected as “Intersegment eliminations” in the table above. Subsequent to the Company’s deconsolidation of Altus in February 2022, these midstream services continue to be provided by Kinetik but are no longer eliminated.
Purchased Oil and Gas Costs
Purchased oil and gas costs decreased $1.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023, to $742 million from $1.8 billion in 2022. The decrease is a result of lower average domestic natural gas prices during 2023 compared to the prior year. Purchased oil and gas costs were more than offset by associated sales to fulfill natural gas takeaway obligations and delivery commitments totaling $894 million for the year ended 2023, as discussed above.
Taxes Other Than Income
Taxes other than income primarily consist of severance taxes on onshore properties and in state waters off the coast of the U.S. and ad valorem taxes on U.S. properties. Severance taxes are generally based on a percentage of oil and gas production revenues. The Company is also subject to a variety of other taxes, including U.S. franchise taxes.
Taxes other than income decreased $61 million compared to 2022, primarily from lower severance taxes driven by lower commodity prices and lower ad valorem tax rates.
Exploration Expenses
Exploration expenses include unproved leasehold impairments, exploration dry hole expense, geological and geophysical expenses, and the costs of maintaining and retaining unproved leasehold properties. The following table presents a summary of these expenses:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Unproved leasehold impairments | $ | 22 | $ | 24 | $ | 31 | |||||
| Dry hole expenses | 92 | 183 | 66 | ||||||||
| Geological and geophysical expenses | 19 | 23 | 18 | ||||||||
| Exploration overhead and other | 62 | 75 | 40 | ||||||||
| Total Exploration | $ | 195 | $ | 305 | $ | 155 |
Exploration expenses decreased $110 million compared to 2022, primarily the result of higher dry hole expense in Suriname during 2022 coupled with lower exploration overhead and other activities in 2023.
General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses
G&A expenses decreased $132 million compared to 2022, primarily driven by lower cash-based stock compensation expense during 2023 resulting from decreases in the Company’s stock price and in the achievement of performance and financial objectives as defined in the stock award plans. For additional information refer to Note 14—Capital Stock in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Transaction, Reorganization, and Separation (TRS) Costs
TRS costs decreased $11 million compared to 2022. Higher TRS costs in 2022 were incurred in connection with the BCP Business Combination in the first quarter of 2022.
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Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (DD&A)
DD&A expenses on the Company’s oil and gas property for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $314 million compared to 2022. The Company’s oil and gas property DD&A rate increased $1.94 per boe in 2023 compared to 2022, from $8.18 per boe to $10.12 per boe, driven by general cost inflation and the unit of production impact of lower proved reserves during 2023. The increase on an absolute basis was also impacted by an increase in capital investment activity in Egypt and acquisitions in the U.S.
Impairments
During 2023, the Company recorded $61 million of impairments, primarily in connection with valuations of drilling and operations equipment inventory upon the Company’s decision to suspend drilling operations in the North Sea. No asset impairments were recorded in 2022.
Financing Costs, Net
Financing costs incurred during 2023, 2022, and 2021 comprised the following:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | 351 | $ | 332 | $ | 419 | |||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs | 4 | 8 | 8 | ||||||||
| Capitalized interest | (24) | (18) | (9) | ||||||||
| Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt | (9) | 67 | 104 | ||||||||
| Interest income | (10) | (10) | (8) | ||||||||
| Total Financing costs, net | $ | 312 | $ | 379 | $ | 514 |
Net financing costs during 2023 decreased $67 million compared to 2022, primarily driven by losses incurred on the extinguishment of debt during 2022 and gains on extinguishment of debt during 2023, partially offset by an increase in interest expense during 2023 related to higher variable interest rates on credit facility borrowings.
Provision for Income Taxes
Income tax expense decreased $2.0 billion from $1.7 billion during 2022 to an income tax benefit of $324 million during 2023. The Company’s 2023 effective income tax rate was primarily impacted by a deferred tax expense related to the release of a portion of its valuation allowance against U.S. deferred tax assets and the remeasurement of taxes in the U.K. as a result of the enactment of Finance Act 2023 on January 10, 2023. During 2022, the Company’s effective income tax rate was primarily impacted by a deferred tax expense related to the remeasurement of taxes in the U.K. as a result of the enactment of the Energy (Oil and Gas) Profits Levy Act of 2022 (the Energy Profits Levy) on July 14, 2022, and a decrease in the amount of valuation allowance against its U.S. deferred tax assets.
On July 14, 2022, the Energy Profits Levy was enacted, receiving Royal Assent. Under the law, an additional levy was assessed at a 25 percent rate and is effective for the period of May 26, 2022, through December 31, 2025. The Finance Act 2023 included amendments to the Energy Profits Levy that increased the levy from a 25 percent rate to a 35 percent rate, effective for the period of January 1, 2023 through March 31, 2028. Under accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., the financial statement impact of new legislation is recorded in the period of enactment. As a result, the Company recorded a deferred tax expense of $208 million and $174 million related to the remeasurement of the U.K. deferred tax liability in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
On August 16, 2022, the U.S. enacted the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). The IRA includes a new 15 percent corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT) on applicable corporations with an average annual adjusted financial statement income that exceeds $1 billion for any three consecutive years preceding the tax year at issue. The CAMT is effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2022. The Company is not an applicable corporation in 2023 but will be subject to CAMT beginning on January 1, 2024. The Company is continuing to evaluate the provisions of the IRA and its effects on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
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In December 2021, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released Model Rules under the Pillar Two framework, which imposes a 15 percent global minimum tax on large corporations. Such Model Rules have been adopted in certain jurisdictions in which the Company operates, including the United Kingdom, with an effective date of January 1, 2024. While the Company does not anticipate that Pillar Two will have a material impact on its effective tax rate, the Company will continue to evaluate the potential impacts of enacted and pending legislation in the jurisdictions in which it operates.
The Company assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to realize the existing deferred tax assets. The Company showed positive income over the three-year period ended December 31, 2023. During the fourth quarter of 2023, as a result of increases in projections of future taxable income and the absence of objective negative evidence such as a cumulative loss in recent years, the Company determined there was sufficient positive evidence to release a majority of the U.S. valuation allowance, which resulted in a non-cash deferred income tax benefit of $1.7 billion. The remaining U.S. valuation allowance relates primarily to foreign tax credit and capital loss carryforwards.
For additional information regarding income taxes, refer to Note 10—Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income or capital taxes in various states and foreign jurisdictions. The Company’s tax reserves are related to tax years that may be subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority. On September 26, 2022, the Company received a Statutory Notice of Deficiency from the IRS disallowing certain net operating loss carryback and research and development credit refund claims. As a result of the disallowance, on December 14, 2022, the Company filed a petition with the U.S. Tax Court challenging the tax adjustments and requesting a redetermination of the deficiencies stated in the notice. The Company is also under audit in various states and foreign jurisdictions as part of its normal course of business.
Capital and Operational Outlook
The Company continues to prudently manage its capital program against a volatile price environment and the effects of global inflation and rising interest rates. Despite these uncertainties, the Company remains committed to its longer-term objectives: (1) to invest for long-term returns in pursuit of moderate, sustainable production growth; (2) to strengthen the balance sheet to underpin the generation of cash flow in excess of its upstream exploration, appraisal, and development capital program that can be directed to debt reduction, share repurchases, and other return of capital to its shareholders; and (3) to responsibly manage its cost structure regardless of the oil price environment.
In 2024, the Company plans to invest $1.9 to $2.0 billion in upstream capital investment. This investment level reflects the Company’s strategy of moderating activity levels during periods of lower commodity prices. APA will invest for the long term by directing $100 million of the 2024 upstream budget toward exploration activities predominantly in Alaska and $50 million toward progressing a large-scale floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) project in Suriname. The Company’s worldwide adjusted oil and natural gas production is expected be relatively flat year over year, while NGL volumes are anticipated to be lower as the current strip prices would lead to ethane rejection in the U.S. for most of the year.
At current strip pricing, the Company expects to generate significant cash flow over this capital activity budget. The Company’s current commitment to return capital to shareholders through a mix of dividends and share buybacks remains unchanged.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
Operating cash flows are the Company’s primary source of liquidity. The Company’s short-term and long-term operating cash flows are impacted by highly volatile commodity prices, as well as production costs and sales volumes. Significant changes in commodity prices impact the Company’s revenues, earnings, and cash flows. These changes potentially impact the Company’s liquidity if costs do not trend with sustained decreases in commodity prices. Historically, costs have trended with commodity prices, albeit on a lag. Sales volumes also impact cash flows; however, they have a less volatile impact in the short term.
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The Company’s long-term operating cash flows are dependent on reserve replacement and the level of costs required for ongoing operations. Cash investments are required to fund activity necessary to offset the inherent declines in production and proved crude oil and natural gas reserves. Future success in maintaining and growing reserves and production is highly dependent on the success of the Company’s drilling program and its ability to add reserves economically. Changes in commodity prices also impact estimated quantities of proved reserves.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized a slight downward reserve revision related to decreases in commodity prices during the year. The Company’s estimates of proved reserves, proved developed reserves, and PUD reserves as of December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, changes in estimated proved reserves during the last three years, and estimates of future net cash flows from proved reserves are contained in Note 18—Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company believes its available liquidity and capital resource alternatives, combined with proactive measures to adjust its capital budget to reflect volatile commodity prices and anticipated operating cash flows, will be adequate to fund short-term and long-term operations, including the Company’s capital development program, repayment of debt maturities, payment of dividends, share buy-back activity, and amounts that may ultimately be paid in connection with commitments and contingencies.
The Company may also elect to utilize available cash on hand, committed borrowing capacity, access to both debt and equity capital markets, or proceeds from the sale of nonstrategic assets for all other liquidity and capital resource needs.
For additional information, refer to Part I, Items 1 and 2—Business and Properties and Part I, Item 1A—Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Sources and Uses of Cash
The following table presents the sources and uses of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents for the years presented:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Sources of Cash and Cash Equivalents: | |||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 3,129 | $ | 4,943 | $ | 3,496 | |||||
| Proceeds from revolving credit facilities, net | — | 24 | 392 | ||||||||
| Proceeds from asset divestitures | 29 | 778 | 256 | ||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of Kinetik shares | 228 | 224 | — | ||||||||
| Total Sources of Cash and Cash Equivalents | 3,386 | 5,969 | 4,144 | ||||||||
| Uses of Cash and Cash Equivalents: | |||||||||||
| Additions to upstream oil and gas property(1) | 2,313 | 1,770 | 1,101 | ||||||||
| Acquisition of Delaware Basin properties | 24 | 591 | — | ||||||||
| Leasehold and property acquisitions | 20 | 37 | 9 | ||||||||
| Payments on revolving credit facilities, net | 194 | — | — | ||||||||
| Payments on Apache fixed-rate debt | 65 | 1,493 | 1,795 | ||||||||
| Dividends paid to APA common stockholders | 308 | 207 | 52 | ||||||||
| Distributions to noncontrolling interest – Egypt | 238 | 362 | 279 | ||||||||
| Treasury stock activity, net | 329 | 1,423 | 847 | ||||||||
| Deconsolidation of Altus cash and cash equivalents | — | 143 | — | ||||||||
| Other, net | 53 | — | 21 | ||||||||
| Total Uses of Cash and Cash Equivalents | 3,544 | 6,026 | 4,104 | ||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (158) | $ | (57) | $ | 40 |
(1)The table presents capital expenditures on a cash basis; therefore, the amounts may differ from those discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which include accruals.
Sources of Cash and Cash Equivalents
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Operating cash flows are the Company’s primary source of capital and liquidity and are impacted, both in the short term and the long term, by volatile commodity prices. The factors that determine operating cash flows are largely the same as those that affect net earnings, with the exception of non-cash expenses such as DD&A, exploratory dry hole expense, asset impairments, asset retirement obligation (ARO) accretion, and deferred income tax expense.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 totaled $3.1 billion, down $1.8 billion from the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily the result of significantly lower commodity prices and associated revenues and timing of working capital items.
For a detailed discussion of commodity prices, production, and operating expenses, refer to “Results of Operations” in this Item 7. For additional detail on the changes in operating assets and liabilities and the non-cash expenses that do not impact net cash provided by operating activities, refer to the Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows in the Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Proceeds from Asset Divestitures The Company received $29 million and $778 million in proceeds from the divestiture of certain non-core assets during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. For more information regarding the Company’s acquisitions and divestitures and equity method interests, refer to Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestitures in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Proceeds from Sale of Kinetik Shares The Company received $228 million and $224 million of cash proceeds from the sales of its Kinetik Shares during 2023 and 2022, respectively. For more information regarding the Company’s equity method interests, refer to Note 6—Equity Method Interests in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Uses of Cash and Cash Equivalents
Additions to Upstream Oil & Gas Property Exploration and development cash expenditures were $2.3 billion and $1.8 billion for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase is reflective of the Company’s capital program in 2023 and its focus to balance capital investments with cash flow from operations, debt repayment, and capital returns to shareholders. The Company operated an average of 24 drilling rigs during 2023, compared to an average of 22 drilling rigs during 2022.
Acquisition of Delaware Basin Properties During 2022, the Company closed on the acquisition of oil and gas assets in the Delaware Basin for a total purchase price of $615 million after post-closing adjustments. Final cash settlements of $24 million were completed during 2023. Cash consideration paid during 2022 totaled $591 million.
Leasehold and Property Acquisitions During 2023 and 2022, the Company completed leasehold and property acquisitions, primarily in the Permian Basin, for total cash consideration of $20 million and $37 million, respectively.
Payments on Revolving Credit Facilities, Net As of December 31, 2023, outstanding borrowings under the Company’s U.S. dollar denominated syndicated credit facility were $372 million, a decrease of $194 million from December 31, 2022 as operating cash flows generated in 2023 were used to repay facility borrowings.
Payments on Fixed-Rate Debt During 2023, Apache purchased in the open market and canceled senior notes issued under its indentures in an aggregate principal amount of $74 million for an aggregate purchase price of $65 million in cash, including accrued interest and broker fees, reflecting a discount to par of an aggregate $10 million. The Company recognized a $9 million gain on these repurchases. The repurchases were partially financed by Apache’s borrowing under the Company’s US dollar-denominated revolving credit facility.
During 2022, Apache closed cash tender offers for certain outstanding notes issued under its indentures, accepting for purchase $1.1 billion aggregate principal amount of notes. Apache paid holders an aggregate $1.2 billion in cash, reflecting principal, premium to par, and accrued and unpaid interest. The Company recognized a $66 million loss on extinguishment of debt, including $11 million of unamortized debt discount and issuance costs in connection with the note purchases. The repurchases were partially financed by borrowing under Apache’s former revolving credit facility.
During 2022, Apache purchased in the open market and canceled senior notes issued under its indentures in an aggregate principal amount of $15 million for an aggregate purchase price of $16 million in cash, including accrued interest and broker fees, reflecting a premium to par of an aggregate $1 million. The Company recognized a $1 million loss on these repurchases. The repurchases were partially financed by borrowing under Apache’s former revolving credit facility.
On October 17, 2022, Apache redeemed the outstanding $123 million outstanding principal amount of 2.625% notes due January 15, 2023, at a redemption price equal to 100 percent of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. The redemption was financed in part by Apache’s borrowing under the Company’s U.S. dollar-denominated revolving credit facility.
On January 18, 2022, Apache redeemed the outstanding $213 million principal amount of 3.25% senior notes due April 15, 2022, at a redemption price equal to 100 percent of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. The redemption was financed by borrowing under Apache’s former revolving credit facility.
The Company expects that Apache will continue to reduce debt outstanding under its indentures from time to time.
Dividends Paid to APA Common Stockholders The Company paid $308 million and $207 million during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, for dividends on its common stock. During the third quarter of 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an increase to its quarterly dividend from $0.125 per share to $0.25 per share.
Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest - Egypt Sinopec holds a one-third minority participation interest in the Company’s oil and gas operations in Egypt. The Company paid $238 million and $362 million during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, in cash distributions to Sinopec.
Treasury Stock Activity, Net During 2023, the Company repurchased 8.7 million shares at an average price of $37.81 per share totaling $329 million, and as of December 31, 2023, the Company had remaining authorization to repurchase 43.9 million shares. During 2022, the Company repurchased 36.2 million shares at an average price of $39.34 per share totaling $1.4 billion.
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Liquidity
The following table presents a summary of the Company’s key financial indicators as of December 31:
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 87 | $ | 245 | |||
| Total debt – APA and Apache | 5,188 | 5,453 | |||||
| Total equity | 3,691 | 1,345 | |||||
| Available committed borrowing capacity under syndicated credit facilities | 2,894 | 2,238 |
Cash and Cash Equivalents As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $87 million in cash and cash equivalents. The majority of the Company’s cash is invested in highly liquid, investment-grade instruments with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase.
Debt As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $5.2 billion in total debt outstanding, which consisted of notes and debentures of Apache, credit facility borrowings, and finance lease obligations. As of December 31, 2023, current debt included $2 million of finance lease obligations.
Committed 2022 Credit Facilities On April 29, 2022, the Company entered into two unsecured syndicated credit agreements for general corporate purposes that replaced and refinanced Apache’s 2018 unsecured syndicated credit agreement (the Former Facility).
•One agreement is denominated in US dollars (the USD Agreement) and provides for an unsecured five-year revolving credit facility, with aggregate commitments of US$1.8 billion (including a letter of credit subfacility of up to US$750 million, of which US$150 million currently is committed). The Company may increase commitments up to an aggregate US$2.3 billion by adding new lenders or obtaining the consent of any increasing existing lenders. This facility matures in April 2027, subject to the Company’s two, one-year extension options.
•The second agreement is denominated in pounds sterling (the GBP Agreement) and provides for an unsecured five-year revolving credit facility, with aggregate commitments of £1.5 billion for loans and letters of credit. This facility matures in April 2027, subject to the Company’s two, one-year extension options.
In connection with the Company’s entry into the USD Agreement and the GBP Agreement (each, a 2022 Agreement), Apache terminated US$4.0 billion of commitments under the Former Facility, borrowings then outstanding under the Former Facility were deemed outstanding under the USD Agreement, and letters of credit then outstanding under the Former Facility were deemed outstanding under a 2022 Agreement, depending upon whether denominated in US dollars or pounds sterling. Apache may borrow under the USD Agreement up to an aggregate principal amount of US$300 million outstanding at any given time. Apache has guaranteed obligations under each 2022 Agreement effective until the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness under senior notes and debentures outstanding under Apache’s existing indentures is less than US$1.0 billion.
As of December 31, 2023, there were $372 million of borrowings under the USD Agreement and an aggregate £348 million in letters of credit outstanding under the GBP Agreement. As of December 31, 2023, there were no letters of credit outstanding under the USD Agreement. As of December 31, 2022, there were $566 million of borrowings and a $20 million letter of credit outstanding under the USD Agreement, and an aggregate £652 million in letters of credit outstanding under the GBP Agreement. The letters of credit denominated in pounds were issued to support North Sea decommissioning obligations, the terms of which require such support while Apache’s credit rating by Standard & Poor’s remains below BBB; on March 26, 2020, Standard & Poor’s reduced Apache’s rating from BBB to BB+, which was affirmed in 2023.
All borrowings under the USD Agreement bear interest at one of two per annum rate options selected by the borrower, being either an alternate base rate (as defined), plus a margin ranging from 0.10% to 0.675% (Base Rate Margin), or an adjusted term SOFR rate (as defined), plus a margin varying from 1.10% to 1.675% (Applicable Margin). All borrowings under the GBP Agreement bear interest at an adjusted rate per annum determined by reference to the Sterling Overnight Index Average published by the Bank of England, plus the Applicable Margin. Each 2022 Agreement also requires the borrower to pay quarterly a facility fee on total commitments. Margins and facility fees are at varying rates per annum determined by reference to the senior, unsecured, non-credit enhanced, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money of APA, or if such indebtedness is not rated and the Apache guaranty is in effect, of Apache (Long-Term Debt Rating). As of December 31, 2023, Apache’s Long-Term Debt Rating applied, and the Base Rate Margin was 0.40%, the Applicable Margin was 1.40%, and the facility fee was 0.225%.
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A commission is payable quarterly to lenders under each 2022 Agreement on the face amount of each outstanding letter of credit at a per annum rate equal to the Applicable Margin then in effect. Customary letter of credit fronting fees and other charges are payable to issuing banks.
Borrowers under each 2022 Agreement, which may include certain subsidiaries of APA, may borrow, prepay, and reborrow loans and obtain letters of credit, and APA may obtain letters of credit for the account of its subsidiaries, in each case subject to representations and warranties, covenants, and events of default substantially similar to those in the Former Facility, such as:
•A financial covenant requires APA to maintain an adjusted debt-to-capital ratio of not greater than 60 percent at the end of any fiscal quarter. For purposes of this calculation, capital continues to exclude the effects of non-cash write-downs, impairments, and related charges occurring after June 30, 2015. At December 31, 2023, APA’s debt-to-capital ratio as calculated under each 2022 Agreement was 20 percent.
•A negative covenant restricts the ability of APA and its subsidiaries to create liens securing debt on their hydrocarbon-related assets, with exceptions for liens typically arising in the oil and gas industry; liens securing debt incurred to finance the acquisition, construction, improvement, or capital lease of assets, provided that such debt, when incurred, does not exceed the subject purchase price and costs, as applicable, and related expenses; liens on subsidiary assets located outside of the U. S. and Canada; and liens arising as a matter of law, such as tax and mechanics’ liens. Liens on assets also are permitted if debt secured thereby does not exceed 15 percent of APA’s consolidated net tangible assets or approximately $1.9 billion as of December 31, 2023.
•Negative covenants restrict APA’s ability to merge with another entity unless it is the surviving entity, a borrower’s disposition of substantially all of its assets, prohibitions on the ability of certain subsidiaries to make payments to borrowers, and guarantees by APA or certain subsidiaries of debt of non-consolidated entities in excess of the stated threshold.
•Lenders may accelerate payment maturity and terminate lending and issuance commitments for nonpayment and other breaches; if a borrower or certain subsidiaries defaults on other indebtedness in excess of the stated threshold, has any unpaid, non-appealable judgment against it for payment of money in excess of the stated threshold, or has specified pension plan liabilities in excess of the stated threshold; or APA undergoes a specified change in control. Such acceleration and termination are automatic upon specified insolvency events of a borrower or certain subsidiaries.
Consistent with the Former Facility, the 2022 Agreements do not require collateral, do not have a borrowing base, do not permit lenders to accelerate maturity or refuse to lend based on unspecified material adverse changes, and do not have borrowing restrictions or prepayment obligations in the event of a decline in credit ratings.
The Company was in compliance with the terms of each 2022 Agreement as of December 31, 2023.
There is no assurance of the terms upon which potential lenders under future credit facilities will make loans or other extensions of credit available to APA or its subsidiaries or the composition of such lenders.
There is no assurance that the financial condition of banks with lending commitments to APA or its subsidiaries will not deteriorate. The Company closely monitors the ratings of the banks in its bank groups. Having large bank groups allows the Company to mitigate the potential impact of any bank’s failure to honor its lending commitment.
Uncommitted Credit Facilities Each of the Company and Apache from time to time has and uses uncommitted credit and letter of credit facilities for working capital and credit support purposes. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no outstanding borrowings under these facilities. As of December 31, 2023, there were £416 million and $2 million in letters of credit outstanding under these facilities. As of December 31, 2022, there were £199 million and $17 million in letters of credit outstanding under these facilities.
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Commercial Paper Program On December 13, 2023, the Company established a commercial paper program under which it from time to time may issue in private placements exempt from registration under the Securities Act short-term unsecured promissory notes (the CP Notes) up to a maximum aggregate face amount of $1.8 billion outstanding at any time. The Company intends to use net proceeds of the CP Notes for general corporate purposes.
Payment of the CP Notes has been unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis by Apache, such guarantee effective until the first time that the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness under senior notes and debentures outstanding under Apache’s existing indentures is less than US$1.0 billion.
The CP Notes will be sold under customary market terms in the U.S. commercial paper market at a discount from par or at par and bear interest at rates determined at the time of issuance. The maturities of the CP Notes may vary but may not exceed 397 days from the date of issuance.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had not issued any CP Notes.
Committed Delayed-Draw Term Loan Facility. On January 30, 2024, APA entered into a syndicated credit agreement under which the lenders have committed an aggregate $2.0 billion for senior unsecured delayed-draw term loans to APA (Credit Agreement). Subject to satisfaction of certain limited conditions, APA may borrow under the Credit Agreement to refinance certain indebtedness of Callon Petroleum Company, a Delaware corporation (Callon), upon or after closing of APA’s pending acquisition of Callon pursuant to the previously announced Agreement and Plan of Merger among APA, Astro Comet Merger Sub Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of APA, and Callon, dated January 3, 2024 (Merger Agreement).
Two tranches of term loans would be available to APA for borrowing only on the date of closing of transactions under the Merger Agreement and satisfaction of certain other conditions under the Credit Agreement (Closing Date); of the aggregate $2.0 billion in commitments, $1.5 billion is for term loans that would mature three years after the Closing Date (3-Year Tranche Loans) and $500 million is for term loans that would mature 364 days after the Closing Date (364-Day Tranche Loans).
Indebtedness of Callon that APA could refinance by borrowing under the Credit Agreement on the Closing Date includes indebtedness outstanding under (i) the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated October 19, 2022, among Callon, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto (Callon Credit Agreement), (ii) Callon’s 6.375% Senior Notes due 2026 (Callon’s 2026 Notes), (iii) Callon’s 8.00% Senior Notes due 2028 (Callon’s 2028 Notes), and (iv) Callon’s 7.500% Senior Notes due 2030 (Callon’s 2030 Notes, and together with the Callon Credit Agreement, Callon’s 2026 Notes, and Callon’s 2028 Notes, the Callon Indebtedness).
The Credit Agreement has limited conditions to funding on the Closing Date loans requested by APA in accordance with the Credit Agreement, such as consummation of the transactions under the Merger Agreement, no Company Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Merger Agreement) has occurred, repayment of all indebtedness outstanding under the Callon Credit Agreement and Callon’s 2026 Notes, and Callon having no other material indebtedness for borrowed money except for Callon’s 2028 Notes and Callon’s 2030 Notes or as permitted under the Credit Agreement or the Merger Agreement.
Proceeds of loans made under the Credit Agreement may only be used to refinance the Callon Indebtedness and repay fees and expenses related to transactions under the Credit Agreement and the Merger Agreement. To the extent that borrowings by APA under the Credit Agreement are not so used on or before the date that is 120 days after the Closing Date, APA then must prepay the amount of such unused borrowings.
Apache has guaranteed obligations under the Credit Agreement effective until the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness under senior notes and debentures outstanding under Apache’s existing indentures first is less than $1.0 billion.
If $400 million or more in aggregate principal amount of Callon’s 2028 Notes and Callon’s 2030 Notes remains outstanding on the date which is 120 days after the Closing Date, Callon then must guarantee APA’s obligations under the Credit Agreement effective until the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Callon’s 2028 Notes and Callon’s 2030 Notes first is less than $400 million.
APA may at any time prepay loans under the Credit Agreement. APA may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the lenders’ commitments under the Credit Agreement. Unless previously terminated, the lenders’ commitments automatically terminate on the first to occur of: (i) the Closing Date, after giving effect to funding of each lender’s commitments on the Closing Date, (ii) APA’s acquisition of Callon pursuant to the Merger Agreement without loans being
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made under the Credit Agreement, (iii) termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms, and (iv) the Termination Date (as defined in, and may be extended pursuant to, the Merger Agreement).
All borrowings under the Credit Agreement would be in U.S. Dollars and bear interest at one of the following two rate options, as selected by APA, plus the indicated margin:
•One option is a base rate per annum equal to the greatest of (i) the applicable prime rate, (ii) the greater of the applicable federal funds rate and overnight bank funding rate, plus 0.50%, and (iii) an adjusted secured overnight financing rate published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (SOFR) for a one-month interest period plus 1.0%. The margin for this rate option (Term Base Rate Margin) is a rate per annum varying from 0.25% to 1.0% for 364-Day Tranche Loans, 0.375% to 1.125% for 3-Year Tranche Loans until the second anniversary of the Closing Date, and 0.625% to 1.375% for 3-Year Tranche Loans after the second anniversary of the Closing Date, in each case, based on the rating for senior, unsecured, non-credit enhanced, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money of APA, or if such indebtedness is not rated and the Apache guaranty is in effect, of Apache. Apache’s Long-Term Debt Rating currently applies.
•The second option is an adjusted SOFR rate, plus a margin at a rate per annum varying from 1.25% to 2.0% for 364-Day Tranche Loans, 1.375% to 2.125% for 3-Year Tranche Loans until the second anniversary of the Closing Date, and 1.625% to 2.375% for 3-Year Tranche Loans after the second anniversary of the Closing Date, in each case, based on the Long-Term Debt Rating (Term Applicable Margin). For SOFR-based interest rates, APA may select an interest period of one, three, or six months.
Currently, the Term Base Rate Margin is 0.625% for 364-Day Tranche Loans and 0.75% for 3-Year Tranche Loans, and the Term Applicable Margin is 1.625% for 364-Day Tranche Loans and 1.75% for 3-Year Tranche Loans.
The Credit Agreement provides for a ticking fee payable by APA at a rate of 0.225% per annum on the daily average undrawn aggregate commitments thereunder; the ticking fee accrues during the period beginning on the date that is 90 days after January 3, 2024 to the earlier of (i) termination or expiration of the commitments or (ii) the Closing Date.
APA is subject to representations and warranties, covenants, and events of default under the Credit Agreement substantially similar to those in APA’s existing 2022 Agreements. The Credit Agreement does not permit lenders to accelerate maturity based on unspecified material adverse changes and does not have prepayment obligations in the event of a decline in credit ratings.
Contractual Obligations
Purchase Obligations From time to time, the Company enters into agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms. These include minimum commitments associated with take-or-pay contracts, NGL processing agreements, drilling work program commitments and agreements to secure capacity rights on third-party pipelines. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had contractual obligations totaling $1.7 billion, of which $956 million is related to U.S. firm transportation contracts, $614 million is related to the merged concession agreement with the EGPC, and $135 million is related to other items. Under terms agreed to in the Egypt modernized PSC, the Company committed to spend a minimum of $3.5 billion on exploration, development, and operating activities by March 31, 2026. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has spent $2.9 billion and believes it will be able to satisfy the remaining obligation within its current exploration and development program.
Leases In the normal course of business, the Company enters into various lease agreements for real estate, drilling rigs, vessels, aircrafts, and equipment related to its exploration and development activities, which are typically classified as operating leases under the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 842 (Leases). As of December 31, 2023, the Company had net undiscounted minimum commitments of $346 million and $41 million for operating and finance leases, respectively.
Interest Expense Future interest payments based on the current maturity dates of the Company’s fixed-rate notes and debentures as of December 31, 2023 are approximately $3.9 billion.
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For additional information regarding these obligations, refer to Note 9—Debt and Financing Costs and Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
For information regarding the Company’s liability for dismantlement, abandonment, and restoration costs of oil and gas properties or pension or postretirement benefit obligations, refer to Notes 8—Asset Retirement Obligation and Note 12—Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plans in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company is also subject to various contingent obligations that become payable only if certain events or rulings were to occur. The inherent uncertainty surrounding the timing of and monetary impact associated with these events or rulings prevents any meaningful accurate measurement, which is necessary to assess settlements resulting from litigation. The Company’s management believes that it has adequately reserved for its contingent obligations, including approximately $5 million for environmental remediation and approximately $83 million for various contingent legal liabilities. For a detailed discussion of the Company’s environmental and legal contingencies and other commitments, please see Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
With respect to oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued a Notice to Lessees (NTL No. 2016-N01) significantly revising the obligations of companies operating in the Gulf of Mexico to provide supplemental assurances of performance with respect to plugging, abandonment, and decommissioning obligations associated with wells, platforms, structures, and facilities located upon or used in connection with such companies’ oil and gas leases. While the NTL was paused in mid-2017 and is currently listed on BOEM’s website as “rescinded,” if reinstated, the NTL will likely require that the Company provide additional security to BOEM with respect to plugging, abandonment, and decommissioning obligations relating to the Company’s current ownership interests in various Gulf of Mexico leases. Additionally, the Company is not able to predict the effect that these changes might have on counterparties to which the Company has sold Gulf of Mexico assets or with whom the Company has joint ownership. Such changes could cause the bonding obligations of such parties to increase substantially, thereby causing a significant impact on the counterparties’ solvency and ability to continue as a going concern.
Potential Decommissioning Obligations on Sold Properties
The Company’s subsidiaries have potential exposure to future obligations related to divested properties. The Company has divested various leases, wells, and facilities located in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) where the purchasers typically assume all obligations to plug, abandon, and decommission the associated wells, structures, and facilities acquired. One or more of the counterparties in these transactions could, either as a result of the severe decline in oil and natural gas prices or other factors related to the historical or future operations of their respective businesses, face financial problems that may have a significant impact on their solvency and ability to continue as a going concern. If a purchaser of such GOM assets becomes the subject of a case or proceeding under relevant insolvency laws or otherwise fails to perform required abandonment obligations, APA’s subsidiaries could be required to perform such actions under applicable federal laws and regulations. In such event, such subsidiaries may be forced to use available cash to cover the costs of such liabilities and obligations should they arise.
In 2013, Apache sold its GOM Shelf operations and properties and its GOM operating subsidiary, GOM Shelf LLC (GOM Shelf) to Fieldwood Energy LLC (Fieldwood). Under the terms of the purchase agreement, Apache received cash consideration of $3.75 billion and Fieldwood assumed the obligation to decommission the properties held by GOM Shelf and the properties acquired from Apache and its other subsidiaries (collectively, the Legacy GOM Assets). In respect of such abandonment obligations, Fieldwood posted letters of credit in favor of Apache (Letters of Credit) and established trust accounts (Trust A and Trust B) of which Apache was a beneficiary and which were funded by two net profits interests (NPIs) depending on future oil prices. On February 14, 2018, Fieldwood filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. In connection with the 2018 bankruptcy, Fieldwood confirmed a plan under which Apache agreed, inter alia, to (i) accept bonds in exchange for certain of the Letters of Credit and (ii) amend the Trust A trust agreement and one of the NPIs to consolidate the trusts into a single Trust (Trust A) funded by both remaining NPIs. Following the 2018 reorganization of Fieldwood, Apache held two bonds (Bonds) and five Letters of Credit securing Fieldwood’s asset retirement obligations on the Legacy GOM Assets as and when Apache is required to perform or pay for decommissioning any Legacy GOM Asset over the remaining life of the Legacy GOM Assets.
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On August 3, 2020, Fieldwood again filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. On June 25, 2021, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (Houston Division) entered an order confirming Fieldwood’s bankruptcy plan. On August 27, 2021, Fieldwood’s bankruptcy plan became effective. Pursuant to the plan, the Legacy GOM Assets were separated into a standalone company, which was subsequently merged into GOM Shelf. Under GOM Shelf’s limited liability company agreement, the proceeds of production of the Legacy GOM Assets will be used to fund the operation of GOM Shelf and the decommissioning of Legacy GOM Assets.
By letter dated April 5, 2022, replacing two prior letters dated September 8, 2021 and February 22, 2022, and by subsequent letter dated March 1, 2023, GOM Shelf notified the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) that it was unable to fund the decommissioning obligations that it is currently obligated to perform on certain of the Legacy GOM Assets. As a result, Apache and other current and former owners in these assets have received orders from BSEE to decommission certain of the Legacy GOM Assets included in GOM Shelf’s notifications to BSEE. Apache expects to receive similar orders on the other Legacy GOM Assets included in GOM Shelf’s notification letters. Apache has also received orders to decommission other Legacy GOM Assets that were not included in GOM Shelf’s notification letters. Further, Apache anticipates that GOM Shelf may send additional such notices to BSEE in the future and that it may receive additional orders from BSEE requiring it to decommission other Legacy GOM Assets.
As of December 31, 2023, Apache has incurred $819 million in decommissioning costs related to Legacy GOM Assets. GOM Shelf did not, and has confirmed that it will not, reimburse Apache for these decommissioning costs. As a result, Apache has sought and will continue to seek reimbursement from its security for these costs. As of December 31, 2023, $293 million has been reimbursed from Trust A and $336 million has been reimbursed from the Letters of Credit. If GOM Shelf does not reimburse Apache for further decommissioning costs incurred with respect to Legacy GOM Assets, then Apache will continue to seek reimbursement from Trust A, to the extent of available funds, and thereafter, will seek reimbursement from the Bonds and the Letters of Credit until all such funds and securities are fully utilized. In addition, after such sources have been exhausted, Apache has agreed to provide a standby loan to GOM Shelf of up to $400 million to perform decommissioning (Standby Loan Agreement), with such standby loan secured by a first and prior lien on the Legacy GOM Assets.
If the combination of GOM Shelf’s net cash flow from its producing properties, the Trust A funds, the Bonds, and the remaining Letters of Credit are insufficient to fully fund decommissioning of any Legacy GOM Assets that Apache may be required to perform or fund, or if GOM Shelf’s net cash flow from its remaining producing properties after the Trust A funds, Bonds, and Letters of Credit are exhausted is insufficient to repay any loans made by Apache under the Standby Loan Agreement, then Apache may be forced to use its available cash to fund the deficit.
As of December 31, 2023, Apache estimates that its potential liability to fund the remaining decommissioning of Legacy GOM Assets it may be ordered to perform or fund ranges from $824 million to $1.2 billion on an undiscounted basis. Management does not believe any specific estimate within this range is a better estimate than any other. Accordingly, the Company has recorded a contingent liability of $824 million as of December 31, 2023, representing the estimated costs of decommissioning it may be required to perform or fund on Legacy GOM Assets. Of the total liability recorded, $764 million is reflected under the caption “Decommissioning contingency for sold Gulf of Mexico properties,” and $60 million is reflected under “Other current liabilities” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Changes in significant assumptions impacting Apache’s estimated liability, including expected decommissioning rig spread rates, lift boat rates, and planned abandonment logistics could result in a liability in excess of the amount accrued.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company has also recorded a $199 million asset, which represents the remaining amount the Company expects to be reimbursed from the Trust A funds, the Bonds, and the Letters of Credit for decommissioning it may be required to perform on Legacy GOM Assets. Of the total asset recorded, $21 million is reflected under the caption “Decommissioning security for sold Gulf of Mexico properties,” and $178 million is reflected under “Other current assets.”
The Company recognized $212 million, $157 million, and $446 million during 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively, of “Losses on previously sold Gulf of Mexico properties” to reflect the net impact of changes to the estimated decommissioning liability and decommissioning asset to the Company’s statement of consolidated operations.
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On June 21, 2023, the two sureties that issued bonds directly to Apache and two sureties that issued bonds to the issuing bank on the Letters of Credit filed suit against Apache in a case styled Zurich American Insurance Company, HCC International Insurance Company PLC, Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company and Everest Reinsurance Company (Insurers) v. Apache Corporation, Cause No. 2023-38238 in the 281st Judicial District Court, Harris County Texas. Insurers are seeking to prevent Apache from drawing on the Bonds and Letters of Credit and further allege that they are discharged from their reimbursement obligations related to decommissioning costs and are entitled to other relief. On July 20, 2023, the 281st Judicial District Court denied the Insurers’ request for a temporary injunction. On July 26, 2023, Apache removed the suit to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (Houston Division) which subsequently held that the sureties’ state court lawsuit violated the terms of the Bankruptcy Confirmation Order and is void. Apache has drawn down the entirety of the Letters of Credit and is vigorously pursuing its claims against the sureties.
Insurance Program
The Company maintains insurance policies that include coverage for physical damage to its assets, general liabilities, workers’ compensation, employers’ liability, sudden and accidental pollution, and other risks. The Company’s insurance coverage is subject to deductibles or retentions that it must satisfy prior to recovering on insurance. Additionally, the Company’s insurance is subject to policy exclusions and limitations. There is no assurance that insurance will adequately protect the Company against liability from all potential consequences and damages. Further, the Company does not have coverage in place for a variety of other risks including Gulf of Mexico named windstorm and business interruption. Service agreements, including drilling contracts, generally indemnify the Company for injuries and death of the service provider’s employees as well as subcontractors hired by the service provider.
The Company purchases multi-year political risk insurance from The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit Trade (ICIEC, an agency of the Islamic Development Bank) and highly-rated insurers covering a portion of its investments in Egypt for losses arising from confiscation, nationalization, and expropriation risks. In the aggregate, these insurance policies provide up to $750 million of coverage, subject to policy terms and conditions and a retention of approximately $500 million.
Apache also has an insurance policy with U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), which, subject to policy terms and conditions, provides up to $150 million of coverage through 2024 for losses arising from (1) non-payment by EGPC of arbitral awards covering amounts owed Apache on past due invoices and (2) expropriation of exportable petroleum in the event that actions taken by the government of Egypt prevent Apache from exporting its share of production. The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), a member of the World Bank Group, provides $60 million in reinsurance to DFC.
Future insurance coverage for the Company’s industry could increase in cost and may include higher deductibles or retentions. In addition, some forms of insurance may become unavailable or unavailable on terms economically acceptable.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The Company prepares its financial statements and accompanying notes in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., which require management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect reported amounts in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. The Company identifies certain accounting policies involving estimation as critical accounting estimates based on, among other things, their impact on the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity, as well as the degree of difficulty, subjectivity, and complexity in their deployment. Critical accounting estimates address accounting matters that are inherently uncertain due to unknown future resolution of such matters. Management routinely discusses the development, selection, and disclosure of each critical accounting estimate. The following is a discussion of the Company’s most critical accounting estimates.
Reserves Estimates
Proved oil and gas reserves are the estimated quantities of natural gas, crude oil, condensate, and NGLs that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing conditions, operating conditions, and government regulations.
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Despite judgment involved in these engineering estimates, the Company’s reserves are used throughout its financial statements. For example, since the Company uses the units-of-production method to amortize its oil and gas properties, the quantity of reserves could significantly impact DD&A expense. A material adverse change in the estimated volumes of reserves could result in property impairments. Finally, these reserves are the basis for the Company’s supplemental oil and gas disclosures. For more information regarding the Company’s supplemental oil and gas disclosures, refer to Note 18—Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Reserves are calculated using an unweighted arithmetic average of commodity prices in effect on the first day of each of the previous twelve months, held flat for the life of the production, except where prices are defined by contractual arrangements. Operating costs, production and ad valorem taxes and future development costs are based on current costs with no escalation.
The Company has elected not to disclose probable and possible reserves or reserve estimates in this filing.
Oil and Gas Exploration Costs
The Company accounts for its exploration and production activities using the successful efforts method of accounting. Costs of acquiring unproved and proved oil and gas leasehold acreage are capitalized. Costs of drilling and equipping productive wells, including development dry holes, and related production facilities are also capitalized. Oil and gas exploration costs, other than the costs of drilling exploratory wells, are charged to expense as incurred. Costs associated with drilling an exploratory well are initially capitalized, or suspended, pending a determination as to whether proved reserves have been found. On a quarterly basis, management reviews the status of all suspended exploratory well costs in light of ongoing exploration activities and determines whether the Company is making sufficient progress in its ongoing exploration and appraisal efforts or, in the case of discoveries requiring government sanctioning, whether development negotiations are underway and proceeding as planned. If management determines that future appraisal drilling or development activities are unlikely to occur, associated suspended exploratory well costs are recorded as dry hole expense and reported in exploration expense in the statement of consolidated operations. Otherwise, the costs of exploratory wells remain capitalized.
Offshore Decommissioning Contingency
The Company has potential exposure to future obligations related to divested properties. For information regarding estimated potential decommissioning obligations on sold properties, please refer to “Potential Decommissioning Obligations on Sold Properties” above and in Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part IV, Item 5 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company’s estimated contingent obligation is primarily associated with the abandonment, removal and decommissioning of offshore wells and platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. Estimating any future obligation requires significant judgment. The Company utilizes actual abandonment and decommissioning costs incurred as the basis to estimate the expected cash outflows for future obligations. Actual costs incurred often vary based on each structure’s condition, depth-of-water, type, and other similar factors, which are key considerations when estimating the remaining well and platform decommissioning obligation. Asset removal technologies and costs are constantly changing, as are regulatory, political, environmental, and safety considerations. Changes in significant assumptions or the regulatory framework impacting the Company’s estimated liability could result in a liability in excess of the amount accrued.
Asset Retirement Obligation (ARO)
The Company has significant obligations to remove tangible equipment and restore land or seabed at the end of oil and gas production operations. The Company’s removal and restoration obligations are primarily associated with plugging and abandoning wells and removing and disposing of offshore oil and gas platforms in the North Sea. Estimating the future restoration and removal costs is difficult and requires management to make estimates and judgments. Asset removal technologies and costs are constantly changing, as are regulatory, political, environmental, safety, and public relations considerations.
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ARO associated with retiring tangible long-lived assets is recognized as a liability in the period in which the legal obligation is incurred and becomes determinable. The liability is offset by a corresponding increase in the underlying asset. The ARO liability reflects the estimated present value of the amount of dismantlement, removal, site reclamation, and similar activities associated with the Company’s oil and gas properties and other long-lived assets. The Company utilizes current retirement costs to estimate the expected cash outflows for retirement obligations. Inherent in the present value calculation are numerous assumptions and judgments including the ultimate settlement amounts, inflation factors, credit-adjusted discount rates, timing of settlement, and changes in the legal, regulatory, environmental, and political environments. Accretion expense is recognized over time as the discounted liability is accreted to its expected settlement value.
Income Taxes
The Company’s oil and gas exploration and production operations are subject to taxation on income in numerous jurisdictions worldwide. The Company records deferred tax assets and liabilities to account for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in its financial statements and tax returns. Management routinely assesses the ability to realize the Company’s deferred tax assets. If management concludes that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized under accounting standards, the tax asset would be reduced by a valuation allowance. Numerous judgments and assumptions are inherent in the determination of future taxable income, including factors such as future operating conditions (particularly as related to prevailing oil and gas prices).
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FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001784031-23-000007.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion relates to APA Corporation (APA or the Company) and its consolidated subsidiaries and should be read together in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the risk factors and related information set forth in Part I, Item 1A and Part II, Item 7A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K generally discusses 2022 and 2021 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2022 and 2021. Discussions of 2020 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2021 and 2020 that are not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are incorporated by reference to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of Apache Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 (filed with the SEC on February 22, 2022).
On March 1, 2021, Apache Corporation consummated a holding company reorganization (the Holding Company Reorganization), pursuant to which Apache Corporation became a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of APA Corporation, and all of Apache Corporation’s outstanding shares automatically converted into equivalent corresponding shares of APA Corporation. Pursuant to the Holding Company Reorganization, APA Corporation became the successor issuer to Apache Corporation pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Exchange Act and replaced Apache Corporation as the public company trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “APA.” The Holding Company Reorganization modernized the Company’s operating and legal structure to more closely align with its growing international presence, making it more consistent with other companies that have subsidiaries operating around the globe. As a holding company, APA Corporation’s primary assets are its ownership interests in its subsidiaries.
Overview
APA is an independent energy company that owns consolidated subsidiaries that explore for, develop, and produce natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The Company’s upstream business currently has exploration and production operations in three geographic areas: the U.S., Egypt, and offshore the U.K. in the North Sea (North Sea). APA also has active exploration and appraisal operations ongoing in Suriname, as well as interests in the Dominican Republic and other international locations that may, over time, result in reportable discoveries and development opportunities. Prior to the BCP Business Combination defined below, the Company’s midstream business was operated by Altus. Altus owned, developed, and operated a midstream energy asset network in the Permian Basin of West Texas.
APA believes energy underpins global progress, and the Company wants to be a part of the conversation and solution as society works to meet growing global demand for reliable and affordable energy. APA strives to meet those challenges while creating value for all its stakeholders.
Early in 2020, impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and related governmental actions began to exert significant downward pressure on crude oil and natural gas prices. Since that time, commodity prices worldwide have largely rebounded; however, uncertainties in the global supply chain, commodity prices, and financial markets, including the impact of inflation, rising interest rates, and the conflict in Ukraine continue to impact oil supply and demand. Despite these uncertainties, the Company remains committed to its longer-term objectives: (1) to maintain a balanced asset portfolio, including advancement of ongoing exploration and appraisal activities offshore Suriname; (2) to invest for long-term returns over production growth; and (3) to budget conservatively to generate cash flow in excess of its upstream exploration, appraisal, and development capital program that can be directed to debt reduction, share repurchases, and other return of capital to its shareholders. The Company continues to aggressively manage its cost structure regardless of the oil price environment and closely monitors hydrocarbon pricing fundamentals to reallocate capital as part of its ongoing planning process. For additional detail on the Company’s forward capital investment outlook, refer to “Capital and Operational Outlook” below.
During 2022, the Company reported net income attributable to common stock of $3.7 billion, or $11.02 per diluted share, compared to net income of $973 million, or $2.59 per diluted share, in 2021. Net income in 2022 benefited from higher commodity prices and increased revenues attributable to a new merged concession agreement in Egypt. The increase in realized prices was primarily driven by the effects of global inflation, the conflict in Ukraine on global commodity prices, and uncertainties around spare capacity and energy security globally.
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The Company generated $4.9 billion of cash from operating activities in 2022, which was $1.4 billion or 41 percent higher than the prior year. APA’s higher operating cash flows for 2022 were driven by higher crude oil and natural gas prices and associated revenues. Since year-end 2021, the Company has reduced its total outstanding debt and redeemable preferred interests by $2 billion and $712 million, respectively, through the deconsolidation of ALTM and the retirement of outstanding notes and debentures. The Company also repurchased 36.2 million shares of its common stock for $1.4 billion during 2022. The Company had $245 million of cash on hand at December 31, 2022.
The Company remains committed to its capital return framework established in 2021 for equity holders to participate more directly and materially in cash returns.
•The Company believes returning 60 percent of cash flow over capital investment creates a good balance for providing near-term cash returns to shareholders while still recognizing the importance of longer-term balance sheet strengthening.
•The Company’s quarterly dividend was increased in the fourth quarter of 2021 from $0.0625 per share to $0.125 per share. The dividend was further increased in the third quarter of 2022 to $0.25 per share, representing a return to pre-COVID-19 dividend levels.
•Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2021 and through the end of 2022, the Company has repurchased 67.4 million shares of the Company’s common stock. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had remaining authorization to repurchase up to 52.6 million shares under the Company’s share repurchase programs.
The Company does not anticipate any significant changes to activity levels in its three-year capital investment program or capital return framework in the context of higher strip oil and gas prices, remaining committed to safe, steady, and efficient operations across all assets and returning free cash flow to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.
Operational Highlights
Key operational highlights for the year include:
United States
•Daily boe production from the Company’s U.S. assets, which decreased 8 percent from the prior year end, accounted for 53 percent of its total worldwide production during 2022. During 2022, the Company averaged 4 drilling rigs in the U.S., averaging 2 rigs each in the Southern Midland Basin and Delaware Basin assets. The Company’s core Midland Basin development program and newly acquired properties in the Texas Delaware Basin are expected to represent key growth areas for the U.S. assets.
International
•In December 2021, the Egyptian President signed and ratified the previously announced agreement with the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) to modernize the terms of the majority of the Company’s production-sharing contracts, having an effective date of April 1, 2021. The new merged concession agreement (MCA) consolidated 98 percent of gross acreage and 90 percent of gross production under one concession agreement and refreshes the existing development lease terms for 20 years and exploration leases for 5 years. The consolidated concession has a single cost recovery pool that provides improved access to cost recovery, a fixed 40 percent cost recovery limit, and a fixed profit-sharing rate of 30 percent for all the Company’s production covered under the new concession. The changes also simplify the contractual relationship with EGPC, facilitate recovery of prior investment, and update day-to-day operational governance. The Apache entity that is the sole contractor is owned two-thirds by Apache and one-third by Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Corporation (Sinopec).
•Egypt gross equivalent production decreased 1 percent and net production increased 26 percent from 2021, primarily a function of improved cost recovery under the new merged concession agreement ratified at the end of 2021. The Company continues to build and enhance its drilling inventory in Egypt, supplemented with recent seismic acquisitions and new play concept evaluations on both new and existing acreage. The Company continues to increase drilling and workover activity as a result of the merged concession agreement. Egypt production growth is building on improvements in new well connections and recompletion activity.
•During 2022, the Company focused on several environmental initiatives in Egypt and has delivered on its 2022 upstream flaring reduction goal by flaring at least 40 percent less gas than would otherwise be flared without these initiatives, with the Company now compressing this gas into sales lines.
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•The North Sea maintained two drilling rigs during 2022. Production was negatively impacted by considerable planned and unplanned downtime at Beryl and Forties during the third quarter of 2022, improving in the fourth quarter of 2022 following completion of these maintenance activities.
•During the second quarter of 2022, the Company announced flow test results from the Krabdagu exploration well on Block 58 offshore Suriname, which encountered approximately 32 meters of net pay in each of the Upper Campanian and Lower Campanian zones. Since 2019, the Company and TotalEnergies have drilled or participated in five discovery wells in the block, the Maka Central-1, Sapakara West-1, Kwaskwasi-1, Keskesi East-1, and Krabdagu-1, all of which successfully tested for the presence of hydrocarbons. Ongoing exploration and appraisal drilling is continuing to confirm additional resource and optimal development well locations. APA holds a 50 percent working interest in Block 58, with TotalEnergies, the operator, holding the other 50 percent working interest.
•During the third quarter of 2022, the Company announced an oil discovery offshore Suriname at Baja-1 in Block 53. Baja-1 was drilled to a depth of 5,290 meters and encountered 34 meters of net oil pay in a single interval within the Campanian. Fluid and log analysis indicates light oil with a gas-oil ratio of 1,600 to 2,200 standard cubic feet per barrel. Evaluation of open-hole well logs, cores, and reservoir fluids is ongoing. The Company also received regulatory approval regarding an amendment to the Block 53 production-sharing contract which provides options to extend the exploration period of the contract. The first option was executed and extended the license to year-end 2023, with the option to extend further, subject to certain other investment commitments. APA is the operator and holds a 45 percent interest in Block 53.
For a more detailed discussion related to the Company’s various geographic segments, refer to “Upstream Exploration and Production Properties—Operating Areas” set forth in Part I, Item 1 and 2 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Acquisition and Divestiture Activity
Over the Company’s history, it has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to capitalize quickly and decisively on changes in its industry and economic conditions. A key component of this strategy is to continuously review and optimize APA’s portfolio of assets in response to these changes. Most recently, the Company has completed a series of acquisitions and divestitures designed to enhance the Company’s portfolio and monetize nonstrategic assets in order to allocate resources to more impactful exploration and development opportunities. These acquisitions and divestitures during 2022 include:
•BCP Business Combination On February 22, 2022, ALTM closed a transaction to combine with privately owned BCP Raptor Holdco LP (BCP and, together with BCP Raptor Holdco GP, LLC, the Contributed Entities) in an all-stock transaction, pursuant to the Contribution Agreement entered into by and among ALTM, Altus Midstream LP, New BCP Raptor Holdco, LLC (the Contributor), and BCP (the BCP Contribution Agreement). Upon closing the transaction, the combined entity was renamed Kinetik Holdings Inc. (Kinetik). As consideration for the contribution of the Contributed Interests, ALTM issued 50 million shares of Class C Common Stock (and Altus Midstream LP issued a corresponding number of common units) to BCP’s unitholders.
ALTM’s stockholders continued to hold their existing shares of ALTM common stock. Apache Midstream LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of APA, which owned approximately 79 percent of the issued and outstanding shares of ALTM common stock prior to the BCP Business Combination, owned approximately 20 percent of the issued and outstanding shares of Kinetik common stock after the transaction closed. The Company deconsolidated ALTM upon closing the transaction and recognized a gain of approximately $609 million that reflects the difference of the Company’s share of ALTM’s deconsolidated balance sheet and the fair value of its 20 percent retained ownership in the combined entity.
Subsequent to the close of the transaction, in March 2022, the Company sold four million of its shares of Kinetik Class A Common Stock for $224 million, reducing the Company’s retained ownership percentage in Kinetik to approximately 13 percent.
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•Delaware Basin Divestitures & Acquisitions In the third quarter of 2022, the Company closed on the acquisition of oil and gas assets surrounding core acreage in the Delaware Basin for approximately $615 million after post-closing adjustments. The Company paid $591 million in connection with this acquisition during 2022, with final cash settlement anticipated to be completed during the first quarter of 2023. Also during 2022, the Company completed a previously announced transaction to sell certain non-core mineral rights in the Delaware Basin, for total cash proceeds of $726 million.
•U.S. Leasehold Acquisitions During 2022, the Company completed other leasehold and property acquisitions, primarily in the Permian Basin, for total cash consideration of approximately $37 million.
•U.S. Leasehold Divestitures & Other During 2022, the Company completed the sale of non-core assets and leasehold in multiple transactions for total cash proceeds of $52 million.
For detailed information regarding APA’s acquisitions and divestitures, refer to Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestitures in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Results of Operations
Oil, Natural Gas, and Natural Gas Liquids Production Revenues
The Company’s production revenues and respective contribution to total revenues by country are as follows:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||
| $ Value | % Contribution | $ Value | % Contribution | $ Value | % Contribution | ||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 2,458 | 36 | % | $ | 1,850 | 40 | % | $ | 1,209 | 39 | % | |||||||||
| Egypt(1) | 3,145 | 46 | % | 1,806 | 40 | % | 1,102 | 35 | % | ||||||||||||
| North Sea | 1,232 | 18 | % | 929 | 20 | % | 795 | 26 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total(1) | $ | 6,835 | 100 | % | $ | 4,585 | 100 | % | $ | 3,106 | 100 | % | |||||||||
| Natural Gas Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 918 | 59 | % | $ | 754 | 62 | % | $ | 251 | 42 | % | |||||||||
| Egypt(1) | 370 | 23 | % | 270 | 23 | % | 280 | 47 | % | ||||||||||||
| North Sea | 281 | 18 | % | 183 | 15 | % | 67 | 11 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total(1) | $ | 1,569 | 100 | % | $ | 1,207 | 100 | % | $ | 598 | 100 | % | |||||||||
| NGL Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 765 | 94 | % | $ | 673 | 95 | % | $ | 304 | 91 | % | |||||||||
| Egypt(1) | 6 | 1 | % | 9 | 1 | % | 8 | 3 | % | ||||||||||||
| North Sea | 45 | 5 | % | 24 | 4 | % | 21 | 6 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total(1) | $ | 816 | 100 | % | $ | 706 | 100 | % | $ | 333 | 100 | % | |||||||||
| Oil and Gas Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 4,141 | 45 | % | $ | 3,277 | 50 | % | $ | 1,764 | 44 | % | |||||||||
| Egypt(1) | 3,521 | 38 | % | 2,085 | 32 | % | 1,390 | 34 | % | ||||||||||||
| North Sea | 1,558 | 17 | % | 1,136 | 18 | % | 883 | 22 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total(1) | $ | 9,220 | 100 | % | $ | 6,498 | 100 | % | $ | 4,037 | 100 | % |
(1)Includes revenues attributable to a noncontrolling interest in Egypt.
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Production
The following table presents production volumes by country:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Increase (Decrease) | 2021 | Increase (Decrease) | 2020 | ||||||||
| Oil Volumes – b/d: | ||||||||||||
| United States(5) | 70,398 | (6)% | 75,205 | (15)% | 88,249 | |||||||
| Egypt(3)(4) | 85,081 | 21% | 70,349 | (7)% | 75,384 | |||||||
| North Sea | 32,578 | (10)% | 36,265 | (28)% | 50,386 | |||||||
| Total | 188,057 | 3% | 181,819 | (15)% | 214,019 | |||||||
| Natural Gas Volumes – Mcf/d: | ||||||||||||
| United States(5) | 473,292 | (10)% | 527,461 | (6)% | 561,731 | |||||||
| Egypt(3)(4) | 356,327 | 35% | 263,653 | (4)% | 274,175 | |||||||
| North Sea | 35,327 | (8)% | 38,565 | (33)% | 57,464 | |||||||
| Total | 864,946 | 4% | 829,679 | (7)% | 893,370 | |||||||
| NGL Volumes – b/d: | ||||||||||||
| United States(5) | 62,727 | (5)% | 66,232 | (11)% | 74,136 | |||||||
| Egypt(3)(4) | 196 | (63)% | 531 | (30)% | 754 | |||||||
| North Sea | 1,111 | (7)% | 1,199 | (38)% | 1,936 | |||||||
| Total | 64,034 | (6)% | 67,962 | (12)% | 76,826 | |||||||
| BOE per day:(1) | ||||||||||||
| United States(5) | 212,007 | (8)% | 229,348 | (10)% | 256,007 | |||||||
| Egypt(3)(4) | 144,665 | 26% | 114,821 | (6)% | 121,834 | |||||||
| North Sea(2) | 39,577 | (10)% | 43,892 | (29)% | 61,899 | |||||||
| Total | 396,249 | 2% | 388,061 | (12)% | 439,740 |
(1)The table shows production on a boe basis in which natural gas is converted to an equivalent barrel of oil based on a 6:1 energy equivalent ratio. This ratio is not reflective of the price ratio between the two products.
(2)Average sales volumes from the North Sea were 40,812 boe/d, 44,179 boe/d, and 62,157 boe/d for 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. Sales volumes may vary from production volumes as a result of the timing of liftings in the Beryl field.
(3)Gross oil, natural gas, and NGL production in Egypt were as follows:
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil (b/d) | 137,260 | 134,711 | 164,104 | |||||||||
| Natural Gas (Mcf/d) | 555,562 | 586,663 | 641,069 | |||||||||
| NGL (b/d) | 297 | 854 | 1,429 |
(4)Includes net production volumes per day attributable to a noncontrolling interest in Egypt of:
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil (b/d) | 28,200 | 23,504 | 25,206 | |||||||||
| Natural Gas (Mcf/d) | 118,074 | 88,409 | 91,540 | |||||||||
| NGL (b/d) | 65 | 177 | 251 |
(5)Production volumes per day in the Company’s Alpine High field were as follows:
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil (b/d) | 777 | 1,485 | 2,718 | |||||||||
| Natural Gas (Mcf/d) | 192,253 | 258,096 | 274,279 | |||||||||
| NGL (b/d) | 18,362 | 22,950 | 24,942 |
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Pricing
The following table presents pricing information by country:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Increase (Decrease) | 2021 | Increase (Decrease) | 2020 | |||||||||||
| Average Oil Price - Per barrel: | |||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 95.68 | 42% | $ | 67.37 | 80% | $ | 37.42 | |||||||
| Egypt | 101.25 | 44% | 70.33 | 76% | 39.95 | ||||||||||
| North Sea | 100.87 | 45% | 69.67 | 62% | 42.88 | ||||||||||
| Total | 99.11 | 44% | 68.97 | 74% | 39.60 | ||||||||||
| Average Natural Gas Price - Per Mcf: | |||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 5.31 | 35% | $ | 3.92 | 221% | $ | 1.22 | |||||||
| Egypt | 2.85 | 1% | 2.81 | 1% | 2.79 | ||||||||||
| North Sea | 23.36 | 80% | 12.96 | 306% | 3.19 | ||||||||||
| Total | 4.98 | 25% | 3.99 | 118% | 1.83 | ||||||||||
| Average NGL Price - Per barrel: | |||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 33.41 | 20% | $ | 27.85 | 148% | $ | 11.21 | |||||||
| Egypt | 76.80 | 57% | 48.84 | 75% | 27.83 | ||||||||||
| North Sea | 67.07 | 24% | 54.30 | 83% | 29.73 | ||||||||||
| Total | 34.51 | 21% | 28.48 | 141% | 11.84 |
Crude Oil Prices A substantial portion of the Company’s crude oil production is sold at prevailing market prices, which fluctuate in response to many factors that are outside of the Company’s control. Average realized crude oil prices for 2022 were up 44 percent compared to 2021, a direct result of the rising benchmark oil prices over the past year. Crude oil prices realized in 2022 averaged $99.11 per barrel.
Continued volatility in the commodity price environment reinforces the importance of the Company’s asset portfolio. While the market price received for natural gas varies among geographic areas, crude oil tends to trade within a global market. Price movements for all types and grades of crude oil generally move in the same direction.
Natural Gas Prices Natural gas, which currently has a limited global transportation system, is subject to price variances based on local supply and demand conditions. The Company’s primary markets include North America, Egypt, and the U.K. An overview of the market conditions in the Company’s primary gas-producing regions follows:
•The Company sells its U.S. natural gas production at liquid index sales points within the U.S., at either monthly or daily index-based prices. The Company’s U.S. realizations averaged $5.31 per Mcf in 2022, a 35 percent increase from an average of $3.92 per Mcf in 2021.
•In Egypt, the Company’s natural gas is sold to EGPC, primarily under an industry-pricing formula, a sliding scale based on Dated Brent crude oil with a minimum of $1.50 per MMBtu and a maximum of $2.65 per MMBtu, plus an upward adjustment for liquids content. Overall, the Company’s Egypt operations averaged $2.85 per Mcf in 2022, a 1 percent increase from an average of $2.81 per Mcf in 2021.
•Natural gas from the North Sea Beryl field is processed through the SAGE gas plant. The gas is sold to a third party at the St. Fergus entry point of the national grid on a National Balancing Point index price basis. The Company’s North Sea operations averaged $23.36 per Mcf in 2022, an 80 percent increase from an average of $12.96 per Mcf in 2021.
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NGL Prices The Company’s U.S. NGL production, which accounted for 98 percent of the Company’s total 2022 NGL production, is sold under contracts with prices at market indices based on Gulf Coast supply and demand conditions, less the costs for transportation and fractionation, or on a weighted-average sales price received by the purchaser.
Crude Oil Revenues
Crude oil revenues for 2022 totaled $6.8 billion, a $2.2 billion increase from the 2021 total of $4.6 billion. A 44 percent increase in average realized prices increased 2022 revenues by $2.0 billion compared to 2021, while 3 percent higher average daily production increased revenues by $251 million. Average daily production in 2022 was 188 Mb/d, with prices averaging $99.11 per barrel. Crude oil sales accounted for 74 percent of the Company’s 2022 oil and gas production revenues and 48 percent of its worldwide production.
The Company’s worldwide crude oil production increased 6 Mb/d compared to 2021, primarily a function of improved cost recovery under the merged concession agreement in Egypt ratified at the end of 2021, offset by extended operational downtime in the North Sea and natural production decline across all assets.
Natural Gas Revenues
Natural gas revenues for 2022 totaled $1.6 billion, a $362 million increase from the 2021 total of $1.2 billion. A 25 percent increase in average realized prices increased 2022 revenues by $301 million compared to 2021, while 4 percent higher average daily production increased revenues by $61 million. Average daily production in 2022 was 865 MMcf/d, with prices averaging $4.98 per Mcf. Natural gas sales accounted for 17 percent of the Company’s 2022 oil and gas production revenues and 36 percent of its worldwide production.
The Company’s worldwide natural gas production increased 35 MMcf/d compared to 2021, primarily a result of increased net production in Egypt resulting from improved cost recovery under the merged concession agreement ratified at the end of 2021, offset by extended operational downtime in the North Sea and natural production decline across all assets.
NGL Revenues
NGL revenues for 2022 totaled $816 million, a $110 million increase from the 2021 total of $706 million. A 21 percent increase in average realized prices increased 2022 revenues by $149 million compared to 2021, while 6 percent lower average daily production decreased revenues by $39 million. Average daily production in 2022 was 64 Mb/d, with prices averaging $34.51 per barrel. NGL sales accounted for 9 percent of the Company’s 2022 oil and gas production revenues and 16 percent of its worldwide production.
The Company’s worldwide NGL production decreased 4 Mb/d compared to 2021, primarily a result of natural production decline in the U.S.
Altus Midstream Revenues
Prior to the deconsolidation of Altus on February 22, 2022, the Company beneficially owned approximately 79 percent of ALTM’s outstanding voting common stock. Altus owned and operated a midstream energy asset network in the Permian Basin of West Texas primarily to service the Company’s production from its Alpine High resource play, which commenced production in May 2017.
Altus Midstream primarily generated revenue by providing fee-based natural gas gathering, compression, processing, and transmission services. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, Altus Midstream’s service revenues generated through its fee-based contractual arrangements with the Company totaled $16 million and $127 million, respectively. These affiliated revenues were eliminated upon consolidation.
Purchased Oil and Gas Sales
Purchased oil and gas sales represent volumes primarily attributable to transport, fuel, and physical in-basin gas purchases that were sold by the Company to fulfill natural gas takeaway obligations. Sales related to these purchased volumes increased $368 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 to $1.9 billion from $1.5 billion in the prior year. Purchased oil and gas sales were offset by associated purchase costs of $1.8 billion and $1.6 billion for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase is a result of higher average natural gas prices during 2022 compared to the prior year.
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Operating Expenses
The table below presents a comparison of the Company’s operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020. All operating expenses include costs attributable to a noncontrolling interest in Egypt and Altus.
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Lease operating expenses | $ | 1,444 | $ | 1,241 | $ | 1,127 | |||||
| Gathering, processing, and transmission | 367 | 264 | 274 | ||||||||
| Purchased oil and gas costs | 1,776 | 1,580 | 357 | ||||||||
| Taxes other than income | 268 | 204 | 123 | ||||||||
| Exploration | 305 | 155 | 274 | ||||||||
| General and administrative | 483 | 376 | 290 | ||||||||
| Transaction, reorganization, and separation | 26 | 22 | 54 | ||||||||
| Depreciation, depletion, and amortization: | |||||||||||
| Oil and gas property and equipment | 1,186 | 1,255 | 1,643 | ||||||||
| Gathering, processing, and transmission assets | 15 | 64 | 76 | ||||||||
| Other assets | 32 | 41 | 53 | ||||||||
| Asset retirement obligation accretion | 117 | 113 | 109 | ||||||||
| Impairments | — | 208 | 4,501 | ||||||||
| Financing costs, net | 379 | 514 | 267 |
Lease Operating Expenses (LOE)
LOE includes several key components, such as direct operating costs, repairs and maintenance, and workover costs. Direct operating costs generally trend with commodity prices and are impacted by the type of commodity produced and the location of properties (i.e., offshore, onshore, remote locations, etc.). Fluctuations in commodity prices impact operating cost elements both directly and indirectly. They directly impact costs such as power, fuel, and chemicals, which are commodity price based. Commodity prices also affect industry activity and demand, thus indirectly impacting the cost of items such as rig rates, labor, boats, helicopters, materials, and supplies. Crude oil, which accounted for 48 percent of the Company’s total 2022 production, is inherently more expensive to produce than natural gas. Repair and maintenance costs are typically higher on offshore properties.
During 2022, LOE increased $203 million, or 16 percent, compared to 2021. On a per-boe basis, LOE increased $1.20, or 14 percent, compared to 2021, from $8.75 per boe to $9.95 per boe. The increase in costs was driven by higher labor costs and operating costs trending with higher oil and gas prices and global inflation, coupled with higher workover activity in the U.S. during 2022.
Gathering, Processing, and Transmission (GPT)
GPT expenses include amounts paid to third-party carriers and to Altus Midstream for gathering and transmission services for the Company’s upstream natural gas production associated with its Alpine High play. GPT expenses also include midstream operating costs incurred by Altus Midstream. The following table presents a summary of these expenses:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Third-party processing and transmission costs | $ | 269 | $ | 232 | $ | 236 | |||||
| Midstream service costs - ALTM | 18 | 128 | 143 | ||||||||
| Midstream service costs - Kinetik | 93 | — | — | ||||||||
| Upstream processing and transmission costs | 380 | 360 | 379 | ||||||||
| Midstream operating expenses | 5 | 32 | 38 | ||||||||
| Intersegment eliminations | (18) | (128) | (143) | ||||||||
| Total Gathering, processing, and transmission | $ | 367 | $ | 264 | $ | 274 |
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GPT costs increased $103 million compared to 2021. Third-party processing and transmission costs increased $37 million, primarily driven by an increase in average transportation rates during the year. Costs for services provided by ALTM in the first quarter of 2022 and prior to the BCP Business Combination totaling $18 million were eliminated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and reflected as “Intersegment eliminations” in the table above. Subsequent to the BCP Business Combination and the Company’s deconsolidation of Altus on February 22, 2022, these midstream services continue to be provided by Kinetik but are no longer eliminated. Midstream services provided by Kinetik totaled $93 million for the year ended 2022.
Purchased Oil and Gas Costs
Purchased oil and gas costs increased $196 million compared to 2021, and were primarily offset by associated sales totaling $1.9 billion for the year ended 2022, as discussed above.
Taxes Other Than Income
Taxes other than income primarily consist of severance taxes on onshore properties and in state waters off the coast of the U.S. and ad valorem taxes on U.S. properties. Severance taxes are generally based on a percentage of oil and gas production revenues. The Company is also subject to a variety of other taxes, including U.S. franchise taxes.
Taxes other than income increased $64 million compared to 2021, primarily from higher severance taxes driven by higher commodity prices.
Exploration Expenses
Exploration expenses include unproved leasehold impairments, exploration dry hole expense, geological and geophysical expenses, and the costs of maintaining and retaining unproved leasehold properties. The following table presents a summary of these expenses:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Unproved leasehold impairments | $ | 24 | $ | 31 | $ | 101 | |||||
| Dry hole expenses | 183 | 66 | 110 | ||||||||
| Geological and geophysical expenses | 23 | 18 | 20 | ||||||||
| Exploration overhead and other | 75 | 40 | 43 | ||||||||
| Total Exploration | $ | 305 | $ | 155 | $ | 274 |
Exploration expenses increased $150 million compared to 2021, primarily the result of higher dry hole expenses in Suriname and Egypt and higher exploration overhead, a function of increased exploration activities.
General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses
G&A expenses increased $107 million compared to 2021, primarily driven by higher cash-based stock compensation expense resulting from an increase in the Company’s stock price and achievement of performance and financial objectives as defined in the stock award plans. Higher overall wages across the Company and global inflationary pressures also impacted G&A expenses compared to the prior-year period.
Transaction, Reorganization, and Separation (TRS) Costs
TRS costs increased $4 million compared to 2021, primarily a result of transaction costs from the BCP Business Combination, partially offset by a decrease in costs associated with the Company’s prior year reorganization efforts that are substantially completed.
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Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (DD&A)
DD&A expenses on the Company’s oil and gas property for the year ended December 31, 2022 decreased $69 million compared to 2021. The Company’s oil and gas property DD&A rate decreased $0.67 per boe in 2022 compared to 2021, from $8.85 per boe to $8.18 per boe. The decrease on an absolute basis was driven by lower depletion rates in Egypt under the new merged concession agreement, partially offset by higher production volumes. DD&A expense on the Company’s GPT depreciation decreased $49 million compared to 2021, primarily driven by certain Egyptian assets being fully depreciated coupled with the deconsolidation of Altus during the first quarter of 2022.
Impairments
No asset impairments were recorded in 2022. During 2021, the Company recorded asset impairments totaling $208 million. The charges include $160 million for Altus’ equity method interests, $26 million in connection with inventory valuations in Egypt, and $22 million in connection with inventory valuations and expected equipment dispositions in the North Sea.
During 2020, the Company recorded asset impairments in connection with fair value assessments totaling $4.5 billion, including $4.3 billion for oil and gas proved properties in the U.S, Egypt, and the North Sea, $68 million for GPT facilities in Egypt, $87 million for goodwill in Egypt, and $27 million for inventory and other miscellaneous assets.
The following table presents a summary of asset impairments recorded for 2022, 2021, and 2020:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Oil and gas proved property | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 4,319 | |||||
| GPT facilities | — | — | 68 | ||||||||
| Equity method interests | — | 160 | — | ||||||||
| Goodwill | — | — | 87 | ||||||||
| Inventory and other | — | 48 | 27 | ||||||||
| Total Impairments | $ | — | $ | 208 | $ | 4,501 |
Financing Costs, Net
Financing costs incurred during 2022, 2021, and 2020 comprised the following:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | 332 | $ | 419 | $ | 438 | |||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs | 8 | 8 | 8 | ||||||||
| Capitalized interest | (18) | (9) | (12) | ||||||||
| Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt | 67 | 104 | (160) | ||||||||
| Interest income | (10) | (8) | (7) | ||||||||
| Total Financing costs, net | $ | 379 | $ | 514 | $ | 267 |
Net financing costs during 2022 decreased $135 million compared to 2021, primarily the result of the reduction of fixed-rate debt during 2021 and the first half of 2022. Additionally, losses incurred on the extinguishment of debt were lower during 2022 compared to the prior year period.
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Provision for Income Taxes
Income tax expense increased $1.1 billion from $578 million during 2021 to $1.7 billion during 2022. The Company’s year-to-date 2022 effective income tax rate was primarily impacted by a deferred tax expense related to the remeasurement of taxes in the U.K. as a result of the enactment of the Energy (Oil and Gas) Profits Levy Act 2022 (the Energy Profits Levy) on July 14, 2022, and a decrease in the amount of valuation allowance against its U.S. deferred tax assets. During 2021, the Company’s effective income tax rate was primarily impacted by asset impairments and a decrease in the amount of valuation allowance against its U.S. deferred tax assets.
On May 26, 2022, the U.K. Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a new tax (the Energy Profits Levy) on the profits of oil and gas companies operating in the U.K. and the U.K. Continental Shelf. Under the new law, an additional levy is assessed at a 25 percent rate and is effective for the period of May 26, 2022, through December 31, 2025. The Company recorded a deferred tax expense of $208 million associated with the remeasurement of the U.K. deferred tax liability. On November 17, 2022, the U.K. Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in the Autumn Statement 2022 further changes to the Energy Profits Levy, increasing the levy assessed from a 25 percent rate to a 35 percent rate, effective for the period of January 1, 2023, through March 31, 2028. On November 22, 2022, the U.K. Government published draft legislation to implement this change, among other provisions, and on January 10, 2023, the Finance Act 2023 was enacted, receiving Royal Assent. Under U.S. GAAP, the financial statement impact of new legislation is recorded in the period of enactment. Therefore, in the first quarter of 2023, the Company expects to record a deferred tax expense of approximately $170 million to $190 million related to the remeasurement of the December 31, 2022 U.K. deferred tax liability.
On August 16, 2022, the U.S. enacted the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). The IRA includes a new 15 percent corporate alternative minimum tax (Corporate AMT) on applicable corporations with an average annual adjusted financial statement income that exceeds $1 billion for any three consecutive years preceding the tax year at issue. The Corporate AMT is effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2022. The Company is continuing to evaluate the provisions of the IRA and awaits further guidance from the U.S. Treasury Department to properly assess the impact of these provisions on the Company.
The Company recorded a full valuation allowance against its U.S. net deferred tax assets. The Company assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to realize the existing deferred tax assets. A significant piece of negative evidence evaluated was the U.S. pre-tax book cumulative loss incurred over the three-year period ended December 31, 2022. This cumulative loss was primarily the result of low commodity prices and oil and gas impairments during this period. Such objective evidence limits the ability to consider other subjective evidence, such as the Company’s projections for future growth.
However, given the Company’s current and anticipated future domestic earnings, the Company believes that there is a reasonable possibility that within the next 12 months the U.S. will exit its cumulative loss, allowing the Company to reach a conclusion that a material portion of the U.S. valuation allowance may no longer be needed. A release of the valuation allowance would result in the recognition of certain deferred tax assets and a decrease to income tax expense, which could be material for the period the release is recorded. For additional information regarding income taxes, refer to Note 10—Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income or capital taxes in various state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company’s tax reserves are related to tax years that may be subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority. The Company is currently under audit by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the 2014-2017 tax years and is also under audit in various states and foreign jurisdictions as part of its normal course of business.
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Capital and Operational Outlook
The Company continues to prudently manage its capital program against a volatile price environment and the effects of global inflation and rising interest rates. Despite these uncertainties, the Company remains committed to its longer-term objectives: (1) to maintain a balanced asset portfolio, including advancement of ongoing exploration and appraisal activities offshore Suriname; (2) to invest for long-term returns over production growth; and (3) to budget conservatively to generate cash flow in excess of its upstream exploration, appraisal, and development capital program that can be directed to debt reduction, share repurchases, and return of capital to its shareholders.
The Company’s 2023 capital program will maintain a similar investment approach to the prior year while reflecting potential inflationary impacts, with upstream capital investment budgeted at $2.0 billion to $2.1 billion. Based on the planned levels of capital activity, the Company anticipates 2023 worldwide production levels will increase approximately four to five percent compared with 2022 volumes. Higher oil volumes in Egypt and the U.S. will be the primary contributors of this growth and are anticipated to more than offset natural gas production declines in both regions. In the North Sea, the Company anticipates a modest production rebound in 2023, with three new wells planned to commence production in the first half of the year and less scheduled maintenance turnaround. The Company plans to release the Ocean Patriot semi-submersible drilling rig around mid-year 2023 once it completes its scheduled drilling campaign in the North Sea. Reallocation of this capital to other areas is being evaluated, as recent tax changes in the U.K. have made returns in the North Sea less attractive than other investment opportunities within the Company’s portfolio. In Suriname, activity in the first half of 2023 is focused on the two appraisal wells being drilled at Krabdagu and subsequent flow testing. Following that, another exploration test on Block 58 is also planned.
At current strip pricing, the Company expects to generate significant cash flow over this capital activity budget. The Company’s current commitment to return capital to shareholders through a mix of dividends and share buybacks remains unchanged.
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Capital Resources and Liquidity
Operating cash flows are the Company’s primary source of liquidity. The Company’s short-term and long-term operating cash flows are impacted by highly volatile commodity prices, as well as production costs and sales volumes. Significant changes in commodity prices impact the Company’s revenues, earnings, and cash flows. These changes potentially impact the Company’s liquidity if costs do not trend with sustained decreases in commodity prices. Historically, costs have trended with commodity prices, albeit on a lag. Sales volumes also impact cash flows; however, they have a less volatile impact in the short term.
The Company’s long-term operating cash flows are dependent on reserve replacement and the level of costs required for ongoing operations. Cash investments are required to fund activity necessary to offset the inherent declines in production and proved crude oil and natural gas reserves. Future success in maintaining and growing reserves and production is highly dependent on the success of the Company’s drilling program and its ability to add reserves economically. Changes in commodity prices also impact estimated quantities of proved reserves.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized a slight upward reserve revision related to increases in commodity prices during the year. The Company’s estimates of proved reserves, proved developed reserves, and PUD reserves as of December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, changes in estimated proved reserves during the last three years, and estimates of future net cash flows from proved reserves are contained in Note 18—Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company believes its available liquidity and capital resource alternatives, combined with proactive measures to adjust its capital budget to reflect volatile commodity prices and anticipated operating cash flows, will be adequate to fund short-term and long-term operations, including the Company’s capital development program, repayment of debt maturities, payment of dividends, share buy-back activity, and amounts that may ultimately be paid in connection with commitments and contingencies.
The Company may also elect to utilize available cash on hand, committed borrowing capacity, access to both debt and equity capital markets, or proceeds from the sale of nonstrategic assets for all other liquidity and capital resource needs.
For additional information, refer to Part I, Items 1 and 2—Business and Properties and Part I, Item 1A—Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Sources and Uses of Cash
The following table presents the sources and uses of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents for the years presented:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Sources of Cash and Cash Equivalents: | |||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 4,943 | $ | 3,496 | $ | 1,388 | |||||
| Proceeds from APA and Apache credit facilities, net | 24 | 392 | 150 | ||||||||
| Proceeds from Altus credit facility, net | — | 33 | 228 | ||||||||
| Proceeds from asset divestitures | 778 | 256 | 166 | ||||||||
| Fixed-rate debt borrowings | — | — | 1,238 | ||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of Kinetik shares | 224 | — | — | ||||||||
| Other, net | 11 | 20 | — | ||||||||
| 5,980 | 4,197 | 3,170 | |||||||||
| Uses of Cash and Cash Equivalents: | |||||||||||
| Additions to upstream oil and gas property(1) | 1,770 | 1,101 | 1,270 | ||||||||
| Acquisition of Delaware Basin properties | 591 | — | — | ||||||||
| Leasehold and property acquisitions | 37 | 9 | 4 | ||||||||
| Contributions to Altus equity method interests | — | 28 | 327 | ||||||||
| Payments on fixed-rate debt | 1,493 | 1,795 | 1,243 | ||||||||
| Dividends paid to APA common stockholders | 207 | 52 | 123 | ||||||||
| Distributions to noncontrolling interest - Egypt | 362 | 279 | 91 | ||||||||
| Distributions to Altus Preferred Unit limited partners | 11 | 46 | 23 | ||||||||
| Treasury stock activity, net | 1,423 | 847 | — | ||||||||
| Deconsolidation of Altus cash and cash equivalents | 143 | — | — | ||||||||
| Other, net | — | — | 74 | ||||||||
| 6,037 | 4,157 | 3,155 | |||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (57) | $ | 40 | $ | 15 |
(1)The table presents capital expenditures on a cash basis; therefore, the amounts may differ from those discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which include accruals.
Sources of Cash and Cash Equivalents
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Operating cash flows are the Company’s primary source of capital and liquidity and are impacted, both in the short term and the long term, by volatile commodity prices. The factors that determine operating cash flows are largely the same as those that affect net earnings, with the exception of non-cash expenses such as DD&A, exploratory dry hole expense, asset impairments, asset retirement obligation (ARO) accretion, and deferred income tax expense.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 totaled $4.9 billion, up $1.4 billion from the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily the result of higher commodity prices compared to the prior year.
For a detailed discussion of commodity prices, production, and operating expenses, refer to “Results of Operations” in this Item 7. For additional detail on the changes in operating assets and liabilities and the non-cash expenses that do not impact net cash provided by operating activities, refer to the Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows in the Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Proceeds from APA and Apache Credit Facilities, Net As of December 31, 2022, there were outstanding borrowings of $566 million under APA’s syndicated credit facilities. As of December 31, 2021, there were outstanding borrowings of $542 million under Apache’s former syndicated credit facility. These borrowings are classified as long-term debt.
Proceeds from Altus Credit Facility, Net During the year ended December 31, 2021, Altus Midstream LP borrowed $33 million under its revolving credit facility to fund capital contributions to its equity method interests. Prior to the deconsolidation of Altus on February 22, 2022, there were no additional borrowings under this facility in 2022.
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Proceeds from Asset Divestitures The Company received $778 million and $256 million in proceeds from the divestiture of certain non-core assets during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company also received $224 million of cash proceeds from the sale of four million of its shares in Kinetik during 2022. For more information regarding the Company’s acquisitions and divestitures, refer to Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestitures in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part IV set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Uses of Cash and Cash Equivalents
Additions to Upstream Oil & Gas Property Exploration and development cash expenditures were $1.8 billion and $1.1 billion for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase in capital investment is reflective of the increase in the Company’s capital program in 2022 associated with higher cash flow from operations. The Company operated an average of 22 drilling rigs during 2022, compared to an average of 13 drilling rigs during 2021.
Acquisition of Delaware Basin Properties During 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of oil and gas assets in the Delaware Basin for approximately $615 million, after post-closing adjustments. Cash consideration paid totaled $591 million, with final cash settlement anticipated to be completed during the first quarter of 2023.
Leasehold and Property Acquisitions During 2022 and 2021, the Company completed leasehold and property acquisitions, primarily in the Permian Basin, for total cash consideration of $37 million and $9 million, respectively.
Payments on Fixed-Rate Debt On January 18, 2022, Apache redeemed the outstanding $213 million principal amount of 3.25% senior notes due April 15, 2022, at a redemption price equal to 100 percent of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. The redemption was financed by borrowing under Apache’s former revolving credit facility.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2022, Apache closed cash tender offers for certain outstanding notes issued under its indentures, accepting for purchase $1.1 billion aggregate principal amount of notes. Apache paid holders an aggregate $1.2 billion in cash, reflecting principal, premium to par, and accrued and unpaid interest. The Company recognized a $66 million loss on extinguishment of debt, including $11 million of unamortized debt discount and issuance costs in connection with the note purchases. The repurchases were partially financed by borrowing under Apache’s former revolving credit facility.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2022, Apache purchased in the open market and canceled senior notes issued under its indentures in an aggregate principal amount of $15 million for an aggregate purchase price of $16 million in cash, including accrued interest and broker fees, reflecting a premium to par of an aggregate $1 million. The Company recognized a $1 million loss on these repurchases. The repurchases were partially financed by borrowing under Apache’s former revolving credit facility.
On October 17, 2022, Apache redeemed the outstanding $123 million outstanding principal amount of 2.625% notes due January 15, 2023, at a redemption price equal to 100 percent of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. The redemption was financed in part by Apache’s borrowing under the Company’s U.S. dollar-denominated revolving credit facility.
During 2021, Apache closed cash tender offers for certain outstanding notes issued under its indentures, accepting for purchase $1.7 billion aggregate principal amount of notes covered by the tender offers. Apache paid holders an aggregate cash purchase price of $1.8 billion reflecting principal, premium to par, and accrued and unpaid interest. The Company recognized a $105 million loss on extinguishment of debt, including $11 million of unamortized debt discount and issuance costs, in connection with the note purchases.
During 2021, Apache purchased in the open market and canceled senior notes issued under its indentures in an aggregate principal amount of $22 million for an aggregate purchase price of $20 million in cash, including accrued interest and broker fees, reflecting a discount to par of an aggregate $2 million. The Company recognized a $1 million net gain on extinguishment of debt as part of these transactions.
The Company expects that Apache will continue to reduce debt outstanding under its indentures from time to time.
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Dividends Paid to APA Common Stockholders The Company paid $207 million and $52 million during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, for dividends on its common stock. During the third quarter of 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an increase in its quarterly dividend per share from $0.025 to $0.0625 and, in the fourth quarter of 2021, a further increase to $0.125 per share. During the third quarter of 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a further increase to its quarterly dividend to $0.25 per share.
Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest - Egypt Sinopec holds a one-third minority participation interest in the Company’s oil and gas operations in Egypt. The Company paid $362 million and $279 million during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, in cash distributions to Sinopec.
Distributions to Altus Preferred Unit Limited Partners Prior to the deconsolidation of Altus on February 22, 2022, Altus Midstream LP paid $11 million and $46 million in cash distributions to its limited partners holding Preferred Units during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. For more information regarding the Preferred Units, refer to Note 13—Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest - Altus in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Treasury Stock Activity, Net During 2022, the Company repurchased 36.2 million shares at an average price of $39.34 per share totaling $1.4 billion, and as of December 31, 2022, the Company had remaining authorization to repurchase 52.6 million shares. During 2021, the Company repurchased 31.2 million shares at an average price of $27.14 per share totaling $847 million.
Liquidity
The following table presents a summary of the Company’s key financial indicators as of December 31:
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 245 | $ | 302 | |||
| Total debt - APA and Apache | 5,453 | 6,853 | |||||
| Total debt - Altus | — | 657 | |||||
| Total equity (deficit) | 1,345 | (717) | |||||
| Available committed borrowing capacity under syndicated credit facilities | 2,238 | 2,426 | |||||
| Available committed borrowing capacity - Altus | — | 141 |
Cash and Cash Equivalents As of December 31, 2022, the Company had $245 million in cash and cash equivalents. The majority of the Company’s cash is invested in highly liquid, investment-grade instruments with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase.
Debt As of December 31, 2022, the Company had $5.5 billion in total debt outstanding, which consisted of notes and debentures of Apache, credit facility borrowings, and finance lease obligations. Future interest payments on the fixed-rate notes and debentures are approximately $4.2 billion. As of December 31, 2022, current debt included $2 million of finance lease obligations.
Committed Credit Facilities On April 29, 2022, the Company entered into two unsecured syndicated credit agreements for general corporate purposes that replaced and refinanced Apache’s 2018 unsecured syndicated credit agreement (the Former Facility).
•One agreement is denominated in US dollars (the USD Agreement) and provides for an unsecured five-year revolving credit facility, with aggregate commitments of US$1.8 billion (including a letter of credit subfacility of up to US$750 million, of which US$150 million currently is committed). The Company may increase commitments up to an aggregate US$2.3 billion by adding new lenders or obtaining the consent of any increasing existing lenders. This facility matures in April 2027, subject to the Company’s two, one-year extension options.
•The second agreement is denominated in pounds sterling (the GBP Agreement) and provides for an unsecured five-year revolving credit facility, with aggregate commitments of £1.5 billion for loans and letters of credit. This facility matures in April 2027, subject to the Company’s two, one-year extension options.
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In connection with the Company’s entry into the USD Agreement and the GBP Agreement (each, a New Agreement), Apache terminated US$4.0 billion of commitments under the Former Facility, borrowings then outstanding under the Former Facility were deemed outstanding under the USD Agreement, and letters of credit then outstanding under the Former Facility were deemed outstanding under a New Agreement, depending upon whether denominated in US dollars or pounds sterling. Apache may borrow under the USD Agreement up to an aggregate principal amount of US$300 million outstanding at any given time. Apache has guaranteed obligations under each New Agreement effective until the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness under senior notes and debentures outstanding under Apache’s existing indentures is less than US$1.0 billion.
As of December 31, 2022, there were $566 million of borrowings and a $20 million letter of credit outstanding under the USD Agreement, and an aggregate £652 million in letters of credit outstanding under the GBP Agreement. As of December 31, 2021, there were $542 million of borrowings and an aggregate £748 million and $20 million in letters of credit outstanding under the Former Facility. The letters of credit denominated in pounds were issued to support North Sea decommissioning obligations, the terms of which required such support after Standard & Poor’s reduced Apache’s credit rating from BBB to BB+ on March 26, 2020.
All borrowings under the USD Agreement bear interest at one of two per annum rate options selected by the borrower, being either an alternate base rate (as defined), plus a margin ranging from 0.10% to 0.675% (Base Rate Margin), or an adjusted term SOFR rate (as defined), plus a margin varying from 1.10% to 1.675% (Applicable Margin). All borrowings under the GBP Agreement bear interest at an adjusted rate per annum determined by reference to the Sterling Overnight Index Average published by the Bank of England, plus the Applicable Margin. Each New Agreement also requires the borrower to pay quarterly a facility fee on total commitments. Margins and facility fees are at varying rates per annum determined by reference to the senior, unsecured, non-credit enhanced, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money of APA, or if such indebtedness is not rated and the Apache guaranty is in effect, of Apache (Long-Term Debt Rating). As of December 31, 2022, Apache’s Long-Term Debt Rating applied, and the Base Rate Margin was 0.60%, the Applicable Margin was 1.60%, and the facility fee was 0.275%.
A commission is payable quarterly to lenders under each New Agreement on the face amount of each outstanding letter of credit at a per annum rate equal to the Applicable Margin then in effect. Customary letter of credit fronting fees and other charges are payable to issuing banks.
Borrowers under each New Agreement, which may include certain subsidiaries of APA, may borrow, prepay, and reborrow loans and obtain letters of credit, and APA may obtain letters of credit for the account of its subsidiaries, in each case subject to representations and warranties, covenants, and events of default substantially similar to those in the Former Facility, such as:
•A financial covenant requires APA to maintain an adjusted debt-to-capital ratio of not greater than 60 percent at the end of any fiscal quarter. For purposes of this calculation, capital continues to exclude the effects of non-cash write-downs, impairments, and related charges occurring after June 30, 2015. At December 31, 2022, APA’s debt-to-capital ratio as calculated under each New Agreement was 21 percent.
• A negative covenant restricts the ability of APA and its subsidiaries to create liens securing debt on their hydrocarbon-related assets, with exceptions for liens typically arising in the oil and gas industry; liens securing debt incurred to finance the acquisition, construction, improvement, or capital lease of assets, provided that such debt, when incurred, does not exceed the subject purchase price and costs, as applicable, and related expenses; liens on subsidiary assets located outside of the U. S. and Canada; and liens arising as a matter of law, such as tax and mechanics’ liens. Liens on assets also are permitted if debt secured thereby does not exceed 15 percent of APA’s consolidated net tangible assets or approximately $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2022.
• Negative covenants restrict APA’s ability to merge with another entity unless it is the surviving entity, a borrower’s disposition of substantially all of its assets, prohibitions on the ability of certain subsidiaries to make payments to borrowers, and guarantees by APA or certain subsidiaries of debt of non-consolidated entities in excess of the stated threshold.
• Lenders may accelerate payment maturity and terminate lending and issuance commitments for nonpayment and other breaches; if a borrower or certain subsidiaries defaults on other indebtedness in excess of the stated threshold, has any unpaid, non-appealable judgment against it for payment of money in excess of the stated threshold, or has specified pension plan liabilities in excess of the stated threshold; or APA undergoes a specified change in control. Such acceleration and termination are automatic upon specified insolvency events of a borrower or certain subsidiaries.
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Consistent with the Former Facility, the New Agreements do not require collateral, do not have a borrowing base, do not permit lenders to accelerate maturity or refuse to lend based on unspecified material adverse changes, and do not have borrowing restrictions or prepayment obligations in the event of a decline in credit ratings.
The Company was in compliance with the terms of each New Agreement as of December 31, 2022.
In November 2018, Altus and its subsidiary, Altus Midstream LP (Altus LP), were subsidiaries of Apache, and Altus LP entered into an unsecured revolving credit facility for general corporate purposes. The agreement for the facility, as amended, provided aggregate commitments from a syndicate of banks of $800 million, including a letter of credit subfacility. The credit facility was not guaranteed by APA, Apache, or any of APA’s other subsidiaries. On February 22, 2022, Altus was deconsolidated from APA and Apache. As of December 31, 2021, there were $657 million of borrowings and $2 million letters of credit outstanding under the facility.
There is no assurance of the terms upon which potential lenders under future credit facilities will make loans or other extensions of credit available to APA or its subsidiaries or the composition of such lenders.
There is no assurance that the financial condition of banks with lending commitments to APA or its subsidiaries will not deteriorate. The Company closely monitor the ratings of the banks in its bank groups. Having large bank groups allows the Company to mitigate the potential impact of any bank’s failure to honor its lending commitment.
Uncommitted Credit Facilities The Company from time to time has and uses uncommitted credit and letter of credit facilities for working capital and credit support purposes. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, there were no outstanding borrowings under these facilities. As of December 31, 2022, there were £199 million and $17 million in letters of credit outstanding under these facilities. As of December 31, 2021, there were £117 million and $17 million in letters of credit outstanding under these facilities.
Former Apache Commercial Paper Program As of December 31, 2020, no commercial paper was outstanding. Apache did not use its commercial paper program during 2021 and terminated the program during the third quarter of 2021.
Contractual Obligations
Purchase Obligations From time to time, the Company enters into agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms. These include minimum commitments associated with take-or-pay contracts, NGL processing agreements, drilling work program commitments and agreements to secure capacity rights on third-party pipelines. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had contractual obligations totaling $3.0 billion, of which $1.0 billion is related to U.S. firm transportation contracts, $1.8 billion is related to the new merged concession agreement with the EGPC, and $0.2 billion of other items. Under terms agreed to in the Egypt modernized PSC, the Company committed to spend a minimum of $3.5 billion on exploration, development, and operating activities by March 31, 2026. As of December 31, 2022, the Company has spent $1.7 billion and believes it will be able to satisfy the remaining obligation within its current exploration and development program.
Leases In the normal course of business, the Company enters into various lease agreements for real estate, drilling rigs, vessels, aircrafts, and equipment related to its exploration and development activities, which are typically classified as operating leases under the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 842 (Leases). As of December 31, 2022, the Company had net minimum commitments of $315 million and $45 million for operating and finance leases, respectively.
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For additional information regarding these obligations, refer to Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
For information regarding the Company’s liability for dismantlement, abandonment, and restoration costs of oil and gas properties or pension or postretirement benefit obligations, refer to Notes 8—Asset Retirement Obligation and Note 12—Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plans in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company is also subject to various contingent obligations that become payable only if certain events or rulings were to occur. The inherent uncertainty surrounding the timing of and monetary impact associated with these events or rulings prevents any meaningful accurate measurement, which is necessary to assess settlements resulting from litigation. The Company’s management believes that it has adequately reserved for its contingent obligations, including approximately $1 million for environmental remediation and approximately $64 million for various contingent legal liabilities. For a detailed discussion of the Company’s lease obligations, purchase obligations, environmental and legal contingencies, and other commitments, please see Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies and Note 12—Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plans in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
With respect to oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued a Notice to Lessees (NTL No. 2016-N01) significantly revising the obligations of companies operating in the Gulf of Mexico to provide supplemental assurances of performance with respect to plugging, abandonment, and decommissioning obligations associated with wells, platforms, structures, and facilities located upon or used in connection with such companies’ oil and gas leases. While the NTL was paused in mid-2017 and is currently listed on BOEM’s website as “rescinded,” if reinstated, the NTL will likely require that the Company provide additional security to BOEM with respect to plugging, abandonment, and decommissioning obligations relating to the Company’s current ownership interests in various Gulf of Mexico leases. Additionally, the Company is not able to predict the effect that these changes might have on counterparties to which the Company has sold Gulf of Mexico assets or with whom the Company has joint ownership. Such changes could cause the bonding obligations of such parties to increase substantially, thereby causing a significant impact on the counterparties’ solvency and ability to continue as a going concern.
Potential Decommissioning Obligations on Sold Properties
The Company’s subsidiaries have potential exposure to future obligations related to divested properties. The Company has divested various leases, wells, and facilities located in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) where the purchasers typically assume all obligations to plug, abandon, and decommission the associated wells, structures, and facilities acquired. One or more of the counterparties in these transactions could, either as a result of the severe decline in oil and natural gas prices or other factors related to the historical or future operations of their respective businesses, face financial problems that may have a significant impact on their solvency and ability to continue as a going concern. If a purchaser of such GOM assets becomes the subject of a case or proceeding under relevant insolvency laws or otherwise fails to perform required abandonment obligations, APA’s subsidiaries could be required to perform such actions under applicable federal laws and regulations. In such event, such subsidiaries may be forced to use available cash to cover the costs of such liabilities and obligations should they arise.
In 2013, Apache sold its GOM Shelf operations and properties and its GOM operating subsidiary, GOM Shelf LLC (GOM Shelf) to Fieldwood Energy LLC (Fieldwood). Under the terms of the purchase agreement, Apache received cash consideration of $3.75 billion and Fieldwood assumed the obligation to decommission the properties held by GOM Shelf and the properties acquired from Apache and its other subsidiaries (collectively, the Legacy GOM Assets). In respect of such abandonment obligations, Fieldwood posted letters of credit in favor of Apache (Letters of Credit) and established trust accounts (Trust A and Trust B) of which Apache was a beneficiary and which were funded by two net profits interests (NPIs) depending on future oil prices. On February 14, 2018, Fieldwood filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. In connection with the 2018 bankruptcy, Fieldwood confirmed a plan under which Apache agreed, inter alia, to (i) accept bonds in exchange for certain of the Letters of Credit and (ii) amend the Trust A trust agreement and one of the NPIs to consolidate the trusts into a single Trust (Trust A) funded by both remaining NPIs. Currently, Apache holds two bonds (Bonds) and five Letters of Credit backed by investment-grade counterparties to secure Fieldwood’s asset retirement obligations on the Legacy GOM Assets as and when Apache is required to perform or pay for decommissioning any Legacy GOM Asset over the remaining life of the Legacy GOM Assets.
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On August 3, 2020, Fieldwood again filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. On June 25, 2021, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (Houston Division) entered an order confirming Fieldwood’s bankruptcy plan. On August 27, 2021, Fieldwood’s bankruptcy plan became effective. Pursuant to the plan, the Legacy GOM Assets were separated into a standalone company, which was subsequently merged into GOM Shelf. Under GOM Shelf’s limited liability company agreement, the proceeds of production of the Legacy GOM Assets will be used to fund decommissioning of Legacy GOM Assets.
By letter dated April 5, 2022, replacing two prior letters dated September 8, 2021 and February 22, 2022, GOM Shelf notified the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) that it was unable to fund the decommissioning obligations that it is currently obligated to perform on certain of the Legacy GOM Assets. As a result, Apache and other current and former owners in these assets have received orders from BSEE to decommission certain of the Legacy GOM Assets included in GOM Shelf’s notification to BSEE. Apache expects to receive such orders on the other Legacy GOM Assets included in GOM Shelf’s notification letter. Further, Apache anticipates that GOM Shelf may send additional such notices to BSEE in the future and that it may receive additional orders from BSEE requiring it to decommission other Legacy GOM Assets.
If Apache incurs costs to decommission any Legacy GOM Asset and GOM Shelf does not reimburse Apache for such costs, then Apache expects to obtain reimbursement from Trust A, the Bonds, and the Letters of Credit until such funds and securities are fully utilized. In addition, after such sources have been exhausted, Apache has agreed to provide a standby loan to GOM Shelf of up to $400 million to perform decommissioning (Standby Loan Agreement), with such standby loan secured by a first and prior lien on the Legacy GOM Assets.
If the combination of GOM Shelf’s net cash flow from its producing properties, the Trust A funds, the Bonds, and the remaining Letters of Credit are insufficient to fully fund decommissioning of any Legacy GOM Assets that Apache may be ordered by BSEE to perform, or if GOM Shelf’s net cash flow from its remaining producing properties after the Trust A funds, Bonds, and Letters of Credit are exhausted is insufficient to repay any loans made by Apache under the Standby Loan Agreement, then Apache may be forced to effectively use its available cash to fund the deficit.
As of December 31, 2022, Apache estimates that its potential liability to fund decommissioning of Legacy GOM Assets it may be ordered to perform ranges from $1.2 billion to $1.4 billion on an undiscounted basis. Management does not believe any specific estimate within this range is a better estimate than any other. Accordingly, the Company has recorded a contingent liability of $1.2 billion as of December 31, 2022, representing the estimated costs of decommissioning it may be required to perform on Legacy GOM Assets. Of the total liability recorded, $738 million is reflected under the caption “Decommissioning contingency for sold Gulf of Mexico properties,” and $450 million is reflected under “Other current liabilities” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Changes in significant assumptions impacting Apache’s estimated liability, including expected decommissioning rig spread rates, lift boat rates, and planned abandonment logistics could result in a liability in excess of the amount accrued.
As of December 31, 2022, the Company has also recorded a $667 million asset, which represents the amount the Company expects to be reimbursed from the Trust A funds, the Bonds, and the Letters of Credit for decommissioning it may be required to perform on Legacy GOM Assets. Of the total asset recorded, $217 million is reflected under the caption “Decommissioning security for sold Gulf of Mexico properties,” and $450 million is reflected under “Other current assets.” The Company recognized $157 million and $446 million during 2022 and 2021, respectively, of “Losses on previously sold Gulf of Mexico properties” to reflect the net impact of changes to the estimated decommissioning liability and decommissioning asset to the Company’s statement of consolidated operations.
Insurance Program
The Company maintains insurance policies that include coverage for physical damage to its assets, general liabilities, workers’ compensation, employers’ liability, sudden and accidental pollution, and other risks. The Company’s insurance coverage is subject to deductibles or retentions that it must satisfy prior to recovering on insurance. Additionally, the Company’s insurance is subject to policy exclusions and limitations. There is no assurance that insurance will adequately protect the Company against liability from all potential consequences and damages. Further, the Company does not have coverage in place for a variety of other risks including Gulf of Mexico named windstorm and business interruption. Service agreements, including drilling contracts, generally indemnify the Company for injuries and death of the service provider’s employees as well as subcontractors hired by the service provider.
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The Company purchases multi-year political risk insurance from The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit Trade (ICIEC, an agency of the Islamic Development Bank) and highly-rated insurers covering a portion of its investments in Egypt for losses arising from confiscation, nationalization, and expropriation risks. In the aggregate, these insurance policies provide up to $750 million of coverage, subject to policy terms and conditions and a retention of approximately $500 million.
Apache also has an insurance policy with U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), which, subject to policy terms and conditions, provides up to $150 million of coverage through 2024 for losses arising from (1) non-payment by EGPC of arbitral awards covering amounts owed Apache on past due invoices and (2) expropriation of exportable petroleum in the event that actions taken by the government of Egypt prevent Apache from exporting its share of production. The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), a member of the World Bank Group, provides $60 million in reinsurance to DFC.
Future insurance coverage for the Company’s industry could increase in cost and may include higher deductibles or retentions. In addition, some forms of insurance may become unavailable or unavailable on terms economically acceptable.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The Company prepares its financial statements and accompanying notes in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., which require management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect reported amounts in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. The Company identifies certain accounting policies involving estimation as critical accounting estimates based on, among other things, their impact on the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity, as well as the degree of difficulty, subjectivity, and complexity in their deployment. Critical accounting estimates address accounting matters that are inherently uncertain due to unknown future resolution of such matters. Management routinely discusses the development, selection, and disclosure of each critical accounting estimate. The following is a discussion of the Company’s most critical accounting estimates.
Reserves Estimates
Proved oil and gas reserves are the estimated quantities of natural gas, crude oil, condensate, and NGLs that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing conditions, operating conditions, and government regulations.
Proved undeveloped reserves include those reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion. Undeveloped reserves may be classified as proved reserves on undrilled acreage directly offsetting development areas that are reasonably certain of production when drilled, or where reliable technology provides reasonable certainty of economic producibility. Undrilled locations may be classified as having undeveloped reserves only if a development plan has been adopted indicating that they are scheduled to be drilled within five years, unless specific circumstances justify a longer time.
Despite significant judgment involved in these engineering estimates, the Company’s reserves are used throughout its financial statements. For example, since the Company uses the units-of-production method to amortize its oil and gas properties, the quantity of reserves could significantly impact DD&A expense. A material adverse change in the estimated volumes of reserves could result in property impairments. Finally, these reserves are the basis for the Company’s supplemental oil and gas disclosures. For more information regarding the Company’s supplemental oil and gas disclosures, refer to Note 18—Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Reserves are calculated using an unweighted arithmetic average of commodity prices in effect on the first day of each of the previous twelve months, held flat for the life of the production, except where prices are defined by contractual arrangements. Operating costs, production and ad valorem taxes and future development costs are based on current costs with no escalation.
The Company has elected not to disclose probable and possible reserves or reserve estimates in this filing.
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Oil and Gas Exploration Costs
The Company accounts for its exploration and production activities using the successful efforts method of accounting. Costs of acquiring unproved and proved oil and gas leasehold acreage are capitalized. Costs of drilling and equipping productive wells, including development dry holes, and related production facilities are also capitalized. Oil and gas exploration costs, other than the costs of drilling exploratory wells, are charged to expense as incurred. Costs associated with drilling an exploratory well are initially capitalized, or suspended, pending a determination as to whether proved reserves have been found. On a quarterly basis, management reviews the status of all suspended exploratory well costs in light of ongoing exploration activities and determines whether the Company is making sufficient progress in its ongoing exploration and appraisal efforts or, in the case of discoveries requiring government sanctioning, whether development negotiations are underway and proceeding as planned. If management determines that future appraisal drilling or development activities are unlikely to occur, associated suspended exploratory well costs are recorded as dry hole expense and reported in exploration expense in the statement of consolidated operations. Otherwise, the costs of exploratory wells remain capitalized.
Offshore Decommissioning Contingency
The Company has potential exposure to future obligations related to divested properties. For information regarding potential decommissioning obligations on sold properties estimated and recorded in the third quarter of 2021, please refer to “Potential Decommissioning Obligations on Sold Properties” above and in Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part IV, Item 5 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Changes in significant assumptions impacting the Company’s estimated liability, including expected decommissioning rig spread rates, lift boat rates, and planned abandonment logistics could result in a liability in excess of the amount accrued.
Impairment of Equity Method Interests
Equity method interests are assessed for impairment whenever changes in the facts and circumstances indicate a loss in value has occurred, if the loss is deemed to be other than temporary. When the loss is deemed to be other than temporary, the carrying value of the equity method investment is written down to fair value, and the amount of the write-down is included in income.
Altus recorded an impairment charge on its equity method interest in the EPIC crude oil pipeline (EPIC) in the fourth quarter of 2021. The fair value of the impaired interest was determined using the income approach. The income approach considered estimates of future throughput volumes, tariff rates, and costs. These assumptions were applied to develop future cash flow projections that were then discounted to estimated fair value, using a discount rate believed to be consistent with that which would be applied by market participants. The Company has classified this nonrecurring fair value measurement as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Refer to Note 6—Equity Method Interests, within Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details of Altus’ equity method interests.
Long-Lived Asset Impairments
Long-lived assets used in operations, including proved oil and gas properties and GPT assets, are assessed for impairment whenever changes in facts and circumstances indicate a possible significant deterioration in future cash flows expected to be generated by an asset. Individual assets are grouped for impairment purposes based on a judgmental assessment of the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets. If there is an indication that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recovered, the asset is assessed by management through an established process in which changes to significant assumptions such as prices, volumes, and future development plans are reviewed. If, upon review, the sum of the undiscounted pre-tax cash flows is less than the carrying value of the asset group, the carrying value is written down to estimated fair value. Because there usually is a lack of quoted market prices for long-lived assets, the fair value of impaired assets is assessed by management using the income approach.
Under the income approach, the fair value of each asset group is estimated based on the present value of expected future cash flows. The income approach is dependent on a number of factors including estimates of forecasted revenue and operating costs, proved reserves, the success of future exploration for and development of unproved reserves, expected throughput volumes for GPT assets, discount rates, and other variables. Key assumptions used in developing a discounted cash flow model described above include estimated quantities of crude oil and natural gas reserves; estimates of market prices considering forward commodity price curves as of the measurement date; and estimates of operating, administrative, and capital costs adjusted for inflation. The Company discounts the resulting future cash flows using a discount rate believed to be consistent with those applied by market participants.
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To assess the reasonableness of our fair value estimate, when available, management uses a market approach to compare the fair value to similar assets. This requires management to make certain judgments about the selection of comparable assets, recent comparable asset transactions, and transaction premiums.
Although the fair value estimate of each asset group is based on assumptions believed to be reasonable, those assumptions are inherently unpredictable and uncertain, and actual results could differ from the estimate. Negative revisions of estimated reserves quantities, increases in future cost estimates, divestiture of a significant component of the asset group, or sustained decreases in crude oil or natural gas prices could lead to a reduction in expected future cash flows and possibly an additional impairment of long-lived assets in future periods.
Over the past several years, the Company has experienced substantial volatility in commodity prices, which impacted its future development plans and operating cash flows. As such, material impairments of certain proved oil and gas properties and gathering, processing, and transmission facilities were recorded in 2020. For discussion of these impairments, see “Fair Value Measurements” of Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Asset Retirement Obligation (ARO)
The Company has significant obligations to remove tangible equipment and restore land or seabed at the end of oil and gas production operations. The Company’s removal and restoration obligations are primarily associated with plugging and abandoning wells and removing and disposing of offshore oil and gas platforms in the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Estimating the future restoration and removal costs is difficult and requires management to make estimates and judgments. Asset removal technologies and costs are constantly changing, as are regulatory, political, environmental, safety, and public relations considerations.
ARO associated with retiring tangible long-lived assets is recognized as a liability in the period in which the legal obligation is incurred and becomes determinable. The liability is offset by a corresponding increase in the underlying asset. The ARO liability reflects the estimated present value of the amount of dismantlement, removal, site reclamation, and similar activities associated with the Company’s oil and gas properties and other long-lived assets. The Company utilizes current retirement costs to estimate the expected cash outflows for retirement obligations. Inherent in the present value calculation are numerous assumptions and judgments including the ultimate settlement amounts, inflation factors, credit-adjusted discount rates, timing of settlement, and changes in the legal, regulatory, environmental, and political environments. Accretion expense is recognized over time as the discounted liability is accreted to its expected settlement value.
Income Taxes
The Company’s oil and gas exploration and production operations are subject to taxation on income in numerous jurisdictions worldwide. The Company records deferred tax assets and liabilities to account for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in its financial statements and tax returns. Management routinely assesses the ability to realize the Company’s deferred tax assets. If management concludes that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized under accounting standards, the tax asset would be reduced by a valuation allowance. Numerous judgments and assumptions are inherent in the determination of future taxable income, including factors such as future operating conditions (particularly as related to prevailing oil and gas prices).
The Company regularly assesses and, if required, establishes accruals for uncertain tax positions that could result from assessments of additional tax by taxing jurisdictions in countries where the Company operates. The Company recognizes a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the position. These accruals for uncertain tax positions are subject to a significant amount of judgment and are reviewed and adjusted on a periodic basis in light of changing facts and circumstances considering the progress of ongoing tax audits, case law, and any new legislation. The Company believes that its accruals for uncertain tax positions are adequate in relation to the potential for any additional tax assessments.
FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001784031-22-000009.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion relates to APA Corporation (APA or the Company) and its consolidated subsidiaries and should be read together in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the risk factors and related information set forth in Part I, Item 1A and Part II, Item 7A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K generally discusses 2021 and 2020 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2021 and 2020. Discussions of 2019 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2020 and 2019 that are not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are incorporated by reference to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of Apache Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 (filed with the SEC on February 25, 2021).
On January 4, 2021, Apache Corporation announced plans to implement a holding company reorganization (the Holding Company Reorganization), which was thereafter completed on March 1, 2021. In connection with the Holding Company Reorganization, Apache Corporation became a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of APA Corporation, and all of Apache Corporation’s outstanding shares were automatically converted into equivalent corresponding shares of APA Corporation. Pursuant to the Holding Company Reorganization, APA Corporation became the successor issuer to Apache Corporation pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Exchange Act and replaced Apache Corporation as the public company trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “APA.” The Holding Company Reorganization modernized the Company’s operating and legal structure to more closely align with its growing international presence, making it more consistent with other companies that have subsidiaries operating around the globe.
Overview
APA is an independent energy company that explores for, develops, and produces natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The Company’s upstream business currently has exploration and production operations in three geographic areas: the U.S., Egypt, and offshore the U.K. in the North Sea (North Sea). APA also has active exploration and appraisal operations ongoing in Suriname, as well as interests in other international locations that may, over time, result in reportable discoveries and development opportunities. The Company’s midstream business (Altus Midstream) is operated by Altus Midstream Company (Nasdaq: ALTM) through its subsidiary Altus Midstream LP (collectively, Altus). Altus owns, develops, and operates a midstream energy asset network in the Permian Basin of West Texas.
APA believes energy underpins global progress, and the Company wants to be a part of the conversation and solution as society works to meet growing global demand for reliable and affordable energy. Today, the world faces a dual challenge: To meet growing demand for energy and to do so in a cleaner, more sustainable way. APA believes society can accomplish both and strives to meet those challenges while creating value for all its stakeholders.
The global economy and the energy industry have been deeply impacted by the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and related governmental actions. Uncertainties in the commodity and financial markets since early 2020 continue to impact oil supply and demand. Despite these uncertainties, the Company remains committed to its longer-term objectives: (1) to maintain a balanced asset portfolio, including advancement of ongoing exploration and appraisal activities offshore Suriname; (2) to invest for long-term returns over production growth; and (3) to budget conservatively to generate cash flow in excess of its upstream exploration, appraisal, and development capital program that can be directed to debt reduction, share repurchases, and other return of capital to its stakeholders. The Company continues to aggressively manage its cost structure regardless of the oil price environment and closely monitors hydrocarbon pricing fundamentals to reallocate capital as part of its ongoing planning process. For additional detail on the Company’s forward capital investment outlook, refer to “Capital and Operational Outlook” below.
During 2021, the Company reported net income attributable to common stock of $973 million, or $2.59 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $4.9 billion, or $12.86 per diluted share, in 2020. Net income in 2021 benefited from significantly improved commodity prices that had collapsed in the prior year when the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected economic activity and the oil markets. In 2020, the Company recorded impairments totaling $4.5 billion in connection with fair value assessments stemming from the global crude oil price collapse.
The Company generated $3.5 billion of cash from operating activities in 2021, which was $2.1 billion or 152 percent higher than the prior year. APA’s higher operating cash flows for 2021 were driven by higher crude oil and natural gas prices and associated revenues. The Company ended the year with a cash balance of $302 million, up $40 million from year-end 2020, after paying back nearly $1.4 billion of debt during 2021 in an effort to reduce near-term debt maturities and strengthening its balance sheet.
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Following this progress and considering the ongoing constructive price environment, the Company initiated a capital return framework for our shareholders, as follows:
•The Company implemented a capital return framework during 2021 for equity holders to participate more directly and materially in cash returns. The Company believes returning 60 percent of cash flow over capital investment creates a good balance for providing near-term cash returns to shareholders while still recognizing the importance of longer-term balance sheet strengthening.
•The Company announced a quarterly dividend increase in the third quarter of 2021 from $0.025 per share to $0.0625 per share and, in the fourth quarter of 2021, announced a further increase to $0.125 per share.
•During the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to 40 million shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company repurchased approximately 31.2 million of its common shares for $847 million during the fourth quarter of 2021. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had remaining authorization to repurchase up to 48.8 million shares under Company’s share repurchase programs.
Operational Highlights
Key operational highlights for the year include:
United States
•Daily boe production from the Company’s U.S. assets, which decreased 10 percent from the prior year end, accounted for 59 percent of its total worldwide production during 2021. After halting all drilling and completion activity for most of 2020, in response to completion cost reductions, the Company reinstated two operated completion crews in the Permian Basin in late 2020 to begin completing its backlog of drilled but uncompleted well inventory. In early 2021, the Company re-activated one drilling rig in the Permian Basin and one rig in the Austin Chalk. A second rig was added in the Permian Basin in late June 2021. For 2022, the Company will continue to budget its capital program at levels to fund activity necessary to offset inherent declines in production and proved oil and natural gas reserves.
•On October 11, 2021, the Company announced that it has ended routine flaring in its U.S. onshore operations, achieving one of its announced 2021 environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals three months ahead of schedule. The Company also seeks continuous improvement on its safety performance and protocols, having established key safety indicators and metrics that are rigorously managed and that impact annual incentive compensation Company-wide.
•On October 21, 2021, ALTM announced that it will combine with privately owned BCP Raptor Holdco LP (BCP) in an all-stock transaction. As consideration for the transaction, ALTM will issue 50 million shares of Class C Common Stock (and its subsidiary, Altus Midstream LP, will issue a corresponding number of common units) to BCP’s unitholders, which are principally funds affiliated with Blackstone and I Squared Capital. Upon closing of the transaction, APA will own approximately 20 percent of the issued and outstanding common stock of the combined entity. The transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of 2022 following completion of customary closing conditions.
International
•In December 2021, the Egyptian President signed and ratified the previously announced agreement with the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) to modernize the terms of the majority of the Company’s production-sharing contracts (PSCs), having an effective date of April 1, 2021. The new PSC consolidates 98 percent of gross acreage and 90 percent of gross production into a single concession and refreshes the existing development lease terms for 20 years and exploration leases for 5 years. The consolidated concession has a single cost recovery pool that provides improved access to cost recovery, a fixed 40 percent cost recovery limit, and a fixed profit-sharing rate of 30 percent for all the Company’s production covered under the new concession. The changes also simplify the contractual relationship with EGPC, facilitate recovery of prior investment, and update day-to-day operational governance. The Apache entity that is the sole contractor is owned two-thirds by Apache and one-third by Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Corporation (Sinopec).
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•Egypt gross equivalent production decreased 14 percent and net production decreased 6 percent from 2020, primarily a result of natural decline given reduced drilling activity in the past year. The modernized production-sharing agreement did not impact 2021 production since it was ratified at the end of the year. The Company continues to build and enhance its robust drilling inventory in Egypt, supplemented with recent seismic acquisitions and new play concept evaluations, on both new and existing acreage. The Company anticipates increased drilling and workover activity in 2022 as a result of the ratification of the new modernized PSC.
•The North Sea maintained two drilling rigs during 2021. During the year, production was significantly impacted by compressor downtime, extended platform turnaround work, and third-party pipeline outages.
•Following three successful exploration discoveries offshore Suriname on Block 58, in late 2020, the Company commenced drilling a fourth exploration well in the block at the Keskesi prospect. In January 2021, the Company and its partner TotalEnergies (formerly Total S.A.) announced a discovery that confirmed oil in the eastern portion of the block. The Company has subsequently transferred operatorship of Block 58 to TotalEnergies, with exploration and appraisal activities continuing to progress. TotalEnergies holds a 50 percent working interest in Block 58.
•In November 2021, the Company announced a successful flow test and pressure buildup at its Sapakara South appraisal well on Block 58, which continues to improve in outlook as additional information is gathered and processed. Further, in February 2022 the Company and TotalEnergies announced an oil discovery at the Krabdagu-1 (KBD-1) exploration well. KBD-1 is located approximately 18 kilometers southeast of the Sapakara South-1 well. The well was designed to test multiple stacked targets in Maastrichtian and Campanian intervals and encountered approximately 90 meters (295 feet) of net oil pay.
For a more detailed discussion related to the Company’s various geographic segments, refer to “Upstream Exploration and Production Properties—Operating Areas” set forth in Part I, Item 1 and 2 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Acquisition and Divestiture Activity
Over the Company’s history, it has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to capitalize quickly and decisively on changes in its industry and economic conditions. A key component of this strategy is to continuously review and optimize APA’s portfolio of assets in response to these changes. Most recently, the Company has completed a series of divestitures designed to monetize nonstrategic assets and enhance the Company’s portfolio in order to allocate resources to more impactful exploration and development opportunities. These divestitures include:
•Permian Basin Divestiture In the second quarter of 2021, the Company completed the sale of certain non-core assets in the Central Basin Platform of the Permian Basin for total cash proceeds of $176 million and the assumption of asset retirement obligations of $44 million.
•U.S. Leasehold Divestitures & Acquisitions During 2021, the Company completed the sale of other non-core assets and leasehold acreage, primarily in the Permian Basin, in multiple transactions for total cash proceeds of $80 million. Also during 2021, the Company completed leasehold and property acquisitions, primarily in the Permian Basin, for total cash consideration of $9 million.
•U.S. Leasehold Divestitures & Other During 2020, the Company completed the sale of certain non-core producing assets and leasehold acreage, primarily in the Permian Basin, in multiple transactions for total cash proceeds of $87 million. The Company also completed certain leasehold and property acquisitions, primarily in the Permian Basin, for total cash consideration of $4 million.
•Suriname Joint Venture Agreement In December 2019, the Company entered into a joint venture agreement with TotalEnergies to explore and develop Block 58 offshore Suriname. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company and TotalEnergies each hold a 50 percent working interest in Block 58. The Company operated the drilling of the first four wells and subsequently transferred operatorship of Block 58 to TotalEnergies. In connection with the agreement, the Company received $100 million upon closing in the fourth quarter of 2019 and $79 million upon satisfying certain closing conditions in the first quarter of 2020 for reimbursement of 50 percent of all costs incurred on Block 58 as of December 31, 2019. Key terms of the agreement provide for TotalEnergies to pay a proportionately larger share of appraisal and development costs, which would be recoverable through hydrocarbon participation.
For detailed information regarding APA’s acquisitions and divestitures, refer to Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestitures in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Results of Operations
Oil and Gas Production Revenues
The Company’s oil and gas production revenues and respective contribution to total revenues by country are as follows:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||
| $ Value | % Contribution | $ Value | % Contribution | $ Value | % Contribution | ||||||||||||||||
| ($ in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 1,850 | 40 | % | $ | 1,209 | 39 | % | $ | 2,098 | 40 | % | |||||||||
| Egypt(1) | 1,806 | 40 | % | 1,102 | 35 | % | 1,969 | 38 | % | ||||||||||||
| North Sea | 929 | 20 | % | 795 | 26 | % | 1,163 | 22 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total(1) | $ | 4,585 | 100 | % | $ | 3,106 | 100 | % | $ | 5,230 | 100 | % | |||||||||
| Natural Gas Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 754 | 62 | % | $ | 251 | 42 | % | $ | 293 | 43 | % | |||||||||
| Egypt(1) | 270 | 23 | % | 280 | 47 | % | 295 | 44 | % | ||||||||||||
| North Sea | 183 | 15 | % | 67 | 11 | % | 90 | 13 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total(1) | $ | 1,207 | 100 | % | $ | 598 | 100 | % | $ | 678 | 100 | % | |||||||||
| NGL Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 673 | 95 | % | $ | 304 | 91 | % | $ | 372 | 91 | % | |||||||||
| Egypt(1) | 9 | 1 | % | 8 | 3 | % | 12 | 3 | % | ||||||||||||
| North Sea | 24 | 4 | % | 21 | 6 | % | 23 | 6 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total(1) | $ | 706 | 100 | % | $ | 333 | 100 | % | $ | 407 | 100 | % | |||||||||
| Oil and Gas Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 3,277 | 50 | % | $ | 1,764 | 44 | % | $ | 2,763 | 44 | % | |||||||||
| Egypt(1) | 2,085 | 32 | % | 1,390 | 34 | % | 2,276 | 36 | % | ||||||||||||
| North Sea | 1,136 | 18 | % | 883 | 22 | % | 1,276 | 20 | % | ||||||||||||
| Total(1) | $ | 6,498 | 100 | % | $ | 4,037 | 100 | % | $ | 6,315 | 100 | % |
(1)Includes revenues attributable to a noncontrolling interest in Egypt.
39
Production
The following table presents production volumes by country:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Increase (Decrease) | 2020 | Increase (Decrease) | 2019 | ||||||||
| Oil Volumes – b/d: | ||||||||||||
| United States(5) | 75,205 | (15)% | 88,249 | (16)% | 105,051 | |||||||
| Egypt(3)(4) | 70,349 | (7)% | 75,384 | (11)% | 84,617 | |||||||
| North Sea | 36,265 | (28)% | 50,386 | 1% | 49,746 | |||||||
| Total | 181,819 | (15)% | 214,019 | (11)% | 239,414 | |||||||
| Natural Gas Volumes – Mcf/d: | ||||||||||||
| United States(5) | 527,461 | (6)% | 561,731 | (12)% | 639,580 | |||||||
| Egypt(3)(4) | 263,653 | (4)% | 274,175 | (4)% | 285,972 | |||||||
| North Sea | 38,565 | (33)% | 57,464 | 5% | 54,642 | |||||||
| Total | 829,679 | (7)% | 893,370 | (9)% | 980,194 | |||||||
| NGL Volumes – b/d: | ||||||||||||
| United States(5) | 66,232 | (11)% | 74,136 | 8% | 68,381 | |||||||
| Egypt(3)(4) | 531 | (30)% | 754 | (19)% | 931 | |||||||
| North Sea | 1,199 | (38)% | 1,936 | 11% | 1,739 | |||||||
| Total | 67,962 | (12)% | 76,826 | 8% | 71,051 | |||||||
| BOE per day:(1) | ||||||||||||
| United States(5) | 229,348 | (10)% | 256,007 | (9)% | 280,029 | |||||||
| Egypt(3)(4) | 114,821 | (6)% | 121,834 | (9)% | 133,209 | |||||||
| North Sea(2) | 43,892 | (29)% | 61,899 | 2% | 60,592 | |||||||
| Total | 388,061 | (12)% | 439,740 | (7)% | 473,830 |
(1)The table shows production on a boe basis in which natural gas is converted to an equivalent barrel of oil based on a 6:1 energy equivalent ratio. This ratio is not reflective of the price ratio between the two products.
(2)Average sales volumes from the North Sea were 44,179 boe/d, 62,157 boe/d, and 59,797 boe/d for 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. Sales volumes may vary from production volumes as a result of the timing of liftings in the Beryl field.
(3)Gross oil, natural gas, and NGL production in Egypt were as follows:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil (b/d) | 134,711 | 164,104 | 193,886 | |||||||||
| Natural Gas (Mcf/d) | 586,663 | 641,069 | 708,682 | |||||||||
| NGL (b/d) | 854 | 1,429 | 1,722 |
(4)Includes net production volumes per day attributable to a noncontrolling interest in Egypt of:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil (b/d) | 23,504 | 25,206 | 28,220 | |||||||||
| Natural Gas (Mcf/d) | 88,409 | 91,540 | 95,539 | |||||||||
| NGL (b/d) | 177 | 251 | 310 |
(5)Production volumes per day in the Company’s Alpine High field were as follows:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil (b/d) | 1,485 | 2,718 | 3,475 | |||||||||
| Natural Gas (Mcf/d) | 258,096 | 274,279 | 316,169 | |||||||||
| NGL (b/d) | 22,950 | 24,942 | 17,446 |
40
Pricing
The following table presents pricing information by country:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Increase (Decrease) | 2020 | Increase (Decrease) | 2019 | |||||||||||
| Average Oil Price - Per barrel: | |||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 67.37 | 80% | $ | 37.42 | (32)% | $ | 54.71 | |||||||
| Egypt | 70.33 | 76% | 39.95 | (37)% | 63.76 | ||||||||||
| North Sea | 69.67 | 62% | 42.88 | (34)% | 65.10 | ||||||||||
| Total | 68.97 | 74% | 39.60 | (34)% | 60.05 | ||||||||||
| Average Natural Gas Price - Per Mcf: | |||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 3.92 | 221% | $ | 1.22 | (3)% | $ | 1.26 | |||||||
| Egypt | 2.81 | 1% | 2.79 | (1) | 2.83 | ||||||||||
| North Sea | 12.96 | 306% | 3.19 | (29)% | 4.48 | ||||||||||
| Total | 3.99 | 118% | 1.83 | (4)% | 1.90 | ||||||||||
| Average NGL Price - Per barrel: | |||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 27.85 | 148% | $ | 11.21 | (25)% | $ | 14.95 | |||||||
| Egypt | 48.84 | 75% | 27.83 | (18)% | 33.87 | ||||||||||
| North Sea | 54.30 | 83% | 29.73 | (19)% | 36.83 | ||||||||||
| Total | 28.48 | 141% | 11.84 | (25)% | 15.74 |
Crude Oil Prices A substantial portion of the Company’s crude oil production is sold at prevailing market prices, which fluctuate in response to many factors that are outside of the Company’s control. Average realized crude oil prices for 2021 were up 74 percent compared to 2020, a direct result of the rising benchmark oil prices over the past year. Crude oil prices realized in 2021 averaged $68.97 per barrel.
Continued volatility in the commodity price environment reinforces the importance of the Company’s asset portfolio. While the market price received for natural gas varies among geographic areas, crude oil tends to trade within a global market. Price movements for all types and grades of crude oil generally move in the same direction.
Natural Gas Prices Natural gas, which currently has a limited global transportation system, is subject to price variances based on local supply and demand conditions. The Company’s primary markets include North America, Egypt, and the U.K. An overview of the market conditions in the Company’s primary gas-producing regions follows:
•The Company predominantly sells its natural gas production within the U.S., including to U.S. LNG export facilities, although a portion is sold to markets in Mexico. Most of the Company’s U.S. natural gas is sold on a monthly or daily basis at either monthly or daily index-based prices. The Company’s U.S. realizations averaged $3.92 per Mcf in 2021, up from $1.22 per Mcf in 2020.
•In Egypt, the Company’s natural gas is sold to EGPC, primarily under an industry-pricing formula, a sliding scale based on Dated Brent crude oil with a minimum of $1.50 per MMBtu and a maximum of $2.65 per MMBtu, plus an upward adjustment for liquids content. Overall, the Company’s Egypt operations averaged $2.81 per Mcf in 2021, a 1 percent increase from 2020.
•Natural gas from the North Sea Beryl field is processed through the SAGE gas plant. The gas is sold to a third party at the St. Fergus entry point of the national grid on a National Balancing Point index price basis. The Company’s North Sea operations averaged $12.96 per Mcf in 2021, a 306 percent increase from an average of $3.19 per Mcf in 2020.
41
NGL Prices The Company’s U.S. NGL production, which accounted for 97 percent of the Company’s total 2021 NGL production, is sold under contracts with prices at market indices based on Gulf Coast supply and demand conditions, less the costs for transportation and fractionation, or on a weighted-average sales price received by the purchaser.
Crude Oil Revenues
Crude oil revenues for 2021 totaled $4.6 billion, a $1.5 billion increase from the 2020 total of $3.1 billion. A 74 percent increase in average realized prices increased 2021 revenues by $2.3 billion compared to 2020, while 15 percent lower average daily production decreased revenues by $825 million. Average daily production in 2021 was 182 Mb/d, with prices averaging $68.97 per barrel. Crude oil sales accounted for 71 percent of the Company’s 2021 oil and gas production revenues and 47 percent of its worldwide production.
The Company’s worldwide crude oil production decreased 32 Mb/d compared to 2020, primarily a result of production decline across all countries driven by reduced drilling activity in the prior year, and extended operational downtime and platform turnaround work in the North Sea.
Natural Gas Revenues
Natural gas revenues for 2021 totaled $1,207 million, a $609 million increase from the 2020 total of $598 million. A 118 percent increase in average realized prices increased 2021 revenues by $705 million compared to 2020, while 7 percent lower average daily production decreased revenues by $96 million. Average daily production in 2021 was 830 MMcf/d, with prices averaging $3.99 per Mcf. Natural gas sales accounted for 18 percent of the Company’s 2021 oil and gas production revenues and 36 percent of its worldwide production.
The Company’s worldwide natural gas production decreased 64 MMcf/d compared to 2020, primarily a result of production decline across all countries, impacts of winter storms in the U.S., and extended operational downtime and platform turnaround work in the North Sea.
NGL Revenues
NGL revenues for 2021 totaled $706 million, a $373 million increase from the 2020 total of $333 million. A 141 percent increase in average realized prices increased 2021 revenues by $467 million compared to 2020, while 12 percent lower average daily production decreased revenues by $94 million. Average daily production in 2021 was 68 Mb/d, with prices averaging $28.48 per barrel. NGL sales accounted for 11 percent of the Company’s 2021 oil and gas production revenues and 17 percent of its worldwide production.
The Company’s worldwide NGL production decreased 9 Mb/d compared to 2020, primarily a result of production decline across all countries and the impacts of winter storms in the U.S.
Altus Midstream Revenues
The Company beneficially owns approximately 79 percent of ALTM’s outstanding voting common stock. Altus owns and operates a midstream energy asset network in the Permian Basin of West Texas primarily to service the Company’s production from its Alpine High resource play, which commenced production in May 2017. On October 21, 2021, ALTM announced that it will combine with privately owned BCP in an all-stock transaction, and APA’s ownership in ALTM will be reduced from approximately 79 percent to approximately 20 percent. The transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of 2022, following completion of customary closing conditions.
Altus Midstream primarily generates revenue by providing fee-based natural gas gathering, compression, processing, and transmission services. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, Altus Midstream’s service revenues generated through its fee-based contractual arrangements with the Company totaled $127 million and $145 million, respectively. These affiliated revenues are eliminated upon consolidation. The decrease in revenue compared to the prior year was primarily driven by lower natural gas throughput volumes processed by Altus for the Company’s Alpine High production.
42
Purchased Oil and Gas Sales
Purchased oil and gas sales represent volumes primarily attributable to transport, fuel, and physical in-basin gas purchases that were sold by the Company to fulfill natural gas takeaway obligations. Sales related to these purchased volumes increased $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $398 million to $1.5 billion. Purchased oil and gas sales were offset by associated purchase costs of $1.6 billion and $357 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase is the result of sales volume growth associated with additional transport capacity and a more than doubling of the average gas sales price.
Operating Expenses
The table below presents a comparison of the Company’s operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019. All operating expenses include costs attributable to a noncontrolling interest in Egypt and Altus.
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Lease operating expenses | $ | 1,241 | $ | 1,127 | $ | 1,447 | |||||
| Gathering, processing, and transmission | 264 | 274 | 306 | ||||||||
| Purchased oil and gas costs | 1,580 | 357 | 142 | ||||||||
| Taxes other than income | 204 | 123 | 207 | ||||||||
| Exploration | 155 | 274 | 805 | ||||||||
| General and administrative | 376 | 290 | 406 | ||||||||
| Transaction, reorganization, and separation | 22 | 54 | 50 | ||||||||
| Depreciation, depletion, and amortization: | |||||||||||
| Oil and gas property and equipment | 1,255 | 1,643 | 2,512 | ||||||||
| Gathering, processing, and transmission assets | 64 | 76 | 105 | ||||||||
| Other assets | 41 | 53 | 63 | ||||||||
| Asset retirement obligation accretion | 113 | 109 | 107 | ||||||||
| Impairments | 208 | 4,501 | 2,949 | ||||||||
| Financing costs, net | 514 | 267 | 462 |
Lease Operating Expenses (LOE)
LOE includes several key components, such as direct operating costs, repairs and maintenance, and workover costs. Direct operating costs generally trend with commodity prices and are impacted by the type of commodity produced and the location of properties (i.e., offshore, onshore, remote locations, etc.). Fluctuations in commodity prices impact operating cost elements both directly and indirectly. They directly impact costs such as power, fuel, and chemicals, which are commodity price based. Commodity prices also affect industry activity and demand, thus indirectly impacting the cost of items such as rig rates, labor, boats, helicopters, materials, and supplies. Crude oil, which accounted for 47 percent of the Company’s total 2021 production, is inherently more expensive to produce than natural gas. Repair and maintenance costs are typically higher on offshore properties.
During 2021, LOE increased $114 million, or 10 percent, compared to 2020. On a per-boe basis, LOE increased $1.75, or 25 percent, compared to 2020, from $7.00 per boe to $8.75 per boe. The increase in costs was driven by maintenance and turnaround costs in the North Sea, higher-priced emissions credits purchased in association with North Sea production, increased workover activity in the U.S., operating costs trending with commodity prices, inflation impacts, and overall higher labor costs that were heavily impacted by mark-to-market adjustments for stock-based compensation.
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Gathering, Processing, and Transmission (GPT)
GPT expenses include amounts paid to third-party carriers and to Altus Midstream for gathering and transmission services for the Company’s upstream natural gas production associated with its Alpine High play. GPT expenses also include midstream operating costs incurred by Altus Midstream. The following table presents a summary of these expenses:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Third-party processing and transmission costs | $ | 232 | $ | 236 | $ | 250 | |||||
| Midstream service affiliate costs | 128 | 143 | 134 | ||||||||
| Upstream processing and transmission costs | 360 | 379 | 384 | ||||||||
| Midstream operating expenses | 32 | 38 | 56 | ||||||||
| Intersegment eliminations | (128) | (143) | (134) | ||||||||
| Total Gathering, processing, and transmission | $ | 264 | $ | 274 | $ | 306 |
GPT costs decreased $10 million compared to 2020. Third-party processing and transmission costs decreased $4 million, primarily driven by a decrease in contracted pricing and lower processed volumes. Midstream service affiliate costs decreased $15 million compared to 2020, primarily driven by lower throughput of natural gas volumes at Alpine High. Midstream operating expenses, incurred primarily by Altus, decreased $6 million compared to 2020, driven by continued improvements in operational efficiency as a result of transitioning from mechanical refrigeration units to Altus’ centralized Diamond cryogenic complex. The transition resulted in decreases in contract labor, equipment rentals, and chemical expenses.
Purchased Oil and Gas Costs
Purchased oil and gas costs increased $1.2 billion compared to 2020, and were primarily offset by associated sales totaling $1.5 billion for the year ended 2021, as further discussed above.
Taxes Other Than Income
Taxes other than income primarily consist of severance taxes on onshore properties and in state waters off the coast of the U.S. and ad valorem taxes on U.S. properties. Severance taxes are generally based on a percentage of oil and gas production revenues. The Company is also subject to a variety of other taxes, including U.S. franchise taxes.
Taxes other than income increased $81 million compared to 2020, primarily from higher severance taxes driven by higher commodity prices.
Exploration Expenses
Exploration expenses include unproved leasehold impairments, exploration dry hole expense, geological and geophysical expenses, and the costs of maintaining and retaining unproved leasehold properties. The following table presents a summary of these expenses:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Unproved leasehold impairments | $ | 31 | $ | 101 | $ | 619 | |||||
| Dry hole expenses | 66 | 110 | 57 | ||||||||
| Geological and geophysical expenses | 18 | 20 | 59 | ||||||||
| Exploration overhead and other | 40 | 43 | 70 | ||||||||
| Total Exploration | $ | 155 | $ | 274 | $ | 805 |
Exploration expenses decreased $119 million compared to 2020. Unproved leasehold impairments were $70 million lower than the prior year due to improved commodity prices and increased drilling plans in the U.S. Dry hole expense decreased $44 million, geological and geophysical expenses decreased $2 million, and exploration overhead and other expenses decreased $3 million compared to 2020, primarily resulting from decreased exploration activities compared to the prior year.
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General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses
G&A expenses increased $86 million compared to 2020, primarily driven by higher cash-based stock compensation expense resulting from an increase in the Company’s stock price compared to the prior year, partially offset by lower overhead driven by organizational redesign efforts during 2019 and 2020.
Transaction, Reorganization, and Separation (TRS) Costs
TRS costs decreased $32 million compared to 2020, primarily driven by costs associated with the Company’s reorganization efforts incurred primarily in the prior year.
In recent years, the Company has streamlined its portfolio through strategic divestitures and centralized certain operational activities in an effort to capture greater efficiencies and cost savings through shared services. During the second half of 2019, management initiated a comprehensive redesign of the Company’s organizational structure and operations that it believes will better position the Company to be competitive for the long-term and further reduce recurring costs. Reorganization efforts were substantially completed in 2020; however, additional reorganization costs related to ongoing consulting and separation activities in the Company’s international operations were incurred during 2021.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (DD&A)
DD&A expenses on the Company’s oil and gas property for the year ended December 31, 2021 decreased $388 million compared to 2020. The Company’s oil and gas property DD&A rate decreased $1.35 per boe in 2021 compared to 2020, from $10.20 per boe to $8.85 per boe. The decrease was driven by lower production volumes and lower asset property balances associated with proved property impairments recorded during the first quarter of 2020. DD&A expense on the Company’s GPT depreciation decreased $12 million compared to 2020, driven by impairment charges recorded against the carrying value of the Company’s GPT facilities in Egypt during the first quarter of 2020.
Impairments
During 2021, the Company recorded asset impairments totaling $208 million. The charges include $160 million for Altus’ equity method interest in EPIC, as part of Altus’ review of the fair value of its assets in relation to the announced BCP Business Combination, $26 million in connection with inventory valuations in Egypt, and $22 million in connection with inventory valuations and expected equipment dispositions in the North Sea.
During 2020, the Company recorded asset impairments in connection with fair value assessments totaling $4.5 billion, including $4.3 billion for oil and gas proved properties in the U.S, Egypt, and the North Sea, $68 million for GPT facilities in Egypt, $87 million for goodwill in Egypt, and $27 million for inventory and other miscellaneous assets, including lease assets and charges for the early termination of drilling rig leases.
The following table presents a summary of asset impairments recorded for 2021, 2020, and 2019:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Oil and gas proved property | $ | — | $ | 4,319 | $ | 1,484 | |||||
| GPT facilities | — | 68 | 1,295 | ||||||||
| Equity method interests | 160 | — | — | ||||||||
| Divested unproved properties and leasehold | — | — | 149 | ||||||||
| Goodwill | — | 87 | — | ||||||||
| Inventory and other | 48 | 27 | 21 | ||||||||
| Total Impairments | $ | 208 | $ | 4,501 | $ | 2,949 |
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Financing Costs, Net
Financing costs incurred during the period comprised the following:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | 419 | $ | 438 | $ | 430 | |||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs | 8 | 8 | 7 | ||||||||
| Capitalized interest | (9) | (12) | (37) | ||||||||
| Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt | 104 | (160) | 75 | ||||||||
| Interest income | (8) | (7) | (13) | ||||||||
| Total Financing costs, net | $ | 514 | $ | 267 | $ | 462 |
Net financing costs increased $247 million compared to 2020, primarily the result of a $104 million loss on extinguishment of debt during 2021 and a $160 million gain on extinguishment of debt during 2020.
Provision for Income Taxes
Income tax expense increased $514 million from $64 million during 2020 to $578 million during 2021. The Company’s year-to-date 2021 effective income tax rate was primarily impacted by asset impairments and a decrease in the amount of valuation allowance against its U.S. deferred tax assets. During 2020, the Company’s effective income tax rate was primarily impacted by oil and gas asset impairments, a goodwill impairment, and an increase in the amount of valuation allowance against its U.S. deferred tax assets.
The Company recorded a full valuation allowance against its U.S. net deferred tax assets and will continue to maintain a full valuation allowance on its U.S. net deferred tax assets until there is sufficient evidence to support the reversal of all or some portion of this allowance. For additional information regarding income taxes, refer to Note 10—Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income or capital taxes in various state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company’s tax reserves are related to tax years that may be subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority. The Company is currently under audit by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the 2014-2017 tax years and is also under audit in various states and foreign jurisdictions as part of its normal course of business.
Capital and Operational Outlook
The Company continues to prudently manage its capital program against a volatile price environment and the prolonged effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these uncertainties, the Company remains committed to its longer-term objectives: (1) to maintain a balanced asset portfolio, including advancement of ongoing exploration and appraisal activities offshore Suriname; (2) to invest for long-term returns over production growth; and (3) to budget conservatively to generate cash flow in excess of its upstream exploration, appraisal, and development capital program that can be directed to debt reduction, share repurchases, and return of capital to its stakeholders.
The Company’s 2022 capital program will maintain a similar investment approach to the prior year, with upstream capital investment budgeted at approximately $1.6 billion. This budget includes small changes to the timing of rig count increases in Egypt and the U.S. as well as updated views on costs and inflation. This amount also includes approximately $200 million for exploration and appraisal activities, primarily in Suriname. In 2023 and 2024, the total capital budget is anticipated to increase slightly despite a relatively unchanged activity set, given expectations of continued inflationary pressure.
Based on this planned capital activity, the Company anticipates 2022 worldwide production levels will be similar to 2021, after adjusting for divestments. Egypt gross production is expected to increase through the year with higher rig activity, while Egypt net production will be additionally benefited from the effects of the modernized PSC terms. The Company anticipates moderate production declines in the U.S. compared to 2021 given gradual increases in activity levels over the past year and timing of completions.
At current strip pricing, the Company expects to generate significant cash flow over this capital activity budget. The Company’s commitment to return capital to shareholders over the next three years will remain unchanged.
46
The Company’s diversified global portfolio provides the ability to quickly optimize capital allocation as market conditions change. The current uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, however, are still evolving and may become more severe and complex. As a result, the COVID-19 pandemic may still materially and adversely affect the Company’s results in a manner that is either not currently known or that the Company does not currently consider to be a significant risk to its business. For additional information about the business risks relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and related governmental actions, refer to Part I, Item 1A—Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Separate from the Company’s upstream oil and gas activities, capital spending for Altus’ gathering and processing assets totaled $3 million in 2021, down from $28 million in 2020 when a majority of the midstream infrastructure construction was completed. Altus management believes its existing gathering, processing, and transmission infrastructure capacity is capable of fulfilling its midstream contracts to service the Company’s production from Alpine High and any third-party customers.
Additionally, during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, Altus made cash contributions totaling $28 million and $327 million, respectively, for its Equity Method Interest Pipelines that are all currently in service. Altus estimates it will incur minimal capital contributions during 2022 for its equity interest in these joint venture pipelines. Based on Altus management’s current financial plan and related assumptions prior to closing the BCP Business Combination, Altus believes that cash from operations, a reduced capital program for its midstream infrastructure, and distributions from Equity Method Interests will generate cash flows in excess of capital expenditures and the amount required to fund Altus’ planned quarterly dividend and quarterly payments to the holders of Altus Midstream LP’s Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units (Preferred Units) during 2022.
For further information on the Equity Method Interest Pipelines, refer to Note 6—Equity Method Interests in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
Operating cash flows are the Company’s primary source of liquidity. The Company’s short-term and long-term operating cash flows are impacted by highly volatile commodity prices, as well as production costs and sales volumes. Significant changes in commodity prices impact the Company’s revenues, earnings, and cash flows. These changes potentially impact the Company’s liquidity if costs do not trend with related changes in commodity prices. Historically, costs have trended with commodity prices, albeit on a lag. Sales volumes also impact cash flows; however, they have a less volatile impact in the short term.
The Company’s long-term operating cash flows are dependent on reserve replacement and the level of costs required for ongoing operations. Cash investments are required to fund activity necessary to offset the inherent declines in production and proved crude oil and natural gas reserves. Future success in maintaining and growing reserves and production is highly dependent on the success of the Company’s drilling program and its ability to add reserves economically. Changes in commodity prices also impact estimated quantities of proved reserves.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized upward reserve revisions of approximately 10 percent of its year-end 2020 estimated proved reserves as a result of improved commodity prices compared to negative reserve revisions of approximately 7 percent in the prior year as a result of lower commodity prices. The Company’s estimates of proved reserves, proved developed reserves, and PUD reserves as of December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, changes in estimated proved reserves during the last three years, and estimates of future net cash flows from proved reserves are contained in Note 18—Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company believes its available liquidity and capital resource alternatives, combined with proactive measures to adjust its capital budget to reflect volatile commodity prices and anticipated operating cash flows, will be adequate to fund short-term and long-term operations, including the Company’s capital development program, repayment of debt maturities, payment of dividends, share buy-back activity, and amounts that may ultimately be paid in connection with commitments and contingencies.
The Company may also elect to utilize available cash on hand, committed subsidiary borrowing capacity, access to both debt and equity capital markets, or proceeds from the sale of nonstrategic assets for all other liquidity and capital resource needs.
For additional information, refer to Part I, Items 1 and 2—Business and Properties and Part I, Item 1A—Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
47
Sources and Uses of Cash
The following table presents the sources and uses of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents for the years presented:
| For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Sources of Cash and Cash Equivalents: | |||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 3,496 | $ | 1,388 | $ | 2,867 | |||||
| Proceeds from Apache credit facility, net | 392 | 150 | — | ||||||||
| Proceeds from Altus credit facility, net | 33 | 228 | 396 | ||||||||
| Proceeds from asset divestitures | 256 | 166 | 718 | ||||||||
| Fixed-rate debt borrowings | — | 1,238 | 989 | ||||||||
| Redeemable noncontrolling interest - Altus Preferred Unit limited partners | — | — | 611 | ||||||||
| Other | 23 | — | — | ||||||||
| 4,200 | 3,170 | 5,581 | |||||||||
| Uses of Cash and Cash Equivalents: | |||||||||||
| Additions to oil and gas property(1) | 1,101 | 1,270 | 2,594 | ||||||||
| Additions to Altus gathering, processing, and transmission facilities(1) | 3 | 28 | 327 | ||||||||
| Leasehold and property acquisitions | 9 | 4 | 40 | ||||||||
| Contributions to Altus equity method interests | 28 | 327 | 501 | ||||||||
| Acquisition of Altus equity method interests | — | — | 671 | ||||||||
| Payments on fixed-rate debt | 1,795 | 1,243 | 1,150 | ||||||||
| Dividends paid | 52 | 123 | 376 | ||||||||
| Distributions to noncontrolling interest - Egypt | 279 | 91 | 305 | ||||||||
| Distributions to Altus Preferred Unit limited partners | 46 | 23 | — | ||||||||
| Shares repurchased | 847 | — | — | ||||||||
| Other | — | 46 | 84 | ||||||||
| 4,160 | 3,155 | 6,048 | |||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 40 | $ | 15 | $ | (467) |
(1)The table presents capital expenditures on a cash basis; therefore, the amounts may differ from those discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which include accruals.
Sources of Cash and Cash Equivalents
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Operating cash flows are the Company’s primary source of capital and liquidity and are impacted, both in the short term and the long term, by volatile commodity prices. The factors that determine operating cash flows are largely the same as those that affect net earnings, with the exception of non-cash expenses such as DD&A, exploratory dry hole expense, asset impairments, asset retirement obligation (ARO) accretion, and deferred income tax expense.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 totaled $3.5 billion, up $2.1 billion from the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily the result of higher commodity prices compared to the prior year.
For a detailed discussion of commodity prices, production, and operating expenses, refer to “Results of Operations” in this Item 7. For additional detail on the changes in operating assets and liabilities and the non-cash expenses that do not impact net cash provided by operating activities, refer to the Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows in the Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Proceeds from Apache Credit Facility, Net As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, Apache had outstanding borrowings of $542 million and $150 million, respectively, under its credit facility, which is classified as long-term debt.
Proceeds from Altus Credit Facility, Net The construction of Altus’ gathering and processing assets and the associated equity interests in the Equity Method Interest Pipelines has historically required capital expenditures in excess of Altus’ cash on hand and operational cash flows. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, Altus Midstream LP borrowed $33 million and $228 million, respectively, under its revolving credit facility to meet this shortfall. With the midstream infrastructure complete and all of the Equity Method Interest Pipelines now in service, the Company anticipates that Altus’ existing capital resources will be sufficient to fund its continuing obligations and dividend program.
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Proceeds from Asset Divestitures The Company received $256 million and $166 million in proceeds from the divestiture of certain non-core assets during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. For more information regarding the Company’s acquisitions and divestitures, refer to Note 2—Acquisitions and Divestitures in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part IV set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Fixed-Rate Debt Borrowings On August 17, 2020, Apache closed offerings of $1.25 billion in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes, comprised of $500 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.625% notes due 2025 and $750 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.875% notes due 2027. The senior unsecured notes are redeemable at any time, in whole or in part, at Apache’s option, at the applicable redemption price. The net proceeds from the sale of the notes were used to purchase certain outstanding notes in cash tender offers, repay a portion of outstanding borrowings under Apache’s senior revolving credit facility, and for general corporate purposes.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest - Altus Preferred Unit Limited Partners On June 12, 2019, Altus Midstream LP issued and sold Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units for an aggregate issue price of $625 million in a private offering exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Altus Midstream LP received approximately $611 million in cash proceeds from the sale after deducting transaction costs and discounts to certain purchasers. For more information, refer to Note 13—Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest - Altus in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Uses of Cash and Cash Equivalents
Additions to Upstream Oil & Gas Property Exploration and development cash expenditures were $1.1 billion and $1.3 billion for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease in capital investment is reflective of the Company’s capital program, which was reduced early in 2020 to align with anticipated operating cash flows following the collapse of commodity prices stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company operated an average of 13 drilling rigs during 2021, compared to an average of 12 drilling rigs during 2020.
Additions to Altus Gathering, Processing, and Transmission (GPT) Facilities The Company’s cash expenditures for GPT facilities totaled $3 million and $28 million during 2021 and 2020, respectively, nearly all comprising midstream infrastructure expenditures incurred by Altus, which were substantially completed as of December 31, 2019. Altus management believes its existing GPT infrastructure capacity is capable of fulfilling its midstream contracts to service the Company’s production from Alpine High and any third-party customers.
Leasehold and Property Acquisitions During 2021 and 2020, the Company completed leasehold and property acquisitions, primarily in the Permian Basin, for total cash consideration of $9 million and $4 million, respectively.
Contributions to Altus Equity Method Interests Altus contributed $28 million and $327 million in cash during 2021 and 2020, respectively, for equity interests in the Equity Method Interest Pipelines. For more information regarding the Company’s equity method interests, refer to Note 6—Equity Method Interests in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Payments on Fixed-Rate Debt During 2021, Apache closed cash tender offers for certain outstanding notes issued under its indentures, accepting for purchase $1.7 billion aggregate principal amount of notes covered by the tender offers. Apache paid holders an aggregate cash purchase price of $1.8 billion reflecting principal, premium to par, and accrued and unpaid interest. The Company recognized a $105 million loss on extinguishment of debt, including $11 million of unamortized debt discount and issuance costs, in connection with the note purchases.
During 2021, Apache purchased in the open market and canceled senior notes issued under its indentures in an aggregate principal amount of $22 million for an aggregate purchase price of $20 million in cash, including accrued interest and broker fees, reflecting a discount to par of an aggregate $2 million. The Company recognized a $1 million net gain on extinguishment of debt as part of these transactions.
During 2020, Apache purchased in the open market and canceled senior notes issued under its indentures in an aggregate principal amount of $588 million for an aggregate purchase price of $428 million in cash, including accrued interest and broker fees, reflecting a discount to par of an aggregate $168 million. These repurchases resulted in a $158 million net gain on extinguishment of debt. The net gain includes an acceleration of related discount and debt issuance costs. Additionally, on November 3, 2020, Apache redeemed the remaining $183 million of outstanding 3.625% senior notes due February 1, 2021 at a redemption price equal to 100 percent of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. The repurchases were financed by borrowings under Apache’s revolving credit facility.
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Also during 2020, Apache closed cash tender offers for certain outstanding notes. Apache accepted for purchase $644 million aggregate principal amount certain notes covered by the tender offers. Apache paid holders an aggregate cash purchase price of $644 million, reflecting principal, aggregate discount to par of $38 million, early tender premium of $32 million, and accrued and unpaid interest of $6 million. The Company recorded a net gain of $2 million on extinguishment of debt, including an acceleration of unamortized debt discount and issuance costs, in connection with the note purchases.
The Company expects that Apache will continue to reduce debt outstanding under its indentures from time to time.
Dividends The Company paid $52 million and $123 million during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, for dividends on its common stock. In the first quarter of 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a reduction in the Company’s quarterly dividend per share from $0.25 per share to $0.025 per share, effective for all dividends payable after March 12, 2020. During the third quarter of 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an increase in its quarterly dividend per share from $0.025 to $0.0625, and in the fourth quarter of 2021, approved a further increase to its quarterly dividend to $0.125 per share.
Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest - Egypt Sinopec holds a one-third minority participation interest in the Company’s oil and gas operations in Egypt. The Company paid $279 million and $91 million during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, in cash distributions to Sinopec.
Distributions to Altus Preferred Units limited partners Altus Midstream LP paid $46 million and $23 million in cash distributions to its limited partners holding Preferred Units during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. For more information regarding the Preferred Units, refer to Note 13—Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest - Altus in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Liquidity
The following table presents a summary of the Company’s key financial indicators as of December 31:
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 302 | $ | 262 | |||
| Total debt - Apache | 6,853 | 8,148 | |||||
| Total debt - Altus | 657 | 624 | |||||
| Total equity (deficit) | (717) | (645) | |||||
| Available committed borrowing capacity - Apache | 2,426 | 2,944 | |||||
| Available committed borrowing capacity - Altus | 141 | 176 |
Cash and Cash Equivalents As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $302 million in cash and cash equivalents, of which approximately $132 million was held by Altus. The majority of the Company’s cash is invested in highly liquid, investment-grade instruments with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase.
Debt As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $7.5 billion in total debt outstanding, which consisted of notes, debentures, credit facility borrowings, and finance lease obligations. Future interest payments on the fixed-rate notes and debentures are approximately $4.7 billion. As of December 31, 2021, current debt included $213 million carrying value of 3.25% senior notes due April 15, 2022 and $2 million of finance lease obligations. On January 18, 2022, Apache redeemed the remaining $213.5 million of outstanding 3.25% senior notes due April 15, 2022 at a redemption price equal to 100 percent of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. The redemption was financed by borrowing under Apache’s revolving credit facility.
Committed Credit Facilities In March 2018, Apache entered into a revolving credit facility with commitments totaling $4.0 billion. In March 2019, the term of this facility was extended by one year to March 2024 (subject to Apache’s remaining one-year extension option) pursuant to Apache’s exercise of an extension option. Apache can increase commitments up to $5.0 billion by adding new lenders or obtaining the consent of any increasing existing lenders. The facility includes a letter of credit subfacility of up to $3.0 billion, of which $2.08 billion was committed as of December 31, 2021. The facility is for general corporate purposes. Letters of credit are available for security needs, including in respect of North Sea decommissioning obligations. The facility has no collateral requirements, is not subject to borrowing base redetermination, and has no drawdown restrictions or prepayment obligations in the event of a decline in credit ratings.
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As of December 31, 2021, there were $542 million of borrowings and an aggregate £748 million and $20 million in letters of credit outstanding under this facility. As of December 31, 2020, there were $150 million of borrowings and an aggregate £633 million and $40 million in letters of credit outstanding under this facility. The outstanding letters of credit denominated in pounds were issued to support North Sea decommissioning obligations, the terms of which required such support after Standard & Poor’s reduced Apache’s credit rating from BBB to BB+ on March 26, 2020.
At Apache’s option, the interest rate per annum for borrowings under the 2018 facility is either a base rate, as defined, plus a margin, or the London Inter-bank Offered Rate (LIBOR), plus a margin. Apache also pays quarterly a facility fee at a per annum rate on total commitments. The margins and the facility fee vary based upon Apache’s senior long-term debt rating. At December 31, 2021, the base rate margin was 0.5 percent, the LIBOR margin was 1.50 percent, and the facility fee was 0.25 percent. A commission is payable quarterly to lenders on the face amount of each outstanding letter of credit at a per annum rate equal to the LIBOR margin then in effect. Customary letter of credit fronting fees and other charges are payable to issuing banks.
The financial covenants of the credit facility require Apache to maintain an adjusted debt-to-capital ratio of not greater than 60 percent at the end of any fiscal quarter. For purposes of this calculation, capital excludes the effects of non-cash write-downs, impairments, and related charges occurring after June 30, 2015. At December 31, 2021, Apache’s debt-to-capital ratio as calculated under the credit facility was 28 percent. The 2018 facility’s negative covenants restrict the ability of Apache and its subsidiaries to create liens securing debt on their hydrocarbon-related assets, with exceptions for liens typically arising in the oil and gas industry; liens securing debt incurred to finance the acquisition, construction, improvement, or capital lease of assets, provided that such debt, when incurred, does not exceed the subject purchase price and costs, as applicable, and related expenses; liens on subsidiary assets located outside of the United States and Canada; and liens arising as a matter of law, such as tax and mechanics’ liens. Apache also may incur liens on assets if debt secured thereby does not exceed 15 percent of Apache’s consolidated net tangible assets, or approximately $1.9 billion as of December 31, 2021. Negative covenants also restrict Apache’s ability to merge with another entity unless it is the surviving entity, dispose of substantially all of its assets, and guarantee debt of non-consolidated entities in excess of the stated threshold.
In November 2018, Altus Midstream LP entered into a revolving credit facility for general corporate purposes that matures in November 2023 (subject to Altus Midstream LP’s two, one-year extension options). The agreement for this facility, as amended, provides aggregate commitments from a syndicate of banks of $800 million. All aggregate commitments include a letter of credit subfacility of up to $100 million and a swingline loan subfacility of up to $100 million. Altus Midstream LP may increase commitments up to an aggregate $1.5 billion by adding new lenders or obtaining the consent of any increasing existing lenders. As of December 31, 2021, there were $657 million of borrowings and a $2 million letter of credit outstanding under this facility. As of December 31, 2020, there were $624 million of borrowings and no letters of credit outstanding under this facility. The Altus Midstream LP credit facility is unsecured and is not guaranteed by APA or any of its subsidiaries, including Apache.
The agreement for Altus Midstream LP’s credit facility, as amended, restricts distributions in respect of capital to Apache and other unit holders in certain circumstances. Unless the Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 4.00:1.00, the agreement limits such distributions to $30 million per calendar year until either (i) the consolidated net income of Altus Midstream LP and its restricted subsidiaries, as adjusted pursuant to the agreement, for three consecutive calendar months equals or exceeds $350 million on an annualized basis or (ii) Altus Midstream LP has a specified senior long-term debt rating; in addition, before the occurrence of one of those two events, the Leverage Ratio must be less than or equal to 5.00:1.00. In no event can any distribution be made that would, after giving effect to it on a pro forma basis, result in a Leverage Ratio greater than (i) 5.00:1.00 or (ii) for a specified period after a qualifying acquisition, 5.50:1.00. The Leverage Ratio is the ratio of (1) the consolidated indebtedness of Altus Midstream LP and its restricted subsidiaries to (2) EBITDA (as defined in the agreement) of Altus Midstream LP and its restricted subsidiaries for the 12-month period ending immediately before the determination date. The Leverage Ratio as of December 31, 2021 was less than 4.00:1.00.
The terms of Altus Midstream LP’s Preferred Units also contain certain restrictions on distributions in respect of capital, including the common units held by Altus Midstream Company and any other units that rank junior to the Preferred Units with respect to distributions or distributions upon liquidation. Refer to Note 13—Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest - Altus in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information. In addition, the amount of any cash distributions to Altus Midstream LP by any entity in which it has an interest accounted for by the equity method is subject to such entity’s compliance with the terms of any debt or other agreements by which it may be bound, which in turn may impact the amount of funds available for distribution by Altus Midstream LP to its partners.
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There are no clauses in either the agreement for Apache’s 2018 credit facility or for Altus Midstream LP’s 2018 credit facility that permit the lenders to accelerate payments or refuse to lend based on unspecified material adverse changes. These agreements do not have drawdown restrictions or prepayment obligations in the event of a decline in credit ratings. However, each agreement allows the lenders to accelerate payment maturity and terminate lending and issuance commitments for nonpayment and other breaches, and if a borrower or any of its subsidiaries defaults on other indebtedness in excess of the stated threshold, is insolvent, or has any unpaid, non-appealable judgment against it for payment of money in excess of the stated threshold. Lenders may also accelerate payment maturity and terminate lending and issuance commitments under the applicable agreement if Apache or Altus Midstream LP, as applicable, undergoes a specified change in control or any borrower has specified pension plan liabilities in excess of the stated threshold. Each of Apache and Altus Midstream LP was in compliance with the terms of its 2018 credit facility as of December 31, 2021.
There is no assurance of the terms upon which potential lenders under future credit facilities will make loans or other extensions of credit available to Apache or its subsidiaries or the composition of such lenders.
There is no assurance that the financial condition of banks with lending commitments to Apache or Altus Midstream LP will not deteriorate. We closely monitor the ratings of the banks in our bank groups. Having large bank groups allows the Company to mitigate the potential impact of any bank’s failure to honor its lending commitment.
Commercial Paper Program As of December 31, 2020, no commercial paper was outstanding. Apache did not use its commercial paper program during 2021 and terminated the program during the third quarter of 2021.
Contractual Obligations
Purchase Obligations From time to time, the Company enters into agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms. These include minimum commitments associated with take-or-pay contracts, NGL processing agreements, drilling work program commitments and agreements to secure capacity rights on third-party pipelines. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had contractual obligations totaling $4.9 billion, of which $1.2 billion is related to U.S. firm transportation contracts and $3.5 billion is related to the new PSC with the EGPC. Under terms agreed to in the modernized PSC, the Company committed to spend a minimum of $3.5 billion on exploration, development, and operating activities by March 31, 2026. The Company believes it will be able to satisfy this obligation within its current exploration and development program.
Leases In the normal course of business, the Company enters into various lease agreements for real estate, drilling rigs, vessels, aircrafts, and equipment related to its exploration and development activities, which are typically classified as operating leases under the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC Topic 842 (Leases). As of December 31, 2021, the Company had net minimum commitments of $272 million and $42 million for operating and finance leases, respectively.
For additional information regarding these obligations, refer to Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
For information regarding the Company’s liability for dismantlement, abandonment, and restoration costs of oil and gas properties or pension or postretirement benefit obligations, refer to Notes 8—Asset Retirement Obligation and Note 12—Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plans in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company is also subject to various contingent obligations that become payable only if certain events or rulings were to occur. The inherent uncertainty surrounding the timing of and monetary impact associated with these events or rulings prevents any meaningful accurate measurement, which is necessary to assess settlements resulting from litigation. The Company’s management believes that it has adequately reserved for its contingent obligations, including approximately $2 million for environmental remediation and approximately $84 million for various contingent legal liabilities. For a detailed discussion of the Company’s lease obligations, purchase obligations, environmental and legal contingencies, and other commitments, please see Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies and Note 12—Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plans in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
As further described above under “Capital and Operational Outlook,” Altus Midstream LP and/or its subsidiaries have equity ownership in four Equity Method Interest Pipelines. Altus Midstream LP and/or its subsidiaries may be required to fund future capital expenditures for its equity interest share in the development of the applicable pipeline. Altus estimates that it will incur minimal capital contributions for its equity interests in these joint venture pipelines during 2022.
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With respect to oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued a Notice to Lessees (NTL No. 2016-N01) significantly revising the obligations of companies operating in the Gulf of Mexico to provide supplemental assurances of performance with respect to plugging, abandonment, and decommissioning obligations associated with wells, platforms, structures, and facilities located upon or used in connection with such companies’ oil and gas leases. While the NTL was paused in mid-2017 and is currently listed on BOEM’s website as “rescinded,” if reinstated, the NTL will likely require that the Company provide additional security to BOEM with respect to plugging, abandonment, and decommissioning obligations relating to the Company’s current ownership interests in various Gulf of Mexico leases. The Company is working closely with BOEM to make arrangements for the provision of such additional required security, if such security becomes necessary under the NTL. Additionally, the Company is not able to predict the effect that these changes might have on counterparties to which the Company has sold Gulf of Mexico assets or with whom the Company has joint ownership. Such changes could cause the bonding obligations of such parties to increase substantially, thereby causing a significant impact on the counterparties’ solvency and ability to continue as a going concern.
Potential Decommissioning Obligations on Sold Properties
The Company’s subsidiaries have potential exposure to future obligations related to divested properties. The Company has divested various leases, wells, and facilities located in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) where the purchasers typically assume all obligations to plug, abandon, and decommission the associated wells, structures, and facilities acquired. One or more of the counterparties in these transactions could, either as a result of the severe decline in oil and natural gas prices or other factors related to the historical or future operations of their respective businesses, face financial problems that may have a significant impact on their solvency and ability to continue as a going concern. If a purchaser of such GOM assets becomes the subject of a case or proceeding under relevant insolvency laws or otherwise fails to perform required abandonment obligations, APA’s subsidiaries could be required to perform such actions under applicable federal laws and regulations. In such event, such subsidiaries may be forced to use available cash to cover the costs of such liabilities and obligations should they arise.
In 2013, Apache sold its GOM Shelf operations and properties and its GOM operating subsidiary, GOM Shelf LLC (GOM Shelf) to Fieldwood Energy LLC (Fieldwood). Under the terms of the purchase agreement, Apache received cash consideration of $3.75 billion and Fieldwood assumed the obligation to decommission the properties held by GOM Shelf and the properties acquired from Apache and its other subsidiaries (collectively, the Legacy GOM Assets). In respect of such abandonment obligations, Fieldwood posted letters of credit in favor of Apache (Letters of Credit) and established trust accounts (Trust A and Trust B) of which Apache was a beneficiary and which were funded by two net profits interests (NPIs) depending on future oil prices. On February 14, 2018, Fieldwood filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. In connection with the 2018 bankruptcy, Fieldwood confirmed a plan under which Apache agreed, inter alia, to (i) accept bonds in exchange for certain of the Letters of Credit and (ii) amend the Trust A trust agreement and one of the NPIs to consolidate the trusts into a single Trust (Trust A) funded by both remaining NPIs. Currently, Apache holds two bonds (Bonds) and five Letters of Credit backed by investment-grade counterparties to secure Fieldwood’s asset retirement obligations on the Legacy GOM Assets as and when Apache is required to perform or pay for decommissioning any Legacy GOM Asset over the remaining life of the Legacy GOM Assets.
On August 3, 2020, Fieldwood again filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. On June 25, 2021, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (Houston Division) entered an order confirming Fieldwood’s bankruptcy plan. On August 27, 2021, Fieldwood’s bankruptcy plan became effective. Pursuant to the plan, the Legacy GOM Assets were separated into a standalone company, which was subsequently merged into GOM Shelf. Under GOM Shelf’s limited liability company agreement, the proceeds of production of the Legacy GOM Assets will be used to fund decommissioning of Legacy GOM Assets.
In September 2021, GOM Shelf notified the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) that it was unable to fund the decommissioning obligations that it is currently required to perform on certain of the Legacy GOM Assets. As a result, Apache and other current and former owners in these assets have received orders from BSEE to decommission certain of the Legacy GOM Assets included in GOM Shelf’s notification to BSEE. Apache expects to receive such orders on the other Legacy GOM Assets included in GOM Shelf’s notification letter. Further, Apache anticipates that GOM Shelf may send additional such notices to BSEE in the future and that it may receive additional orders from BSEE requiring it to decommission other Legacy GOM Assets.
If Apache incurs costs to decommission any Legacy GOM Asset and GOM Shelf does not reimburse Apache for such costs, then Apache will obtain reimbursement from Trust A, the Bonds, and the Letters of Credit until such funds and securities are fully utilized. In addition, after such sources have been exhausted, Apache has agreed to provide a standby loan to GOM Shelf of up to $400 million to perform decommissioning (Standby Loan Agreement), with such standby loan secured by a first and prior lien on the Legacy GOM Assets.
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If the combination of GOM Shelf’s net cash flow from its producing properties, the Trust A funds, the Bonds, and the remaining Letters of Credit are insufficient to fully fund decommissioning of any Legacy GOM Assets that Apache may be ordered by BSEE to perform, or if GOM Shelf’s net cash flow from its remaining producing properties after the Trust A funds, Bonds, and Letters of Credit are exhausted is insufficient to repay any loans made by Apache under the Standby Loan Agreement, then Apache may be forced to effectively use its available cash to fund the deficit.
As of December 31, 2021, Apache estimates that its potential liability to fund decommissioning of Legacy GOM Assets it may be ordered to perform ranges from $1.2 billion to $1.4 billion on an undiscounted basis. Management does not believe any specific estimate within this range is a better estimate than any other. Accordingly, during 2021, the Company recorded a contingent liability of $1.2 billion, representing the estimated costs of decommissioning it may be required to perform on Legacy GOM Assets. Of the total liability recorded, $1.1 billion is reflected under the caption “Decommissioning contingency for sold Gulf of Mexico properties,” and $100 million is reflected under “Other current liabilities” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The Company also recorded a $740 million asset, which represents the amount the Company expects to be reimbursed from the Trust A funds, the Bonds, and the Letters of Credit for decommissioning it may be required to perform on Legacy GOM Assets. Of the total asset recorded, $640 million is reflected under the caption “Decommissioning security for sold Gulf of Mexico properties,” and $100 million is reflected under “Other current assets.” A “Loss on previously sold Gulf of Mexico properties” in the amount of $446 million was recognized in the third quarter of 2021 to reflect the net impact to the Company’s statement of consolidated operations. Changes in significant assumptions impacting Apache’s estimated liability, including expected decommissioning rig spread rates, lift boat rates, and planned abandonment logistics could result in a liability in excess of the amount accrued. In addition, significant changes in the market price of oil, gas, and NGLs could further impact Apache’s estimate of its contingent liability to decommission Legacy GOM Assets.
Insurance Program
The Company maintains insurance policies that include coverage for physical damage to its assets, general liabilities, workers’ compensation, employers’ liability, sudden and accidental pollution, and other risks. The Company’s insurance coverage is subject to deductibles or retentions that it must satisfy prior to recovering on insurance. Additionally, the Company’s insurance is subject to policy exclusions and limitations. There is no assurance that insurance will adequately protect the Company against liability from all potential consequences and damages. Further, the Company does not have coverage in place for a variety of other risks including Gulf of Mexico named windstorm and business interruption. Service agreements, including drilling contracts, generally indemnify the Company for injuries and death of the service provider’s employees as well as subcontractors hired by the service provider.
The Company purchases multi-year political risk insurance from The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit Trade (ICIEC, an agency of the Islamic Development Bank) and highly-rated insurers covering a portion of its investments in Egypt for losses arising from confiscation, nationalization, and expropriation risks. In the aggregate, these insurance policies provide up to $750 million of coverage, subject to policy terms and conditions and a retention of approximately $500 million.
The Company also has an insurance policy with U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), which, subject to policy terms and conditions, provides up to $150 million of coverage through 2024 for losses arising from (1) non-payment by EGPC of arbitral awards covering amounts owed the Company on past due invoices and (2) expropriation of exportable petroleum in the event that actions taken by the government of Egypt prevent the Company from exporting its share of production. The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), a member of the World Bank Group, provides $60 million in reinsurance to DFC.
Future insurance coverage for the Company’s industry could increase in cost and may include higher deductibles or retentions. In addition, some forms of insurance may become unavailable or unavailable on terms economically acceptable.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The Company prepares its financial statements and accompanying notes in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., which require management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect reported amounts in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. The Company identifies certain accounting policies involving estimation as critical accounting estimates based on, among other things, their impact on the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity, as well as the degree of difficulty, subjectivity, and complexity in their deployment. Critical accounting estimates address accounting matters that are inherently uncertain due to unknown future resolution of such matters. Management routinely discusses the development, selection, and disclosure of each critical accounting estimate. The following is a discussion of the Company’s most critical accounting estimates.
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Reserves Estimates
Proved oil and gas reserves are the estimated quantities of natural gas, crude oil, condensate, and NGLs that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing conditions, operating conditions, and government regulations.
Proved undeveloped reserves include those reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion. Undeveloped reserves may be classified as proved reserves on undrilled acreage directly offsetting development areas that are reasonably certain of production when drilled, or where reliable technology provides reasonable certainty of economic producibility. Undrilled locations may be classified as having undeveloped reserves only if a development plan has been adopted indicating that they are scheduled to be drilled within five years, unless specific circumstances justify a longer time.
Despite the inherent imprecision in these engineering estimates, the Company’s reserves are used throughout its financial statements. For example, since the Company uses the units-of-production method to amortize its oil and gas properties, the quantity of reserves could significantly impact DD&A expense. A material adverse change in the estimated volumes of reserves could result in property impairments. Finally, these reserves are the basis for the Company’s supplemental oil and gas disclosures. For more information regarding the Company’s supplemental oil and gas disclosures, refer to Note 18—Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Reserves are calculated using an unweighted arithmetic average of commodity prices in effect on the first day of each of the previous twelve months, held flat for the life of the production, except where prices are defined by contractual arrangements. Operating costs, production and ad valorem taxes and future development costs are based on current costs with no escalation.
The Company has elected not to disclose probable and possible reserves or reserve estimates in this filing.
Oil and Gas Exploration Costs
The Company accounts for its exploration and production activities using the successful efforts method of accounting. Costs of acquiring unproved and proved oil and gas leasehold acreage are capitalized. Costs of drilling and equipping productive wells, including development dry holes, and related production facilities are also capitalized. Oil and gas exploration costs, other than the costs of drilling exploratory wells, are charged to expense as incurred. Costs associated with drilling an exploratory well are initially capitalized, or suspended, pending a determination as to whether proved reserves have been found. On a quarterly basis, management reviews the status of all suspended exploratory well costs in light of ongoing exploration activities and determines whether the Company is making sufficient progress in its ongoing exploration and appraisal efforts or, in the case of discoveries requiring government sanctioning, whether development negotiations are underway and proceeding as planned. If management determines that future appraisal drilling or development activities are unlikely to occur, associated suspended exploratory well costs are recorded as dry hole expense and reported in exploration expense in the statement of consolidated operations. Otherwise, the costs of exploratory wells remain capitalized.
Offshore Decommissioning Contingency
The Company has potential exposure to future obligations related to divested properties. For information regarding a potential obligation to decommission sold properties estimated and recorded in the third quarter of 2021, please refer to “Potential Obligation to Decommission Sold Properties” above and in Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part IV, Item 5 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Changes in significant assumptions impacting the Company’s estimated liability, including expected decommissioning rig spread rates, lift boat rates, and planned abandonment logistics could result in a liability in excess of the amount accrued. In addition, significant changes in the market price of oil, gas, and NGLs could further impact the Company’s estimate of its contingent liability to decommission Legacy GOM Assets.
Impairment of Equity Method Interests
Equity method interests are assessed for impairment whenever changes in the facts and circumstances indicate a loss in value has occurred, if the loss is deemed to be other than temporary. When the loss is deemed to be other than temporary, the carrying value of the equity method investment is written down to fair value, and the amount of the write-down is included in income.
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Altus recorded an impairment charge on its equity method interest in EPIC in the fourth quarter of 2021. The fair value of the impaired interest was determined using the income approach. The income approach considered estimates of future throughput volumes, tariff rates, and costs. These assumptions were applied to develop future cash flow projections that were then discounted to estimated fair value, using a discount rate believed to be consistent with that which would be applied by market participants. The Company has classified this nonrecurring fair value measurement as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Refer to Note 6—Equity Method Interests, within Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details of Altus’ equity method interests. Negative revisions in future estimates of throughput volumes, revenue assumptions or costs related to the Altus’ equity method interests could lead to further impairments of such interests in future periods.
Long-Lived Asset Impairments
Long-lived assets used in operations, including proved oil and gas properties and GPT assets, are assessed for impairment whenever changes in facts and circumstances indicate a possible significant deterioration in future cash flows expected to be generated by an asset. Individual assets are grouped for impairment purposes based on a judgmental assessment of the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets. If there is an indication that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recovered, the asset is assessed by management through an established process in which changes to significant assumptions such as prices, volumes, and future development plans are reviewed. If, upon review, the sum of the undiscounted pre-tax cash flows is less than the carrying value of the asset group, the carrying value is written down to estimated fair value. Because there usually is a lack of quoted market prices for long-lived assets, the fair value of impaired assets is assessed by management using the income approach.
Under the income approach, the fair value of each asset group is estimated based on the present value of expected future cash flows. The income approach is dependent on a number of factors including estimates of forecasted revenue and operating costs, proved reserves, the success of future exploration for and development of unproved reserves, expected throughput volumes for GPT assets, discount rates, and other variables. Key assumptions used in developing a discounted cash flow model described above include estimated quantities of crude oil and natural gas reserves; estimates of market prices considering forward commodity price curves as of the measurement date; and estimates of operating, administrative, and capital costs adjusted for inflation. The Company discounts the resulting future cash flows using a discount rate believed to be consistent with those applied by market participants.
To assess the reasonableness of our fair value estimate, when available, management uses a market approach to compare the fair value to similar assets. This requires management to make certain judgments about the selection of comparable assets, recent comparable asset transactions, and transaction premiums.
Although the fair value estimate of each asset group is based on assumptions believed to be reasonable, those assumptions are inherently unpredictable and uncertain, and actual results could differ from the estimate. Negative revisions of estimated reserves quantities, increases in future cost estimates, divestiture of a significant component of the asset group, or sustained decreases in crude oil or natural gas prices could lead to a reduction in expected future cash flows and possibly an additional impairment of long-lived assets in future periods.
Over the past several years, the Company has experienced substantial volatility in commodity prices, which impacted its future development plans and operating cash flows. As such, material impairments of certain proved oil and gas properties and gathering, processing, and transmission facilities were recorded in 2020 and 2019. For discussion of these impairments, see “Fair Value Measurements” of Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Asset Retirement Obligation (ARO)
The Company has significant obligations to remove tangible equipment and restore land or seabed at the end of oil and gas production operations. The Company’s removal and restoration obligations are primarily associated with plugging and abandoning wells and removing and disposing of offshore oil and gas platforms in the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Estimating the future restoration and removal costs is difficult and requires management to make estimates and judgments. Asset removal technologies and costs are constantly changing, as are regulatory, political, environmental, safety, and public relations considerations.
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ARO associated with retiring tangible long-lived assets is recognized as a liability in the period in which the legal obligation is incurred and becomes determinable. The liability is offset by a corresponding increase in the underlying asset. The ARO liability reflects the estimated present value of the amount of dismantlement, removal, site reclamation, and similar activities associated with the Company’s oil and gas properties and other long-lived assets. The Company utilizes current retirement costs to estimate the expected cash outflows for retirement obligations. Inherent in the present value calculation are numerous assumptions and judgments including the ultimate settlement amounts, inflation factors, credit-adjusted discount rates, timing of settlement, and changes in the legal, regulatory, environmental, and political environments. Accretion expense is recognized over time as the discounted liability is accreted to its expected settlement value.
Income Taxes
The Company’s oil and gas exploration and production operations are subject to taxation on income in numerous jurisdictions worldwide. The Company records deferred tax assets and liabilities to account for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in its financial statements and tax returns. Management routinely assesses the ability to realize the Company’s deferred tax assets. If management concludes that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized under accounting standards, the tax asset would be reduced by a valuation allowance. Numerous judgments and assumptions are inherent in the determination of future taxable income, including factors such as future operating conditions (particularly as related to prevailing oil and gas prices).
The Company regularly assesses and, if required, establishes accruals for uncertain tax positions that could result from assessments of additional tax by taxing jurisdictions in countries where the Company operates. The Company recognizes a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the position. These accruals for uncertain tax positions are subject to a significant amount of judgment and are reviewed and adjusted on a periodic basis in light of changing facts and circumstances considering the progress of ongoing tax audits, case law, and any new legislation. The Company believes that its accruals for uncertain tax positions are adequate in relation to the potential for any additional tax assessments.