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EXXON MOBIL CORP - Quarter Report: 2021 September (Form 10-Q)


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2021
or
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from __________to__________
 
Commission File Number 1-2256
Exxon Mobil Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New Jersey 13-5409005
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
5959 Las Colinas Boulevard, Irving, Texas 75039-2298
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
 
(972) 940-6000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 _______________________
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 
Title of Each Class Trading Symbol Name of Each Exchange
 on Which Registered
Common Stock, without par value XOM New York Stock Exchange
0.142% Notes due 2024XOM24BNew York Stock Exchange
0.524% Notes due 2028XOM28New York Stock Exchange
0.835% Notes due 2032XOM32New York Stock Exchange
1.408% Notes due 2039XOM39ANew York Stock Exchange
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filerAccelerated filer
    
Non-accelerated filerSmaller reporting company
 
 Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. 
Class 
Outstanding as of September 30, 2021
Common stock, without par value 4,233,566,839



EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION
FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
  
Item 1. Financial Statements 
  
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income
        Three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020
  
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
        Three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020
  
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
        As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020
  
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
        Nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020
  
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
        Three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
        Nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020
  
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
  
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations19 
  
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk28 
  
Item 4. Controls and Procedures28 
  
  
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings29 
  
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
29 
  
Item 6. Exhibits
29 
  
Index to Exhibits30 
  
Signature31 
  
2


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.    Financial Statements

EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(millions of dollars)
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2021202020212020
Revenues and other income  
Sales and other operating revenue71,892 45,425 195,387 132,836 
Income from equity affiliates1,670 517 4,579 1,395 
Other income224 257 709 731 
Total revenues and other income73,786 46,199 200,675 134,962 
Costs and other deductions
Crude oil and product purchases39,745 23,950 109,675 70,102 
Production and manufacturing expenses8,719 7,103 25,252 22,295 
Selling, general and administrative expenses2,287 2,444 7,060 7,432 
Depreciation and depletion4,990 4,983 14,946 15,718 
Exploration expenses, including dry holes190 188 530 690 
Non-service pension and postretirement benefit expense146 272 686 812 
Interest expense214 279 726 845 
Other taxes and duties7,889 7,352 22,295 19,338 
Total costs and other deductions64,180 46,571 181,170 137,232 
Income (loss) before income taxes9,606 (372)19,505 (2,270)
Income taxes2,664 337 4,986 378 
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interests6,942 (709)14,519 (2,648)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests192 (29)349 (278)
Net income (loss) attributable to ExxonMobil6,750 (680)14,170 (2,370)
Earnings (loss) per common share (dollars)
1.57 (0.15)3.31 (0.55)
Earnings (loss) per common share - assuming dilution (dollars)
1.57 (0.15)3.31 (0.55)



The information in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements is an integral part of these statements.
3


EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(millions of dollars)
 
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2021202020212020
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interests6,942 (709)14,519 (2,648)
Other comprehensive income (loss) (net of income taxes)
Foreign exchange translation adjustment(1,625)1,469 (1,053)(1,305)
Adjustment for foreign exchange translation (gain)/loss
     included in net income
— 14 — 14 
Postretirement benefits reserves adjustment (excluding amortization)184 (140)305 (189)
Amortization and settlement of postretirement benefits reserves adjustment included in net periodic benefit costs196 206 789 613 
Total other comprehensive income (loss)(1,245)1,549 41 (867)
Comprehensive income (loss) including noncontrolling interests5,697 840 14,560 (3,515)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests57 92 381 (449)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to ExxonMobil5,640 748 14,179 (3,066)


The information in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements is an integral part of these statements.

4


EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(millions of dollars)
 September 30,
2021
December 31,
2020
Assets  
Current assets  
Cash and cash equivalents4,768 4,364 
Notes and accounts receivable – net29,516 20,581 
Inventories
Crude oil, products and merchandise15,087 14,169 
Materials and supplies4,520 4,681 
Other current assets1,664 1,098 
Total current assets55,555 44,893 
Investments, advances and long-term receivables45,641 43,515 
Property, plant and equipment – net218,795 227,553 
Other assets, including intangibles – net16,697 16,789 
Total assets336,688 332,750 
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Notes and loans payable12,966 20,458 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities47,257 35,221 
Income taxes payable1,633 684 
Total current liabilities61,856 56,363 
Long-term debt43,639 47,182 
Postretirement benefits reserves21,060 22,415 
Deferred income tax liabilities19,008 18,165 
Long-term obligations to equity companies3,060 3,253 
Other long-term obligations20,559 21,242 
Total liabilities169,182 168,620 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 3)
Equity
Common stock without par value
(9,000 million shares authorized, 8,019 million shares issued)
16,104 15,688 
Earnings reinvested386,952 383,943 
Accumulated other comprehensive income(16,696)(16,705)
Common stock held in treasury
(3,785 million shares at September 30, 2021 and
3,786 million shares at December 31, 2020)
(225,771)(225,776)
ExxonMobil share of equity160,589 157,150 
Noncontrolling interests6,917 6,980 
Total equity167,506 164,130 
Total liabilities and equity336,688 332,750 

The information in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements is an integral part of these statements.
5


EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(millions of dollars)
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 20212020
Cash flows from operating activities  
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interests14,519 (2,648)
Depreciation and depletion14,946 15,718 
Changes in operational working capital, excluding cash and debt2,232 (1,539)
All other items – net(692)(868)
Net cash provided by operating activities31,005 10,663 
Cash flows from investing activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment(7,987)(13,653)
Proceeds from asset sales and returns of investments575 229 
Additional investments and advances(1,055)(3,443)
Other investing activities including collection of advances342 1,710 
Net cash used in investing activities(8,125)(15,157)
Cash flows from financing activities
Additions to long-term debt46 23,186 
Reductions in long-term debt (4)(4)
Additions to short-term debt (1)
12,197 28,839 
Reductions in short-term debt (1)
(24,066)(24,090)
Additions/(reductions) in debt with three months or less maturity 997 (6,261)
Contingent consideration payments(28)(21)
Cash dividends to ExxonMobil shareholders(11,161)(11,150)
Cash dividends to noncontrolling interests(166)(137)
Changes in noncontrolling interests(278)511 
Common stock acquired(1)(305)
Net cash used in financing activities(22,464)10,568 
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash(12)(331)
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents404 5,743 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period4,364 3,089 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period4,768 8,832 
Supplemental Disclosures
Income taxes paid3,516 2,341 
Cash interest paid
Included in cash flows from operating activities818 726 
Capitalized, included in cash flows from investing activities478 516 
Total cash interest paid1,296 1,242 
Noncash right of use assets recorded in exchange for lease liabilities
Operating leases804 45 
Finance leases168 29 

(1) Includes commercial paper with a maturity greater than three months.

 The information in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements is an integral part of these statements.
6


EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(millions of dollars)
 ExxonMobil Share of Equity  
 Common StockEarnings ReinvestedAccumulated Other Comprehensive IncomeCommon Stock Held in TreasuryExxonMobil Share of EquityNon-controlling InterestsTotal Equity
Balance as of June 30, 202015,812 412,124 (21,617)(226,136)180,183 6,970 187,153 
Amortization of stock-based awards187 — — — 187 — 187 
Other(2)— — — (2)194 192 
Net income (loss) for the period— (680)— — (680)(29)(709)
Dividends - common shares— (3,716)— — (3,716)(44)(3,760)
Other comprehensive income (loss)— — 1,428 — 1,428 121 1,549 
Balance as of September 30, 202015,997 407,728 (20,189)(226,136)177,400 7,212 184,612 
Balance as of June 30, 202116,006 383,922 (15,586)(225,771)158,571 6,985 165,556 
Amortization of stock-based awards99 — — — 99 — 99 
Other(1)— — — (1)
Net income (loss) for the period— 6,750 — — 6,750 192 6,942 
Dividends - common shares— (3,720)— — (3,720)(54)(3,774)
Other comprehensive income (loss)— — (1,110)— (1,110)(135)(1,245)
Acquisitions, at cost— — — — — (75)(75)
Balance as of September 30, 202116,104 386,952 (16,696)(225,771)160,589 6,917 167,506 

 Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
Common Stock Share ActivityIssuedHeld in TreasuryOutstanding IssuedHeld in TreasuryOutstanding
 (millions of shares) (millions of shares)
Balance as of June 308,019 (3,785)4,234 8,019 (3,791)4,228 
Acquisitions— — — — — — 
Dispositions— — — — — — 
Balance as of September 308,019 (3,785)4,234 8,019 (3,791)4,228 

The information in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements is an integral part of these statements.
7


EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(millions of dollars)
 ExxonMobil Share of Equity  
 Common StockEarnings ReinvestedAccumulated Other Comprehensive IncomeCommon Stock Held in TreasuryExxonMobil Share of EquityNon-controlling InterestsTotal Equity
Balance as of December 31, 201915,637 421,341 (19,493)(225,835)191,650 7,288 198,938 
Amortization of stock-based awards545 — — — 545 — 545 
Other(185)— — — (185)574 389 
Net income (loss) for the period— (2,370)— — (2,370)(278)(2,648)
Dividends - common shares— (11,150)— — (11,150)(137)(11,287)
Cumulative effect of accounting
change
— (93)— — (93)(1)(94)
Other comprehensive income (loss)— — (696)— (696)(171)(867)
Acquisitions, at cost— — — (305)(305)(63)(368)
Dispositions— — — — 
Balance as of September 30, 202015,997 407,728 (20,189)(226,136)177,400 7,212 184,612 
Balance as of December 31, 202015,688 383,943 (16,705)(225,776)157,150 6,980 164,130 
Amortization of stock-based awards427 — — — 427 — 427 
Other(11)— — — (11)90 79 
Net income (loss) for the period— 14,170 — — 14,170 349 14,519 
Dividends - common shares— (11,161)— — (11,161)(166)(11,327)
Other comprehensive income (loss)— — — 32 41 
Acquisitions, at cost— — — (1)(1)(368)(369)
Dispositions— — — — 
Balance as of September 30, 202116,104 386,952 (16,696)(225,771)160,589 6,917 167,506 

 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
Common Stock Share ActivityIssuedHeld in TreasuryOutstanding IssuedHeld in TreasuryOutstanding
 (millions of shares) (millions of shares)
Balance as of December 318,019 (3,786)4,233 8,019 (3,785)4,234 
Acquisitions— — — — (6)(6)
Dispositions— — — — 
Balance as of September 308,019 (3,785)4,234 8,019 (3,791)4,228 

The information in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements is an integral part of these statements.
8


EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1. Basis of Financial Statement Preparation
These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in the context of the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Corporation's 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of the Corporation, the information furnished herein reflects all known accruals and adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods reported herein. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Prior data has been reclassified in certain cases to conform to the current presentation basis.
 
The Corporation's exploration and production activities are accounted for under the "successful efforts" method.

2. Miscellaneous Financial Information
Crude oil, products and merchandise inventories are carried at the lower of current market value or cost, generally determined under the last-in first-out method (LIFO). The Corporation's results for the third quarter of 2020 included a before-tax credit of $153 million, as rising prices reduced the charge against the book value of inventories. This adjustment, which is included in "Crude oil and product purchases", together with a market adjustment to inventory for equity companies included in "Income from equity affiliates", resulted in a $113 million after-tax credit to earnings (excluding noncontrolling interests) in the third quarter of 2020.
The Corporation recognized impairment charges of $262 million and $1,036 million in the nine months ended, September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The 2021 impairments included $20 million for exploratory well costs that had been suspended more than one year. The 2020 impairments included goodwill impairments of $611 million and other impairments of $425 million, mainly as a result of declines in prices for crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products and a significant decline in the Corporation's market capitalization at the end of the first quarter. Impairment charges generally are included in “Depreciation and depletion” or "Other income".
9


3. Litigation and Other Contingencies
Litigation. A variety of claims have been made against ExxonMobil and certain of its consolidated subsidiaries in a number of pending lawsuits. Management has regular litigation reviews, including updates from corporate and outside counsel, to assess the need for accounting recognition or disclosure of these contingencies. The Corporation accrues an undiscounted liability for those contingencies where the incurrence of a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If a range of amounts can be reasonably estimated and no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, then the minimum of the range is accrued. The Corporation does not record liabilities when the likelihood that the liability has been incurred is probable but the amount cannot be reasonably estimated or when the liability is believed to be only reasonably possible or remote. For contingencies where an unfavorable outcome is reasonably possible and which are significant, the Corporation discloses the nature of the contingency and, where feasible, an estimate of the possible loss. For purposes of our contingency disclosures, “significant” includes material matters, as well as other matters which management believes should be disclosed. ExxonMobil will continue to defend itself vigorously in these matters. Based on a consideration of all relevant facts and circumstances, the Corporation does not believe the ultimate outcome of any currently pending lawsuit against ExxonMobil will have a material adverse effect upon the Corporation's operations, financial condition, or financial statements taken as a whole.
Other Contingencies. The Corporation and certain of its consolidated subsidiaries were contingently liable at September 30, 2021, for guarantees relating to notes, loans and performance under contracts. Where guarantees for environmental remediation and other similar matters do not include a stated cap, the amounts reflect management’s estimate of the maximum potential exposure. These guarantees are not reasonably likely to have a material effect on the Corporation’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
  As of September 30, 2021
  
Equity Company
Obligations (1)
Other Third-Party ObligationsTotal
  (millions of dollars)
Guarantees   
 Debt-related1,100 137 1,237 
 Other1,002 4,795 5,797 
 Total2,102 4,932 7,034 
(1)ExxonMobil share
Additionally, the Corporation and its affiliates have numerous long-term sales and purchase commitments in their various business activities, all of which are expected to be fulfilled with no adverse consequences material to the Corporation’s operations or financial condition.
The operations and earnings of the Corporation and its affiliates throughout the world have been, and may in the future be, affected from time to time in varying degree by political developments and laws and regulations, such as forced divestiture of assets; restrictions on production, imports and exports; price controls; tax increases and retroactive tax claims; expropriation of property; cancellation of contract rights and environmental regulations. Both the likelihood of such occurrences and their overall effect upon the Corporation vary greatly from country to country and are not predictable.
In accordance with a Venezuelan nationalization decree issued in February 2007, a subsidiary of the Venezuelan National Oil Company (PdVSA) assumed the operatorship of the Cerro Negro Heavy Oil Project. The decree also required conversion of the Cerro Negro Project into a “mixed enterprise” and an increase in PdVSA’s or one of its affiliate’s ownership interest in the Project. ExxonMobil refused to accede to the terms proffered by the government, and on June 27, 2007, the government expropriated ExxonMobil’s 41.67 percent interest in the Cerro Negro Project.
ExxonMobil collected awards of $908 million in an arbitration against PdVSA under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce in respect of an indemnity related to the Cerro Negro Project and $260 million in an arbitration for compensation due for the La Ceiba Project and for export curtailments at the Cerro Negro Project under rules of International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). An ICSID arbitration award relating to the Cerro Negro Project’s expropriation ($1.4 billion) was annulled based on a determination that a prior Tribunal failed to adequately explain why the cap on damages in the indemnity owed by PdVSA did not affect or limit the amount owed for the expropriation of the Cerro Negro Project. ExxonMobil filed a new claim seeking to restore the original award of damages for the Cerro Negro Project with ICSID on September 26, 2018.
The net impact of this matter on the Corporation’s consolidated financial results cannot be reasonably estimated. Regardless, the Corporation does not expect the resolution to have a material effect upon the Corporation’s operations or financial condition.
10


An affiliate of ExxonMobil is one of the Contractors under a Production Sharing Contract (PSC) with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) covering the Erha block located in the offshore waters of Nigeria. ExxonMobil's affiliate is the operator of the block and owns a 56.25 percent interest under the PSC. The Contractors are in dispute with NNPC regarding NNPC's lifting of crude oil in excess of its entitlement under the terms of the PSC. In accordance with the terms of the PSC, the Contractors initiated arbitration in Abuja, Nigeria, under the Nigerian Arbitration and Conciliation Act. On October 24, 2011, a three-member arbitral Tribunal issued an award upholding the Contractors' position in all material respects and awarding damages to the Contractors jointly in an amount of approximately $1.8 billion plus $234 million in accrued interest. The Contractors petitioned a Nigerian federal court for enforcement of the award, and NNPC petitioned the same court to have the award set aside. On May 22, 2012, the court set aside the award. The Contractors appealed that judgment to the Court of Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division. On July 22, 2016, the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the lower court setting aside the award. On October 21, 2016, the Contractors appealed the decision to the Supreme Court of Nigeria. In June 2013, the Contractors filed a lawsuit against NNPC in the Nigerian federal high court in order to preserve their ability to seek enforcement of the PSC in the courts if necessary. Following dismissal by this court, the Contractors appealed to the Nigerian Court of Appeal in June 2016. In October 2014, the Contractors filed suit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) to enforce, if necessary, the arbitration award against NNPC assets residing within that jurisdiction. NNPC moved to dismiss the lawsuit. On September 4, 2019, the SDNY dismissed the Contractors’ petition to recognize and enforce the Erha arbitration award. The Contractors filed a notice of appeal in the Second Circuit on October 2, 2019. At this time, the net impact of this matter on the Corporation's consolidated financial results cannot be reasonably estimated. However, regardless of the outcome of enforcement proceedings, the Corporation does not expect the proceedings to have a material effect upon the Corporation's operations or financial condition.

11


4. Other Comprehensive Income Information
ExxonMobil Share of Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income
Cumulative Foreign Exchange Translation AdjustmentPostretirement Benefits
 Reserves Adjustment
Total
(millions of dollars)
Balance as of December 31, 2019(12,446)(7,047)(19,493)
Current period change excluding amounts reclassified
from accumulated other comprehensive income (1)
(1,125)(172)(1,297)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive income
14 587 601 
Total change in accumulated other comprehensive income(1,111)415 (696)
Balance as of September 30, 2020(13,557)(6,632)(20,189)
Balance as of December 31, 2020(10,614)(6,091)(16,705)
Current period change excluding amounts reclassified
 from accumulated other comprehensive income (1)
(1,041)289 (752)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive income
— 761 761 
Total change in accumulated other comprehensive income(1,041)1,050 
Balance as of September 30, 2021(11,655)(5,041)(16,696)
(1)Cumulative Foreign Exchange Translation Adjustment includes net investment hedge gain/(loss) net of taxes of $240 million and $(159) million in 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income - Before-tax Income/(Expense)
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021202020212020
 (millions of dollars)(millions of dollars)
Foreign exchange translation gain/(loss) included in net income
       (Statement of Income line: Other income)
— (14)— (14)
Amortization and settlement of postretirement benefits reserves
adjustment included in net periodic benefit costs
  
(Statement of Income line: Non-service pension and postretirement benefit expense)(256)(268)(1,020)(790)

Income Tax (Expense)/Credit For
Components of Other Comprehensive Income
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2021202020212020
 (millions of dollars)(millions of dollars)

Foreign exchange translation adjustment
(26)57 (60)72 
Postretirement benefits reserves adjustment (excluding
amortization)
(76)74 (109)64 
Amortization and settlement of postretirement benefits reserves
adjustment included in net periodic benefit costs
(60)(62)(231)(177)
Total(162)69 (400)(41)

12


5. Earnings Per Share 
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2021202020212020
Earnings per common share  
Net income (loss) attributable to ExxonMobil (millions of dollars)
6,750 (680)14,170 (2,370)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (millions of shares)
4,276 4,271 4,275 4,270 
Earnings (loss) per common share (dollars) (1)
1.57 (0.15)3.31 (0.55)
Dividends paid per common share (dollars)
0.87 0.87 2.61 2.61 
(1)The calculation of earnings (loss) per common share and earnings (loss) per common share – assuming dilution are the same in each period shown.

6. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits 
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2021202020212020
 (millions of dollars)(millions of dollars)
Components of net benefit cost  
Pension Benefits - U.S.  
Service cost228 245 661 712 
Interest cost139 177 418 531 
Expected return on plan assets(181)(178)(542)(528)
Amortization of actuarial loss/(gain) and prior service cost57 79 167 237 
Net pension enhancement and curtailment/settlement cost75 52 468 156 
Net benefit cost318 375 1,172 1,108 
Pension Benefits - Non-U.S.
Service cost194 178 587 524 
Interest cost131 165 396 488 
Expected return on plan assets(256)(226)(777)(664)
Amortization of actuarial loss/(gain) and prior service cost118 124 362 358 
Net pension enhancement and curtailment/settlement cost— 16 — 
Net benefit cost191 241 584 706 
Other Postretirement Benefits
Service cost44 45 139 134 
Interest cost55 70 166 208 
Expected return on plan assets(5)(4)(14)(13)
Amortization of actuarial loss/(gain) and prior service cost13 26 39 
Net benefit cost103 124 317 368 
 

13


7. Financial Instruments and Derivatives
 
Financial Instruments. The estimated fair value of financial instruments at September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, and the related hierarchy level for the fair value measurement was as follows:
 At September 30, 2021
 (millions of dollars)
 Fair Value    
 Level 1Level 2Level 3Total Gross Assets
& Liabilities
Effect of
Counterparty Netting
Effect of
Collateral
Netting
Difference
in Carrying
Value and
Fair Value
Net
Carrying
Value
Assets        
Derivative assets (1)
2,251 986 — 3,237 (2,537)— — 700 
Advances to/receivables
from equity companies (2)(6)
— 3,127 5,825 8,952 — — (229)8,723 
Other long-term
financial assets (3)
1,118 — 1,336 2,454 — — 184 2,638 
Liabilities
Derivative liabilities (4)
3,489 1,671 — 5,160 (2,537)(1,238)— 1,385 
Long-term debt (5)
44,934 111 45,049 — — (3,166)41,883 
Long-term obligations
to equity companies (6)
— — 3,334 3,334 — — (274)3,060 
Other long-term
financial liabilities (7)
— — 922 922 — — 60 982 
 
  At December 31, 2020
  (millions of dollars)
  Fair Value    
  Level 1Level 2Level 3Total Gross Assets
& Liabilities
Effect of
Counterparty Netting
Effect of
Collateral
Netting
Difference
in Carrying
Value and
Fair Value
Net
Carrying
Value
Assets        
 
Derivative assets (1)
1,247 194 — 1,441 (1,282)(6)— 153 
 Advances to/receivables
 
from equity companies (2)(6)
— 3,275 5,904 9,179 — — (367)8,812 
 Other long-term
 
financial assets (3)
1,235 — 944 2,179 — — 125 2,304 
Liabilities
 
Derivative liabilities (4)
1,443 254 — 1,697 (1,282)(202)— 213 
 
Long-term debt (5)
50,263 125 50,392 — — (4,890)45,502 
 Long-term obligations
 
to equity companies (6)
— — 3,530 3,530 — — (277)3,253 
 Other long-term
 
financial liabilities (7)
— — 964 964 — — 44 1,008 
(1)Included in the Balance Sheet lines: Notes and accounts receivable - net and Other assets, including intangibles - net
(2)Included in the Balance Sheet line: Investments, advances and long-term receivables
(3)Included in the Balance Sheet lines: Investments, advances and long-term receivables and Other assets, including intangibles - net
(4)Included in the Balance Sheet lines: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Other long-term obligations
(5)Excluding finance lease obligations
(6)Advances to/receivables from equity companies and long-term obligations to equity companies are mainly designated as hierarchy level 3 inputs. The fair value is calculated by discounting the remaining obligations by a rate consistent with the credit quality and industry of the company.
(7)Included in the Balance Sheet line: Other long-term obligations. Includes contingent consideration related to a prior year acquisition where fair value is based on expected drilling activities and discount rates.
At September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively, the Corporation had $511 million and $504 million of collateral under master netting arrangements not offset against the derivatives on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, primarily related to initial margin requirements.
14


The Corporation may use non-derivative financial instruments, such as its foreign currency-denominated debt, as hedges of its net investments in certain foreign subsidiaries. Under this method, the change in the carrying value of the financial instruments due to foreign exchange fluctuations is reported in accumulated other comprehensive income. As of September 30, 2021, the Corporation has designated $5.2 billion of its Euro-denominated long-term debt and related accrued interest as a net investment hedge of its European business. The net investment hedge is deemed to be perfectly effective.

The Corporation had undrawn short-term committed lines of credit of $10.6 billion and undrawn long-term committed lines of credit of $0.6 billion as of third quarter 2021.
 
Derivative Instruments. The Corporation’s size, strong capital structure, geographic diversity and the complementary nature of the Upstream, Downstream and Chemical businesses reduce the Corporation’s enterprise-wide risk from changes in commodity prices, currency rates and interest rates. In addition, the Corporation uses commodity-based contracts, including derivatives, to manage commodity price risk and for trading purposes. Commodity contracts held for trading purposes are presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income on a net basis in the line “Sales and other operating revenue.” The Corporation’s commodity derivatives are not accounted for under hedge accounting. At times, the Corporation also enters into currency and interest rate derivatives, none of which are material to the Corporation’s financial position as of September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, or results of operations for the periods ended September 30, 2021, and 2020.
 
Credit risk associated with the Corporation’s derivative position is mitigated by several factors, including the use of derivative clearing exchanges and the quality of and financial limits placed on derivative counterparties. The Corporation maintains a system of controls that includes the authorization, reporting and monitoring of derivative activity.
 
The net notional long/(short) position of derivative instruments at September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, was as follows:

September 30,December 31,
20212020
(millions)
Crude oil (barrels)37 40 
Petroleum products (barrels)(60)(46)
Natural gas (MMBTUs)(371)(500)
 
Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) on derivative instruments that were recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income are included in the following lines on a before-tax basis:
 
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2021202020212020
 (millions of dollars)(millions of dollars)
Sales and other operating revenue(1,596)(297)(3,196)688 
Crude oil and product purchases(34)134 (53)(396)
Total(1,630)(163)(3,249)292 
 
15


8. Disclosures about Segments and Related Information
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2021202020212020
Earnings (Loss) After Income Tax(millions of dollars)(millions of dollars)
Upstream  
United States869 (681)1,895 (2,582)
Non-U.S.3,082 298 7,795 1,084 
Downstream
United States663 (136)401 (338)
Non-U.S.592 (95)237 472 
Chemical
United States1,183 357 3,180 816 
Non-U.S.957 304 2,695 456 
Corporate and financing(596)(727)(2,033)(2,278)
Corporate total6,750 (680)14,170 (2,370)
Sales and Other Operating Revenue
Upstream
United States2,072 1,422 5,683 4,280 
Non-U.S.2,295 2,015 9,181 6,604 
Downstream
United States21,326 12,267 56,444 35,854 
Non-U.S.36,356 23,862 96,868 69,468 
Chemical
United States4,363 2,162 11,461 6,028 
Non-U.S.5,473 3,684 15,834 10,574 
Corporate and financing13 (84)28 
Corporate total71,892 45,425 195,387 132,836 
Intersegment Revenue
Upstream
United States4,374 2,348 11,524 5,999 
Non-U.S.9,371 5,132 23,935 14,371 
Downstream
United States5,548 2,812 14,939 8,820 
Non-U.S.7,176 3,334 18,062 11,210 
Chemical
United States2,466 1,480 6,904 4,466 
Non-U.S.1,635 895 4,208 2,866 
Corporate and financing57 55 166 166 

16


Geographic  
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Sales and Other Operating Revenue2021202020212020
 (millions of dollars)(millions of dollars)
United States27,761 15,851 73,588 46,162 
Non-U.S.44,131 29,574 121,799 86,674 
Total71,892 45,425 195,387 132,836 
Significant Non-U.S. revenue sources include: (1)
Canada5,837 3,566 15,378 9,537 
Singapore3,678 2,400 10,628 6,883 
France3,513 2,273 9,541 6,446 
United Kingdom3,379 2,827 10,137 8,424 
Italy2,808 2,055 7,139 5,241 
Belgium2,409 1,504 6,590 4,639 
Australia1,751 1,354 5,499 4,380 
(1)Revenue is determined by primary country of operations. Excludes certain sales and other operating revenues in Non-U.S. operations where attribution to a specific country is not practicable.
 

17


9. Divestment Activities
ExxonMobil signed an agreement in the first quarter of 2021 with HitecVision, through its wholly-owned portfolio company NEO Energy, for the sale of most of its non-operated upstream assets in the United Kingdom central and northern North Sea for more than $1 billion. The transaction is expected to close by year-end 2021, subject to standard conditions precedent, including regulatory and third-party approvals. The agreed sales price is subject to interim period adjustments from the effective date of January 1, 2021, to the closing date, and has an additional upside potential of approximately $0.3 billion in contingent payments, based on production levels and commodity prices. Estimated total cash flow from the divestment will range from $0.7 billion to $1.2 billion, of which $0.7 billion to $0.8 billion is expected in 2021 and the remainder in future years.
In the second quarter of 2021, ExxonMobil signed an agreement with Celanese for the sale of its global Santoprene business for $1.15 billion, subject to working capital and other adjustments. The sale includes two thermoplastic elastomers manufacturing sites in Pensacola, Florida and Newport, Wales along with associated assets. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021, subject to standard conditions precedent including regulatory approvals. Estimated total cash flow from the divestment is approximately $0.9 billion.
The Corporation expects to recognize a gain at closing for each of these transactions. Estimated gain and net cash flow could change due to market factors, working capital adjustments, tax impacts, and closing dates.
Following the end of the third quarter, the Corporation executed an agreement to divest certain assets in the U.S. Unconventional portfolio. The book value of the assets subject to disposal is approximately $0.5 billion and closing is expected by year-end 2021, with proceeds in the range of $0.2 billion.

10. Restructuring Activities
During 2020, ExxonMobil conducted an extensive global review of staffing levels and subsequently commenced targeted workforce reductions within a number of countries to improve efficiency and reduce costs. The programs, which are expected to be substantially completed by the end of 2021, include both voluntary and involuntary employee separations and reductions in contractors.
During the third quarter of 2021, the Corporation recorded before-tax charges of $4 million, consisting primarily of employee separation costs, from workforce reductions in Europe associated with the global review of staffing levels. These costs are captured in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on the Statement of Income.
For the first nine months of the year, the recorded before-tax charges associated with the global review of staffing levels were $53 million.
The Corporation does not expect any further significant charges related to the previously disclosed workforce reduction programs. This does not include charges related to employee reductions associated with any portfolio changes or other projects.
The following tables summarize the reserves and charges related to the workforce reduction programs associated with the global review of staffing levels, which are recorded in “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.”
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 20212021
 (millions of dollars)(millions of dollars)
Beginning Balance228 403 
Additions/adjustments53 
Payments made(97)(321)
Ending Balance135 135 

18


EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION
 
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

In early 2020, the balance of supply and demand for petroleum and petrochemical products experienced two significant disruptive effects. On the demand side, the COVID-19 pandemic spread rapidly through most areas of the world resulting in substantial reductions in consumer and business activity and significantly reduced demand for crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum products. This reduction in demand coincided with announcements of increased production in certain key oil-producing countries which led to increases in inventory levels and sharp declines in prices for crude oil, natural gas, and petroleum products.
Demand for petroleum and petrochemical products has continued to recover through 2021 with each of the Corporation's sequential quarterly financial results benefiting from stronger prices and margins versus the previous quarter. The rate and pace of recovery, however, has varied across geographies and business lines, with Downstream margins remaining low compared to historical levels over the last decade. The Corporation continues to closely monitor industry and economic conditions amid the uneven global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Looking beyond the volatility marking recent economic conditions, the Corporation’s annual planning process provides an opportunity to re-affirm the fundamentals of supply and demand that underpin our businesses. Consideration is given to a diverse set of risks and other factors that may influence future energy supply and demand trends, including technological advancements, regulation and government policies, climate change, greenhouse gas restrictions, and other general economic conditions. The Corporation views climate change risks as a global issue that requires collaboration among governments, private companies, consumers and other stakeholders to create meaningful solutions. These should meet the world’s increasing demand for affordable and reliable energy while creating opportunities to transition to a lower-carbon emissions future. The variety of potential transition pathways for society to a lower-carbon emissions future, influenced by assumptions regarding economic growth, technology and governmental policy, indicates a wide range of uncertainty for the types and demand levels of energy.
The Board of Directors evaluates climate change risk in the context of overall enterprise risk, including other operational, strategic, and financial risks. The Corporation considers the interactions among these factors as it pursues a strategy that is resilient to a wide range of potential pathways for society’s energy transition while continuing to grow shareholder value. It takes into account emerging industry and economic conditions and market and government policy uncertainties in developing its strategic plans and longer-term price views as part of its annual business planning process. The Corporation continues to make progress on its greenhouse gas emission reduction plans and efforts to position the company for success in a lower-carbon emissions future. It expects to play an important role in providing petroleum and petrochemical products that are critical to economic growth while minimizing environmental impacts and delivering solutions to achieve a lower-carbon emissions future. The company continues to analyze internal and external scenarios of future energy markets to create a deeper understanding of what resiliency requires and which opportunities could emerge, but the assumptions and outcome of any given scenario or set of scenarios come with a high degree of uncertainty.
The Corporation tests assets or groups of assets for recoverability on an ongoing basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. To the extent the annual planning process described above, including review by the Board of Directors in the fourth quarter, results in any significant changes to the Corporation’s current development plans for its portfolio, certain assets could be at risk for impairment. The Corporation will complete any required asset recoverability assessments in connection with the preparation and review of the Corporation’s year-end financial statements for inclusion in its 2021 Form 10-K. Until these activities are complete, it is not practicable to reasonably estimate the existence or range of potential future impairments.










19



FUNCTIONAL EARNINGS SUMMARY
 
Third Quarter
First Nine Months
Earnings (Loss) (U.S. GAAP)2021202020212020
 (millions of dollars)(millions of dollars)
Upstream  
United States869 (681)1,895 (2,582)
Non-U.S.3,082 298 7,795 1,084 
Downstream
United States663 (136)401 (338)
Non-U.S.592 (95)237 472 
Chemical
United States1,183 357 3,180 816 
Non-U.S.957 304 2,695 456 
Corporate and financing(596)(727)(2,033)(2,278)
Net income (loss) attributable to ExxonMobil (U.S. GAAP)6,750 (680)14,170 (2,370)
Earnings (loss) per common share (dollars)
1.57 (0.15)3.31 (0.55)
Earnings (loss) per common share - assuming dilution (dollars)
1.57 (0.15)3.31 (0.55)
 
References in this discussion to Corporate earnings (loss) mean net income (loss) attributable to ExxonMobil (U.S. GAAP) from the consolidated income statement. Unless otherwise indicated, references to earnings (loss), Upstream, Downstream, Chemical and Corporate and financing segment earnings (loss), and earnings (loss) per share are ExxonMobil's share after excluding amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests.

REVIEW OF THIRD QUARTER 2021 RESULTS
ExxonMobil’s third quarter 2021 earnings were $6.8 billion, or $1.57 per diluted share, compared with a loss of $0.7 billion a year earlier. The increase in earnings was driven by higher Upstream realizations and volumes; higher Chemical and Downstream margins; and lower expenses.

Earnings for the first nine months of 2021 were $14.2 billion, or $3.31 per diluted share, compared with a loss of $2.4 billion a year earlier.

Capital and exploration expenditures were $10.8 billion, down $5.8 billion from 2020.

Oil-equivalent production was 3.7 million barrels per day, down 3 percent from the prior year. Excluding entitlement effects, divestments, and government mandates, oil-equivalent production was up 2 percent from the prior year.

The Corporation distributed $11.2 billion in dividends to shareholders.
20


 
Third Quarter
First Nine Months
 2021202020212020
 (millions of dollars)(millions of dollars)
Upstream results  
United States869 (681)1,895 (2,582)
Non-U.S.3,082 298 7,795 1,084 
Total3,951 (383)9,690 (1,498)

Upstream earnings were $3,951 million in the third quarter of 2021, compared with a loss of $383 million in the third quarter of 2020.
Realizations increased earnings by $3,720 million, driven by higher liquids realizations of $3,120 million and higher gas realizations of $600 million.
Volume and mix effects increased earnings by $140 million due to higher liquids sales of $100 million and favorable gas sales mix of $40 million.
All other items increased earnings by $470 million, driven by lower expenses of $280 million, favorable other earnings impacts of $180 million, and the absence of prior year quarter unfavorable non-operational impacts of $10 million.
U.S. Upstream earnings were $869 million, up $1,550 million from the prior year quarter.
Non-U.S. Upstream earnings were $3,082 million, up $2,784 million from the prior year quarter.
On an oil-equivalent basis, production was essentially flat from the third quarter of 2020.
Liquids production totaled 2.3 million barrels per day, up 27,000 barrels per day, reflecting the impacts of less downtime, growth and higher demand, partly offset by lower entitlements.
Natural gas production was 8.1 billion cubic feet per day, down 206 million cubic feet per day, as less downtime and growth were more than offset by lower entitlements, the Groningen production limit, and divestments.

Upstream earnings were $9,690 million in the first nine months of 2021, compared with a loss of $1,498 million in the first nine months of 2020.
Realizations increased earnings by $9,350 million, with higher liquids realizations of $8,580 million and higher gas realizations of $770 million.
Volume and mix effects reduced earnings by $210 million, reflecting lower liquids sales volumes of $290 million partly offset by favorable gas sales mix of $80 million.
All other items increased earnings by $2,050 million, driven by lower expenses of $1,270 million, the absence of prior year unfavorable non-operational impacts of $420 million, and other favorable earnings impacts of $360 million.
U.S. Upstream earnings were $1,895 million, compared with a loss of $2,582 million in the prior year.
Non-U.S. Upstream earnings were $7,795 million, up $6,711 million from the prior year.
On an oil-equivalent basis, production decreased 3 percent from the first nine months of 2020.
Liquids production totaled 2.3 million barrels per day, down 100,000 barrels per day, with higher demand and project growth more than offset by impacts from lower entitlements, increased government mandates, decline and divestments.
Natural gas production was 8.5 billion cubic feet per day, down 44 million cubic feet per day, as higher demand was offset by lower entitlements, the Groningen production limit, and divestments.
21


 
Third Quarter
First Nine Months
Upstream additional information(thousands of barrels daily)(thousands of barrels daily)
Volumes reconciliation (Oil-equivalent production) (1)
 
20203,6723,785
Entitlements - Net Interest3(1)
Entitlements - Price / Spend / Other(158)(118)
Government Mandates10(38)
Divestments(27)(22)
Growth / Other16571
20213,6653,677

(1)Natural gas is converted to an oil-equivalent basis at six million cubic feet per one thousand barrels.

Listed below are descriptions of ExxonMobil’s volumes reconciliation factors which are provided to facilitate understanding of the terms.
 
Entitlements - Net Interest are changes to ExxonMobil’s share of production volumes caused by non-operational changes to volume-determining factors. These factors consist of net interest changes specified in Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) which typically occur when cumulative investment returns or production volumes achieve defined thresholds, changes in equity upon achieving pay-out in partner investment carry situations, equity redeterminations as specified in venture agreements, or as a result of the termination or expiry of a concession. Once a net interest change has occurred, it typically will not be reversed by subsequent events, such as lower crude oil prices.
 
Entitlements - Price, Spend and Other are changes to ExxonMobil’s share of production volumes resulting from temporary changes to non-operational volume-determining factors. These factors include changes in oil and gas prices or spending levels from one period to another. According to the terms of contractual arrangements or government royalty regimes, price or spending variability can increase or decrease royalty burdens and/or volumes attributable to ExxonMobil. For example, at higher prices, fewer barrels are required for ExxonMobil to recover its costs. These effects generally vary from period to period with field spending patterns or market prices for oil and natural gas. Such factors can also include other temporary changes in net interest as dictated by specific provisions in production agreements.
 
Government Mandates are changes to ExxonMobil's sustainable production levels due to temporary non-operational production limits imposed by governments, generally upon a sector, type or method of production.
 
Divestments are reductions in ExxonMobil’s production arising from commercial arrangements to fully or partially reduce equity in a field or asset in exchange for financial or other economic consideration.
 
Growth and Other factors comprise all other operational and non-operational factors not covered by the above definitions that may affect volumes attributable to ExxonMobil. Such factors include, but are not limited to, production enhancements from project and work program activities, acquisitions including additions from asset exchanges, downtime, market demand, natural field decline, and any fiscal or commercial terms that do not affect entitlements.

22


 
Third Quarter
First Nine Months
 2021202020212020
 (millions of dollars)(millions of dollars)
Downstream results  
United States663 (136)401 (338)
Non-U.S.592 (95)237 472 
Total1,255 (231)638 134 
Downstream earnings were $1,255 million in the third quarter of 2021, up $1,486 million from the third quarter of 2020.
Margins increased earnings by $1,250 million, reflecting stronger industry refining conditions.
Volume and mix effects decreased earnings by $10 million.
All other items increased earnings by $250 million, reflecting other favorable earnings impacts of $190 million and lower expenses of $70 million, partly offset by the absence of prior year quarter favorable non-operational impacts of $10 million.
U.S. Downstream earnings were $663 million, compared with a loss of $136 million in the prior year quarter.
Non-U.S. Downstream earnings were $592 million, up $687 million from the prior year quarter.
Petroleum product sales of 5.3 million barrels per day were 304,000 barrels per day higher than the prior year quarter.

Downstream earnings were $638 million in the first nine months of 2021, up $504 million from the first nine months of 2020.
Margins decreased earnings by $50 million, driven by lower realized fuels margins.
Volume and mix effects decreased earnings by $30 million.
All other items increased earnings by $580 million, as lower expenses of $430 million and the absence of prior year unfavorable non-operational impacts of $340 million were partly offset by unfavorable other earnings impacts of $190 million.
U.S. Downstream earnings were $401 million, compared with a loss of $338 million in the prior year.
Non-U.S. Downstream results were $237 million, down $235 million from the prior year.
Petroleum product sales of 5.1 million barrels per day were 168,000 barrels per day higher than the prior year.

23


 
Third Quarter
First Nine Months
 2021202020212020
 (millions of dollars)(millions of dollars)
Chemical results  
United States1,183 357 3,180 816 
Non-U.S.957 304 2,695 456 
Total2,140 661 5,875 1,272 
 
Chemical earnings were $2,140 million in the third quarter of 2021, up $1,479 million from the third quarter of 2020.
Higher margins increased earnings by $1,640 million.
All other items decreased earnings by $160 million, mainly due to the absence of prior year favorable non-operational impacts of $120 million and increased expenses of $50 million.
U.S. Chemical earnings were $1,183 million, up $826 million from the prior year quarter.
Non-U.S. Chemical earnings were $957 million, up $653 million from the prior year quarter.
Third quarter prime product sales of 6.7 million metric tons were 48,000 metric tons higher than the prior year quarter.

Chemical earnings were $5,875 million in the first nine months of 2021, up $4,603 million from the first nine months of 2020.
Higher margins increased earnings by $3,890 million.
Volume and mix effects increased earnings by $260 million.
All other items increased earnings by $450 million, driven by lower expenses of $190 million, the absence of prior year unfavorable non-operational impacts of $90 million and other favorable earnings impacts of $170 million.
U.S. Chemical earnings were $3,180 million, up $2,364 million from the prior year.
Non-U.S. Chemical earnings were $2,695 million, up $2,239 million from the prior year.
First nine months prime product sales of 19.6 million metric tons were 825,000 metric tons higher than the prior year.


 
Third Quarter
First Nine Months
 2021202020212020
 (millions of dollars)(millions of dollars)
Corporate and financing results(596)(727)(2,033)(2,278)
 
Corporate and financing expenses were $596 million for the third quarter of 2021, down $131 million from the third quarter of 2020, reflecting lower corporate costs, partly offset by net unfavorable tax impacts.

Corporate and financing expenses were $2,033 million for the first nine months of 2021, down $245 million from 2020, reflecting lower financing costs.
24


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
Third Quarter
First Nine Months
 2021202020212020
 (millions of dollars)(millions of dollars)
Net cash provided by/(used in)  
Operating activities31,005 10,663 
Investing activities(8,125)(15,157)
Financing activities(22,464)10,568 
Effect of exchange rate changes(12)(331)
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents404 5,743 
Cash and cash equivalents (at end of period)4,768 8,832 
Cash flow from operations and asset sales
Net cash provided by operating activities (U.S. GAAP)12,091 4,389 31,005 10,663 
Proceeds associated with sales of subsidiaries, property, plant & equipment, and sales and returns of investments
18 100 575 229 
Cash flow from operations and asset sales12,109 4,489 31,580 10,892 
Because of the ongoing nature of our asset management and divestment program, we believe it is useful for investors to consider proceeds associated with asset sales together with cash provided by operating activities when evaluating cash available for investment in the business and financing activities, including shareholder distributions.
Cash flow from operations and asset sales in the third quarter of 2021 was $12.1 billion, an increase of $7.6 billion from the comparable 2020 period primarily reflecting higher earnings.
Cash provided by operating activities totaled $31.0 billion for the first nine months of 2021, $20.3 billion higher than 2020. Net income including noncontrolling interests was $14.5 billion, an increase of $17.2 billion from the prior year period. The adjustments for the noncash provision of $14.9 billion for depreciation and depletion was down $0.8 billion from 2020. Changes in operational working capital were a contribution of $2.2 billion, compared to a reduction of $1.5 billion in the prior year period. All other items net decreased cash flows by $0.7 billion in 2021 versus a reduction of $0.9 billion in 2020. See the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for additional details.
Investing activities for the first nine months of 2021 used net cash of $8.1 billion, a decrease of $7.0 billion compared to the prior year. Spending for additions to property, plant and equipment of $8.0 billion was $5.7 billion lower than 2020. Proceeds from asset sales of $0.6 billion were $0.3 billion higher than the prior year. Net investments and advances decreased $1.0 billion to $0.7 billion.
Net cash used by financing activities was $22.5 billion in the first nine months of 2021, including $10.8 billion of debt repayments. This compares to net cash provided by financing activities of $10.6 billion in the prior year, reflecting long-term debt issuances in the first nine months of 2020.
Total debt at the end of the third quarter of 2021 was $56.6 billion compared to $67.6 billion at year-end 2020. The Corporation's debt to total capital ratio was 25.3 percent at the end of the third quarter of 2021 compared to 29.2 percent at year-end 2020. The Corporation's capital allocation priorities continue to be investing in advantaged projects, strengthening the balance sheet and paying a reliable dividend.
The Corporation has access to significant capacity of long-term and short-term liquidity. Commercial paper continues to provide short-term liquidity, and is reflected in "Notes and loans payable" on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Cash and cash equivalents was $4.8 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2021. The Corporation had undrawn short-term committed lines of credit of $10.6 billion and undrawn long-term committed lines of credit of $0.6 billion as of third quarter 2021.
The Corporation distributed a total of $11.2 billion to shareholders in the first nine months of 2021 through dividends.
 
The Corporation, as part of its ongoing asset management program, continues to evaluate its mix of assets for potential upgrade. Because of the ongoing nature of this program, dispositions will continue to be made from time to time which will result in either gains or losses. Additionally, the Corporation continues to evaluate opportunities to enhance its business portfolio through acquisitions of assets or companies, and enters into such transactions from time to time. Key criteria for evaluating acquisitions include potential for future growth and attractive current valuations. Acquisitions may be made with cash, shares of the Corporation’s common stock, or both.
25


The termination of certain transportation service agreements in the first quarter reduced commitments previously reported at year-end in Form 10-K under “Take-or-pay and unconditional purchase obligations” by approximately $2.3 billion. The majority of those commitments related to the years 2026 and beyond.
Litigation and other contingencies are discussed in Note 3 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

TAXES
 
Third Quarter
First Nine Months
 2021202020212020
 (millions of dollars)(millions of dollars)
Income taxes2,664 337 4,986 378 
Effective income tax rate33 %-198 %32 %-56 %
Total other taxes and duties (1)
8,572 7,901 24,296 21,081 
Total11,236 8,238 29,282 21,459 
 
(1)Includes “Other taxes and duties” plus taxes that are included in “Production and manufacturing expenses” and “Selling, general and administrative expenses.”
 
Total taxes were $11.2 billion for the third quarter of 2021, an increase of $3.0 billion from 2020. Income tax expense was $2.7 billion compared to $0.3 billion in the prior year reflecting higher commodity prices. The effective income tax rate of 33 percent compared to -198 percent in the prior year period primarily due to a change in mix of results in jurisdictions with varying tax rates. Total other taxes and duties increased by $0.7 billion to $8.6 billion.

Total taxes were $29.3 billion for the first nine months of 2021, an increase of $7.8 billion from 2020. Income tax expense increased by $4.6 billion to $5.0 billion reflecting higher commodity prices. The effective income tax rate of 32 percent compared to -56 percent in the prior year period primarily due to a change in mix of results in jurisdictions with varying tax rates. Total other taxes and duties increased by $3.2 billion to $24.3 billion.

In the United States, the Corporation has various ongoing U.S. federal income tax positions at issue with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax years beginning in 2006. The Corporation filed a refund suit for tax years 2006-2009 in U.S. federal district court (District Court) with respect to the positions at issue for those years. On February 24, 2020, the Corporation received an adverse ruling on this suit. The IRS has asserted penalties associated with several of those positions. The Corporation has not recognized the penalties as an expense because the Corporation does not expect the penalties to be sustained under applicable law. On January 13, 2021, the District Court ruled that no penalties apply to the Corporation's positions in this suit. The Corporation filed a notice of appeal regarding the substantive issues to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on April 9, 2021. The government filed a notice of appeal regarding the penalty issue to the same court on April 19, 2021. The Corporation filed its opening brief regarding the substantive issues on July 21, 2021. Proceedings in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals are continuing. Unfavorable resolution of all positions at issue with the IRS would not have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s operations or financial condition.

RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES
During 2020, ExxonMobil conducted an extensive global review of staffing levels and subsequently commenced targeted workforce reductions within a number of countries to improve efficiency and reduce costs. The programs, which are expected to be substantially complete by the end of 2021, include both voluntary and involuntary employee separations and reductions in contractors.
In the nine months of 2021, the Corporation recorded after-tax charges of $48 million, consisting primarily of employee separation costs, from workforce reduction programs in Europe and Singapore associated with the global review of staffing levels. The cash outflows in the nine months of 2021 associated with these activities were $321 million.
The Corporation does not expect any further significant charges related to the previously disclosed workforce reduction programs. Total charges for 2021 will be approximately $50 million with cash outflows ranging between $350 million and $450 million. This does not include charges related to employee reductions associated with any portfolio changes or other projects. Before-tax workforce reduction savings, including employees and contractors, are estimated to range between $1 billion and $2 billion per year after program completion when compared to 2019 levels.

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CAPITAL AND EXPLORATION EXPENDITURES
 
Third Quarter
First Nine Months
 2021202020212020
 (millions of dollars)(millions of dollars)
Upstream (including exploration expenses)2,839 2,794 8,013 11,497 
Downstream466 772 1,391 3,059 
Chemical545 564 1,381 2,041 
Other
Total3,851 4,133 10,787 16,603 
 
Capital and exploration expenditures in the third quarter of 2021 were $3.9 billion, down 7 percent from the third quarter of 2020.

Capital and exploration expenditures in the first nine months of 2021 were $10.8 billion, down 35 percent from the first nine months of 2020. The Corporation expects 2021 capital spending to be near the low end of the guidance range of $16 billion to $19 billion. Actual spending could vary depending on the progress of individual projects and property acquisitions.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements related to outlooks, projections, goals, targets, descriptions of strategic, operating, and financial plans and objectives, and other statements of future events or conditions are forward-looking statements. Actual future results, including financial and operating performance; total capital expenditures and mix, including allocations of capital to low carbon solutions; cost reductions and efficiency gains, including the ability to meet or exceed announced cost and expense reduction objectives; plans to reduce future emissions and emissions intensity; timing and outcome of projects to capture and store CO2; timing and outcome of biofuel and plastic waste recycling projects; cash flow, dividends and shareholder returns, including the timing and amounts of share repurchases; future debt levels and credit ratings; business and project plans, timing, costs, capacities, and returns; and resource recoveries and production rates could differ materially due to a number of factors. These include global or regional changes in the supply and demand for oil, natural gas, petrochemicals, and feedstocks and other market conditions that impact prices and differentials for our products; actions of competitors and commercial counterparties; the outcome of commercial negotiations, including final agreed terms and conditions; the ability to access short- and long-term debt markets on a timely and affordable basis; the ultimate impacts of COVID-19, including the extent and nature of further outbreaks and the effects of government responses on people and economies; reservoir performance; the outcome of exploration projects; timely completion of development and other construction projects; final management approval of future projects and any changes in the scope, terms, or costs of such projects as approved; final approval of company plans and strategies, including capital allocation, and changes in such plans and strategies as approved; changes in law, taxes, or regulation including environmental regulations, trade sanctions, and timely granting of governmental permits and certifications; government policies and support and market demand for low carbon technologies; war, and other political or security disturbances; opportunities for potential investments or divestments and satisfaction of applicable conditions to closing, including regulatory approvals; the capture of efficiencies within and between business lines and the ability to maintain near-term cost reductions as ongoing efficiencies; unforeseen technical or operating difficulties and unplanned maintenance; the development and competitiveness of alternative energy and emission reduction technologies; the results of research programs and the ability to bring new technologies to commercial scale on a cost-competitive basis; and other factors discussed in this report and under Item 1A. Risk Factors of ExxonMobil’s 2020 Form 10-K. We assume no duty to update these statements as of any future date.
The term “project” as used in this report can refer to a variety of different activities and does not necessarily have the same meaning as in any government payment transparency reports.


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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
Information about market risks for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, does not differ materially from that discussed under Item 7A of the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2020.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures
 
As indicated in the certifications in Exhibit 31 of this report, the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer have evaluated the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2021. Based on that evaluation, these officers have concluded that the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Corporation in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is accumulated and communicated to them in a manner that allows for timely decisions regarding required disclosures and are effective in ensuring that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. There were no changes during the Corporation’s last fiscal quarter that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
ExxonMobil has elected to use a $1 million threshold for disclosing environmental proceedings.
As reported in the Corporation’s Form 10-Q for the first quarter of 2021, ExxonMobil had agreed with the EPA and the State of Illinois to pay approximately $1.5 million in penalties and implement other measures pursuant to the Fourth Consent Decree Amendment concerning ExxonMobil Oil Corporation's Joliet Refinery in Illinois (the “Amendment”) proposed by the EPA on April 13, 2021. Since then, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois has approved and entered the Amendment and ExxonMobil has paid the required penalties in accordance with the Amendment.

Refer to the relevant portions of Note 3 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information on legal proceedings.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities for Quarter Ended September 30, 2021
PeriodTotal Number
of Shares
Purchased
Average
Price Paid
per Share
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
Maximum Number
of Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs
July 2021— — —  
August 2021— — —  
September 2021— — —  
Total—  — (See Note 1)
 
During the third quarter, the Corporation did not purchase any shares of its common stock for the treasury, and did not issue or sell any unregistered equity securities.

Note 1 - In its earnings release dated October 29, 2021, the Corporation stated that based on the current outlook, it anticipates a share repurchase program of up to $10 billion over 12 to 24 months, beginning in 2022.

Item 6. Exhibits
 
See Index to Exhibits of this report.

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
 
Exhibit Description
   
ExxonMobil Supplemental Savings Plan. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(iii)(c.1) to the Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021).
ExxonMobil Supplemental Pension Plan. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(iii)(c.2) to the Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021).
ExxonMobil Additional Payments Plan. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(iii)(c.3) to the Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021).
 Certification (pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)) by Chief Executive Officer.
 Certification (pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)) by Chief Financial Officer.
 Certification (pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)) by Principal Accounting Officer.
 Section 1350 Certification (pursuant to Sarbanes-Oxley Section 906) by Chief Executive Officer.
 Section 1350 Certification (pursuant to Sarbanes-Oxley Section 906) by Chief Financial Officer.
 Section 1350 Certification (pursuant to Sarbanes-Oxley Section 906) by Principal Accounting Officer.
101 Interactive Data Files (formatted as Inline XBRL).
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

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EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION
 
SIGNATURE
 
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION
 
Date: November 3, 2021
By:/s/ LEN M. FOX
  Len M. Fox
  Vice President, Controller and
  Principal Accounting Officer
 
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