Feature Stories

It’s a small world after all: How ConocoPhillips is helping communities power through a pandemic

July 1, 2020

PHOTO: ConocoPhillips has donated $10,000 in COVID-19 relief to hospitals and medical clinics in Indonesia.

By Gus Morgan

Since February, ConocoPhillips has donated $1.3 million in relief aid to help communities fight COVID-19, a virus that has killed over 500,000 people and devastated the global economy.

Three people standing outside entrance of ConocoPhillips New Mexico office — At the ConocoPhillips field office in Loving, N.M., ConocoPhillips employees Sean Robinson, left, and Keith Bailey present Linda Dodd, executive director of the United Way of Carlsbad & Southern Eddy County, with a $20,000 donation. The money will go to the United Way's COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, which was created with the dual purpose of both granting funding to nonprofits and providing direct services to local families who are struggling because of the pandemic.

“This pandemic has touched every community in some form or fashion,” said Ryan Lance, Chairman and CEO. “As members of the larger global community, we must all work together to help fight this deadly disease.

During this crisis, the company has partnered with established relief organizations and outreach groups to accelerate the delivery and distribution of much-needed supplies.

Global support from Wuhan to Calgary

In the early stages of the pandemic, ConocoPhillips donated $300,000 in cash and supplies to support medical personnel in Wuhan, China, the outbreak epicenter.

Since then, the company sent cash and supplies to relief agencies in its other global asset areas, including Canada, Indonesia, Libya, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States. Here are a few examples:

Canada: $175,000 to relief agencies and food banks in Fort McMurray ($75,000), Calgary ($50,000) and Fort St. John ($50,000).
Indonesia: $10,000 to support hospitals and medical clinics.
Libya: $50,000 to purchase medical supplies and ventilators.
United States:
- Alaska: $200,000 to the Alaska Can Do Fund, which supports nonprofits that serve Alaskans impacted by the pandemic; $25,000 to Camp Fire Alaska benefitting local children of active duty and deployed military personnel; and $10,000 to the Children’s Lunchbox, which provides meals to local youth.
- Bartlesville, Okla.: $25,000 to the Salvation Army and $25,000 to the American Red Cross.
- Houston, Texas: $200,000 to The Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund, a fund to help residents facing economic hardships created by the pandemic.
- New Mexico, North Dakota, Texas and Wyoming: $225,000 to relief agencies operating in the company’s Lower 48 assets (Bakken, Eagle Ford, Lost Cabin Gas Plant, Permian Basin).

Filling the supply gap

Around the world, ConocoPhillips' in-kind donations have helped alleviate shortages of medical supplies and food.

For instance, ConocoPhillips donated medical gloves and face masks to James Cook University Hospital staff in the United Kingdom. While in the United States, the company supplied hundreds of pounds of fresh produce to Houston food banks.

In addition, ConocoPhillips employees, guided by the company’s SPIRIT Values, are making a difference by volunteering their time and skills.

For example, Wayne Saverud has been 3D-printing face shield frames and ear savers for health-care workers and first-responders. And Connie Carter has been sewing cloth face masks for nursing home residents and first-responders.

Community health

Through its relief efforts, ConocoPhillips is striving to make a difference in the battle against COVID-19.

"Our thoughts are with those who have been impacted by this deadly virus," Lance said. "We must all do our part to assist our most vulnerable neighbors get through these difficult times."

Infographic detailing ConocoPhillips Covid-19 relief areas