OREANDA-NEWS. ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) reported a fourth-quarter 2014 net loss of USD 39 million, or USD 0.03 per share, compared with fourth-quarter 2013 earnings of USD 2.5 billion, or USD 2.00 per share. Excluding special items, fourth-quarter 2014 adjusted earnings were USD 0.7 billion, or USD 0.60 per share, compared with fourth-quarter 2013 adjusted earnings of USD 1.7 billion, or USD 1.40 per share. Special items for the current quarter primarily related to the Freeport LNG termination agreement and non-cash impairments.

Full-year 2014 earnings were USD 6.9 billion, or USD 5.51 per share, compared with full-year 2013 earnings of USD 9.2 billion, or USD 7.38 per share. Excluding special items, full-year 2014 adjusted earnings were USD 6.6 billion, or USD 5.30 per share, compared with full-year 2013 adjusted earnings of USD 7.1 billion, or USD 5.70 per share.

In anticipation of weak 2015 commodity prices, the company has further reduced its expected 2015 capital expenditures to USD 11.5 billion from the USD 13.5 billion previously announced. Reductions since the December capital announcement will come primarily from the deferral of onshore drilling and exploration programs in the Lower 48, and deferral of major project spending. At this level of capital, the company expects to achieve 2 to 3 percent production growth in 2015 from continuing operations, excluding Libya.

"We are responding decisively to a weak price outlook in 2015 by exercising our capital and balance sheet flexibility," said Ryan Lance, chairman and chief executive officer. "In this environment our priorities are to protect our dividend and base production, stay on track for cash flow neutrality in 2017, and preserve future opportunities."

2014 Highlights

Four percent full-year production growth from continuing operations, excluding Libya.

Eight percent price-normalized margin growth.

Annual organic reserve replacement of 124 percent from reserve additions of approximately 0.7 billion BOE.

Strategic asset disposition program completed with sale of Nigerian business for USD 1.4 billion.

Eagle Ford and Bakken combined production increased by 35 percent year-over-year.

Five major project startups achieved at Siakap North-Petai, Foster Creek Phase F, Britannia Long-Term Compression, Gumusut and Kebabangan, as well as first production from Eldfisk II in January 2015.

Oil discovered in two new plays offshore Senegal.

Ended the year with USD 5.1 billion of cash and cash equivalents.

"While 2014 results may seem overshadowed by the current environment, it is important to recognize that in 2014 we delivered on our strategic plan," added Lance. "We achieved 4 percent production growth from continuing operations, excluding Libya; realized 8 percent price-normalized margin growth; and increased the dividend by 5.8 percent. The company also delivered strong reserve replacement, with a three-year average organic reserve replacement ratio of 153 percent."

Reserves Update

Preliminary year-end 2014 proved reserves are 8.9 billion barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) with proved organic reserve additions expected to be approximately 0.7 billion BOE. This represents an organic reserve replacement ratio of 124 percent of 2014 production.

Organic reserve additions represent a continuing portfolio shift to higher-value liquids and reflect increased levels of activity in development programs and major projects, as well as revisions and extensions of existing fields. Liquids comprised approximately 45 percent of the reserve additions and another 30 percent were tied to liquids pricing through liquefied natural gas. Reserves were added across the portfolio, including approximately:

290 million BOE in Lower 48, primarily in liquids-rich shale plays, including the Eagle Ford and Bakken;

290 million BOE in Asia Pacific and Middle East;

160 million BOE in Canada, from Foster Creek and Narrows Lake, as well as additional reserves at Surmont and across western Canada.

The total 2014 reserve replacement ratio is expected to be 97 percent, reflecting reserve reductions of 159 million BOE from asset dispositions, primarily from the sale of our Nigerian business. Despite reserve reductions of 430 million BOE, from completion of USD 14 billion of asset dispositions, the company achieved a three-year average reserve replacement ratio of 129 percent.

Final information related to the company's 2014 oil and gas reserves, as well as costs incurred, will be provided in ConocoPhillips' Annual Report on Form 10-K to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in late February.

Operations Update

Lower 48 - Quarterly production increased by 44 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (MBOED) over the same period in 2013, to 541 MBOED. The increase was primarily from growth in the liquids-rich unconventional plays as well as improved drilling performance, partially offset by normal field decline. Liquids production grew 17 percent year-over-year with a 26 percent increase in crude oil production. In 2014, the company grew its unconventional production by 37 percent.

Canada - Fourth-quarter production was 296 MBOED, an increase of 20 MBOED compared with the fourth quarter of 2013. The increase was primarily driven by improved well performance across the segment as well as increased production from Christina Lake Phase E and Foster Creek Phase F, partially offset by normal field decline in western Canada. Liquids growth of 14 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2013 was partially offset by reduced natural gas production. Foster Creek Phase F is continuing to ramp up and Surmont 2 construction is on track with first steam expected in mid-2015.

Alaska - Production for the quarter was 186 MBOED, a decrease of 19 MBOED compared with the same period in 2013. This decrease was due to normal field decline and planned downtime, partially offset by improved well performance. ConocoPhillips sanctioned development of Kuparuk Drill Site 2S in October and signed a contract for a new built-for-purpose coiled tubing rig for the Kuparuk River Unit.

Europe - Quarterly production was 215 MBOED, an increase of 18 MBOED compared with the same period a year ago. The increase was primarily the result of new production from major projects, improved well performance and less downtime, partially offset by normal field decline. First production was achieved at Eldfisk II in January 2015.

Asia Pacific and Middle East - Fourth-quarter production was 325 MBOED, an increase of 33 MBOED compared with the fourth quarter of 2013. The increase was primarily the result of growth from major projects and new wells online, partially offset by normal field decline. During the quarter, first oil production began from the floating production system at the Gumusut Field and first gas was produced from Kebabangan. In Australia, APLNG remains on track for first LNG in mid-2015.

Other International - Production from continuing operations, excluding Libya, was 4 MBOED in the fourth quarter, flat compared with the same period in 2013. Production from Libya was 22 MBOED for the quarter, but as a result of ongoing unrest in the region the Es Sider Terminal was shut-in starting in mid-December.

Unconventional exploration - Fourth-quarter North American activity remained focused on drilling in the Niobrara and Permian Basin in the Lower 48, as well as the Duvernay and Montney in Canada. As previously announced, the company expects to significantly reduce its unconventional exploration programs in 2015. Internationally, the Picoplata well in Colombia was spud during the fourth quarter.

Conventional exploration - During the quarter, oil was discovered at SNE-1, marking the second successful well offshore Senegal. In the Gulf of Mexico, the company expensed a Shenandoah down dip appraisal well during the quarter. Appraisal will continue at the Shenandoah, Tiber and Gila prospects in 2015. In Australia, the Barossa-3 well reached total depth with well data indicating a significant gas discovery and drilling began on Barossa-4 during the quarter. In Angola, the Kamoxi-1 well was deemed non-commercial and expensed as a dry hole. Drilling on the second Angola well, Omosi-1, is ongoing.

Fourth-Quarter Review

Production from continuing operations, excluding Libya, for the fourth quarter of 2014 was 1,567 MBOED, an increase of 96 MBOED compared with the same period a year ago. The net increase reflects 68 MBOED, or 5 percent growth, after adjusting for 28 MBOED from lower downtime and dispositions. Growth was primarily due to new production from major projects and development programs, partially offset by normal field decline.

Adjusted earnings were lower compared with fourth-quarter 2013 primarily due to lower realized prices, increased dry hole expense, higher operating costs and depreciation expense associated with increased volumes, partially offset by higher volumes. The company's total realized price was USD 52.88 per BOE, compared with USD 65.41 per BOE in the fourth quarter of 2013, reflecting lower average realized prices across all commodities.

Special items for the quarter included the Freeport LNG termination agreement and non-cash impairments. The Freeport LNG termination agreement resulted in an outflow of cash from operations of USD 0.5 billion, offset by a USD 0.5 billion inflow of cash from investing activities. Impacts from the Freeport LNG termination agreement are outlined in the financial table at the end of the release. The non-cash impairments primarily relate to late-life United Kingdom natural gas assets, as well as an LNG-related pipeline and leaseholds in the Lower 48.

For the quarter, cash provided by continuing operating activities was USD 2.6 billion, reflecting the USD 0.5 billion cash outflow from Freeport and a USD 0.7 billion increase in working capital, primarily from timing of tax payments. Proceeds from asset dispositions were USD 0.2 billion. In addition, the company funded USD 4.4 billion in capital expenditures and investments for continuing operations, paid dividends of USD 0.9 billion, received USD 0.5 billion from the Freeport LNG termination agreement, and had a USD 0.4 billion reduction of short-term investments. During the quarter, debt increased by USD 1.5 billion, reflecting the placement of USD 3.0 billion in low-interest debt and the early retirement of maturing debt.

Full-Year Review

Year-over-year production growth was 4 percent from continuing operations, excluding Libya, which represents 2014 production of 1,532 MBOED, compared with 1,472 MBOED in 2013. Production increased due to growth from major projects and development programs, partially offset by normal field decline.

Adjusted earnings decreased compared with 2013 primarily due to lower realized prices, higher operating costs associated with increased turnaround activity and higher volumes, and depreciation expenses from higher volumes, partially offset by increased production. The company's total realized price during this period was USD 64.59 per BOE, compared with USD 67.62 per BOE in 2013. This reflected lower crude and natural gas liquids prices, partially offset by higher overall bitumen and natural gas prices.

In 2014, cash provided by continuing operating activities was USD 16.6 billion. The company received proceeds from asset sales of USD 1.6 billion, funded USD 17.1 billion in capital expenditures and investments for continuing operations, paid dividends of USD 3.5 billion and increased debt by USD 1.0 billion. As of Dec. 31, 2014, ConocoPhillips had USD 5.1 billion of cash and cash equivalents. The company ended the year with debt of USD 22.6 billion and a debt-to-capital ratio of 30 percent.

Outlook

The company expects to deliver 2 to 3 percent production growth in 2015 from continuing operations, excluding Libya. First-quarter 2015 production from continuing operations is expected to be 1,570 to 1,610 MBOED, which excludes Libya.

The company will provide additional guidance on 2015 exploration expense; production and selling, general and administrative expense; corporate segment costs; and depreciation, depletion and amortization at its Analyst Meeting in New York on April 8, 2015.