Exploration and production company ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) held its annual investor day on Feb. 28. Among the many topics covered was how the company plans to grow its production over the next few years. Because of the natural decline of an oil and gas well, Conoco needs to invest nearly $35 billion over five years to mitigate that decline both in its international operations and here at home. Unfortunately, all that money spent developing current production is just enough to keep that production steady. In order to grow, the company is spending an additional $16 billion over five years on major projects so that it can meet its ambitious goals to grow production by 3% to 5% annually through 2017. Let’s drill down and see what ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) has in the works.
With more than 1 million net acres and seven major projects under way, ConocoPhillips is looking to become a major player in the Canadian Oil Sands. The company has a five-year investment plan totaling about $5 billion, which should double production here by 2017. The biggest production boost will be seen when phase 2 of its Surmont project comes online in 2015. The project, which is a 50% joint venture with TOTAL S.A. (ADR) (NYSE:TOT), is expected to produce 110,000 barrels of oil per day when complete.
For perspective, that’s about twice the production of Devon Energy Corp (NYSE:DVN)‘s Jackfish 1 and 2, which currently produces 48,000 barrels of oil per day. That’s nothing against Jackfish — production there is up more than 40% year over year. Despite recent challenges in takeaway capacity out of the oil sands, this is one of the best oil plays in North America. If the Keystone XL pipeline from TransCanada Corporation (USA) (NYSE:TRP) is finally approved, it would be a big help in getting this oil to our refiners and bypassing more expensive railway transport options.
U.K.
ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) should begin to see a boost out of its U.K. production as its Jasmine project comes online. The company is spending $2.5 billion on this and other projects in the area. Once complete next year, these projects should drive incremental production of more than 55,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. Jasmine, which is the largest recent discovery in the U.K., is the fourth project developed out of its J-Block, with first production expected to come online later this year.
Norway
ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) sees major projects driving production in Norway for more than 40 years. Its five-year investment plan totals $4 billion, with its Ekofisk South and Eldfisk projects being a big driver of additional production. The Greater Ekofisk Area, which is a co-venture with Total and Statoil ASA(ADR) (NYSE:STO) among others, will gradually ramp up production by nearly 60,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2017. This is a great asset as production will be tied to Brent crude pricing, which will be an important driver for Conoco’s margins and profits.
