A comprehensive update to the ConocoPhillips Sustainable Development report is completed every other year. To keep the Sustainable Development performance metrics current, certain key metrics are updated every year. The following 2007 performance metrics are provided as an update to the 2006 Sustainable Development Report (3.7MB .PDF document).
Air Emissions Performance
Metrics Related to Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
Material Efficiency Performance
Safety Performance
Liquid Hydrocarbon Spills Metrics
Political Contributions
Metrics Related to our Impact on Communities
Metrics Related to our Investment in Employees
Data Tables
Air Emissions Performance Work continues on reducing air emissions from our operations. We track emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These emissions are defined as:
- SOx are acidic gases produced during the combustion of fuels that contain sulfur compounds.
- NOx are the sum of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide. NOx emissions occur almost exclusively from the combustion of fossil fuels in boilers, heaters, engines, flares, turbines and fluid catalytic cracking units.
- PM is emitted from combustion of fossil fuels in addition to other activities.
- VOCs are hydrocarbons associated with natural gas and crude oil and represent lost product when released.
SOx and NOx together contribute to acid rain, while VOCs can serve as a precursor to smog, which in high concentrations can pose health risks.
For SOx, NOx and PM, we continue to see a return from our investment in control technologies with reduced emissions. For VOC, we have made strides in reducing emissions through new technology – however, our total VOC emissions have grown along with our increased North American production.
For more information on our approach to clean air, please see pages 14-17 of our 2006 Sustainable Development Report (3.7MB .PDF).
Sulfur Oxide (SOx) Emissions
Overall, the company’s SOx emissions in 2007 (fig. 1) continued to decline and were about 51,100 metric tons, a decrease of 14 percent from 2006. Our refining and marketing business sector generated approximately 90% of our total SOx emissions. These emissions were reduced in this business sector through installation of controls, asset disposition and marine transport reductions. Emissions were also reduced in the exploration, production and midstream sector through increased operating efficiencies and asset disposition. Emissions per unit of production also declined in 2007 (fig. 2).
 
Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) Emissions
NOx emissions in 2007 (fig. 3) were approximately 113,300 metric tons, a decrease of 5 percent from 2006. The exploration, production and midstream sector contributed approximately 68 percent of our NOx emissions. Decreased drilling activity and improved operating efficiencies accounted for the decrease in NOx emissions. In the refining and marketing business sector, NOx emissions decreased due to asset rationalization, marine transport reductions, and installation of controls. Emissions per unit of production also declined in 2007 (fig. 4).
Particulate Matter (PM) Emissions
PM emissions in 2007 (fig. 5) continued to decline and were about 6,400 metric tons, a decrease of 5 percent from 2006. The refining and marketing business sector contributed approximately 78 percent of the company’s PM emissions in 2007. The emissions decreased due to asset rationalization, as well as improved plant performance at several facilities. Emissions from the exploration and production increased slightly due to increased production and drilling activities in North America. The emissions per unit of production show a decrease for global refining and a slight increase for the exploration, production and midstream sector (fig. 6) .
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Emissions
VOC emissions in 2007 (figs. 7) were approximately 223,200 metric tons, an increase of 16 percent from 2006. Over three quarters of the company’s VOC emissions were from the exploration, production and midstream sector, which increased mainly due to increased production in North America, and were partially offset by a decline in refining and marketing VOC emissions due in part to better emissions controls and marine transport reductions. The emissions per unit of production show a slight decrease for global refining and an increase for the exploration, production and midstream sector (fig. 8).
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Metrics Related to Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
Consistent with our position on climate change, we track data for greenhouse gas emissions, flaring, and energy used. For additional information on our methodology for measuring GHG emissions, please see Greenhouse Gas Data Scope, Emissions Calculations, Environmental Data Quality and Assurance, and the Independent Assurance Statement to ConocoPhillips Management Regarding Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data Processes.
For more information on our approach to climate change and energy efficiency, please see pages 25-29 and 36-37 of our 2006 Sustainable Development Report (3.7MB .PDF document).
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Performance
Our total GHG emissions have increased slightly in 2007, although our levels of GHG emissions per unit of production have remained steady (figs. 9 -11). The company’s total 2007 CO2 equivalent GHG emissions were approximately 62.6 million metric tons, an increase of less than one percent from 2006. Refining contributed approximately 61 percent cent of the company’s emissions. See pages 36-37 in the 2006 Sustainable Development Report for U.S. refining’s energy efficiency efforts, to help address GHG emissions. Overall in 2007, emissions from refining and marketing increased by approximately 1.6 million metric tons (4%), while exploration, production and midstream operations decreased 0.2 million metric tons (1%).
Flaring
Flaring is a safety mechanism to burn off excess gases. Refining units use flares to maintain safe operating pressures during the production process. Exploration, production and midstream flaring primarily results from burning excess field gas that cannot be used to fuel operations. The flaring of this gas is most common in areas of the world lacking sufficient infrastructure to transport the excess natural gas to market. After increasing 7 percent in 2006, our flaring decreased 17 percent in 2007, the company’s total volume flared (fig. 12) was 37.2 billion standard cubic feet (BCF). Exploration, production, midstream and refining operations reported decreased flaring due to improved controls. Flaring on a per unit of production basis also declined in both sectors in 2007 (fig. 13).
Energy Used
Since the combustion of energy is a primary contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, we continually strive to make our operations more energy efficient, thus providing an environmental benefit through reduced air emissions, as well as an economic benefit by lowering the cost of production. Growth in operations increased our total energy use from 2003 to 2006, and our energy use per unit of production remained steady. In 2007, total ConocoPhillips energy consumption decreased 6 percent (figs. 14) and was approximately 781 trillion British Thermal Units (BTUs). The refining and marketing sector, which represents two-thirds of the company’s energy consumption, decreased its energy use primarily due to implementation of improved controls. The exploration, production and midstream sector also showed a slight decrease in its energy use. Energy consumed per unit of production declined for global refining and showed a slight increase for exploration, production and midstream (fig. 15).
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Our approach to waste management is based on a simple set of priorities: first, eliminate waste where possible, then reuse, recover, recycle and, as a last resort, dispose of it safely.
For more information on our approach to material efficiency, please see pages 37-39 of our 2006 Sustainable Development Report (3.7MB .PDF document).
Waste
In 2007, 13 percent of the total residual materials were recycled, four percent of the total volume was hazardous wastes and 83 percent was non-hazardous wastes (fig. 16). Recycled materials are the residual materials that are not sold as product or disposed of as waste, but reused, reclaimed or recovered for beneficial use.
The quantity of hazardous waste managed by ConocoPhillips’ businesses in 2007 was 61,620 metric tons, a decrease of 4 percent from 2006 (fig. 17). The decrease was mainly in the exploration and production sector, partially offset by refining’s increased hazardous waste generation.
The volume or waste generated varies from year-to-year due to cyclical maintenance operations and plant shutdowns.
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Safety Performance
Our safety goal is to operate each day with zero injuries, illnesses and incidents. We have made substantial progress toward this goal but continue to experience incidents and recognize that safety performance must improve further. While the number of safety incidents has decreased, more of those have resulted in lost workdays.
For more information on our approach to safety, please see pages 40-47 of our 2006 Sustainable Development Report (3.7MB .PDF document).
Total Recordable Rate (TRR) Metrics
A standard measure of workplace safety is the Total Recordable Rate (TRR), which tracks the number of recordable incidents per 200,000 work hours. A recordable injury is a work-related injury that resulted in death, time lost from work, loss of consciousness, or required medical treatment; required a restriction of work; or the transfer of the worker to other tasks.
Both refining and marketing and exploration, production and midstream sectors showed a slight increase in TRR between 2006 and 2007 (fig. 18). For the five years from 2003 to 2007, exploration, production operations remained steady, while refining and marketing has reduced combined workforce TRR by over 50 percent. Overall, the company has reduced its TRR by approximately 36 percent since 2003 (fig. 19).
Lost Workday Case (LWC) Metrics
Another safety measure is the Lost Workday Case (LWC) rate – the number of incidents resulting in days away from work through occupational injury or illness per 200,000 hours worked. The overall company showed a decrease between 2006 and 2007, while the refining and marketing sector showed a slight increase (fig. 20), the general five year trend has been downward. From 2003 to 2007, the company reduced the refining and marketing sector’s LWC rate by 19 percent; exploration, production and midstream operations rate by 15 percent; and our overall company rate by 30 percent (fig. 21) .
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Liquid Hydrocarbon Spills Metrics
ConocoPhillips reports liquid hydrocarbon spills from primary containment that is greater than one barrel. Spills greater than 100 barrels are considered significant incidents that trigger immediate management reporting, extensive investigation and corrective action to mitigate recurrence.
For more information on our approach to spill response and crisis management, please see pages 46-47 of our 2006 Sustainable Development Report.
Even though the number of spills greater than 100 barrels increased in 2007, the total volume of released barrels actually decreased. In 2007, there were 24 significant liquid hydrocarbon spills resulting in the release of 8,802 barrels from primary containment, compared to 19 such spills in 2006 from which 37,254 barrels were released (figs. 22 - 25). Two of the 2006 significant spills resulted in 78 percent of the released volume.
Of the volume released from primary containment, 3,536 barrels, or 40 percent, was captured in secondary containment such as tank dikes, and did not reach the environment. Of the 5,266 barrels that did reach the environment, 3,087 barrels, or 58 percent, were recovered during initial spill response. The 58 percent recovery rate in 2007 was an improvement over the 54 percent realized in the previous year. Longer-term remedial projects strive to recover additional lost hydrocarbons.
Continuous progress has been made in eliminating the number of spills that release more than one barrel of liquid hydrocarbons. Since 2003, the number was reduced 31 percent from 623 spills to 429 in 2007.
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Political Contributions
All political contributions are reported twice a year to the compliance and ethics committee. Further details of these contributions can be found on in our position on political policies, procedures and giving.
For more information on our approach to public policy, please see pages 48-49 of our 2006 Sustainable Development Report (3.7MB .PDF document).
In 2007, corporate contributions to state and local candidates in the United States and Canada, the only countries in which ConocoPhillips makes political contributions, totaled $171,865. Spirit PAC contributions totaled $154,700. ConocoPhillips also makes corporate political contributions in states where it is allowed to address issues significantly impacting our operations. These contributions totaled $435,964 during 2007.
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Metrics Related to our Impact on Communities
We measure both our contribution to the global economy and charitable donations.
For more information on our approach to working with communities, please see pages 50-57 of our 2006 Sustainable Development Report (3.7MB .PDF document).
Contributing to the Global Economy
Our global operations contribute substantially to social and economic development in the communities in which we operate. For example, our direct economic contributions during 2007 included:
- Taxes – Approximately $31 billion in total tax revenue to governments was generated by our continuing operations.
- Shareholder dividends – $2.7 billion in cash dividends were paid on ConocoPhillips common stock. Additionally, repurchases of company common stock totaled $7 billion.
- Capital investments – ConocoPhillips reinvested $11.8 billion in capital expenditures and investments into our businesses.
- Expenses from various vendors and suppliers incurred:
- $10.7 billion for production and operating expenses;
- $2.3 billion for selling, general and administrative expenses; and
- $1 billion in exploration expenses.
- Interest expense – we incurred $1.25 billion in interest and debt expense.
Philanthropic Contributions
We have a long tradition of investing in the communities in which we operate. During 2007, we donated an estimated $60.3 million to charitable programs in the areas of education and youth, health and social services, environment, civic programs and the arts and assisting with emergency events.
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Metrics Related to our Investment in Employees
We track information from our Employee Opinion Survey* on promoting a positive work environment, employee satisfaction, and our progress on diversity and inclusion. We also track employment metrics. The ConocoPhillips Employee Opinion Survey was last conducted in 2006 and is updated every other year.
For more information on our approach to investing in employees, please see pages 58-63 of our 2006 Sustainable Development Report (3.7MB .PDF document).
Diversity and Inclusion
The metrics below compare the workforce Global Diversity and U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Statistics for 2006 and 2007.
Employment Metrics
At the end of 2007, we employed 32,600 people worldwide, compared with 38,400 in 2006. This decrease was largely attributable to the sale of assets, mainly the retail business. (fig. 27)
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Data Tables
In the environmental, safety and spills data tables in this appendix, data are presented for three geographic regions: North America, Europe and Asia Pacific/Other. “Other” includes Venezuela, Middle East and Africa. The top contributing business sectors columns show the top three sectors in the company for that parameter, plus a category named “Other,” which includes all other sectors combined. For each indicator, the top three sectors may be different, as can the sectors in the “Other” category.
View the 2007 data tables (23KB .PDF document)
For more information on our HSE metrics approach, please see Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Data Assumptions.
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