Strong Quarterly Financial Results
Generated $1.8 billion in adjusted net income, $1.5 billion in free cash flow, adjusted EPS of $3.41 and adjusted cash flow from operations per share of $5.85 for Q1 2026.
Robust Free Cash Flow Outlook and Shareholder Returns
At current strip pricing and guidance midpoints, management projects a record $8.5 billion in 2026 free cash flow and expects to return at least 70% of free cash flow this year; returned nearly $950 million in Q1 (≈$550M regular dividend, ≈$400M repurchases) with $2.9 billion remaining repurchase authorization.
Capital Discipline: Flat CapEx with Increased Oil/NGLs
Maintaining a $6.5 billion 2026 capital budget while increasing full-year oil production guidance by ~2 thousand barrels/day and NGL guidance by ~6 thousand barrels/day via capital reallocation from gas to oil-weighted assets.
Operational Efficiency and Cost Reductions
Reduced average well cost by 7% and operating costs by 4% year-over-year; key operating metrics (volumes, per-unit cash operating costs, DD&A) beat guidance midpoints; average ROCE of 27% (2022–2026 period cited).
Productivity Gains in Drilling and Completions
Drilled feet/day increased vs. 2025 average: Utica +22%, Powder River +13%, Eagle Ford +12%. Completed lateral feet/day increases: Delaware +17%, Eagle Ford +12%. Maximum pumping rate capacity up ~20% per frac fleet since 2023.
High Utilization of Strategic Infrastructure and Marketing Advantages
Janus processing averaged 300 MMcf/d in operation (94% utilization) with a 100% utilization month in March. Access to ~250 kbpd export capacity out of Corpus Christi. Cheniere LNG contract phased to 420k BTUs/day (linked to JKM or Henry Hub); additionally supplying 300k BTUs/day Henry Hub-linked.
Shareholder Return Track Record and Capital Deployment
Repurchased ~3.2M shares in Q1 and ~2.3M additional shares Apr 1–28; $7.1 billion repurchased since 2023, reducing share count by >10%. Company has returned ≈$20 billion to shareholders (2022–2026 reference) and emphasizes sustaining a regular dividend (never reduced in 28 years).
Balance Sheet and Liquidity Strength
Ended Q1 with >$3.8 billion cash (≈$450M increase since YE 2025) and net debt of $4.1 billion; maintains a leverage target of total debt <1x EBITDA at $45 WTI / $2.50 Henry Hub to preserve financial flexibility.
Successful M&A and International Expansion
Bolt-on acquisition activity (e.g., Eagle Ford) and the nCino/Encino integration increased oil production and delivered operational synergies; expanded international footprint with concessions in UAE and Bahrain to pursue high-quality exploration opportunities.