Oil giants, TotalEnergies, Shell and BP, are making strategic investments in the area of energy diversification struggling to remain focused in the years to come.
Currently, oil and gas investments by the three largest integrate energy companies are likely to remain significant through to 2030.
Shell, BP and TotalEnergies share of low-carbon spend is growing as they try to diversify their portfolios, according to research from credit rating agency Moody’s.
The company said: “in the next two decades BP, Shell and TotalEnergies are aiming to transform themselves into diversified energy companies that own, manage and market energy. They are laying the groundwork for this by gradually repositioning their asset and energy portfolios.
“The strategies they are pursuing are broadly similar growing access to renewable energy, investing in existing lower-carbon operations and new energy growth markets but with some differences in emphasis that play to their existing strengths; for example Shell and TotalEnergies have particularly strong positions in natural gas and LNG.”
All three companies face a ‘range of risks’ on their decarbonisation journey though, not least because many green energy markets are yet to cultivate.
As they grow their renewable businesses, Shell, BP and TotalEnergies will also face more direct competition from utilities for projects.
Moreover, if diversification comes with weaker profitability and cash flow generating capabilities, the credit implications could also be negative.
But Moody’s says increasing business diversification is positive for the oil and gas giants.
Growing low-carbon operations is also vital to the future of Shell, BP and TotalEnergies, potentially providing greater stability against volatile oil markets.
Moody’s said: “The three companies are using a mix of organic investments in existing operations, investments in new projects as well as acquisitions, in a bid to transition their businesses.”
TotalEnergies will extend its $2 billion buyback programme into the third quarter after profit surged to a record, propelled by surging gasoline prices and soaring demand for natural gas in Europe.
Moody’s said: “All three companies are honing their investments in their existing hydrocarbon operations to improve costs and meet their emissions targets. They are also adjusting their product mixes and divesting noncore assets.”
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