LOS ANGELES, Jan. 29, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY) announced net income of $443 million ($0.55 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of 2008, compared with $1.452 billion ($1.74 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of 2007. Core results for the fourth quarter of 2008 were $957 million ($1.18 per diluted share), compared with $1.464 billion ($1.76 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of 2007. Core results for 2008 excluded after-tax charges of $514 million ($0.63 per diluted share).
Net income for the twelve months of 2008 was $6.857 billion ($8.35 per diluted share), compared with $5.400 billion ($6.44 per diluted share) for the twelve months of 2007. Core results were $7.348 billion ($8.95 per diluted share) for the twelve months of 2008, compared with $4.405 billion ($5.25 per diluted share) for 2007. See the attached schedule for a reconciliation of net income to core results.
In announcing the results, Dr. Ray R. Irani, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "In spite of a difficult fourth quarter, 2008 was a very strong year for Occidental with full year earnings being the highest in Oxy's history. In addition, our production grew by 5.4 percent from 2007 reaching 601,000 BOE per day.
"We are investing for the future growth of the company, despite volatile commodity prices, while maintaining a discipline of investing only in projects that we believe give us good return on capital employed. In the fourth quarter, we completed the acquisition of the remainder of Plains Exploration's interests in the Permian and Piceance Basins. We announced the signing of a preliminary agreement to develop the Jarn Yaphour and Ramhan oil and gas fields in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the signing of an exploration and production sharing agreement to develop existing gas fields in Northern Oman. Additionally, earlier this month we were selected from among several international companies to develop oil and gas reserves in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
"The current oil and gas industry cost structure is higher than what the current product prices can support. In order to protect our returns, we are announcing a 2009 capital program of $3.5 billion. We believe that with this level of capital, we will achieve our targeted returns in the current price environment as well as grow our production volumes in 2009, 2010 and beyond."
QUARTERLY RESULTS
Oil and Gas
Oil and gas segment earnings were $339 million for the fourth quarter of 2008, compared with $2.461 billion for the same period in 2007. The fourth quarter of 2008 core results were $996 million after excluding pre-tax losses of $599 million relating to the impairment of assets and $58 million for rig termination costs. The $1.465 billion decrease in the fourth quarter of 2008 core results was due to lower crude oil and natural gas prices, higher operating expenses, DD&A rates and exploration expense.
For the fourth quarter of 2008, daily oil and gas sales volumes averaged 620,000 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE), compared with 590,000 BOE per day in the fourth quarter of 2007. The increase includes 22,000 BOE per day from the Dolphin Project, 14,000 BOE per day domestically and 6,000 BOE per day from Oman, offset by 12,000 BOE per day lower production in Libya as a result of the new contract terms.
Oxy's realized price for worldwide crude oil was $53.52 per barrel for the fourth quarter of 2008, compared with $80.30 per barrel for the fourth quarter of 2007. Domestic realized gas prices dropped from $6.77 per MCF in the fourth quarter of 2007 to $4.67 per MCF for the fourth quarter of 2008.
Chemicals
Chemical segment earnings for the fourth quarter of 2008 were $127 million, compared with $94 million for the same period in 2007. The fourth quarter of 2008 core results were $217 million after excluding a $90 million pre-tax loss related to plant closure and impairments. The improvement in the fourth quarter of 2008 results reflect higher caustic soda margins, partially offset by lower volumes for chlorine, caustic soda and polyvinyl chloride.
Midstream, Marketing and Other
Midstream segment earnings were $170 million for the fourth quarter of 2008, compared with $138 million for the fourth quarter of 2007. Earnings for the fourth quarter of 2008 reflect higher margins in crude oil marketing, higher pipeline income from Dolphin and lower NGL margins in gas processing.
TWELVE-MONTH RESULTS
Oil and Gas
Oil and gas segment earnings were $10.651 billion for the twelve months of 2008, compared with $7.957 billion for the same period of 2007. Oil and gas core results were $11.308 billion for the twelve months of 2008 after excluding the fourth quarter impairments and rig termination costs described above, compared to 2007 core results of $7.369 billion. The $3.939 billion increase in the 2008 core results reflected $3.980 billion from higher crude oil and natural gas prices and $639 million from increased oil and gas production, offset by higher operating expenses and increased DD&A rates.
Daily oil and gas sales volumes for the year were 601,000 BOE per day for 2008, compared with 570,000 BOE per day for the same 2007 period. The 5.4 percent increase was largely the result of 39,000 BOE per day from the Dolphin project, offset by a reduction of 7,000 BOE per day in Libya, as a result of the new contract.
Oxy's realized price for worldwide crude oil was $88.26 per barrel for the twelve months of 2008, compared with $64.77 per barrel for the twelve months of 2007. Domestic realized gas prices increased from $6.53 per MCF in the twelve months of 2007 to $8.03 per MCF in the twelve months of 2008.
Chemicals
Chemical segment earnings were $669 million for the twelve months of 2008 compared with $601 million in 2007. The 2008 core results were $759 million after excluding the fourth quarter charge for the plant closure and impairments mentioned above. The improvement in 2008 is due primarily to higher caustic soda margins, partially offset by lower volumes in chlorine, caustic soda and polyvinyl chloride.
Midstream, Marketing and Other
Midstream segment earnings were $520 million for the twelve months of 2008, compared with $367 million for the same period in 2007. The improvement in 2008 reflected higher pipeline income from Dolphin and higher margins in gas processing.
About Oxy
Occidental Petroleum Corporation is an international oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in the United States, Middle East/North Africa and Latin America regions. Oxy is the fourth largest U.S. oil and gas company, based on equity market capitalization. Oxy's wholly owned subsidiary, OxyChem, manufactures and markets chlor-alkali products and vinyls. Occidental is committed to safeguarding the environment, protecting the safety and health of employees and neighboring communities and upholding high standards of social responsibility in all of the company's worldwide operations.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this release that contain words such as "will," "expect" or "estimate," or otherwise relate to the future, are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect expected results. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: global commodity price fluctuations and supply/demand considerations for oil, gas and chemicals; exploration risks, such as drilling of unsuccessful wells; higher-than-expected costs; political risk; operational interruptions; changes in tax rates and not successfully completing (or any material delay in) any expansions, capital projects, acquisitions, or dispositions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date of this release. Unless legally required, Occidental does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. U.S. investors are urged to consider carefully the disclosures in our Form 10-K, available through the following toll-free telephone number, 1-888-OXYPETE (1-888-699-7383) or on the Internet at http://www.oxy.com. You also can obtain a copy from the SEC by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.
For further analysis of Occidental's quarterly performance, please visit the web site: www.oxy.com
SUMMARY OF SEGMENT NET SALES AND EARNINGS Fourth Quarter Twelve Months (Millions, except ---------------- ---------------- per-share amounts) 2008 2007 2008 2007 ================================ ======= ======= ======= ======= SEGMENT NET SALES Oil and Gas $ 2,746 $ 4,122 $18,187 $13,304 Chemical 1,005 1,134 5,112 4,664 Midstream, Marketing and Other 394 413 1,598 1,388 Eliminations and other (124) (152) (680) (572) ------- ------- ------- ------- Net sales $ 4,021 $ 5,517 $24,217 $18,784 ================================ ======= ======= ======= ======= SEGMENT EARNINGS Oil and Gas (a) $ 339 $ 2,461 $10,651 $ 7,957 Chemical (b) 127 94 669 601 Midstream, Marketing and Other 170 138 520 367 ------- ------- ------- ------- 636 2,693 11,840 8,925 Unallocated Corporate Items Interest expense, net (c) (16) (13) (26) (199) Income taxes (118) (1,057) (4,629) (3,507) Other (d) (54) (175) (346) (141) ------- ------- ------- ------- Income from Continuing Operations 448 1,448 6,839 5,078 Discontinued operations, net (e) (5) 4 18 322 ------- ------- ------- ------- NET INCOME $ 443 $ 1,452 $ 6,857 $ 5,400 ======= ======= ======= ======= BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE Income from continuing operations $ 0.55 $ 1.75 $ 8.37 $ 6.08 Discontinued operations, net (e) -- -- 0.02 0.39 ------- ------- ------- ------- $ 0.55 $ 1.75 $ 8.39 $ 6.47 ======= ======= ======= ======= DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE Income from continuing operations $ 0.55 $ 1.74 $ 8.33 $ 6.05 Discontinued operations, net (e) -- -- 0.02 0.39 ------- ------- ------- ------- $ 0.55 $ 1.74 $ 8.35 $ 6.44 ======= ======= ======= ======= AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING BASIC 810.3 828.4 817.6 834.9 DILUTED 811.6 833.1 820.8 839.1 ================================ ======= ======= ======= ======= a) (a) Oil and Gas - The fourth quarter of 2008 includes $599 million charges for asset impairments and a $58 million charge for the termination of rig contracts. The twelve months of 2007 included a gain of $412 million from the sale of Occidental's Russian joint venture interests, a $112 million gain resulting from the resolution of certain legal disputes, a $103 million gain on the sale of exploration properties, partially offset by $74 million in charges for exploration impairments, and a $35 million gain from the sale of oil and gas interest. (b) Chemical - The fourth quarter of 2008 includes a $90 million charge for plant closure and impairments. (c) Interest Expense, net - The twelve months of 2007 included $167 million of interest charges for the purchase of various debt issues in the open market. (d) Unallocated Corporate Items - Other - The twelve months of 2007 included a $326 million gain from the sale of Lyondell shares, a $47 million charge for plant closure and related environmental remediation reserve, and a $25 million severance accrual. (e) Discontinued Operations, net - In 2008, Occidental received payment from Ecuador for tax refunds. In 2007, Occidental completed an exchange of oil and gas interests in Horn Mountain with BP p.l.c. (BP) for oil and gas interests in the Permian Basin and a gas processing plant in Texas. Occidental also sold its oil and gas interests in Pakistan to BP.
SUMMARY OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND DD&A EXPENSE Fourth Quarter Twelve Months ---------------- ---------------- ($ millions) 2008 2007 2008 2007 ================================ ======= ======= ======= ======= CAPITAL EXPENDITURES $ 1,594 $ 946 $ 4,664 $ 3,360 ======= ======= ======= ======= DEPRECIATION, DEPLETION AND AMORTIZATION OF ASSETS $ 753 $ 639 $ 2,710 $ 2,379 ================================ ======= ======= ======= ======= ITEMS AFFECTING COMPARABILITY OF CORE EARNINGS BETWEEN PERIODS Income/(Expense) Fourth Quarter Twelve Months ---------------- ---------------- ($ millions) 2008 2007 2008 2007 ================================ ======= ======= ======= ======= Foreign exchange gains and (losses)* $ 88 $ 5 $ 91 $ (18) ================================ ======= ======= ======= ======= *Amounts shown after tax. SUMMARY OF OPERATING STATISTICS - SALES Fourth Quarter Twelve Months ---------------- ---------------- 2008 2007 2008 2007 ================================ ======= ======= ======= ======= NET OIL, GAS AND LIQUIDS SALES PER DAY United States Crude Oil and Liquids (MBBL) California 97 88 89 89 Permian 167 170 168 167 Midcontinent and Rockies 9 4 6 4 ------- ------- ------- ------- Total 273 262 263 260 Natural Gas (MMCF) California 221 250 235 254 Permian 188 180 181 186 Midcontinent and Rockies 187 148 171 153 ------- ------- ------- ------- Total 596 578 587 593 Latin America Crude Oil (MBBL) Argentina 32 31 32 32 Colombia 45 41 43 42 ------- ------- ------- ------- Total 77 72 75 74 Natural Gas (MMCF) Argentina 24 19 21 22 Bolivia 21 22 21 18 ------- ------- ------- ------- Total 45 41 42 40 Middle East/North Africa Crude Oil and Liquids (MBBL) Oman 27 20 23 20 Dolphin 23 14 21 4 Qatar 48 52 47 48 Yemen 20 22 21 25 Libya 10 22 15 22 ------- ------- ------- ------- Total 128 130 127 119 Natural Gas (MMCF) Oman 23 30 24 30 Dolphin 209 133 184 51 ------- ------- ------- ------- Total 232 163 208 81 Barrels of Oil Equivalent (MBOE) Subtotal consolidated subsidiaries 624 594 605 573 Colombia-minority interest (6) (6) (6) (5) Yemen-Occidental net interest 2 2 2 2 ------- ------- ------- ------- Total Worldwide Sales - MBOE 620 590 601 570 ================================ ======= ======= ======= ======= SUMMARY OF OPERATING STATISTICS - PRODUCTION Fourth Quarter Twelve Months ---------------- ---------------- 2008 2007 2008 2007 ================================ ======= ======= ======= ======= NET OIL, GAS AND LIQUIDS PRODUCTION PER DAY United States Crude Oil and Liquids (MBBL) 273 262 263 260 Natural Gas (MMCF) 596 578 587 593 Latin America Crude Oil (MBBL) Argentina 38 32 34 33 Colombia 45 41 44 42 ------- ------- ------- ------- Total 83 73 78 75 Natural Gas (MMCF) 45 41 42 40 Middle East/North Africa Crude Oil and Liquids (MBBL) Oman 28 20 23 19 Dolphin 22 14 20 5 Qatar 48 51 47 47 Yemen 20 22 21 25 Libya 8 20 15 21 ------- ------- ------- ------- Total 126 127 126 117 Natural Gas (MMCF) 232 163 208 81 Barrels of Oil Equivalent (MBOE) Subtotal consolidated subsidiaries 627 592 607 571 Colombia-minority interest (6) (6) (6) (6) Yemen-Occidental net interest 2 2 2 2 ------- ------- ------- ------- Total Worldwide Production - MBOE 623 588 603 567 ================================ ======= ======= ======= =======
SIGNIFICANT TRANSACTIONS AND EVENTS AFFECTING EARNINGS
Occidental's results of operations often include the effects of significant transactions and events affecting earnings that vary widely and unpredictably in nature, timing and amount. Therefore, management uses a measure called "core results," which excludes those items. This non-GAAP measure is not meant to disassociate those items from management's performance, but rather is meant to provide useful information to investors interested in comparing Occidental's earnings performance between periods. Reported earnings are considered representative of management's performance over the long term. Core results is not considered to be an alternative to operating income in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
SIGNIFICANT TRANSACTIONS AND EVENTS AFFECTING EARNINGS Fourth Quarter ---------------------------------- ($ millions, except Diluted Diluted per-share amounts) 2008 EPS 2007 EPS ================================ ======= ======= ======= ======= TOTAL REPORTED EARNINGS $ 443 $ 0.55 $ 1,452 $ 1.74 ======= ======= ======= ======= Oil and Gas Segment Earnings $ 339 $ 2,461 Add: Asset impairments 599 -- Rig contract terminations 58 -- ------- ------- Segment Core Results 996 2,461 ------- ------- Chemicals Segment Earnings 127 94 Add: Plant closure and Impairments 90 -- ------- ------- Segment Core Results 217 94 ------- ------- Midstream, Marketing and Other Segment Earnings 170 138 Add: No significant items affecting earnings -- -- ------- ------- Segment Core Results 170 138 ------- ------- Total Segment Core Results 1,383 2,693 ------- ------- Corporate Corporate Results -- Non Segment* (193) (1,241) Add: Severance Accrual -- 25 Tax effect of pre-tax adjustments (238) (9) Discontinued operations, net** 5 (4) ------- ------- Corporate Core Results -- Non Segment (426) (1,229) ------- ------- TOTAL CORE RESULTS $ 957 $ 1.18 $ 1,464 $ 1.76 =============================== ======= ======= ======= ======= *Interest expense, income taxes, G&A expense and other. **Amounts shown after tax. SIGNIFICANT TRANSACTIONS AND EVENTS AFFECTING EARNINGS (continued) Twelve Months ---------------------------------- ($ millions, except Diluted Diluted per-share amounts) 2008 EPS 2007 EPS ================================ ======= ======= ======= ======= TOTAL REPORTED EARNINGS $ 6,857 $ 8.35 $ 5,400 $ 6.44 ======= ======= ======= ======= Oil and Gas Segment Earnings $10,651 $ 7,957 Add: Russia joint venture** -- (412) Legal settlements** -- (112) Asset impairments 599 74 Gain on sale of oil and gas interests (35) Sale of exploration properties -- (103) Rig contract terminations 58 -- ------- ------- Segment Core Results 11,308 7,369 ------- ------- Chemicals Segment Earnings 669 601 Add: Plant closure and Impairments 90 -- ------- ------- Segment Core Results 759 601 ------- ------- Midstream, Marketing and Other Segment Earnings 520 367 Add: No significant items affecting earnings -- -- ------- ------- Segment Core Results 520 367 ------- ------- Total Segment Core Results 12,587 8,337 ------- ------- Corporate Corporate Results -- Non Segment* (4,983) (3,525) Add: Debt purchase expense -- 167 Facility closure -- 47 Gain on sale of Lyondell shares -- (326) Severance accrual -- 25 Tax effect of pre-tax adjustments (238) 2 Discontinued operations, net** (18) (322) ------- ------- Corporate Core Results -- Non Segment (5,239) (3,932) ------- ------- TOTAL CORE RESULTS $ 7,348 $ 8.95 $ 4,405 $ 5.25 ================================ ======= ======= ======= ======= *Interest expense, income taxes, G&A expense and other. **Amounts shown after tax.