據海上工程師網2022年1月7日報道，美國著名綜合石油公司赫斯公司（Hess Corp）首席執行官約翰·赫斯日前表示，赫斯公司今年將宣布“有意義”的股息增長，這是因為赫斯公司開始優先向股東們返還資本，而不是商業投資。

在向更清潔能源轉型的壓力下，石油公司一直在推出現金分配計劃，以吸引投資者。

在過去的幾年里，赫斯公司一直在投資建立其投資組合，2022年是“我們將從投資模式轉向資本回報模式，”赫斯首席執行官在一次云直播中表示。 

赫斯表示，在提高基本股息以后，這個美國獨立油氣生產商還計劃加快股票回購計劃。

圭亞那是本世紀世界上最大的石油發現地之一，赫斯公司(持股30%)與?？松梨诠?45%)合作開發圭亞那的斯塔布盧克區塊。 

赫斯表示，圭亞那的生產開發盈虧平衡點為25美元 - 35美元/桶，是行業中最低的盈虧平衡點之一，可以實現高盈利。

他說，投資目前是油氣行業面臨的最大挑戰。 據赫斯公司稱，全球正進入一個“結構性供應短缺市場”，每年的投資缺口約為4500億美元，不足以滿足不斷增長的石油需求。

赫斯說，與許多石油巨頭和獨立公司不同的是，除了其分配計劃外，赫斯公司還在投資擴大產量。 

他估計，到今年年底，全球石油日需求量將從目前的9900萬桶增至1.02億桶，到2030年將增至1.05億 - 1.06億桶。  

赫斯說：“在任何可信的情況下，全球20年后仍將需要石油和天然氣?！薄笆托枨蟛]有從懸崖上掉下來?！?/p>

李峻 編譯自 海上工程師網

原文如下：

Hess Will Switch to 'Return of Capital Mode'

Hess Corp will announce a "meaningful" dividend growth this year as it starts to prioritize returning capital to shareholders over business investments, Chief Executive John Hess said on Thursday.

Oil companies have been raising cash distribution programs to lure investors amid pressure over the transition to cleaner energy.

Hess has been investing to build its portfolio for the last several years, with 2022 being the year "we will go from the investment mode to the return of capital mode," the CEO said during a webcast presentation.

The independent producer also plans to accelerate its buyback program after strengthening its base dividends, the CEO said.

Growing cash flow to support the distribution program is expected from Guyana, home of one of the world's largest oil discoveries this century and where Hess (30%) partners with operator Exxon Mobil Corp (45%) and China's CNOOC Ltd (25%).

Production development breakevens in Guyana are $25 to $35 per barrel, one of the lowest in the industry and allowing for high profitability, the CEO said.

Investment is the greatest challenge facing the oil and gas industry, he said. The world is entering a "structural supply deficit market," with investments falling about a third short of the $450 billion per year necessary to meet rising oil demand, according to Hess.

Unlike many oil majors and independents "generating a lot of free cash but not growing their business," Hess is also investing in output expansion aside of its distribution program, he said.

Oil demand should rise at the end of this year to 102 million barrels per day, from 99 million bdp today, and to between 105-106 million bpd in 2030, he estimates.

"In any credible scenario oil and gas will be needed in 20 years from now," Hess said. "Oil demand is not falling off the cliff."