
Conoco has been involved in several significant business deals over the years, including the acquisition of Phillips Petroleum in 2002. This deal marked a major expansion for Conoco, more than doubling its size.
Conoco has also made headlines for its environmental impact, particularly in Alaska where it has been involved in several high-profile controversies. The company has faced criticism for its role in the development of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Conoco's operations have also been linked to oil spills and other environmental disasters, such as the 2006 spill in the North Sea. In 2006, ConocoPhillips, as it was then known, reported a major oil spill in the North Sea, releasing an estimated 10,000 barrels of oil into the water.
The company has faced significant backlash for its environmental record, including lawsuits and regulatory fines.
If this caught your attention, see: Pension Protection Act of 2006
Conoco History
Conoco was founded in 1875 as the "Continental Oil and Transportation Company" in Ogden, Utah by Isaac Blake. The company was initially a coal, oil, kerosene, grease, and candles distributor in the West.

Conoco was reincorporated as part of Standard Oil in 1885, but became independent again in 1913 after the Supreme Court dissolved Standard Oil. This marked a significant turning point for the company.
Conoco merged with the Marland Oil Company in 1929, gaining a new logo that it used until 1970. The company moved its headquarters from Ponca City to Houston, Texas in 1949.
1875-1993
Conoco was founded in 1875 by Isaac Blake as the "Continental Oil and Transportation Company" in Ogden, Utah. This marked the beginning of a long and storied history for the company.
Conoco was reincorporated in 1885 as part of Standard Oil, a move that would have significant implications for the company's future.
After the Supreme Court of the United States dissolved Standard Oil in 1913, Conoco became an independent company once again. This was a major turning point for the company, allowing it to chart its own course and make decisions without being beholden to a larger corporation.
By 1929, Conoco had become a fully integrated oil company, distributing coal, oil, kerosene, grease, and candles in the West. This expansion marked a significant milestone for the company, demonstrating its ability to grow and adapt in a rapidly changing market.
In 1929, Conoco merged with the Marland Oil Company, a move that would bring significant changes to the company's operations and branding. The acquisition gave Conoco the red bar-and-triangle logo previously used by Marland, which it would use from 1930 to 1970.
Conoco was based in Ponca City until 1949, when it moved to Houston, Texas. This relocation marked a significant shift for the company, as it began to establish itself as a major player in the Texas energy market.
Here is a brief timeline of Conoco's early years:
- 1875: Conoco founded in Ogden, Utah by Isaac Blake
- 1885: Conoco reincorporated as part of Standard Oil
- 1913: Conoco becomes independent after Supreme Court dissolves Standard Oil
- 1929: Conoco merges with Marland Oil Company
- 1930: Conoco adopts Marland's red bar-and-triangle logo
- 1949: Conoco moves to Houston, Texas
1998
In 1998, Conoco acquired an interest in 10.5 blocks in the Kashagan Field in the Caspian Sea off Kazakhstan through the North Caspian Sea Production Sharing Agreement (NCSPSA).
This marked a significant expansion for Conoco into the international oil and gas market.
By the end of the year, Conoco had secured a valuable stake in the Kashagan oilfield.
On a similar theme: Kashagan Field
Conoco Operations
Conoco operates on a worldwide basis, exploring for, producing, transporting, and marketing crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, natural gas liquids, and liquefied natural gas.
The company manages its operations through six distinct segments, each defined by a specific geographic region. These segments include Alaska, the Lower 48, Canada, Europe, Middle East and North Africa, Asia Pacific, and Other International.
2017–2021
In February 2017, Ecuador was ordered to pay $380 million to ConocoPhillips for unlawfully expropriating the company's oil investments.
ConocoPhillips made a significant sale in March 2017, agreeing to sell its Foster Creek Christina Lake Partnership interest and Western Canada Deep Basin Gas assets to Cenovus Energy for $13.3 billion.
This sale led to a reduction of close to 30% of its proved oil and gas reserves.
In August 2017, the company sold its business in the San Juan Basin for $2.5 billion.
ConocoPhillips seized assets belonging to the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA from the Isla refinery on Curaçao in May 2018 to collect on $2 billion owed since a 2007 court decision.
Suggestion: Permian Basin Royalty Trust
The World Bank ruled in March 2019 that Venezuela must pay ConocoPhillips $8.7 billion to compensate for the 2007 expropriation of oil assets.
ConocoPhillips was awarded three operatorships and ownership interests in a total of five production licenses on the Norwegian continental shelf in 2019.
In December 2020, ConocoPhillips made the largest discovery of oil for the year, between 75.5 million and 201 million barrels in the Slagugle well.
Curious to learn more? Check out: September 2019 Events in the U.S. Repo Market
Operations
ConocoPhillips operates on a global scale, exploring for, producing, transporting, and marketing a variety of energy resources.
The company manages its operations through six distinct segments, each defined by a specific geographic region.
These segments include Alaska, where ConocoPhillips explores and produces oil and natural gas.
The Lower 48 segment refers to the continental United States, where the company also explores and produces oil and natural gas.
ConocoPhillips has a significant presence in Canada, where it explores and produces oil and natural gas.
For another approach, see: Conocophillips Dividend History
The Europe, Middle East and North Africa segment is another key area of operation for the company.
In this region, ConocoPhillips explores and produces oil and natural gas, as well as markets its products.
The Asia Pacific segment is also an important part of the company's operations.
Here, ConocoPhillips explores and produces oil and natural gas, as well as markets its products.
The Other International segment refers to the company's operations in other regions around the world.
ConocoPhillips manages its operations in these regions with the same level of expertise and care as its other segments.
Phillips Expands LNG Business with Gulf Coast Offtake Agreement
ConocoPhillips has made a significant move in expanding its LNG business with a new agreement.
The company has signed a long-term sales and purchase agreement (SPA) to purchase 4 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Port Arthur LNG Phase 2 project under development by Sempra Infrastructure.
This agreement supports ConocoPhillips' ability to reliably deliver natural gas to customers in key global markets.
The SPA is for a 20-year term on a free-on-board basis.
ConocoPhillips is also expanding its partnership with Sempra Infrastructure to include Phase 2 of the Port Arthur LNG project.
The company had previously signed a 20-year agreement for 5 MTPA of LNG offtake and executed an agreement to purchase a 30% equity stake in Phase 1 of Port Arthur LNG.
The Phase 1 project is expected to start up in 2027.
Sempra Infrastructure is also developing Phase 2, which will consist of trains 3 and 4.
The project has received a permit to export the equivalent of 698 billion cubic feet a year of natural gas, or about 13.5 MTPA of LNG, to FTA and non-FTA countries until 2050.
Here's a breakdown of the agreements:
ConocoPhillips' participation in Phase 2 will be offtake only.
The company's chairman and CEO, Ryan Lance, stated that this SPA advances the company's global LNG portfolio strategy.
Sempra's chairman and CEO, Jeffrey W. Martin, expressed excitement about extending the partnership with ConocoPhillips to expand the Port Arthur LNG facility.
Conoco Business Deals
ConocoPhillips has been expanding its LNG business with a new agreement to purchase 4 million tonnes per annum of LNG from the Port Arthur LNG Phase 2 project.
The project is located in Jefferson County, Texas, and will support ConocoPhillips' ability to reliably deliver natural gas to customers in key global markets. ConocoPhillips will offtake LNG over a 20-year term on a free-on-board basis.
ConocoPhillips already has a 20-year agreement to purchase 5 million tonnes per annum of LNG from the Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 project, where it will also acquire a 30 percent equity stake. This agreement is expected to start up in 2027.
Sempra, the parent company of Port Arthur LNG, is targeting a financial investment decision on Phase 2 in 2025. The company has already received a permit to export the equivalent of 698 billion cubic feet a year of natural gas, or about 13.5 million tonnes per annum of LNG, to FTA and non-FTA countries until 2050.
ConocoPhillips is pleased to extend its partnership with Sempra Infrastructure to Port Arthur LNG Phase 2, where it will be a major offtaker. This agreement advances ConocoPhillips' global LNG portfolio strategy as it builds a flexible and reliable LNG supply network to meet growing energy demand.
The role of U.S. LNG in meeting the energy security needs of America's allies continues to grow, according to Sempra's chairman and CEO, Jeffrey W. Martin. This is why Sempra is excited to extend its partnership with ConocoPhillips to expand the Port Arthur LNG facility.
Intriguing read: Sempra
Conoco Environmental Impact
ConocoPhillips has made significant strides in reducing its environmental impact. The company reported a 21% decrease in total CO2e emissions from 2019 to 2020, with a total of 16,200 Kt.
This reduction is a notable achievement, especially considering the company's continued operations in the energy sector. ConocoPhillips's annual total CO2e emissions have been steadily decreasing since 2017.
Consider reading: Emissions Reduction Currency Systems
Here is a breakdown of ConocoPhillips's annual total CO2e emissions from 2014 to 2020:
ConocoPhillips's efforts to reduce its environmental impact are evident in its declining emissions over the years. The company's commitment to sustainability is a positive step towards a more environmentally conscious future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Conoco a Russian-owned company?
No, ConocoPhillips is an American company, not Russian-owned. It's a multinational corporation focused on hydrocarbon exploration and production.
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