HOUSTON, March 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: APC) today announced its 2015 initial capital expectations and guidance, concurrent with its 2015 Investor Conference Call.

2015 INVESTOR CONFERENCE CALL HIGHLIGHTS

• Anticipates approximately 5-percent year-over-year oil sales-volume growth in 2015, on a divestiture-adjusted basis(1)
• Forecasts improved 2015 liquids product mix of approximately 50 percent, even with the reduction of more than 9 million net barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) of assumed ethane rejection
• Establishes net resources of more than 1 billion BOE in the Wolfcamp Shale
• Achieves first oil at the 80,000-barrels-of-oil-per-day Lucius spar and enhances value through new production-handling agreement
• Announces more than $700 million of asset monetizations to date in 2015

"During 2015, we are confident in our ability to leverage our deep, high-quality portfolio of opportunities, strong balance sheet and efficient capital allocation to preserve value and maintain flexibility," said Anadarko Chairman, President and CEO Al Walker. "Few companies have accomplished operationally what Anadarko has achieved over the last five years; although, in the current market, we believe it is prudent to reduce capital investments and position the company for the future, rather than to pursue year-over-year growth. As a result, we've reduced our initial 2015 capital expectations by approximately 33 percent relative to last year, with plans to reduce our short-cycle U.S. onshore rig activity by 40 percent and defer approximately 125 onshore well completions. We have successfully delivered value during previous challenging commodity-price cycles, and I believe we have the skills, financial capacity and portfolio to deliver in this environment. Our focus continues to be on getting better, not necessarily bigger, while ensuring we are well positioned to accelerate activity as costs become more aligned with commodity prices and returns improve."

2015 INITIAL SALES-VOLUME AND CAPITAL EXPECTATIONS

SHORT CASH CYCLE

Anadarko's Wattenberg Horizontal program continues to generate some of the strongest U.S. onshore returns in the industry, primarily as a result of the company's consolidated core acreage position, expansive infrastructure and minerals-interest ownership. The resilient economics of the Wattenberg field continue to make it an attractive place to invest in 2015 as it generates better than 30-percent before-tax rates of return at current strip prices. Additionally, the company plans to allocate capital toward its Eagleford Shale activity which, at current strip prices, generates before-tax rates of return of more than 20 percent.

MID CASH CYCLE

Anadarko remains committed to investing in assets that are expected to generate significant growth in the next one to three years. Among these assets is the Wolfcamp Shale in the Delaware Basin of West Texas, where the company is applying its proven integrated midstream approach to build the foundation for future growth. As a result of the company's delineation activities to date, Anadarko has established a net resource estimate of more than 1 billion BOE with more than 5,000 identified drilling locations in the heart of the Wolfcamp Shale oil play. Additionally, Anadarko is leveraging its hub-and-spoke philosophy at its Lucius spar in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico by reaching a new production-handling agreement for the nearby third-party Buckskin/Moccasin project, while continuing to advance development of the Heidelberg and TEN mega projects in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Ghana, respectively, toward first production in 2016.

LONG CASH CYCLE

In 2015, Anadarko expects to drill nine to 12 deepwater exploration/appraisal wells focusing on play-opening exploration opportunities in Colombia, Kenya and the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, Anadarko continues to advance existing discoveries at Shenandoah in the Gulf of Mexico and Paon offshore Côte d'Ivoire toward commerciality, while continuing to progress its Mozambique LNG project.

Four pages of supplemental materials including the company's 2015 initial guidance, updated hedging positions and a reconciliation of divestiture-adjusted sales volumes are provided in the tables attached to this release.

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Anadarko Petroleum Corporation's mission is to deliver a competitive and sustainable rate of return to shareholders by exploring for, acquiring and developing oil and natural gas resources vital to the world's health and welfare. As of year-end 2014, the company had approximately 2.86 billion barrels-equivalent of proved reserves, making it one of the world's largest independent exploration and production companies. For more information about Anadarko and APC Flash Feed updates, please visit www.anadarko.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Anadarko believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions. No assurance, however, can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, anticipated results or other expectations expressed in this news release, including Anadarko's ability to meet financial and operating guidance; to meet the objectives identified in this news release; to consummate the transaction described in this news release; to execute the 2015 capital program; to drill, develop and commercially operate the drilling prospects identified in this news release; to achieve production and budget expectations on its mega projects; and to successfully plan, secure necessary government approvals, finance, build and operate the necessary structure and an LNG park. See "Risk Factors" in the company's 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other public filings and press releases. Anadarko undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Cautionary Note to Investors: The United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") permits oil and gas companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only proved, probable and possible reserves that meet the SEC's definitions for such terms. Anadarko uses certain terms in this news release, such as "net resources," "net resource estimate," and similar terms that the SEC's guidelines strictly prohibit Anadarko from including in filings with the SEC. U.S. investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in Anadarko's Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2014, File No. 001-08968, available from Anadarko at www.anadarko.com or by writing Anadarko at: Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, 1201 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77380, Attn: Investor Relations. This form may also be obtained by contacting the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

ANADARKO CONTACTS

MEDIA:
John Christiansen, [email protected], 832.636.8736
Stephanie Moreland, [email protected], 832.636.2912
Christina Ramirez, [email protected], 832.636.8687

INVESTORS:
John Colglazier, [email protected], 832.636.2306
Robin Fielder, [email protected], 832.636.1462
Jeremy Smith, [email protected], 832.636.1544

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SOURCE Anadarko Petroleum Corporation