ConocoPhillips Announces Intended Sale of Algerian Business Unit

Download .PDF

HOUSTON, Dec. 18, 2012 – ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) today announced it has entered into an agreement to sell its Algerian business unit for a total of $1.75 billion plus customary adjustments. The proposed sale is subject to co-venturer preemption rights and Algerian government approval.

ConocoPhillips has entered into an agreement with Pertamina to sell its wholly-owned subsidiary, ConocoPhillips Algeria Ltd., which holds interests in three major onshore oil fields located either fully or partially in Block 405a, Menzel Lejmat North (65 percent, operated), Ourhoud (3.7 percent, nonoperated), and EMK (16.9 percent, nonoperated). ConocoPhillips’ 2012 net production from these fields averaged 11 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day through October, and at Oct. 31, 2012, the net carrying value of ConocoPhillips’ Algerian assets was approximately $850 million.

“The sale of our Algerian business unit represents another important step in transforming ConocoPhillips’ asset base, and advances the strategic interests of both Pertamina and ConocoPhillips,” said Don Wallette, executive vice president, Commercial, Business Development, and Corporate Planning.

The transaction is anticipated to close by mid-2013. Through Sept. 30, 2012, the company’s 2012-13 asset disposition program has yielded proceeds of $2.1 billion. Including this transaction, the company has announced additional asset sales that are expected to generate proceeds of approximately $7 billion when complete. Funds generated from these transactions are intended to be used for general corporate purposes.

The proposed sale of its Algerian business unit is part of ConocoPhillips’ plan to increase value for shareholders through portfolio optimization, focused capital investments that deliver growth in production and cash margins, improved returns on capital, and sector-leading shareholder distributions.


--- # # # ---

 

About ConocoPhillips

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, ConocoPhillips had operations and activities in 30 countries, $115 billion of assets, and approximately 16,700 employees as of Sept. 30, 2012. Production averaged 1.57 million BOE per day for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2012, and proved reserves were 8.4 billion BOE as of Dec. 31, 2011. For more information, go to www.conocophillips.com.


Contacts

John McLemore (media)
281-293-1247
john.l.mclemore@conocophillips.com

Aftab Ahmed (media)
281-293-4138
aftab.ahmed@conocophillips.com

Vladimir R. dela Cruz (investors)
212-207-1996
v.r.delacruz@conocophillips.com 

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to future events and anticipated results of operations, business strategies, and other aspects of our operations or operating results. In many cases you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "continue," "could," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "should," "will," "expect," "objective," "projection," "forecast," "goal," "guidance," "outlook," "effort," "target" and other similar words. However, the absence of these words does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. Where, in any forward-looking statement, the company expresses an expectation or belief as to future results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. However, there can be no assurance that such expectation or belief will result or be achieved. The actual results of operations can and will be affected by a variety of risks and other matters including, but not limited to, changes in commodity prices; changes in expected levels of oil and gas reserves or production; operating hazards, drilling risks, unsuccessful exploratory activities; difficulties in developing new products and manufacturing processes; unexpected cost increases; international monetary conditions; potential liability for remedial actions under existing or future environmental regulations; potential liability resulting from pending or future litigation; limited access to capital or significantly higher cost of capital related to illiquidity or uncertainty in the domestic or international financial markets; and general domestic and international economic and political conditions; as well as changes in tax, environmental and other laws applicable to our business. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements include other economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting our business generally as set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Unless legally required, ConocoPhillips undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.