ConocoPhillips Reports First-Quarter 2015 Results; Strong Operational Performance Offset by Weak Commodity Prices

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) today reported first-quarter 2015 earnings of $272 million, or $0.22 per share, compared with first-quarter 2014 earnings of $2.1 billion, or $1.71 per share. Excluding special items, first-quarter 2015 adjusted earnings were a net loss of $222 million, or ($0.18) per share, compared with first-quarter 2014 adjusted earnings of $2.3 billion, or $1.81 per share. Special items for the current quarter related to a deferred tax benefit from a change in U.K. tax law, partially offset by restructuring costs across the company.

Highlights

• Achieved first-quarter production of 1,610 MBOED.
• Five percent year-over-year production growth from continuing operations, adjusted for Libya, downtime and dispositions.
• Seven percent year-over-year reduction in operating costs; 12 percent reduction when adjusted for restructuring charges of $104 million pre-tax.
• First production at Eldfisk II and the Brodgar H3 subsea tie-back in Europe, as well as Bayu Undan Phase III in Australia.
• On track for five major project startups at Surmont 2, APLNG, Enochdhu, CD5 and Drill Site 2S by year end.
• Exploration and appraisal activity ongoing with conventional activity in the Gulf of Mexico and Angola; unconventional activity in the Lower 48 and Canada.

“This significant downturn in prices has been a test for the industry,” said Ryan Lance, chairman and chief executive officer. “We responded by quickly adjusting our plans, while remaining focused on executing the aspects of the business that we control. By these measures, the first quarter was a success. We delivered on our growth targets, reduced our costs and progressed the programs and projects that will position us for strong future performance in what we expect could be a more favorable commodity price environment. While the environment remains uncertain, our value proposition remains unchanged – deliver a compelling dividend and predictable growth, with a focus on margins and financial returns.”

Operations Update

Lower 48 – Quarterly production increased by 35 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (MBOED) over the same period in 2014, to 542 MBOED. The increase was primarily from growth in liquids-rich development plays, partially offset by normal field decline and winter weather impacts. The Eagle Ford and Bakken collectively delivered 230 MBOED for the quarter, a 26 percent increase compared with the first quarter of 2014. Lower 48 crude production grew 16 percent year over year.

Canada – First-quarter production was 318 MBOED, an increase of 38 MBOED compared with the first quarter of 2014. The increase was primarily driven by strong plant and well performance in the oil sands operations, as well as production from new wells brought on line during a successful western Canada winter drilling program. Bitumen production increased 26 percent compared with the first quarter of 2014. Foster Creek Phase F is continuing to ramp up and Surmont 2 is on track for first steam in mid-2015.

Alaska – Production for the quarter was 186 MBOED, a decrease of 14 MBOED compared with the same period in 2014. This decrease was due to normal field decline and downtime, partially offset by improved well performance. The 1H NEWS Project was sanctioned and construction planning is underway. Progress also continues at the CD5 and Drill Site 2S projects, with startup expected at both projects in late 2015. In April, Kenai LNG resumed operations with exports commencing in May.

Europe – Quarterly production was 209 MBOED, a decrease of 11 MBOED compared with the same period in 2014. The decrease was primarily the result of normal field decline, partially offset by new production from major projects, improved well performance and lower unplanned downtime. First production was achieved at Eldfisk II in January and the Brodgar H3 subsea tie-back in March. A third project, Enochdhu, is progressing toward startup in the third quarter.

Asia Pacific and Middle East – First-quarter production was 351 MBOED, an increase of 32 MBOED compared with the first quarter of 2014. The increase was primarily the result of growth from major projects and new wells online, partially offset by normal field decline. In Malaysia, Gumusut continues to ramp up and domestic gas sales were initiated from Kebabangan (KBB). Production remains constrained at KBB pending third-party pipeline repairs. In Australia, first gas was achieved at Bayu Undan Phase III. In April, APLNG achieved a significant milestone with successful startup of the first of seven gas turbine generators. The project is expected to start up in the third quarter.

Other International – Production was 4 MBOED in the first quarter, flat compared with the same period in 2014 excluding Libya, where the Es Sider Terminal remains shut-in as a result of ongoing unrest.

Unconventional exploration – North American activity remained focused on drilling in the Permian Basin in the Lower 48, as well as in western Canada. Internationally, the Picoplata well in Colombia was completed and results are undergoing evaluation.

Conventional exploration – In the Gulf of Mexico, appraisal drilling is ongoing at Gila and Tiber. The non-operated Vernaccia exploration well is expected to spud during the second quarter. In Angola, the third well, Vali-1, spud in April. The Harrier exploration well in the Gulf of Mexico and the Omosi-1 exploration well in Angola were expensed as dry holes during the quarter.

First-Quarter Review

Production from continuing operations, excluding Libya, for the first quarter of 2015 was 1,610 MBOED, an increase of 80 MBOED compared with the same period a year ago. The net increase reflects 82 MBOED, or 5 percent growth, after adjusting for 2 MBOED from dispositions and downtime. Growth was primarily due to new production from major projects and development programs, partially offset by normal field decline.

Adjusted earnings were lower compared with first-quarter 2014 primarily due to lower realized prices and increased dry hole expense, partially offset by higher volumes. The company’s total realized price was $36.96 per barrel of oil equivalent (BOE), compared with $71.21 per BOE in the first quarter of 2014, reflecting lower average realized prices across all commodities.

Operating costs for the quarter were $2.1 billion compared with $2.3 billion in the first quarter of 2014. Adjusted for restructuring costs of $104 million pre-tax, operating costs were improved 12 percent year over year.

For the quarter, cash provided by continuing operating activities was $1.87 billion. Excluding a $0.25 billion increase in working capital, ConocoPhillips generated $2.1 billion in cash from operations. In addition, the company funded $3.3 billion in capital expenditures and investments and paid dividends of $0.9 billion.

As of March 31, 2015, ConocoPhillips had $2.7 billion of cash and cash equivalents. The company ended the first quarter with debt of $22.5 billion and a debt-to-capital ratio of 31 percent.

Outlook

The company is on track to meet its previously stated target of 2 to 3 percent production growth in 2015 from continuing operations, excluding Libya. Second-quarter 2015 production is expected to be 1,555 to 1,595 MBOED, which excludes Libya.

The company is also on track for $11.5 billion of capital expenditures and investments in 2015. Capital spending is expected to decrease throughout the year as major projects come on line and activity levels continue to ramp down in the North American unconventionals.

The company’s previous guidance remains unchanged, with depreciation, depletion and amortization of $9.0 billion, operating costs of $9.2 billion, exploration dry hole and leasehold impairment expense of $0.8 billion, and corporate segment expense of $1.0 billion.

ConocoPhillips will host a conference call today at 12:00 p.m. EDT to discuss its first-quarter results and provide an operational update. To listen to the call, and view related presentation materials and supplemental information, go to www.conocophillips.com/investor.

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About ConocoPhillips

ConocoPhillips is the world’s largest independent E&P company based on production and proved reserves. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, ConocoPhillips had operations and activities in 27 countries, $31 billion in annualized revenue, $110 billion of total assets, and approximately 18,800 employees as of March 31, 2015. Production, excluding Libya, averaged 1,610 MBOED for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and proved reserves were 8.9 billion BOE as of Dec. 31, 2014. For more information, go to www.conocophillips.com.

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