Apr 16, 2020   SOURCE: BusinessWire

ConocoPhillips to Voluntarily Curtail 225,000 Gross Barrels of Oil Per Day; Reduces 2020 Cash Uses by Additional $3 Billion for Total Reduction of Over $5 Billion

ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) announced today that it is taking further actions to respond to the oil market downturn. These follow initial actions announced on March 18.

“In March we exercised $2.2 billion of flexibility via reductions in both our planned 2020 capital spending and share repurchases,” said Ryan Lance, chairman and chief executive officer. “At that time, we stated we would continue to monitor the market and exercise additional flexibility, if warranted. Today we are announcing further capital, operating cost and share repurchase reductions of $3 billion. We also announced our intention to defer production where we have a compelling economic reason to do so. These actions reflect our view that near-term oil prices will remain weak, largely due to demand impacts from COVID-19 and continued oil oversupply. We are well-positioned with flexibility to take actions that we believe maintain our relative competitive advantages, as well as our ability to resume programs depending on the timing and path of a recovery.”

Today’s announced actions include:

  • An additional reduction in 2020 operating plan capital expenditures of $1.6 billion, bringing the current estimate to $4.3 billion. Including our previously announced reduction of $0.7 billion, this represents a total reduction in operating plan capital expenditures of $2.3 billion, or approximately 35 percent, compared to the 2020 announced guidance. These reductions are sourced from across our global portfolio, primarily focused on Lower 48, Alaska and Canada areas where we have the highest levels of flexibility.
  • A reduction in operating costs of approximately $0.6 billion, representing roughly 10 percent of the initial 2020 guidance. This brings the current estimate to $5.3 billion. These reductions were sourced from lease operating expenses, general and administrative costs and foreign exchange impacts.
  • The company’s share repurchase program has been suspended.
  • On a combined basis, the cumulative capital, operating cost and share repurchase actions represent a reduction in 2020 cash uses of over $5 billion versus original operating plan guidance.
  • The company also announced it will elect to curtail production in Canada and the Lower 48 regions until market conditions improve.
    • At Surmont, the company is currently cutting back production due to low Western Canada Select prices. By May, the company expects to reduce production by approximately 100,000 barrels of oil per day (BOD) gross to 35,000 BOD gross.
    • In addition, beginning in May, the company plans to begin curtailing production across its Lower 48 region. Initially, the company expects to curtail about 125,000 BOD gross. Curtailment decisions will be made on a month-to-month basis, and are subject to operating agreements and contractual obligations.
    • These announced curtailments represent approximately 200,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOED) net to the company.
  • Given ongoing uncertainty, continued market volatility and the potential for both voluntary and involuntary curtailments over the coming months, the company’s previous 2020 guidance items should not be relied upon and further guidance will be suspended.

Lance continued, “Over the past few years we worked very hard to position our company with significant flexibility across our capital, operating, distribution and balance sheet channels. We entered this downturn with several competitive advantages, including a very strong balance sheet with over $14 billion of liquidity, a diverse portfolio with low capital intensity, and significant financial and operating flexibility. We believe this puts us in an advantaged position to take rational, economic actions, including voluntary curtailments that align with reasoned views of the market. With today’s actions we have exercised a total of over $5 billion of flexibility compared to our 2020 plan, while retaining additional flexibility, if needed. We’re doing the right things to protect shareholder value during this downturn, while maintaining our ability to create long-term value for shareholders when market conditions recover.”

“Importantly, I want to recognize our employees, contractors and other stakeholders for their continued support,” Lance added. “The combination of COVID-19 and the oil market downturn has been difficult on industry and on stakeholders everywhere. As we manage through this unprecedented event, ConocoPhillips’ priorities are to protect the health and safety of our stakeholders, help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and safely execute our business plans.”

The company will host a webcast today, April 16, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time to discuss these actions. The company will not address first-quarter 2020 results, which will be released on April 30. To listen to today’s webcast, visit ConocoPhillips’ Investor Relations site, www.conocophillips.com/investor and click on the “Register” link in the Investor Presentations section. You should register at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the webcast. The event will be archived and available for replay the same day, with a transcript available later.

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About ConocoPhillips

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, ConocoPhillips had operations and activities in 17 countries, $71 billion of total assets, and approximately 10,400 employees as of Dec. 31, 2019. Production excluding Libya averaged 1,305 MBOED for 2019, and proved reserves were 5.3 BBOE as of Dec. 31, 2019. For more information, go to www.conocophillips.com.

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Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors – The SEC permits oil and gas companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only proved, probable and possible reserves. We may use the term "resource" in this news release that the SEC’s guidelines prohibit us from including in filings with the SEC. U.S. investors are urged to consider closely the oil and gas disclosures in our Form 10-K and other reports and filings with the SEC. Copies are available from the SEC and from the ConocoPhillips website.

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