OREANDA-NEWS. May 01, 2013. EXXONMOBIL'S CHAIRMAN REX W. TILLERSON COMMENTED:

“ExxonMobil achieved strong results during the first quarter of 2013, while investing significantly to develop new energy supplies. ExxonMobil’s financial performance enables continued investment to deliver the energy needed to help meet growing demand, support economic growth, and raise living standards around the world.

First quarter 2013 earnings were USD 9.5 billion, up 1% from the first quarter of 2012.

Capital and exploration expenditures for the first quarter were USD11.8 billion, including USD 3.1 billion for the acquisition of Celtic Exploration Ltd.

The Corporation distributed USD 7.6 billion to shareholders in the first quarter through dividends and share purchases to reduce shares outstanding.”

FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

Earnings of USD 9,500 million increased USD 50 million or 1% from the first quarter of 2012.

Earnings per share (assuming dilution) were USD 2.12, an increase of 6%.

Capital and exploration expenditures were USD 11.8 billion, up 33% from the first quarter of 2012.

Oil-equivalent production decreased 3.5% from the first quarter of 2012. Excluding the impacts of entitlement volumes, OPEC quota effects and divestments, production decreased 1.2%.

Cash flow from operations and asset sales was USD 14 billion, including proceeds associated with asset sales of USD 0.4 billion.

Share purchases to reduce shares outstanding were USD 5 billion.

Dividends per share of USD 0.57 increased 21% compared to the first quarter of 2012.

Rosneft and ExxonMobil have agreed to expand their 2011 Strategic Cooperation Agreement to include approximately 600,000 square kilometers (150 million acres) of additional exploration acreage in the Russian Arctic and potential participation by Rosneft in the Point Thomson project in Alaska. They have also agreed to conduct a joint study on a potential LNG project in the Russian Far East.

Production started from the Telok natural gas field, located offshore Malaysia in the South China Sea. The Telok A platform is the first phase of the Telok natural gas project.

First Quarter 2013 vs. First Quarter 2012
Upstream earnings were USD 7,037 million in the first quarter of 2013, down USD 765 million from the first quarter of 2012. Lower liquids realizations, partially offset by improved natural gas realizations, decreased earnings by USD 230 million. Production volume and mix effects reduced earnings by USD 280 million. All other items, including higher operating expenses, decreased earnings by USD 250 million.

On an oil-equivalent basis, production decreased 3.5% from the first quarter of 2012. Excluding the impacts of entitlement volumes, OPEC quota effects and divestments, production decreased 1.2%.

Liquids production totaled 2,193 kbd (thousands of barrels per day), down 21 kbd from the first quarter of 2012 as field decline was partially offset by project ramp-up in West Africa. The net impact of entitlement volumes, OPEC quota effects, and divestments was negligible.

First quarter natural gas production was 13,213 mcfd (millions of cubic feet per day), down 823 mcfd from 2012. Excluding the impacts of entitlement volumes and divestments, natural gas production was down 1.5%, as field decline was partially offset by lower downtime and higher demand.

Earnings from U.S. Upstream operations were USD 859 million, USD 151 million lower than the first quarter of 2012. Non-U.S. Upstream earnings were USD 6,178 million, down USD 614 million from the prior year.

Downstream earnings were USD 1,545 million, down USD 41 million from the first quarter of 2012. Stronger margins, mainly in refining, increased earnings by USD 780 million. Volume and mix effects decreased earnings by USD 290 million. All other items, including lower gains on asset sales, higher expenses, and foreign exchange effects, decreased earnings by USD 530 million. Petroleum product sales of 5,755 kbd were 561 kbd lower than last year's first quarter reflecting the Japan restructuring and other divestment related impacts.

Earnings from the U.S. Downstream were USD 1,039 million, up USD 436 million from the first quarter of 2012. Non-U.S. Downstream earnings of USD 506 million were USD 477 million lower than last year.

Chemical earnings of USD 1,137 million were USD 436 million higher than the first quarter of 2012. Higher margins, mainly commodities, increased earnings by USD 320 million. All other items, including gains on asset sales, increased earnings by USD 120 million. First quarter prime product sales of 5,910 kt (thousands of metric tons) were 427 kt lower than last year's first quarter due mainly to the Japan restructuring.

Corporate and financing expenses were USD 219 million for the first quarter of 2013, down USD 420 million from the first quarter of 2012, reflecting favorable tax impacts.

During the first quarter of 2013, Exxon Mobil Corporation purchased 63 million shares of its common stock for the treasury at a gross cost of USD 5.6 billion. These purchases included USD 5 billion to reduce the number of shares outstanding, with the balance used to acquire shares in conjunction with the company’s benefit plans and programs. Share purchases to reduce shares outstanding are currently anticipated to equal USD 4 billion in the second quarter of 2013. Purchases may be made in both the open market and through negotiated transactions, and may be increased, decreased or discontinued at any time without prior notice.