Occidental Petroleum Announces Third Quarter Net Income


LOS ANGELES, Oct. 22, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY) announced net income of $927 million ($1.14 per diluted share) for the third quarter of 2009, compared with $2.3 billion ($2.77 per diluted share) for the third 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 nearly seven percent in the third quarter and eight percent in the nine months of 2009. In addition, higher worldwide crude oil prices resulted in an increase in Occidental's third quarter of 2009 net income of 36 percent over the second quarter of 2009.

"Our Kern County discovery has made a significant contribution to this production growth. Kern County gross production run rates grew from 7,700 BOE per day around the end of the first quarter, to 17,300 BOE per day at the end of the second quarter and to approximately 26,000 BOE per day at the end of the third quarter."

QUARTERLY RESULTS

Oil and Gas

Oil and gas segment earnings were $1.5 billion for the third quarter of 2009, compared with $3.6 billion for the same period in 2008. The decrease in the third quarter 2009 segment earnings reflected lower crude oil and natural gas prices, partially offset by higher oil and gas sales volumes and lower operating expenses.

For the third quarter of 2009, daily oil and gas sales volumes averaged 628,000 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE), compared with 588,000 BOE per day in the third quarter of 2008. Volumes increased by six percent domestically, mainly from California and the Permian and by 15 percent in the Middle East/North Africa largely in Dolphin and Oman, partially offset by a six-percent decrease in Latin America mostly due to a labor strike in Argentina. Increased California volumes resulted largely from the new exploration discoveries in Kern County.

Oxy's realized price for worldwide crude oil was $62.79 per barrel for the third quarter of 2009, compared with $104.15 per barrel for the third quarter of 2008. Domestic realized gas prices decreased from $9.35 per MCF in the third quarter of 2008 to $3.04 per MCF for the third quarter of 2009.

Chemicals

Chemical segment earnings for the third quarter of 2009 were $72 million, compared with $219 million for the same period in 2008. The third quarter 2009 results reflect the continued weakness in the U.S. housing, automotive and durable goods sectors resulting in lower margins for caustic soda and polyvinyl chloride and lower volumes for chlorine, caustic soda, potassium hydroxide and polyvinyl chloride.

Midstream, Marketing and Other

Midstream segment earnings were $77 million for the third quarter of 2009, compared with $66 million for the third quarter of 2008. The third quarter of 2009 reflects better results in marketing operations, partially offset by lower margins in the gas processing business.

NINE MONTH RESULTS

Net income for the nine months of 2009 was $2.0 billion ($2.43 per diluted share), compared with $6.4 billion ($7.77 per diluted share) for the nine months of 2008.

Oil and Gas

Oil and gas segment earnings were $3.1 billion for the nine months of 2009, compared with $10.3 billion for the same period of 2008. The decrease in segment earnings reflected lower crude oil and natural gas prices, partially offset by higher oil and gas sales volumes and lower operating and administrative costs.

Daily oil and gas sales volumes for the first nine months was 643,000 BOE per day for 2009, compared with 594,000 BOE per day for the same 2008 period. Volumes increased by five percent domestically mainly in California and Midcontinent/Rockies, by 14 percent in Latin America, and by 12 percent in the Middle East/North Africa largely due to Dolphin and Oman.

Oxy's realized price for worldwide crude oil was $51.44 per barrel for the nine months of 2009, compared with $100.39 per barrel for the nine months of 2008. Domestic realized gas prices decreased from $9.18 per MCF in the nine months of 2008 to $3.15 per MCF in the nine months of 2009.

Chemicals

Chemical segment earnings were $356 million for the nine months of 2009, compared with $542 million for the nine months of 2008. The 2009 results reflect lower volumes and prices 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 $154 million for the nine months of 2009, compared with $350 million for the same period in 2008. The earnings decline in 2009 reflects lower margins in the gas processing business.

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

                                      Third Quarter       Nine Months
 (In millions, except              ----------------  ----------------
  per-share amounts)                  2009     2008     2009     2008
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======
 SEGMENT NET SALES
  Oil and Gas                      $ 3,089  $ 5,422  $ 7,952  $15,441
  Chemical                             842    1,454    2,445    4,107
  Midstream, Marketing and Other       285      381      763    1,204
  Eliminations                        (112)    (197)    (296)    (556)
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
  Net sales                        $ 4,104  $ 7,060  $10,864  $20,196
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======
 SEGMENT EARNINGS
  Oil and Gas (a), (b)             $ 1,464  $ 3,618  $ 3,092  $10,312
  Chemical                              72      219      356      542
  Midstream, Marketing and Other        77       66      154      350
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
                                     1,613    3,903    3,602   11,204
 Unallocated Corporate Items
  Interest expense, net                (33)      (3)     (76)     (10)
  Income taxes                        (549)  (1,546)  (1,245)  (4,511)
  Other (c)                           (102)     (82)    (297)    (292)
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------

 Income from Continuing Operations(a)  929    2,272    1,984    6,391
  Discontinued operations, net          (2)      (1)      (7)      23
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
 NET INCOME (a)                    $   927  $ 2,271  $ 1,977  $ 6,414
                                   =======  =======  =======  =======
 BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
  Income from continuing
    operations                     $  1.14  $  2.78  $  2.44  $  7.78
  Discontinued operations, net          --       --    (0.01)    0.03
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
                                   $  1.14  $  2.78  $  2.43  $  7.81
                                   =======  =======  =======  =======
 DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
  Income from continuing
    operations                     $  1.14  $  2.77  $  2.44  $  7.74
  Discontinued operations, net          --       --    (0.01)    0.03
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
                                   $  1.14  $  2.77  $  2.43  $  7.77
                                   =======  =======  =======  =======
 AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
  BASIC                              811.8    815.3    811.1    820.1
  DILUTED                            814.4    817.6    813.9    823.5
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======

(a) Net Income - Net income and income from continuing operations represent amounts attributable to Common Stock, after deducting non-controlling interest of $14 million and $38 million for the third quarter and $35 million and $104 million for the nine months ended September 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 nine months of 2009 includes an $8 million pre-tax charge for rig contract termination costs.

(c) Unallocated Corporate Items - Other - The nine months of 2009 includes non-core pre-tax charges of $40 million related to severance and $15 million for railcar leases.


 SUMMARY OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND DD&A EXPENSE

                                      Third Quarter       Nine Months
                                   ----------------  ----------------
 ($ millions)                         2009     2008     2009     2008
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======
 CAPITAL EXPENDITURES              $   746  $ 1,199  $ 2,649  $ 3,070
                                   =======  =======  =======  =======
 DEPRECIATION, DEPLETION
  AND AMORTIZATION
   OF ASSETS                       $   769  $   683  $ 2,297  $ 1,957
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======

 ITEMS AFFECTING COMPARABILITY OF CORE EARNINGS BETWEEN PERIODS

 Income/(Expense)                     Third Quarter       Nine Months
                                   ----------------  ----------------
 ($ millions)                         2009     2008     2009     2008
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======
 Foreign exchange gains and
  (losses)*                        $    (3) $     8  $    28  $     3
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======
 *Amounts shown after tax.

 SUMMARY OF OPERATING STATISTICS
                                      Third Quarter       Nine Months
                                   ----------------  ----------------
                                      2009     2008     2009     2008
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======
 NET OIL, GAS AND LIQUIDS
   SALES PER DAY
 United States
  Crude Oil and Liquids (MBBL)
    California                          92       87       93       86
    Permian                            168      166      168      168
    Midcontinent/Rockies                 9        8       10        6
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
      Total                            269      261      271      260

  Natural Gas (MMCF)
    California                         269      236      240      239
    Permian                            208      169      200      179
    Midcontinent/Rockies               176      165      192      166
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
      Total                            653      570      632      584

 Latin America
  Crude Oil (MBBL)
    Argentina                           30       38       37       32
    Colombia                            44       43       46       43
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
      Total                             74       81       83       75

  Natural Gas (MMCF)
    Argentina                           27       24       30       19
    Bolivia                             18       21       17       21
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
      Total                             45       45       47       40

 Middle East/North Africa
  Crude Oil and Liquids (MBBL)
    Oman                                39       23       38       21
    Dolphin                             21       18       22       20
    Qatar                               46       49       48       47
    Yemen                               22       20       25       22
    Libya                                4        7        6       17
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
      Total                            132      117      139      127

  Natural Gas (MMCF)
    Oman                                22       25       23       24
    Dolphin                            208      165      218      176
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
      Total                            230      190      241      200

 Barrels of Oil Equivalent (MBOE)
  Subtotal consolidated subsidiaries   630      593      646      599
    Colombia-minority interest          (5)      (7)      (6)      (7)
    Yemen-Occidental net interest        3        2        3        2
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
 Total Worldwide Sales Volumes -
   MBOE                                628      588      643      594
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======

 SUMMARY OF OPERATING STATISTICS
                                      Third Quarter       Nine Months
                                   ----------------  ----------------
                                      2009     2008     2009     2008
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======
 NET OIL, GAS AND LIQUIDS
   PRODUCTION PER DAY
 United States
  Crude Oil and Liquids (MBBL)         269      261      271      260
  Natural Gas (MMCF)                   653      570      632      584

 Latin America
  Crude Oil (MBBL)
    Argentina                           31       39       36       33
    Colombia                            43       43       46       43
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
      Total                             74       82       82       76
  Natural Gas (MMCF)                    45       45       47       40

 Middle East/North Africa
  Crude Oil and Liquids (MBBL)
    Oman                                40       24       38       21
    Dolphin                             21       18       22       20
    Qatar                               48       48       48       47
    Yemen                               22       19       25       22
    Libya                                5        9        7       17
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
      Total                            136      118      140      127
  Natural Gas (MMCF)                   230      190      241      200

 Barrels of Oil Equivalent (MBOE)
  Subtotal consolidated subsidiaries   634      595      646      600
    Colombia-minority interest          (5)      (6)      (6)      (6)
    Yemen-Occidental net interest        3        2        3        2
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------
 Total Worldwide Production Volumes -
   MBOE                                632      591      643      596
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======

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
                                                        Third Quarter
                                   ----------------------------------
 ($ millions, except                        Diluted           Diluted
  per-share amounts)                  2009      EPS     2008      EPS
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======
 TOTAL REPORTED EARNINGS*          $   927  $  1.14  $ 2,271  $  2.77
                                   =======  =======  =======  =======
 Oil and Gas*
  Segment Earnings                 $ 1,464           $ 3,618
  Add:
    No significant items
      affecting  earning                --                --
                                   -------           -------
  Segment Core Results               1,464             3,618
                                   -------           -------
 Chemicals
  Segment Earnings                      72               219
  Add:
    No significant items
      affecting earning                 --                --
                                   -------           -------
  Segment Core Results                  72               219
                                   -------           -------
 Midstream, Marketing and Other
  Segment Earnings                      77                66
  Add:
    No significant items
      affecting earnings                --                --
                                   -------           -------
  Segment Core Results                  77                66
                                   -------           -------
 Total Segment Core Results          1,613             3,903
                                   -------           -------
 Corporate
  Corporate Results --
    Non Segment**                     (686)           (1,632)
  Add:
    Discontinued operations, net***      2                 1
                                   -------           -------
  Corporate Core Results --
    Non Segment                       (684)           (1,631)
                                   -------           -------
 TOTAL CORE RESULTS                $   929  $  1.14  $ 2,272  $  2.77
 ===============================   =======  =======  =======  =======
   *Represents amounts attributable to common stock, after deducting
    non-controlling interest of $14 million and $38 million for the
    third quarter 2009 and 2008, respectively.
  **Interest expense, income taxes, G&A expense and other.
 ***Amounts shown after tax.

 SIGNIFICANT TRANSACTIONS AND EVENTS AFFECTING EARNINGS (continued)
                                                          Nine Months
                                   ----------------------------------
 ($ millions, except                        Diluted           Diluted
  per-share amounts)                  2009      EPS     2008      EPS
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======
 TOTAL REPORTED EARNINGS*          $ 1,977  $  2.43  $ 6,414  $  7.77
                                   =======  =======  =======  =======
 Oil and Gas*
  Segment Earnings                 $ 3,092           $10,312
  Add:
    Rig terminations                     8                --
                                   -------           -------
  Segment Core Results               3,100            10,312
                                   -------           -------
 Chemicals
  Segment Earnings                     356               542
  Add:
    No significant items
      affecting earnings                --                --
                                   -------           -------
  Segment Core Results                 356               542
                                   -------           -------
 Midstream, Marketing and Other
  Segment Earnings                     154               350
  Add:
    No significant items
      affecting earnings                --                --
                                   -------           -------
  Segment Core Results                 154               350
                                   -------           -------
 Total Segment Core Results          3,610            11,204
                                   -------           -------
 Corporate
  Corporate Results --
    Non Segment**                   (1,625)           (4,790)
  Add:
    Severance accruals                  40                --
    Railcar leases                      15                --
    Tax effect of pre-tax
      adjustments                      (22)               --
    Discontinued operations, net***      7               (23)
                                   -------           -------
  Corporate Core Results --
    Non Segment                     (1,585)           (4,813)
                                   -------           -------
 TOTAL CORE RESULTS                $ 2,025  $  2.48  $ 6,391  $  7.74
 ================================  =======  =======  =======  =======
   *Represents amounts attributable to common stock, after deducting
    non-controlling interest of $35 million and $104 million for the
    nine months of 2009 and 2008, respectively.
  **Interest expense, income taxes, G&A expense and other.
 ***Amounts shown after tax.

            

Contact Data