Update on Peng Lai 19-3 Incidents

ConocoPhillips Reaches Settlement Agreement related to Bohai Bay Incidents

HOUSTON, January 24, 2012 - ConocoPhillips [NYSE:COP] today announced they and the China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) have reached an agreement with China's Ministry of Agriculture to resolve issues related to the June 2011 incidents at the Peng Lai 19-3 field in Bohai Bay. Under this agreement, RMB 1 billion (approximately $160 million) will be paid as compensation to settle public and private claims of potentially affected fishermen in relevant Bohai Bay communities. The agreement fulfills the objectives of the compensation fund announced in September 2011 by ConocoPhillips.

ConocoPhillips will also designate a portion, RMB 100 million (approximately $16 million), of the company’s previously announced environmental fund to be used to improve fishery resources. ConocoPhillips is committed to delivering on environmental stewardship as a responsible corporate citizen in China and around the world.
 
For more on the incidents, response and clean up efforts, go to www.conocophillips.com.cn.

 


CONTACTS

Aftab Ahmed (media) 281-293-4138
aftab.ahmed@conocophillips.com  

Clayton Reasor (investors) 212-207-1996
 c.c.reasor@conocophillips.com


 

 

FAQ

Q. How does the agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture impact the previously announced Bohai Bay Compensation Fund and the environmental fund?
A. The agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture provides for compensation to settle public and private claims of potentially affected fishermen in relevant Bohai Bay communities. The agreement fulfills the objectives of the compensation fund announced in September 2011 by ConocoPhillips.

The agreement also calls for ConocoPhillips China to designate a portion of the company’s previously announced environmental fund to be used to improve the fishery resources. The MOA will administer these environmental funds. Some money will be maintained in the previously announced environmental fund for projects to support the overall well-being of the Bohai Bay environment and neighboring communities. This is consistent with ConocoPhillips’ commitment to be a good corporate citizen and invest in the communities where we work.

 

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. 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, changes in commodity prices and refining and marketing margins; changes in expected levels of oil and gas reserves or production; operating hazards, drilling risks, unsuccessful exploratory activities; difficulties in developing new products and manufacturing processes; unexpected cost increases or difficulties maintaining or improving company manufacturing or refining facilities; unexpected difficulties in manufacturing, transporting or refining crude oil; international monetary conditions; potential liability for remedial actions under existing or future environmental regulations; potential liability resulting from pending or future litigation; limited access to capital or significantly higher cost of capital related to illiquidity or uncertainty in the domestic or international financial markets; and general domestic and international economic and political conditions; as well as changes in tax, environmental 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.

 

Peng Lai 19-3 Incidents

In June 2011, ConocoPhillips China experienced two unrelated releases of fluids from the Peng Lai B and C platform areas, where initial estimates indicate approximately 700 barrels (115 cubic meters) of oil were released into the sea and 2,600 barrels (416.45 cubic meters) of mineral oil-based mud (MOBM) were released onto the seabed.

ConocoPhillips takes responsibility for its actions in regards to the accidents and has responded with urgency and expert resources. Throughout the response, ConocoPhillips, with the supervision of CNOOC, quickly took steps to identify problems and mitigate the impact. We have brought in experts from around the globe to assist in the safe implementation of the response efforts, which included deploying specialized, advanced equipment and technology.

ConocoPhillips announced the establishment of the Bohai Bay Compensation Fund and an environmental fund in September 2011.  The funds recognize the company’s responsibility for the accidents and demonstrate its commitment to the people and government of China.

We sincerely regret the occurrence of these accidents, despite our previous sound record as an operator in Nanhai since the 1980s and Bohai since the 1990s, and despite our considerable planning, expert reviews and management policies designed to enhance safety and environmental protection. We have learned very important lessons which we are applying to our operations aimed at improving safety and preventing risk of reoccurrences. We will also share this knowledge with the industry to promote future operational excellence.