Aramco reports record net profit of $161.1 billion for 2022

The Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco) on Sunday announced its full-year 2022 financial results, reporting a record net income of $161.1 billion — its highest annual profit as a listed company. The Saudi oil giant also declared a fourth quarter dividend of $19.5 billion, to be paid in the first quarter of 2023.

The results were underpinned by stronger crude oil prices, higher volumes sold and improved margins for refined products, while the company continues to strengthen its oil and gas production capacity, as well as its downstream portfolio, to meet anticipated future demand, Aramco said in a statement.

Commenting on the results, Aramco President and CEO Amin H. Nasser said: ‘’Aamco delivered record financial performance in 2022, as oil prices strengthened due to increased demand around the world. We also continued to focus on our long-term strategy, building both capacity and capability across the value chain with the aim of addressing energy security and sustainability.”

Noting that oil and gas is anticipated to remain essential for the foreseeable future, Nasser said the risks of underinvestment in the industry were real, including contributing to higher energy prices. “To leverage our unique advantages at scale and be part of the global solution, Aramco has embarked on the largest capital spending program in its history, and last year our capex rose by 18.0% to reach $37.6 billion,” he said.

“Our focus is not only on expanding oil, gas and chemicals production, but also investing in new lower-carbon technologies with potential to achieve additional emission reductions — in our own operations and for end users of our products,” Nasser added.

Aramco’s net income increased by 46.5% to a record $161.1 billion in 2022, compared to $110.0 billion in 2021. The increase in net income reflects stronger crude oil prices, higher volumes sold and improved margins for refined products. Q4 2022 net income is in line with analyst estimates, excluding certain non-cash items of around $3.3 billion, the company said.

Free cash flow reached a record $148.5 billion in 2022, compared to $107.5 billion in 2021. Aramco continues to emphasise a strong balance sheet and its gearing ratio at the end of 2022 was -7.9%, compared to 12.0% at the end of 2021.

Aramco declared a dividend of $19.5 billion for the fourth quarter, to be paid in Q1 2023. This represents a 4% increase compared to the previous quarter, aligned with the company’s dividend policy aiming to deliver a sustainable and progressive dividend. Additionally, the Board of Directors also recommended the distribution of bonus shares to eligible shareholders in the amount of one share for every 10 shares held, subject to required Extraordinary General Assembly and regulatory approvals.

Capital expenditure in 2022 was $37.6 billion, an increase of 18.0% from 2021. Aramco expects 2023 capital expenditure to be approximately $45.0 billion to $55.0 billion including external investments, with capex increasing until around the middle of the decade, Aramco said.

The company also completed an energy infrastructure deal in February 2022 resulting in a consortium of investors, led by BlackRock Real Assets and Hassana Investment Company, acquiring a 49% stake in a newly formed subsidiary, Aramco Gas Pipelines Company (AGPC), for $15.5 billion.