Post on 14-Apr-2015
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A COMPLETE INDUSTRY ANALYSIS
on
CONOCOPHILLIPS
Submitted by
Anubhav Dhyani - 25
Anupam Rozario - 26
Anupam Gogoi - 27
Company History
ConocoPhillips Company (NYSE: COP) is an American multinational energy corporation with its
headquarters located in the Energy Corridor district of Houston, Texas in the United States. It is also
one of the Fortune 500 companies and 22nd on Forbes Global 2000. ConocoPhillips is the fifth
largest private sector energy corporation in the world and is one of the six "supermajor" vertically
integrated oil companies. It sells fuel under the Conoco, Phillips 66 and Union 76 brands in North
America, and Jet in Europe. ConocoPhillips was created through the merger of Conoco Inc. and the
Phillips Petroleum Company on August 30, 2002.
ConocoPhillips traces its beginnings to 1875, when Conoco founder Isaac E. Blake envisioned an
idea to make kerosene available and affordable to townspeople in Ogden, Utah. Thirty years later,
the foundation for Phillips Petroleum Company began when brothers Frank and L.E. Phillips hit the
first of 81 wells without a dry hole. Nearly a century later, the two companies combined their
strengths to form what is now the third-largest energy company in the United States. The
ConocoPhillips merger, completed on Aug. 30, 2002, paved the path for the company’s current and
future success.
The years leading up to the formation of ConocoPhillips were marked by moments of triumph and
challenges. Several of these moments highlighted both Conoco and Phillips’ pioneering spirits.
Phillips led the path in innovation by becoming the first company to develop and market propane for
home heating and cooking, building the first long-
distance multiproduct pipeline and inventing a
process to make high-octane gasoline possible.
Conoco used its pioneering spirit to develop the first
filling station in the West, constructing what now is
one of the oldest operating refineries in the United
States and developing and receiving a patent for the
Vibrosis method of seismic oil exploration.
Together, the two companies helped make possible the current achievements of ConocoPhillips.
Since the merger, the company has continued to grow and make significant contributions to the
energy industry.
In 2006, Burlington Resources joined ConocoPhillips. The acquisition brought Burlington’s more
than 100 years of experience to ConocoPhillips and enhanced the company’s position as a leading
producer and marketer of natural gas. In recent years, ConocoPhillips began commercial production
of renewable diesel fuel, started the first Alpine satellite oil field, announced plans for a global water
sustainability center and formed a partnership with Tyson Foods, Inc. to produce next-generation
renewable diesel fuel. While ConocoPhillips’ history still is young, the histories of Conoco, Phillips
and Burlington provide a solid foundation for ConocoPhillips to leave a mark on the industry.
Conoco Inc.
Conoco Inc. began in 1875 as the Continental Oil and Transportation Co. Based in Ogden, Utah, the
company distributed coal, oil, kerosene, grease and candles to the West.
Phillips Petroleum Company
Phillips Petroleum Company traces its roots to Bartlesville, Okla., in the middle of Indian Territory.
In 1905, Frank Phillips and brother, L.E. hit their first gusher, the first of 81 wells in a row without
a single dry hole.
Burlington Resources
The seeds for Burlington Resources were planted in 1864 when U.S. President Abraham Lincoln
granted to Northern Pacific Railway Company, predecessor to Burlington Northern Railroad
Company, land and right-of-way to build a transcontinental railroad.
ConocoPhillips has a time-honored tradition of placing safety, health and environmental
stewardship at the top of our operating priorities. This will not change as we move forward
as an independent company. Our technical capability, asset quality and scale, and
financial strength are unmatched among independent upstream companies and uniquely
position us to compete anywhere in the world.
While North America is our home and provides the majority of our production, we are
active in almost 30 countries and in a wide range of geologic and geographic settings,
including some of the world’s most challenging areas. From the frozen Arctic to the arid
desert, we have a proven track record of responsibly and efficiently exploring for and
producing oil and natural gas.
Our production streams include light oil, heavy oil, oil sands, natural gas liquids,
conventional natural gas, coalbed methane, shale gas and oil, and liquefied natural gas
(LNG).
By combining our legacy strengths with the focus and culture of an independent company,
we believe we can unlock potential for all our stakeholders by helping to meet the world’s
energy needs.
Corporate Overview
ConocoPhillips explores for, produces, transports and markets crude oil, natural gas, natural gas
liquids, liquefied natural gas and bitumen on a worldwide basis. Key focus areas include safely
operating producing assets, executing existing major projects and exploring for new resources in
promising areas. The portfolio includes legacy assets in North America, Europe, Asia and
Australia; growing North American shale and oil sands businesses; a number of major
international development projects; and a global exploration program. ConocoPhillips conducts
exploration activities in 19 countries and produces hydrocarbons in 13 countries, with proved
reserves located in 15 countries as of Dec. 31, 2011. Headquartered in Houston, Texas,
ConocoPhillips has operations in almost 30 countries. As of May 1, 2012, the company had more
than 16,000 employees worldwide. ConocoPhillips common stock is listed on the New York
Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol COP.
2011 Accomplishments
Significant accomplishments in 2011 included
the following:
Maintaining commitment to operational
and personal safety.
Progressing portfolio repositioning.
Enhancing margins through focused
capital investment.
Replacing 120 percent of reserves on an
organic basis.
Growing production and acreage in
liquids-rich North American shale
plays.
Exploiting legacy positions and major
developments in North America, Europe
and Asia Pacific.
Sanctioning the Australia Pacific LNG
project.
Ramping up Canadian oil sands
production.
Outlook
Returns
Execute disciplined capital program of
approximately $15 billion per annum.
Continue optimization of the portfolio
and shift to high-margin production.
Deliver per-unit margin, ROCE and
CROCE improvements.
Growth
Achieve more than 100 percent reserve
replacement.
Deliver absolute production growth of 3
to 5 percent CAGR from 2013.
Distributions
Execute up to $10 billion in asset sales
from 2012 onward.
Repurchase shares, broadly tied to asset
sales.
Continuing progress on building high-
value exploration program.
.
Target annual dividend increases.
Type Public
Traded asNYSE: COP
S&P 500 Component
Industry Oil and gas
Predecessor(s)Conoco Inc.
Phillips Petroleum Company
Founded August 30, 2002[1]
HeadquartersHouston Energy Corridor,
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Area served Worldwide
Key peopleRyan Lance
(Chairman & CEO)
Products
Oil, natural gas, petroleum, lubricant,
petrochemical,
List of marketing brands
Revenue US$ 251.226 billion (2011)
Operating income US$ 23.001 billion (2011)
Net income US$ 12.436 billion (2011)
Total assets US$ 153.230 billion (2011)
Total equity US$ 65.224 billion (2011)
Employees 29,800 (2011)
Website ConocoPhillips.com
Financial Ratios
Upstream Activities
Conoco Phillips Exploration and Production (E&P) segment focuses on exploring, producing,
transporting and marketing natural gas, natural gas liquids, and most importantly crude oil on a
worldwide basis. Conoco Phillips has producing E&P operations domestically in the United States,
and internationally in Canada, United Kingdom, Norway, Australia, offshore Timor-Leste in the
Timor Sea, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, Libya, Nigeria, Algeria, and Russia. In addition, Conoco
Phillips is creating room for growth through key development projects in the Middle East, North
Africa, the Asia Pacific Region, and a global exploration program. The United States E&P operations
located in Alaska, Texas, and Oklahoma, and the Gulf of Mexico contribute to 40% of Conoco
Phillips E&P worldwide liquids production, and 41% of natural gas production. Conoco Phillips
European and Canadian operations accounts for 23% and 11% of the E&P production respectively,
and the rest comes from an even distribution of the remaining international operations. At the year
end of 2009, the E&P segment represented 66% of Conoco Phillips total assets. At the core of
Conoco Phillips business, in 2009, the E&P segment primarily maintains responsibility for 74% of
the net income accounting for $3.6 billion out of $4.86 billion total generated net income. The
profitability of E&P is directly correlated to crude oil and natural gas prices as commodities and the
nature of the industry crude oil and natural gas prices are controlled primarily by external forces such
as demand, supply, and consumer expectations. Some quick statistics on Conoco Phillips (excluding
LUKOIL) E&P assets include:
Reserves - 8.4 BBOE
Assets - $101 billion
Employees - 12,295
5- Year Reserve Replacement Average - 145%
Total Worldwide production - 1,854 MBOED
Crude oil and Natural gas Liquid Production - 968 MBD
Natural Gas Production - 4,877 MMCFD
Midstream Activities
The Midstream segment of Conoco Phillips purchases raw natural gas from producers and gathers
natural gas through extensive pipeline gathering systems. The gathered natural gas is processed to
extract natural gas liquids (NGL) such as ethane, propane, and butane, which are marketed as
chemical feedstock, fuel, and refinery blendstock. The remaining “residue” gas is marketed to utility
and industrial companies. This segment represents merely 1 percent of Conoco Phillips total assets
and is executed mainly through a 50% holding in DCP Midstream LLC. At the year end of 2009, the
midstream segment posted operating income of $313 million, which is only 6% of Conoco Phillips
bottom line. DCP Midstream is the leader for the midstream segment in the United States as the
largest natural gas gatherers and processors, NGL producer, and NGL marketers. Furthermore, the
gas is processed at 59 owned or operated DCP facilities where the gas is then transported and sold.
DCP Midstream is also a leading distributor of propane, and is traded on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol DPM.
Downstream Activities
Refining and Marketing (R&M) is the segment of Conoco Phillips that centers on refining crude oil
into gasoline, kerosene, diesel, and other types of fuels and feedstocks previously mentioned. Conoco
Phillips is the second largest refiner operating in the United States processing crude oil at a capacity
nearly 2 million barrels daily (MMBD) domestically, and the world’s fourth largest nongovernment
controlled refiner processing almost 2.7 MMBD internationally. Furthermore, transportation,
purchasing and distribution, and the development of downstream technology all fall under this
category. Refining and Marketing accounts for 24% of Conoco Phillips total assets at the year end of
2009. Due to high fuel prices in 2009, Conoco Phillips posted only $37 of operating income from the
R&M segment, which is less than 1% of the total net income at year end demonstrating how capital
intensive the refining process is. Marketing includes retail with outlets throughout Europe and North
America, and wholesale segmentation. Retail outlets consist of both company and dealer owned
establishments. Transportation of products to Conoco Phillips customers consists of company- owned
and common carrier pipelines, a tanker fleet, terminals, truck and railcars. These allow
ConocoPhillips a wide variety of transportation options and help maintain an extensive supply chain.
As a leader in the oil industry, ConocoPhillips deals in the sale of both crude and processed oil and
fuel products in both the retail and wholesale markets. At the year end of 2009, R&M marketed
gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel through approximately 9,900 retail and wholesale outlets globally.
The majority of these sites utilize the Phillips 66, Conoco, or 76 brands in the United States, and JET
brand in Europe. ConocoPhillips’ wholesale operations utilized a network of marketers operating
approximately 7,680 outlets that provide a refined product such as gasoline, and diesel from
company-owned refineries. Conoco Phillips also buys and sells petroleum products in the spot
market. Furthermore, ConocoPhillips produces products which are marketed on both a branded and
unbranded basis. In addition to gasoline and diesel, ConocoPhillips also produces and markets
aviation gasoline. At the end of the 2009, aviation gasoline and jet fuel were sold through
independent marketers at approximately 710 Phillips 66 branded locations in the United States. In
2006, Conoco Phillips decided to divest 830 U.S. company-owned and company-operated retail, and
dealer-operated outlets to new or existing wholesale marketers. Of the 830 sites, nearly 100 dealer-
operated sites remain for sale in 2010. Some quick statistics on Conoco Phillips 2009 year end R&M
segment include:
12 U.S. refineries
5 international refineries in 4 countries
Approximately 8,500 U.S. marketing outlets
Approximately 1,400 International marketing outlets
U.S. crude processing capability 2 MMBD
International crude processing 0.7 MMBD
Assets $37 billion
Employees 11,700
Key products
o Gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, LPGs, base oils, lubricants, solvents, aviation gasoline,
and premium fuel grade petroleum cokes
Value Chain Analysis
Delivering Shareholder Value :
ConocoPhillips’ strategy is focused on a disciplined approach to capital investment, maintenance of a
strong balance sheet and growing distributions to our shareholders. We are prioritizing our
investments on the highest-returning projects to improve our return on capital employed (ROCE) and
capital efficiency
We continue to optimize the portfolio, selling non-core holdings, and using these proceeds to fund
debt reductions and increase distributions to our shareholders through share repurchases. With our
strong financial position, our ability to add new reserves at competitive finding and development
costs, and our emphasis on operating excellence and cost control, we are well positioned to continue
creating shareholder value.
Optimizing the Asset Portfolio
Through nearly a decade of rapid growth driven by organic development, mergers and acquisitions,
ConocoPhillips built a substantial asset portfolio that extends throughout the energy value chain. We
are optimizing this portfolio by focusing on assets that offer the highest returns and growth potential,
Exploration
and
Production
Exploration
and
Production
Developing
Our People
Developing
Our People
Leveraging
Technology
Leveraging
Technology
Delivering Shareholder Value
Delivering Shareholder Value
while selling non-core holdings. We are forming a more focused asset base that drives improved
capital efficiency.
Improving Capital Efficiency
Earning an attractive ROCE is essential for capital intensive industries. To improve capital efficiency
and ROCE, we are diligently allocating investment funds to the highest-returning opportunities in our
portfolio. In today’s energy market, these are upstream projects focused on North American liquids
production and major international resource development.
Enhancing Financial Flexibility
A strong balance sheet provides the financial flexibility needed to capture emerging opportunities and
strategically adapt to changing markets. In 2010, we enhanced ConocoPhillips’ financial strength by
using our operating cash flow and asset-sale proceeds to reduce debt, return the debt-to-capital ratio
to its target range of 20 to 25 percent, and build a substantial balance of available cash. We are well
positioned for future opportunities.
Leveraging Technology:
Seismic Processing
ConocoPhillips continues building on our long history of innovation by developing and applying
state-of the- art acquisition and imaging techniques, such as reverse time migration and Life of Field
Seismic, that aim to improve our exploration success and resource recovery. The largest-ever
offshore, fiber-optic, permanent seismic reservoir monitoring installation was successfully finished
during 2010 at our Ekofisk Field in the North Sea.
Environmental Stewardship
Environmental stewardship is a key focus area. Our research spans water conservation, greenhouse
gas emissions reduction and removal of trace impurities from oil and gas. We are also exploring
highly efficient means of energy generation to maximize the value of energy resources, such as using
nano-materials in natural-gas-powered fuel cells.
Enhanced Recovery
ConocoPhillips continues leveraging our expertise with new research to increase ultimate total oil
recovery from our assets. Current areas of research include development of advanced nano-polymers,
microbial-enhanced oil recovery, chemical flooding and reservoir management systems.
Oil sands
We are developing technology to maximize production from our oil sands resources while
minimizing the environmental footprint. Innovative methods being researched include direct steam
generation, enhanced steam-assisted gravity drainage and radio frequency heating. We are also
utilizing our refining expertise to maximize the production of transportation fuels from each barrel of
heavy oil produced.
Biosciences
Our research efforts include developing stimulants that can be injected downhole to facilitate
microbial activity and enhance production. We are also working to leverage existing core refining
skills and infrastructure by producing biofuels, and funding research into fuel production from non-
food biomass and algae sources.
Developing Our People:
Diversity
We have achieved substantial progress in enhancing the diversity of our work force in terms of
capabilities, geographic origins, educational qualifications, race and gender. This will remain a
priority for us in the future. The five-year strategic plans of our business units and corporate staffs
include specific people plans that incorporate objectives regarding diversity and inclusion,
recruitment, employee retention and training and development.
Recruitment and Training
To ensure we attract a world-class work force, we recruit from dozens of universities worldwide,
advertise job openings on our Web site and more than 500 other employment sites, and utilize
targeted searches to fill critical jobs. Once employees are on board, we provide educational and
development opportunities intended to enable each person to realize their maximum potential. Career-
long training is part of the ConocoPhillips culture.
Exploration and Production
Operational excellence remains a core focus, and improvements in employee safety and
environmental performance.
ConocoPhillips’ E&P investments are directed toward domestic and international producing regions,
conventional as well as unconventional oil and natural gas reservoirs, and a combination of new and
legacy opportunities.
Refining and Marketing
R&M colleagues worked to enhance reliability by implementing risk-reduction techniques, ramping
up integrity programs and reinforcing a strong safety culture that empowers employees to intervene
when necessary to stop any unsafe work practices. As a result of such initiatives, R&M achieved a 27
percent improvement in safety performance during 2010, while also improving clean product yield.
On the environmental front, R&M took significant steps during 2010 to reduce the footprint of our
assets through selective investments. For example, at the Borger Refinery in Texas, R&M completed
a project to reduce benzene in gasoline. The project improves energy efficiency while removing 90
million pounds of benzene per year and reducing the benzene concentration in Borger’s gasoline
products by 70 percent. At the Wood River Refinery in Illinois, a second wet gas scrubber was
installed to reduce sulfur and particulate emissions. This and other projects have led to an overall 80
percent reduction in sulfur emissions since 2002.
COMMERCIAL
Our Commercial organization manages the company’s worldwide commodity portfolio. It partners
with our upstream, downstream and midstream businesses by providing expertise in optimization,
supply and marketing, while also opportunistically trading around our assets. In 2010, the
Commercial business was restructured on a global basis to increase focus on external markets as well
as the internal value chain. Our trading and supply functions are now positioned for sustained global
growth across our operations in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
For over a decade, ConocoPhillips has had in place key strategic alliances to provide access to
resources and opportunities in the Chemicals and Midstream segments.
These 50/50 joint ventures are:
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC (CPChem) – This joint venture with Chevron
Corporation is one of the world’s top producers of a wide range of petrochemicals, with
operations worldwide.
DCP Midstream, LLC (DCP Midstream) – This joint venture with Spectra Energy is the
largest natural gas liquids (NGL) producer in the United States, one of the largest natural gas
gatherers and processors, and a leading NGL marketer.
These alliances provide the ability to leverage financial and operational scale, and build key
relationships across the energy sector. They also improve market access for our production, provide
opportunities for our commercial business, and serve as a buffer against commodity price volatility.
Corporate citizenship
R&M is an active stakeholder in local communities, and participates in citizen advisory panels in
most refining communities. Through these panels, residents, business owners and community leaders
work with ConocoPhillips personnel to address concerns, answer questions and participate in local
events. R&M also strives to enhance the long-term well-being of the communities in which our
employees live and work.
Industry Analysis Using Porter’s Five Forces
The competitive force in the industry was evaluated by employing Porter’s Five Forces Model.
Porter’s model measures competitive force through the means of; barriers to entry, bargaining power
of suppliers, bargaining power of buyers, threat of substitutes, and degree of rivalry. These forces are
used to measure opportunity with respect to the Integrated Oil and Gas environment Conoco Phillips
engages in.
Barriers to Entry: High
The threat of new businesses emerging within the integrated petroleum industry is quite high for
several reasons. First of all, start up costs for a new company would be astronomical. In 2009,
Conoco Phillips spent nearly $143 billion on their total cost of goods sold49. Furthermore,
Exploration and Production costs are capital intensive. Conoco Phillips implemented a capital
program funding for 2010 of $11.2 billion of which 86% for support to Exploration and Production,
and 12% allocated to Refining50. A new startup company would have to have the finances or access
to finances in order to compete with the “supermajors” such as Conoco Phillips. In addition,
integrated petroleum companies have a competitive advantage concerning; technical expertise for
exploration and extraction of oil, financial advantage of cash flow to operations, and investment-
grade credit rankings. Investment grade rankings are necessary for financing debt. For example, in
2009 Conoco Phillips had a debt ratio nearly 40%, which means the firm does not have enough
working capital, or cash to finance operations or the company is making better use of their cash.
Either way, the integrated petroleum industry is highly capital intensive.
Bargaining Power of Suppliers: Medium
Suppliers to vertically integrated industries include services from companies such as Schlumberger
and Halliburton for technical hardware. Since there is a limited amount of suppliers who provide
technical equipment and the demand for technical supplies is high, means the suppliers wield some
leverage regarding technical hardware and support.
Bargaining Power of Buyers: Low
Buyers of oil and gas products range from individual users to large corporations and governments.
With the demand of fuel products extremely high at a current global consumption rate of 31 billion
barrels of crude annually, and the price of fuel being driven by market factors oil industries have little
control of demonstrates that customers have little bargaining power when it comes to the price of
fuel. Until there is a proven fuel substitute, customers will continue to pay for the high cost of oil. In
addition, as refining costs increase, oil companies can to pass these rising costs on to consumers who
demand it.
Threat of Substitutes: Low
As of yet, there are very few substitutes for oil. Although technology is moving extremely fast in the
area of renewable energy, no ready replacement for oil has been discovered as of yet. Bio-fuel is
offering some competition to the traditional means of energy, however, bio-fuel, so far at the least is
no real threat to the oil market or industry. Consequently, there is no immediate threat of substitution.
Degree of Rivalry: Medium
The vertically integrated oil and gas industry has many competitors which are spread out
domestically, and internationally implying a high degree of rivalry. The degree of rivalry is medium
and not high since most of the companies already have a specific market to sell to, and really do not
have a definitive method to differentiate oil or brand name from competitors, other than brand loyalty
and price. Oil companies try to differentiate and market their oil with additives, however, these
benefits are difficult to quantify by the customer and thus render little advantage. Until peak oil is a
major concern, the degree of rivalry will be medium.
Five Forces Summary
The oil and gas industry is an attractive business opportunity. At this moment in time, and for the
next decade as the world demands energy via crude oil, the vertically integrated oil companies will be
able to meet the demand. With the barriers to entry and substitution risk remaining high there is little
room in the near future for the threat of competition or substitution. The vertically integrated oil
companies are in the best position to profit in the future as oil becomes scarcer. In the future, as oil
becomes in short supply, the integrated companies will be in the best position to profit. Furthermore,
the integrated companies can purchase the assets of smaller distressed oil companies as they deplete
their reserves, and struggle to find new oil. As Conoco Phillips business model is discussed, it will
become clear that Conoco Phillips is in a nice position to gain advantage in relation to their
competition.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
Strong market position- The sheer size of Conoco Phillips is strength. The company stands as the
second largest oil company in the United States. Conoco Phillips operates in over thirty countries,
posses 9,900 retail and wholesale outlets which it distributes the company’s gas.
Wide geographical presence- As they have 19 refineries around the world. The enormous size of the
company allows it access to access various gas exploration sites and a steady source of revenue.
Extensive refining and marketing operation- Conoco Phillips owns a 20 % interest in LUKOIL
ConocoPhillips leverages this investment to diversify risk as LUKOIL invests heavily in more risky
investments such as exploration in Soviet bloc nations. Strong cash position- Conoco Phillips 20
percent interest allows COP to benefit from the successful investments of LUKOIL without risking
too much if an investment results in negative profits. Thus far Conoco Phillips has a maintained a
healthy relationship with the Russian government by offering LUKOIL expertise in the oil industry.
Weaknesses
Volatility in Oil price- A major weakness for Conoco Phillips is the volatility in oil price. While
Conoco Phillips unlevered beta (The unlevered beta is the beta of a company without any debt.
Unlevering a beta removes the financial effects from leverage) is relatively high for the industry at
1.21 and thus more exposed to market fluctuation then what first might be supposed. When oil prices
are high, Conoco Phillips reports profits above expectations. However when oil prices are low,
Conoco Phillips shows significantly lower revenues. Conoco Phillips dependency on oil prices
combined with highly volatile price fluctuations of oil prices can lead to a riskier business model than
the beta would actually suggest. Because Conoco Phillips main source of business is oil, it would be
nearly impossible for this oil giant to completely negate its exposure to oil price fluctuations.
Decline in Oil production and declining reserves - As we know Oil is not a renewable source of
energy, and most of the oil companies are facing this issue and getting into alternate sources of
energy
Opportunities
Exploration and Production- It is the focus of Conoco Phillips opportunity for growth. Presently,
Conoco Phillips is reinvesting in E&P, with a focus on its core business segments. This strategy is a
direct result from the broader economic forces that have retarded the commodities market. Net
positive projects are not being shelved as demonstrated in the $11.2 billion invested in capital
expenditures in 2009; however completion rates are being extended as Conoco Phillips tries to
maximize their payback with a pickup in the commodities market and the greater economy. With that
being said, there are a few growth opportunities in emerging businesses that Conoco Phillips would
like to or is pursuing, namely: emerging businesses, trading, fuel technology, and gas-to-liquids and
power generation.
The emerging business segment- It invests in areas other than Conoco Phillips’ existing enterprises.
In 2009, this meant a focus toward the completion of the Immingham Combined Heat and Power
facility, which will add 450 megawatts of electric capacity and 200 tons of steam to the UK’s Huber
refinery which brings the total capacity to 1,180 megawatts. A second project taken on by Conoco
Phillips is E-Gas technology, a proprietary venture for producing electric power and chemical
manufacturing using synthetic gas.
While Conoco Phillips will continue to look for alternatives from its core businesses as a means of
hedging against future developments, for the time being Conoco Phillips primary means of growth
will be exploration and the refining of harvested crude during peak demand periods. At the end of
2009, Conoco Phillips had proven reserves over 8 billion barrels, which placed it eighth among top
oil producers. Although Conoco Phillips has higher refining capabilities than most of its competitors,
getting more from a barrel of heavy crude for example, Conoco Phillips will need to continue to find
new fields either through exploration, acquisition or lease. Impediments to growth include high
volatility in the commodities market, uncertainty in exploration, limitations to the speed of
development for new energy sources as well as their associated technologies and finally, political
changes within the host nation of the corporation and its subsidiaries. While the value chain of oil
production is producer driven, without global demand, there will be little the industry can do to push
product onto consumers. Additionally, since exploration, development, refining and storage capacity
all take years to establish, Conoco Phillips will need to plan for the next phase in economic growth
independent of current conditions.
Increasing demand for refined products from Developed nations- Developing nations poses an
opportunity for Conoco Phillips. As nations such as China and Brazil continue to grow and develop
they will have a growing demand for petroleum. Conoco Phillips can capitalize on this increase in
demand by preparing for additional demand. One way that Conoco Phillips could do this would be by
building refinery factories in China and thus capitalize on a developing market.
Producing heavy crude from oil shale- It is another opportunity for Conoco Phillips. Conoco
Phillips has been ramping up its ability to refine heavy crude for some time. This increase in capacity
has been done largely in anticipation of Canada’s heavy oil sands becoming a higher percentage of
the world’s oil supply. Because Conoco Phillips foresaw this trend before it actually began to develop
the company is in a unique position to gain market share as the propensity continues.
Agreement with Archer Daniels Midland Company for Biofuel- The Company announced that
they agreed to collaborate on the development of renewable transportation fuels from biomass,
creating a partnership between the biggest U.S. ethanol producer and one of the biggest oil refiners.
The collaboration will research and seek to commercialize two components of a next-generation
biofuel production process:
Threats
Competition- Conoco Phillips faces significant amounts of competitive pressure from companies
such as Exxon-Mobil, Chevron, Royal Dutch, and British Petroleum. Due to the similarity of the
quality of oil, it is nearly impossible for ConocoPhillips to segment itself in the oil industry.
Consequently, all of ConocoPhillips rival corporations are extremely competitive with the firm. The
one fact that offsets this is that there is a strong barrier to entry into the oil industry. It costs a
significant amount of money to locate and drill oil wells. As a result, not many businesses can readily
enter the oil market. This means that while the industry is indeed highly competitive, the cost
prohibits many new entries into the market.
Environmental regulations & Technology- The modern world desires to find renewable sources of
energy. As of yet, that desire has been left largely unmet, leaving oil the predominant source of
energy. However, if the world discovers a renewable source of energy and produces it on a mass
scale, this breakthrough could jeopardize the entire oil industry. Conclusively, ConocoPhillips and its
competitors are in an extremely precarious situation. Currently, technology already slightly affects oil
companies’ revenues. Bio-fuel is being utilized and researched at an ever growing rate. Oregon
already mandates gas used for cars contain 10% ethanol. More states will likely to follow suit,
especially as cars become more adept at functioning with ethanol blended fuel. Another current
technology threat is that the vehicle industry will continue to make more oil efficient cars. If this
trend of increasing vehicles fuel efficiency continues, the revenues of Conoco Phillips will eventually
be harmed.
Economic slowdown in the US and EU- Its a threat as most of the clients are from these two
geographical areas and it is affecting the company as people's disposable income is reducing and the
labour cost of the company is on rise
TOWS Matrix
SO strategies
Explore Developed nations- They can also start to make their mark in developing countries by
building refineries in countries like china and capitalize developing market.
Promote new and emerging opportunities for supply chain companies – for example in offshore
wind, carbon capture & storage (CCS) and decommissioning
Create Competitive advantage in Heavy crude Oil- They foresaw the trend to extract heavy crude
from oil shale with the help of their advanced R&D department, they should work extensively along
with renewable sources to create Competitive advantage for themselves
Find new Fields- Conoco Phillips will need to continue to find new fields either through exploration,
acquisition or lease.
ST strategies
Create Entry barrier for alternative energy companies- As we can see that the threats is posed by
the competitors but the entry barrier is very high as it costs a lot of money to locate and drill oil. and
it's strength is its sheer size and it's there in various countries also it can negate the competition
through LUKOIL's investments. They should also create high entry barriers for the companies who
are getting into renewable sources of energy by using their enormous strength and R&D facilities to
create infrastructure in that area also.
Focus on Exploring more alternative source of energy- With its huge reserves it is already
investing in new technologies like bio-fuel and other alternate technologies.
WO strategies
Invest heavily in renewable energy sources to negate Volatility in oil prices- Volatility in oil price
cannot be negated but by investing heavily in new technology, they can move to other markets which
will help them moderating the risk associated.
Economies of Scale- They can also reduce the risk through economies of scale by expanding to
developed nations
WT strategies
Minimize threats from competitors- By investing in newer technologies they can minimize the
threats from the competitors as they can have new technologies which may not be there in other
competitors like bio-fuel and heat and power facility.
Identify clear priorities for innovation and accelerating technology deployment – including long-
term research & development plan and greater co-ordination of public funds to support rise in
recovery rates with a minimum long-term target of 50 per cent
Corporate Strategies implemented
RepositioningConoco Phillip are pursuing a plan to create two leading energy companies. They are moving the
assets and businesses related to our downstream functions to a separate legal entity that will be
distributed, or “spun off,” as a new publicly-traded company. The strategy will position
ConocoPhillips as an upstream company and will create a new downstream company.
Under the plan, ConocoPhillips will be a large and geographically-diverse pure play Exploration &
Production (E&P) company, with strong returns and investment opportunities. As a separate
company, the downstream company will be a low-cost, integrated business with refining,
marketing, transportation, midstream and chemicals businesses, an investment grade credit rating
and significant financial flexibility.
Impact
The transaction will create two strong, independent companies positioned to compete most effectively
in the changing energy environment. Both companies will be uniquely positioned in their respective
industries, with the management focus, financial strength and technical capability to successfully
invest in the industry’s highest returning projects. We see significant long-term benefit from this
repositioning and expect that others will too. More details on how this move unlocks potential to
create shareholder value is available on the ConocoPhillips Investor Relations website.
When the repositioning is completed, ConocoPhillips shareholders will keep their ConocoPhillips
shares (which will be the pure-play upstream company), and will also receive shares of the new
downstream company in a 2:1 ratio.
During the transition process consumers should continue to expect reliable, quality ConocoPhillips
branded fuels and other consumer products (which all lie within the downstream business). These will
not be affected. We believe that this transaction will better position both businesses to meet the needs
of consumers and the marketplace. Energy prices and supply are determined by market conditions,
including the price of crude oil and world demand. ConocoPhillips’ repositioning will not impact
these market dynamics
The Strategic plan covers the first phase (from 2008 to 2013) of our long-term effort to slow, stop
and ultimately reverse the rate of growth of GHG emissions from our operations. During this period,
they anticipate that governmental climate change policies and regulations will become increasingly
well-defined in the countries in which they operate. Key elements of the plan include:
• Equipping for a low-emission world: Using technology and resources to understand the business
implications of climate change, and integrating that understanding into our business strategy, long-
range planning, project development, and operations processes and practices.
• Reducing our emissions: Evaluating GHG reduction opportunities, developing plans for our
operations and implementing reduction projects.
• Pursuing new business opportunities: Analyzing the full range of new business opportunities that
may emerge in a low-carbon economy and making investment decisions in a timely, strategic manner.
• Leveraging carbon trading and technology innovation: Optimizing the value of emission
allowances and offsets, and pursuing the research, development and deployment of technology to
both manage our own emissions and drive development of potential new .business opportunities.
Paradigm Strategic Plans
ConocoPhillips CEO James Mulva signaled a dramatic shift in course for the nation's third-largest oil
company, saying that after years of bulking up through acquisitions, it is now focused on being a
smaller, leaner business that takes better care of its shareholders.
Under the two-year program, the company is considering selling the bottom 10 percent of its
producing assets in North America and some natural gas properties in the North Sea It may also
unload pipelines and terminals in the U.S. and its 9 percent stake in Syncrude, a joint venture to
develop oil sands in Canada, as well as other assets.
The company intends to retain a “strategic relationship” with Russia's Lukoil, in which it owns a 20
percent stake, and has no immediate plans to sell oil refineries in the U.S. or abroad, Mulva said.
However, it could look to sell less sophisticated and less competitive refineries beginning in 2012,
once the struggling refining business improves and valuations for facilities rise, he said.
ConocoPhillips underscore challenges facing major oil and gas companies and may even call into
question the bigger-is-better, integrated business model that has prevailed in the oil industry for
decades. International oil companies including Exxon Mobil Corp., Chevron Corp. and BP have
vastly increased their size in recent decades to expand their global reach, reduce costs and diversify
asset bases as it's gotten harder to find and develop reserves. ConocoPhillips, Houston's largest public
company, with $225 billion in revenue last year, has followed the same course. In 2006, it purchased
Burlington Resources for $35.6 billion in a deal that expanded its natural gas holdings in the U.S. but
was criticized for being too costly and loading the company with too much debt. In the last quarter of
2008, the company had to write down $34 billion in assets stemming mostly from the Burlington
deal.
Now, ConocoPhillips appears to be embracing a business model more akin to smaller, independent
oil companies, which many investors prefer because they are more nimble and likely to deliver better
returns.
ConocoPhillips, the second-largest U.S. oil refiner, said it has no plans to close refineries
permanently, despite a sharp downturn in the business that led Valero Energy and Sunoco to shutter
plants. But it strongly hinted it could sell plants in coming years.
ConocoPhillips had cut its 2010 capital spending budget by 12 percent to $11 billion. The move,
along with the asset sales, is designed to reduce debt, improve financial flexibility and boost
shareholder value.
When the biggest international companies were scrambling to buy whatever they could, whether it
was oil sands in Canada, deep water fields off the Brazilian coast or shale gas in the US. But all these
assets were more expensive to develop and had longer lead times. It had become harder for
ConocoPhillips to keep up with its much bigger peers.
ConocoPhillips has decided to sell , fixing a goal of $17bn of disposals by 2012.The shrink-to-grow
strategy caused the ConocoPhillips share price to outperform its peers over the past year. The
decision to split the company into two new entities led its shares to surge.