Energy Stocks; ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP ) Agrees to Sell Syncrude Stake to Sinopec

HOUSTON--(www.Investorideas.com energy newswire )--ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP ) announced today that it has entered into definitive agreements with subsidiaries of Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Company (SIPC) to sell its 9.03 percent interest in Syncrude for $4.65 billion. The transaction is anticipated to close in the third quarter of 2010 once Canadian and Chinese government approvals are obtained.

"This is an important step in the $10 billion divestiture program which we announced last October, and we are pleased that SIPC has recognized the value of this quality asset," said Jim Mulva, chairman and chief executive officer, ConocoPhillips. "The completion of this transaction demonstrates the strength of the asset base available to meet our asset sales goals.”



The sale of the Syncrude interest is just one part of ConocoPhillips’ plan to create value for shareholders through a continued focus on disciplined capital investment, a strengthened financial position, improved returns on capital, and growth in shareholder distributions.



Credit Suisse acted as the sole financial advisor to ConocoPhillips, and Osler, Hoskin and Harcourt acted as legal counsel to ConocoPhillips for this transaction.


ConocoPhillips is an integrated energy company with interests around the world. Headquartered in Houston, the company had approximately 30,000 employees, $153 billion of assets, and $149 billion of revenues as of December 31, 2009. For more information, go to www.conocophillips.com.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995


This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Forward-looking statements relate to future events and anticipated results of operations, business strategies, and other aspects of our operations or operating results. In many cases you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "continue," "could," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "should," "will," "expect," "objective," "projection," "forecast," "goal," "guidance," "outlook," "effort," "target" and other similar words. However, the absence of these words does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. Where, in any forward-looking statement, the company expresses an expectation or belief as to future results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. However, there can be no assurance that such expectation or belief will result or be achieved. The actual results of operations can and will be affected by a variety of risks and other matters including, but not limited to, crude oil and natural gas prices; refining and marketing margins; potential failure to achieve, and potential delays in achieving expected reserves or production levels from existing and future oil and gas development projects due to operating hazards, drilling risks, and the inherent uncertainties in interpreting engineering data relating to underground accumulations of oil and gas; unsuccessful exploratory drilling activities; lack of exploration success; potential disruption or unexpected technical difficulties in developing new products and manufacturing processes; potential failure of new products to achieve acceptance in the market; unexpected cost increases or technical difficulties in constructing or modifying company manufacturing or refining facilities; unexpected difficulties in manufacturing, transporting or refining synthetic crude oil; international monetary conditions and exchange controls; potential liability for remedial actions under existing or future environmental regulations; potential liability resulting from pending or future litigation; general domestic and international economic and political conditions, as well as changes in tax and other laws applicable to our business. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements include other economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting our business generally as set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Unless legally required, ConocoPhillips undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.



Costs incurred include capitalized and expensed items as defined by the Financial Accounting Standards Board Codification Topic 932 for the company’s oil and gas exploration and production operations.
 
 
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