News Release
HOUSTON, Nov. 16, 2011 – ConocoPhillips [NYSE:COP] announced today that as part of its ongoing strategy to create shareholder value it has entered into agreements to sell its interests in two U.S. pipeline companies for a total of $2 billion.
ConocoPhillips has entered into definitive agreements with a subsidiary of Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (“CDPQ”) to sell its 16.55 percent interest in Colonial Pipeline Company and Colonial Ventures LLC (“Colonial”). The transaction is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2012 following the completion of contractual Rights of First Refusal review by the existing shareholders in Colonial.
In addition, ConocoPhillips has entered into definitive agreements with Enbridge Holdings (Seaway) L.L.C., a subsidiary of Enbridge (U.S.) Inc., to sell its ownership interest in the Seaway Crude Pipeline Company (SCPC). The transaction is anticipated to close in December, subject to satisfaction of customary conditions precedent and completion of certain arrangements regarding other logistics services currently provided by SCPC to ConocoPhillips.
"These two sales of non-core pipeline assets are important components of our $15-20 billion divestiture program for the years 2010-2012. We are pleased that CDPQ and Enbridge have recognized the value of these quality assets," said Al Hirshberg, senior vice president, Planning and Strategy, ConocoPhillips. "Through September 2011, the 2010-2012 divestiture program has yielded proceeds from asset dispositions of $8 billion. Once closed, these two transactions, along with other sales already closed in the fourth quarter, would increase that total to approximately $10.5 billion, and strongly position us to accomplish our target by the end of 2012.”
The sale of the Colonial and Seaway interests 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.
ConocoPhillips is an integrated energy company with interests around the world. Headquartered in Houston, the company had approximately 29,700 employees, $155 billion of assets, and $247 billion of annualized revenues as of September 30, 2011. For more information, go to https://www.conocophillips.com/.
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CONTACTS
Aftab Ahmed (media) 281-293-4138
aftab.ahmed@conocophillips.com
Clayton Reasor (investors) 212-207-1996
c.c.reasor@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.