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ConocoPhillips Seeks Buyer for Trainer, Pa., Refinery


WEBWIRE

HOUSTON, --- ConocoPhillips [NYSE:COP] announced today that it is seeking a buyer for its 185,000 barrel-per-day refinery in Trainer, Pa., and associated pipelines and terminals. ConocoPhillips will immediately begin the process of idling the facility and will permanently close the plant in six months if a sales transaction is unsuccessful.

“After exploring a wide range of alternatives for the refinery, the decision to sell is based on the level of investment required to remain competitive,” said Willie Chiang, senior vice president of Refining, Marketing, Transportation and Commercial. “U.S. East Coast refining has been under severe market pressure for several years. Product imports, weakness in motor fuel demand, and costly regulatory requirements are key factors in creating this very difficult environment. This action is consistent with our stated strategic objective to reduce our refining portfolio,” added Chiang.

“Trainer Refinery has a rich history and we are both proud and appreciative of the efforts and strong performance demonstrated by our employees. Our people have shown a long-standing commitment to operating in a safe, reliable and efficient manner,” said Chiang.

ConocoPhillips employees and contractors have been notified of the idling and potential permanent closure of the facility if a sales transaction cannot be completed. ConocoPhillips will redeploy employees to other positions within the company where possible. Employees who are not redeployed will receive severance benefits and job placement services.

“We are grateful for the relationships we have within the local communities, recognize the potential adverse impacts of this decision, and pledge to keep our employees and communities informed as this process moves forward,” said Chiang.

The company expects to recognize a non-cash asset impairment of approximately $300 million after tax in its third-quarter financial results.

ConocoPhillips is an integrated energy company with interests around the world. Headquartered in Houston, the company had approximately 29,900 employees, $160 billion of assets, and $244 billion of annualized revenues as of June 30, 2011. For more information, go to www.conocophillips.com.


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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. 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.



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