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LONDON - Harbour Energy plc (LON: HBR), the UK-based oil and gas company, has announced its financial strategy aimed at generating substantial free cash flow and steady shareholder returns through 2027. CEO Linda Z Cook highlighted the company’s transformation following the acquisition of Wintershall Dea’s portfolio in 2024, marking its evolution into a global entity with a robust and diverse asset base.
The company forecasts average production to be around 450 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (kboepd), with operating costs under $15 per barrel of oil equivalent (boe). Harbour Energy plans to reduce its total annual capital expenditure to less than $2.0 billion in 2026 and 2027, a 25% decrease from 2025 levels.
Harbour anticipates generating material free cash flow in the range of approximately $2.0-4.0 billion, assuming Brent oil and European gas prices follow the forward curve as of February 28, 2025. This projection includes around $500 million from cost and portfolio initiatives. The company also intends to offer a competitive annual dividend of $455 million, which comprises $380 million on ordinary shares and approximately $75 million on non-voting shares.
The strategy includes reducing debt by $0.5-1.0 billion, reflecting a conservative approach to balance sheet management and the potential for additional shareholder returns through share buybacks. Beyond the immediate financial outlook, Harbour Energy aims to maintain cash generative production from its large reserves, particularly in Norway, and through strategic investments in significant resources in Argentina and Mexico. The company also acknowledges the potential role of acquisitions and the possibility of investing in CO2 storage as part of its long-term strategy.
Cook emphasized the company’s growth through acquisitions, which saw an increase from zero to over 450 kboepd in eight years, with $1.2 billion returned to shareholders in the past three years. She stated that value-driven mergers and acquisitions would continue to be a key component of their strategy, along with investments in their existing resource base and selective divestments to optimize their portfolio.
This strategy was disclosed during Harbour Energy’s Capital Markets Update, which also included a presentation of its Full Year Results for 2024. The event took place today, with a replay to be made available on the company’s website.
The information is based on a press release statement and has been distributed by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange (LON:LSEG), and is subject to the Financial Conduct Authority’s terms and conditions.
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