Occidental Petroleum Announces Net Income for Second Quarter and First Six Months of 2009


LOS ANGELES, July 23, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY) announced net income of $682 million ($0.84 per diluted share) for the second quarter of 2009, compared with $2.3 billion ($2.78 per diluted share) for the second quarter of 2008.

In announcing the results, Dr. Ray R. Irani, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Occidental achieved year-over-year production growth of 10 percent in the second quarter and nearly nine percent in the six months of 2009. Our discovery in Kern County, California which was announced yesterday should also contribute to our future growth."


                              QUARTERLY RESULTS
                                Oil and Gas

Oil and gas segment earnings were $1.1 billion for the second quarter of 2009, compared with $3.8 billion for the same period in 2008. The decrease in the second quarter 2009 segment earnings reflected lower crude oil and natural gas prices and higher DD&A rates, partially offset by higher oil and gas sales volumes and lower operating expenses.

For the second quarter of 2009, daily oil and gas sales volumes averaged 649,000 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE), compared with 588,000 BOE sold in the second quarter of 2008. Volumes increased by approximately 3 percent domestically, mainly from California and Midcontinent/Rockies, by about 37 percent in Latin America mostly in Argentina, and by 16 percent in the Middle East/North Africa largely in Oman and Dolphin. California volumes included increases in Long Beach resulting from economic arrangements similar to a production sharing contract and production from new exploration wells in Elk Hills.

Oxy's realized price for worldwide crude oil was $52.97 per barrel for the second quarter of 2009, compared with $110.12 per barrel for the second quarter of 2008. Domestic realized gas prices decreased from $9.99 per MCF in the second quarter of 2008 to $2.87 per MCF for the second quarter of 2009.


                                Chemicals

Chemical segment earnings for the second quarter 2009 were $115 million, compared with $144 million for the same period in 2008. The second quarter of 2009 results reflect the continued weakness in the U.S. housing, automotive and durable goods sectors resulting in lower volumes for chlorine, caustic soda and polyvinyl chloride. The lower volumes were partially offset by lower feedstock and energy costs.


                         Midstream, Marketing and Other

Midstream segment earnings were $63 million for the second quarter of 2009, compared with $161 million for the second quarter of 2008. The second quarter of 2009 earnings reflect lower margins in the gas processing, marketing, and power generation businesses.


                             SIX MONTH RESULTS

Net income for the six months of 2009 was $1.1 billion ($1.29 per diluted share), compared with $4.1 billion ($5.00 per diluted share) for the six months of 2008.

Core results were $1.1 billion ($1.34 per diluted share) for the six months of 2009, compared with $4.1 billion ($4.97 per diluted share) for the six months of 2008.


                               Oil and Gas

Oil and gas segment earnings were $1.6 billion for the six months of 2009, compared with $6.7 billion for the same period of 2008. The decrease in segment earnings reflected lower crude oil and natural gas prices and higher DD&A rates, partially offset by increased sales volumes and lower operating and administrative costs.

Daily oil and gas sales volumes for the first six months was 651,000 BOE for 2009, compared with 598,000 BOE per day for the same 2008 period. Volumes increased by approximately 4 percent domestically mainly from California and Midcontinent/Rockies, by about 26 percent in Latin America mostly in Argentina, and by 11 percent in the Middle East/North Africa largely due to Oman and Dolphin. Higher volumes in domestic assets included production from new exploration wells in California.

Oxy's worldwide crude oil realized price was $46.05 per barrel for the six months of 2009, compared with $98.16 per barrel for the six months of 2008. Domestic realized gas prices decreased from $9.09 per MCF in the six months of 2008 to $3.20 per MCF in the six months of 2009.


                                 Chemicals

Chemical segment earnings for the six months of 2009 were $284 million, compared with $323 million for the same period of 2008. The 2009 six month results reflect lower volumes for chlorine, caustic soda and polyvinyl chloride due to the economic slowdown, partially offset by lower feedstock and energy costs.


                        Midstream, Marketing and Other

Midstream segment earnings were $77 million for the six months of 2009, compared with $284 million for the same period in 2008. The earnings decline in 2009 reflects lower margins in the gas processing, power generation, and marketing businesses.


                                  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," "should," "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; not successfully completing (or any material delay in) any expansions, field development, capital projects, acquisitions, or dispositions; higher-than-expected costs; political risk; operational interruptions and changes in tax rates. 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

                                     Second Quarter        Six Months
 (Millions, except                 ----------------  ----------------
  per-share amounts)                  2009     2008     2009     2008
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======
 SEGMENT NET SALES
  Oil and Gas                      $ 2,726  $ 5,501  $ 4,863  $10,019
  Chemical                             811    1,386    1,603    2,653
  Midstream, Marketing and Other       250      418      478      823
  Eliminations                        (100)    (189)    (184)    (359)
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
  Net sales                        $ 3,687  $ 7,116  $ 6,760  $13,136
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======
 SEGMENT EARNINGS
  Oil and Gas (a), (b)             $ 1,083  $ 3,806  $ 1,628  $ 6,694
  Chemical                             115      144      284      323
  Midstream, Marketing and Other        63      161       77      284
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
                                     1,261    4,111    1,989    7,301
 Unallocated Corporate Items
  Interest expense, net                (23)      (7)     (43)      (7)
  Income taxes                        (455)  (1,671)    (696)  (2,965)
  Other (c)                            (99)    (133)    (195)    (210)
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------

 Income from Continuing Operations(a)  684    2,300    1,055    4,119
  Discontinued operations, net          (2)      (3)      (5)      24
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
 NET INCOME (a)                    $   682  $ 2,297  $ 1,050  $ 4,143
                                   =======  =======  =======  =======
 BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
  Income from continuing
    operations                     $  0.84  $  2.79  $  1.30  $  5.00
  Discontinued operations, net          --       --    (0.01)    0.03
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
                                   $  0.84  $  2.79  $  1.29  $  5.03
                                   =======  =======  =======  =======
 DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (d)
  Income from continuing
    operations                     $  0.84  $  2.78  $  1.30  $  4.97
  Discontinued operations, net          --       --    (0.01)    0.03
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
                                   $  0.84  $  2.78  $  1.29  $  5.00
                                   =======  =======  =======  =======
 AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING (d)
  BASIC                              811.0    821.3    810.8    822.5
  DILUTED                            814.0    825.2    813.7    826.6
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======


 (a) Net Income - Net income and income from continuing operations
     represent amounts attributable to Common Stock, after deducting
     non-controlling interest of $12 million and $37 million for the
     second quarter and $21 million and $66 million for the six months
     ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Oil and gas segment
     earnings are also presented net of these non-controlling interest
     amounts.

 (b) Oil and Gas - The six months of 2009 includes an $8 million pre-
     tax charge for rig contract termination costs.

 (c) Unallocated Corporate Items - Other - The second quarter of 2009
     includes a pre-tax charge of $8 million related to severance.  The
     first six months of 2009 includes additional pre-tax charges of
     $32 million for severance and $15 million for railcar leases.

 (d) Earnings Per Share - The 2008 earnings per share amounts reflect
     the adoption on January 1, 2009 of FSP NO. EITF 03-06-1 dealing
     with participating securities.

 SUMMARY OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND DD&A EXPENSE

                                     Second Quarter        Six Months
                                   ----------------  ----------------
 ($ millions)                         2009     2008     2009     2008
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======
 CAPITAL EXPENDITURES              $   831  $ 1,038  $ 1,902  $ 1,871
                                   =======  =======  =======  =======
 DEPRECIATION, DEPLETION
  AND AMORTIZATION
   OF ASSETS                       $   742  $   621  $ 1,528  $ 1,274
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======


 ITEMS AFFECTING COMPARABILITY OF CORE EARNINGS BETWEEN PERIODS

 Income/(Expense)                    Second Quarter        Six Months
                                   ----------------  ----------------
 ($ millions)                         2009     2008     2009     2008
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======
 Foreign exchange gains and
  (losses)*                        $    (6) $    (4) $    31  $    (5)
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======
 *Amounts shown after tax.

 SUMMARY OF OPERATING STATISTICS
                                     Second Quarter        Six Months
                                   ----------------  ----------------
                                      2009     2008     2009     2008
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======
 NET OIL, GAS AND LIQUIDS
   SALES PER DAY
 United States
  Crude Oil and Liquids (MBBL)
    California                          90       84       93       86
    Permian                            167      169      168      170
    Midcontinent/Rockies                10        5       10        4
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
      Total                            267      258      271      260
  Natural Gas (MMCF)
    California                         232      238      224      241
    Permian                            197      190      196      184
    Midcontinent/Rockies               192      174      201      166
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
      Total                            621      602      621      591
 Latin America
  Crude Oil (MBBL)
    Argentina                           37       22       41       29
    Colombia                            48       43       47       43
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
      Total                             85       65       88       72
  Natural Gas (MMCF)
    Argentina                           30       14       32       18
    Bolivia                             19       21       17       21
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
      Total                             49       35       49       39
 Middle East/North Africa
  Crude Oil and Liquids (MBBL)
    Oman                                38       21       36       20
    Dolphin                             25       19       23       20
    Qatar                               50       45       49       46
    Yemen                               23       20       27       23
    Libya                                8       27        7       23
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
      Total                            144      132      142      132
  Natural Gas (MMCF)
    Oman                                23       25       23       23
    Dolphin                            242      163      224      182
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
      Total                            265      188      247      205
 Barrels of Oil Equivalent (MBOE)
  Subtotal consolidated subsidiaries   652      593      654      603
    Colombia-minority interest          (6)      (7)      (6)      (7)
    Yemen-Occidental net interest        3        2        3        2
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
 Total Worldwide Sales Volumes -
   MBOE                                649      588      651      598
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======

 SUMMARY OF OPERATING STATISTICS - PRODUCTION
                                     Second Quarter        Six Months
                                   ----------------  ----------------
                                      2009     2008     2009     2008
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======
 NET OIL, GAS AND LIQUIDS
   PRODUCTION PER DAY
 United States
  Crude Oil and Liquids (MBBL)         267      258      271      260
  Natural Gas (MMCF)                   621      602      621      591

 Latin America
  Crude Oil (MBBL)
    Argentina                           38       24       38       30
    Colombia                            47       43       47       42
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
      Total                             85       67       85       72
  Natural Gas (MMCF)                    49       35       49       39

 Middle East/North Africa
  Crude Oil and Liquids (MBBL)
    Oman                                38       21       36       20
    Dolphin                             25       19       23       20
    Qatar                               46       48       49       47
    Yemen                               26       20       27       23
    Libya                                7       20        8       21
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
      Total                            142      128      143      131
  Natural Gas (MMCF)                   265      188      247      205

 Barrels of Oil Equivalent (MBOE)
  Subtotal consolidated subsidiaries   650      590      652      602
    Colombia-minority interest          (6)      (6)      (6)      (6)
    Yemen-Occidental net interest        3        2        3        2
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
 Total Worldwide Production Volumes -
   MBOE                                647      586      649      598
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======

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
                                                       Second Quarter
                                   ----------------------------------
 ($ millions, except                        Diluted           Diluted
  per-share amounts)                  2009      EPS     2008      EPS
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======
 TOTAL REPORTED EARNINGS*          $   682  $  0.84  $ 2,297  $  2.78
                                   =======  =======  =======  =======
 Oil and Gas*
  Segment Earnings                 $ 1,083           $ 3,806
  Add:
    No significant items affecting
      earnings                          --                --
                                   -------           -------
  Segment Core Results               1,083             3,806
                                   -------           -------
 Chemicals
  Segment Earnings                     115               144
  Add:
    No significant items
      affecting earnings                --                --
                                   -------           -------
  Segment Core Results                 115               144
                                   -------           -------
 Midstream, marketing and other
  Segment Earnings                      63               161
  Add:
    No significant items
      affecting earnings                --                --
                                   -------           -------
  Segment Core Results                  63               161
                                   -------           -------
 Total Segment Core Results          1,261             4,111
                                   -------           -------
 Corporate
  Corporate Results --
    Non Segment**                     (579)           (1,814)
  Add:
    Severance accrual                    8                --
    Tax effect of pre-tax
      adjustments                       (3)               --
    Discontinued operations, net***      2                 3
                                   -------           -------
  Corporate Core Results --
    Non Segment                       (572)           (1,811)
                                   -------           -------
 TOTAL CORE RESULTS                $   689  $  0.85  $ 2,300  $  2.78
 ===============================   =======  =======  =======  =======
   *Represents amounts attributable to common stock, after deducting
    non-controlling interest of $12 million and $37 million for the
    second quarter 2009 and 2008, respectively.
  **Net interest expense, income taxes, G&A expense and other.
 ***Amounts shown after tax.

 SIGNIFICANT TRANSACTIONS AND EVENTS AFFECTING EARNINGS (continued)
                                                           Six Months
                                   ----------------------------------
 ($ millions, except                        Diluted           Diluted
  per-share amounts)                  2009      EPS     2008      EPS
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======
 TOTAL REPORTED EARNINGS*          $ 1,050  $  1.29  $ 4,143  $  5.00
                                   =======  =======  =======  =======
 Oil and Gas*
  Segment Earnings                 $ 1,628           $ 6,694
  Add:
    Rig terminations                     8                --
                                   -------           -------
  Segment Core Results               1,636             6,694
                                   -------           -------
 Chemicals
  Segment Earnings                     284               323
  Add:
    No significant items
      affecting earnings                --                --
                                   -------           -------
  Segment Core Results                 284               323
                                   -------           -------
 Midstream, marketing and other
  Segment Earnings                      77               284
  Add:
    No significant items
      affecting earnings                --                --
                                   -------           -------
  Segment Core Results                  77               284
                                   -------           -------
 Total Segment Core Results          1,997             7,301
                                   -------           -------
 Corporate
  Corporate Results --
    Non Segment**                     (939)           (3,158)
  Add:
    Severance accruals                  40                --
    Railcar leases                      15                --
    Tax effect of pre-tax
      adjustments                      (22)               --
    Discontinued operations, net***      5               (24)
                                   -------           -------
  Corporate Core Results --
    Non Segment                       (901)           (3,182)
                                   -------           -------
 TOTAL CORE RESULTS                $ 1,096  $  1.34  $ 4,119  $  4.97
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======
   *Represents amounts attributable to common stock, after deducting
    non-controlling interest of $21 million and $66 million for the
    six months 2009 and 2008, respectively.
  **Net interest expense, income taxes, G&A expense and other.
 ***Amounts shown after tax.

            

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