ASX 200 energy shares had a stellar year in 2022 and energy was the best-performing sector by a mile.
The S&P/ASX 200 Energy (ASX: XEJ) rose by 40% compared to a 5.5% dip for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).
The surge was largely due to the war in Ukraine, which has significantly disrupted the world's energy supply arrangements and prompted massive increases in commodity prices for coal, oil, and gas.
So no surprise that the top three performing ASX 200 energy shares in 2022 were from these sectors.
The following data is from S&P Global Market Intelligence canvassing ASX 200 energy share price gains from the close on 31 December 2021 to the close on 31 December 2022.
Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC)
The top-performing ASX 200 energy share was Whitehaven, with an astonishing 261% share price gain.
This was largely due to coal prices hitting all-time highs in 2022.
As my Fool colleague Brooke reports, Whitehaven posted a record $1.95 billion profit for FY22. It had a 1,396% year-over-year increase in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA).
Shareholders enjoyed a higher dividend in 2022 as a result.
Looking ahead, my Fool colleague James reports consensus estimates of an FY24 dividend of 91 cents per share. This represents a 10.5% dividend yield.
Bell Potter is far more bullish, predicting a $1.66 per share dividend, which equates to a 19.3% yield.
The Whitehaven share price is trading at $8.61 on Thursday afternoon.
New Hope Corporation Limited (ASX: NHC)
The share price of fellow ASX coal miner New Hope skyrocketed 185% in 2022.
Its FY22 profit rose by nearly 1,140% to $983 million year-over-year and its underlying EBITDA came in about 330% higher at $1.58 billion.
Looking ahead, New Hope has the biggest potential dividend yield of FY24, as my Fool colleague James reports.
Consensus estimates tip the ASX 200 coal share will pay $1.30 per share. This equates to a 22% dividend yield at today's share price.
Citi is expecting an even greater dividend at $1.93 per share — a whopping 32% yield.
The New Hope share price is trading at $5.90 on Thursday afternoon.
Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)
The Woodside share price rose by 62% last year due to higher oil prices and the company's merger with the petroleum business of BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP).
About 70% of Woodside's assets are involved in gas production, and the merger turned it into one of the top 10 LNG players in the world.
In August, Woodside announced a 400% profit surge and declared the largest interim dividend since 2014. The dividend was triple the size of the interim dividend paid for the 1H FY21.
As my Fool colleague Tristan reports, Woodside has revealed that its dividend policy will be based on its net profit after tax (NPAT), with a minimum dividend payout ratio of 50%.
The company has also noted "additional opportunities to provide returns through special dividends and share buybacks."
The Woodside share price is trading at $36.16 on Thursday afternoon.
