If passive income had a postcode, it would likely be shared by the 2 major ASX energy stocks, Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO).
Neither stock is exciting in the Silicon Valley sense, but that's kind of the point. Passive income isn't about adrenaline; it's about reliability.
And these 2 major ASX oil and gas stocks continue to offer sizeable and consistent cash returns to shareholders. Let's have a closer look.
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Woodside
Let's start with Woodside Energy, the grand old dame of the ASX energy sector. The $45 billion ASX energy stock has turned its sprawling LNG empire into a dividend machine. It is helped by long-dated contracts, disciplined capital spending, and a management team that treats shareholder payouts like a sacred ritual.
Even as oil and gas prices wobble, Woodside's diversified portfolio and conservative balance sheet give it room to keep distributions flowing. The result? Fully franked dividends that make income investors feel like they're still invited to the party, even when energy markets cool.
At a current share price of $23.66, the company is offering a fully franked dividend yield of roughly 7.05%. That is a standout number when you compare it to many of the large-cap stocks on the market today. In the last financial year, Woodside paid out close to $1.65 per share in dividends.
Of course, Woodside isn't risk-free. Big projects mean big capital requirements, and the global energy transition looms large. But for now, LNG remains in demand, Asia keeps buying, and Woodside keeps writing cheques. For passive income seekers, that's the holy trinity.
Santos
Then there's Santos, the slightly scrappier but no less cash-hungry cousin. This ASX energy stock doesn't have Woodside's scale, but it makes up for it with operational focus and a knack for sweating its assets.
From PNG to Queensland, Santos has built a portfolio that throws off reliable free cash flow, the lifeblood of dividends. Santos' appeal lies in its payout discipline. Management has made it clear: dividends matter.
That commitment has translated into yields that regularly turn heads, especially for investors tired of waiting for growth stocks to grow up. Add in exposure to LNG and domestic gas — both still critical to Australia's energy mix — and Santos looks like a steady income workhorse rather than a boom-or-bust cowboy.
The ASX energy stock still boasts a respectable dividend yield of approximately 5.9% based on recent payouts and its share price of $6.15 at the time of writing.
The company already pays out a meaningful share of its free cash flow and expects to lift those returns from 2026. That focus on rewarding investors has captured the attention of those seeking both income and long-term growth.
Naturally, there are wrinkles. Santos carries more balance-sheet risk than Woodside and faces ongoing regulatory and environmental scrutiny. But as long as gas remains essential to keeping the lights on, income investors will get a slice.
