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ConocoPhillips Makes Final Investment Decision to Develop the Willow Project

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ConocoPhillips (COP) approves Willow project in Alaska, projecting $8-17 billion in new revenue and 600 million barrels of oil production. The project aims to decrease American dependence on foreign energy supplies and create over 2,500 construction jobs and 300 long-term jobs.
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The announcement by ConocoPhillips to proceed with the Willow project marks a strategic expansion in the company's portfolio. With the project expected to yield 600 million barrels over its lifetime, it represents a significant increase in domestic energy supply. This development is poised to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign oil, potentially stabilizing local markets and contributing to national energy security.

The projected revenue of $8 billion to $17 billion indicates a substantial fiscal impact, benefiting the federal government, the state of Alaska and Alaska Native communities. For investors, the long-term revenue stream could support stock valuations and provide a hedge against oil price volatility.

However, investors should consider the environmental scrutiny and legal challenges faced by such projects. While the recent court ruling is favorable, ongoing legal risks could affect timelines and costs. Moreover, the project's alignment with environmental standards and subsistence activities will be critical in maintaining its social license to operate.

The Willow project's environmental and regulatory review spanning five years highlights the increasing complexity of launching energy projects. Stakeholders, including investors, must weigh the environmental risks and the company's commitment to high environmental standards against the potential economic benefits.

ConocoPhillips' emphasis on using materials primarily made and sourced in the U.S. and the potential to create over 2,500 construction jobs aligns with broader economic goals of job creation and supply chain resilience. Nonetheless, the environmental impact of such large-scale projects remains a contentious issue and the company's ability to manage these concerns will affect its reputation and, by extension, its financial performance.

The capital expenditure required for the Willow project's construction phase will likely be significant, impacting ConocoPhillips' short-term cash flow. Investors should analyze the company's financials to assess the adequacy of its capital structure and liquidity to support this investment.

Long-term, the project could provide a stable cash flow, enhancing the company's ability to pay dividends and invest in further growth. The addition of 300 long-term jobs also suggests a commitment to operational efficiency and community development, potentially improving the company's public image and stakeholder relations.

It is important to monitor the project's progress against its projected timelines and budgets, as deviations could materially impact expected returns. Investors should also be aware of the potential impact of future environmental legislation and changes in energy policy on the project's viability.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) announced today that it will move forward with development of the Willow project in Alaska. This Final Investment Decision approves the project and funds construction needed to reach first oil. The decision follows the Department of the Interior March 2023 Record of Decision and recent positive court orders, including this week’s Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denial of plaintiffs’ request for an injunction.

“We are excited to reach this significant milestone,” said Ryan Lance, chairman and chief executive officer. “With this project authorization, we’ve begun winter construction and Alaskans have started to receive the benefits from responsible energy development.”

According to the Bureau of Land Management, the Willow project is projected to deliver $8 billion to $17 billion in new revenue for the federal government, the state of Alaska and Alaska Native communities. When completed, Willow is estimated to produce approximately 600 million barrels across the lifetime of the project, decreasing American dependence on foreign energy supplies. Designed to support and coexist with subsistence activities on Alaska’s North Slope, the Willow project underwent five years of rigorous regulatory and environmental review. Willow will be built using materials primarily made and sourced in the U.S. and has the potential to create over 2,500 construction jobs and approximately 300 long-term jobs.

“We are grateful for the many supporters who advocated for Willow. Alaska Native communities and groups, especially those closest to the project on the North Slope, continually provided input that helped shape this project. We also appreciate the unwavering support from Alaska’s bipartisan Congressional Delegation – Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Representative Mary Peltola – the state legislature and organized labor groups,” Lance added. “Our employees and the contractor community have dedicated years to designing a project that will provide reliable energy while adhering to the highest environmental standards.”

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About ConocoPhillips

ConocoPhillips is one of the world’s leading exploration and production companies based on both production and reserves, with a globally diversified asset portfolio. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, ConocoPhillips had operations and activities in 13 countries, $94 billion of total assets, and approximately 9,800 employees at Sept. 30, 2023. Production averaged 1,801 MBOED for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2023, and proved reserves were 6.6 BBOE as of Dec. 31, 2022. For more information, go to www.conocophillips.com.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined under the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events, plans and anticipated results of operations, business strategies, and other aspects of our operations or operating results. Words and phrases such as “anticipate," “estimate,” “believe,” “budget,” “continue,” “could,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict," “seek,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “expect,” “objective,” “projection,” “forecast,” “goal,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “effort,” “target” and other similar words can be used to identify forward-looking statements. 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 be reasonable at the time such forward-looking statement is made. However, these statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and other factors beyond our control. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecast in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from what is presented include changes in commodity prices, including a prolonged decline in these prices relative to historical or future expected levels; global and regional changes in the demand, supply, prices, differentials or other market conditions affecting oil and gas, including changes resulting from any ongoing military conflict, including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the global response to such conflict, security threats on facilities and infrastructure, or from a public health crisis or from the imposition or lifting of crude oil production quotas or other actions that might be imposed by OPEC and other producing countries and the resulting company or third-party actions in response to such changes; insufficient liquidity or other factors, such as those listed herein, that could impact our ability to repurchase shares and declare and pay dividends such that we suspend our share repurchase program and reduce, suspend, or totally eliminate dividend payments in the future, whether variable or fixed; changes in expected levels of oil and gas reserves or production; potential failures or delays in achieving expected reserve or production levels from existing and future oil and gas developments, including due to operating hazards, drilling risks or unsuccessful exploratory activities; unexpected cost increases, inflationary pressures or technical difficulties in constructing, maintaining or modifying company facilities; legislative and regulatory initiatives addressing global climate change or other environmental concerns; public health crises, including pandemics (such as COVID-19) and epidemics and any impacts or related company or government policies or actions; investment in and development of competing or alternative energy sources; potential failures or delays in delivering on our current or future low-carbon strategy, including our inability to develop new technologies; disruptions or interruptions impacting the transportation for our oil and gas production; international monetary conditions and exchange rate fluctuations; changes in international trade relationships or governmental policies, including the imposition of price caps, or the imposition of trade restrictions or tariffs on any materials or products (such as aluminum and steel) used in the operation of our business, including any sanctions imposed as a result of any ongoing military conflict, including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East; our ability to collect payments when due, including our ability to collect payments from the government of Venezuela or PDVSA; our ability to complete any announced or any future dispositions or acquisitions on time, if at all; the possibility that regulatory approvals for any announced or any future dispositions or acquisitions will not be received on a timely basis, if at all, or that such approvals may require modification to the terms of the transactions or our remaining business; business disruptions following any announced or future dispositions or acquisitions, including the diversion of management time and attention; the ability to deploy net proceeds from our announced or any future dispositions in the manner and timeframe we anticipate, if at all; potential liability for remedial actions under existing or future environmental regulations; potential liability resulting from pending or future litigation, including litigation related directly or indirectly to our transaction with Concho Resources Inc.; the impact of competition and consolidation in the oil and gas industry; limited access to capital or insurance or significantly higher cost of capital or insurance related to illiquidity or uncertainty in the domestic or international financial markets or investor sentiment; general domestic and international economic and political conditions or developments, including as a result of any ongoing military conflict, including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East; changes in fiscal regime or tax, environmental and other laws applicable to our business; and disruptions resulting from accidents, extraordinary weather events, civil unrest, political events, war, terrorism, cybersecurity threats or information technology failures, constraints or disruptions; and other economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting our business generally as set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Unless legally required, ConocoPhillips expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Dennis Nuss (media)

281-293-1149

dennis.nuss@conocophillips.com

Rebecca Boys (Alaska media)

907-263-4115

rebecca.a.boys@conocophillips.com

Investor Relations

281-293-5000

investor.relations@conocophillips.com

Source: ConocoPhillips

FAQ

What did ConocoPhillips (COP) announce regarding the Willow project?

ConocoPhillips (COP) announced the Final Investment Decision to move forward with the development of the Willow project in Alaska, approving the project and funding construction needed to reach first oil.

How much new revenue is the Willow project projected to deliver?

The Willow project is projected to deliver $8 billion to $17 billion in new revenue for the federal government, the state of Alaska, and Alaska Native communities.

How many barrels of oil is the Willow project estimated to produce?

The Willow project is estimated to produce approximately 600 million barrels of oil across the lifetime of the project.

How many construction jobs and long-term jobs is the Willow project expected to create?

The Willow project has the potential to create over 2,500 construction jobs and approximately 300 long-term jobs.

What is the goal of the Willow project in terms of American energy dependence?

The Willow project aims to decrease American dependence on foreign energy supplies.

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