ConocoPhillips Q1 Earnings at USD 2.1 Bln (USA)

ConocoPhillips today reported first-quarter 2013 earnings of $2.1 billion, or $1.73 per share, compared with first-quarter 2012 earnings of $2.9 billion, or $2.27 per share. First-quarter 2012 reported earnings included $0.7 billion from downstream operations prior to the separation of Phillips 66 on April 30, 2012.

Excluding special items, first-quarter 2013 adjusted earnings were $1.8 billion, or $1.42 per share, compared with first-quarter 2012 adjusted earnings of $1.8 billion, or $1.38 per share. Special items for the current quarter primarily related to asset sales and discontinued operations.

Following previous announcements to dispose of the company’s interests in Kashagan and the Algeria and Nigeria businesses, the associated earnings and production impacts for these assets have been reported as discontinued operations. This decreased adjusted earnings for first-quarter 2013 by $62 million, or $0.05 per share.

Highlights

• First-quarter total production of 1,596 MBOED, including continuing operations of 1,555 MBOED and discontinued operations of 41 MBOED.
• Eagle Ford, Bakken and Permian combined production up 42 percent compared to first-quarter 2012.
• Oil sands production averaged 109 MBOED, up 30 percent compared to first-quarter 2012.
• Major projects on schedule for fourth-quarter startup.
• First sale of oil from deepwater Gumusut Field.
• Coronado and Shenandoah discoveries in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico.
• Continued building deepwater Gulf of Mexico exploration portfolio.
• Entered Colombia to explore La Luna Shale.
• Completed sale of Cedar Creek Anticline properties for $1 billion.

“We are off to a strong start to the year, highlighted by the announcement of two significant oil discoveries in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico,” said Ryan Lance, chairman and chief executive officer. “Our base business is operating to plan, our development programs and major projects are performing as expected and we are on track to deliver production and margin improvements this year. We remain committed to our goal of 3 to 5 percent volume and margin growth, with a compelling dividend.”

Operations Update

Lower 48 and Latin America – First-quarter production was 475 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (MBOED), an increase of 24 MBOED compared to the same period in 2012. Growth continues from liquids-rich plays in the Eagle Ford, Bakken and Permian, which delivered 182 MBOED for the quarter, a 42 percent increase compared to the first quarter of 2012. The current quarter was unfavorably impacted by weather-related downtime in San Juan. The divestiture of the Cedar Creek Anticline properties for $1 billion was completed in March 2013.

Canada – Quarterly production increased by 17 MBOED over the same period in 2012, to 283 MBOED. The company’s oil sands programs continue to perform strongly, with production averaging 109 MBOED for the quarter. Oil sands expansion projects continued on schedule during the quarter.

Canada reported results for the quarter included $224 million for a favorable tax resolution on a prior asset disposition.

The production mix in the Lower 48 and Canada continues to shift from natural gas to liquids. For the quarter, total liquids production increased by 19 percent compared to the same period in 2012, resulting in the liquids percentage of production increasing from 45 percent to 51 percent in these two segments.

Alaska – First-quarter production was 218 MBOED, down 18 MBOED compared to the same period in 2012, primarily reflecting normal field decline. Following the recent passage of new tax legislation, ConocoPhillips has announced plans to pursue new work on the North Slope including bringing an additional rig into Kuparuk this spring.

Asia Pacific and Middle East – Quarterly production was 318 MBOED, up 15 MBOED compared to the first quarter of 2012. In China, production growth continued with further wells online at Panyu and normal production operations at the Peng Lai 19-3 Field. In Malaysia, the first cargo was sold from the Gumusut early production system. Construction of the floating production and storage (FPS) system continued on track with sail away from the fabrication yard planned for May 2013. Development also continued at Siakap North-Petai (SNP). Startup is expected late-2013 from both SNP and the Gumusut FPS.

Europe – Production for the quarter was 207 MBOED, down 64 MBOED compared to the same period a year ago, reflecting the impact of normal field decline, downtime primarily in the East Irish Sea, and prior-year dispositions. In the North Sea, preparations are underway for major turnarounds over the second and third quarters of 2013 for maintenance and major project tie-ins at J-Area and Greater Ekofisk. Development continued at Jasmine with the installation of the topside facilities. Fabrication of the Ekofisk South topside and accommodation facilities is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2013.

Other International – Production from continuing operations was 54 MBOED in the first quarter, which was flat compared to the same period in 2012. Operations related to Kashagan, Algeria and Nigeria have been reported as discontinued operations.

Unconventional exploration – First-quarter North American activity focused on drilling in the Niobrara and Permian Basin Wolfcamp plays in the Lower 48 as well as logging and coring two vertical wells in the Canol Shale in Canada. ConocoPhillips expects to drill its first exploration well in Colombia’s La Luna Shale in the second quarter of 2013, following a farm-in agreement executed during the current quarter. The company also reached agreement with PetroChina to farm-out a 20 percent interest in the Browse Basin and 29 percent interest in the Canning Basin in Western Australia and establish a joint study agreement for unconventional resource development in the Neijiang-Dazu block in China’s Sichuan Basin. This follows a previously announced joint study agreement with Sinopec for the Qijiang block in the same basin.

Conventional exploration – The company announced two significant oil discoveries in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico during the quarter. The Shenandoah well encountered more than 1,000 feet of net pay and the Coronado well encountered more than 400 feet of net pay. ConocoPhillips was the high bidder on 30 blocks in the March central area lease sale, which is expected to add 172 thousand acres to the company’s growing deepwater Gulf of Mexico position. Drilling commenced at the Ardennes prospect, and will continue with the ConocoPhillips-operated Thorn prospect and partner-operated appraisal wells at Tiber and Coronado, which are expected to spud in the second quarter. In Australia’s Browse Basin, the Zephyros-1 well results were as expected and the Proteus-1 well was spud in March. The company recently announced 2014 drilling plans in Alaska’s Chukchi Sea are on hold due to regulatory uncertainties.

[mappress]
LNG World News Staff, April 25, 2013